JP2006238140A - Base station apparatus and method for achieving redundancy in trouble - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multicarrier transmission and receiving apparatus which can achieve redundancy when troubles occur in a processor with a simple and inexpensive configuration. <P>SOLUTION: The multicarrier transmission and receiving apparatus uses a plurality of carriers that have a different frequency, and divides the carriers into slots as a unit to transmit and receive data, to perform time-sharing multiplex communications. A Tx/Rx buffer 6, which stores transmission and receiving data for every carrier, a plurality of DSPs 8 and a spare DSP 9 are connected through one common bus 7. A main controller 10 sets parameters for each of the DSPs 8, and assigns the DSPs to each carrier and slot processing. If troubles occur in either of the DSPs 8, the main controller 10 sets parameters for the spare DSP 9 to substitute it for the DSP 8 that troubles are detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a base station apparatus such as a multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus using a plurality of carriers having different frequencies, and a redundancy realizing method at the time of failure in the base station apparatus.

  In recent years, in mobile information terminals such as mobile phones, there is an increasing need for transmission of information such as image data, and the demand for high-capacity and high-speed transmission is increasing. For this reason, development of a multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus (base station apparatus) using multiantennas and multicarriers has been underway. In addition, since a multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus needs to perform digital signal processing at high speed, a multiprocessor configuration using a plurality of DSPs (Digital Signal Processors) and the like is often employed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus (base station apparatus). This conventional multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus is a configuration example of a multiantenna / multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus having m carriers (for example, 8 carriers) and n antennas (for example, 12), and has a multiprocessor configuration using a plurality of DSPs. System.
This multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus can communicate with a plurality of wireless communication terminals by wireless communication using the antenna.

  In the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. 6, 1 is an antenna (# 1 to #n), 2 is a high-frequency circuit unit (RF) for wireless transmission / reception, and 3 is a DDC for demodulating a wireless communication digital signal ( (Digital down converter) 4 is a DUC (Digital Up Converter) for modulating radio communication digital signals, 5 is a path control unit for converting data corresponding to each antenna and each carrier, and 6 is a carrier unit The transmission / reception buffers (Tx / Rx buffers # 1 to #m) provided in FIG. 7, 7a corresponds to the bus (# 1) provided corresponding to the carrier (# 1), and 7b corresponds to the carrier (# 2). The provided bus (# 2), 7c is a bus (#m) provided corresponding to the carrier (#m), and 8a is a DSP (# 1- # 3) that performs signal processing corresponding to the carrier (# 1). ), 8b is a carrier DSP (# 4 to # 6) that performs signal processing corresponding to (# 2), 8c is a DSP (# 3m + 1 to # 3m + 3) that performs signal processing corresponding to carrier (#m), and 9a is a DSP (# 1 to # 3). # 3) A spare DSP for 8a, 9b for a DSP (# 4 to # 6) 8b, 9c for a DSP (# 3m + 1 to # 3m + 3) 8c, 10 for DSPs 8a, 8b, A main control unit for performing parameter setting and failure detection of 8c is shown.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, one bus (# 1) 7a, three DSPs (# 1 to # 3) 8a, and a spare DSP 9a are allocated to the carrier (# 1). One bus (# 2) 7b, three DSPs (# 4 to # 6) 8b, and a spare DSP 9b are allocated to the carrier (# 2). Similarly, one bus (#m) 7c, three DSPs (# 3m + 1 to # 3m + 3) 8c, and a spare DSP 9c are allocated to the carrier (#m).

  That is, for each carrier, three DSPs and one spare DSP are allocated, and when one DSP fails, the spare DSP performs processing instead. Therefore, the required number of spare DSPs is the same as the number of carriers.

  In the conventional multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus described above, it is necessary to prepare the same number of spare DSPs as the number of carriers, and there is a problem that the circuit configuration becomes complicated and the cost increases due to the increase in the number of carriers. .

A DSP program download system is disclosed as a conventional technique using a plurality of DSPs (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, the purpose of this conventional technique is to shorten the time required for downloading a DSP program by downloading the program to a plurality of DSPs using DMA transfer in the initialization process of the system when the power is turned on. Therefore, the present invention has a different object and configuration.
JP 2002-73341 A

  Since the processor configuration of the prior art multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus (base station apparatus) allocates resources for each carrier, each carrier has at least one spare processor in order to realize redundancy in the event of processor failure. It was necessary to let For this reason, there existed a problem of the increase in the mounting area in a circuit board, the increase in cost, and the problem that a circuit structure became complicated.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and its object is to provide a simple and inexpensive configuration compared to a conventional multi-carrier transmission / reception apparatus (base station apparatus), and redundancy in the event of a processor failure. It is to provide a base station apparatus and a redundancy realizing method at the time of failure in the base station apparatus.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the base station apparatus of the present invention uses a plurality of carriers of different frequencies and divides the carrier into slots, which are units for transmitting and receiving data, in a time division manner. In a base station apparatus used in a communication system for performing multiplex communication, a plurality of buffer means for holding transmission / reception data for each carrier, a plurality of arithmetic means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the buffer means, and a spare arithmetic means not normally used One common signal path connecting the plurality of buffer means, the plurality of arithmetic means, and the preliminary arithmetic means, and parameter setting for each of the plurality of arithmetic means, and each arithmetic means for each carrier and Control means for allocating to the processing of the slot, and monitoring means for detecting an abnormality in the plurality of calculating means. When an abnormality is detected in any of the plurality of calculation means, the control unit sets a parameter in the preliminary calculation means, and the processing of the calculation means in which the abnormality is detected is replaced with the preliminary calculation means. It is characterized by controlling as follows.
As a result, redundancy in the event of a processor failure can be realized with a simple and inexpensive configuration as compared with the base station apparatus of the prior art.

The base station apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that the preliminary calculation means is configured to substitute for processing of one or more calculation means.
As a result, even when a plurality of arithmetic means (processors, etc.) in the base station apparatus fail, the processing can be continued by replacing with one preliminary arithmetic means (processor, etc.).

In the base station apparatus according to the present invention, the redundancy realizing method at the time of failure uses a plurality of carriers having different frequencies and performs time division multiplex communication by dividing the carrier into slots which are units for transmitting and receiving data. A plurality of buffer means for holding transmission / reception data for each carrier; a plurality of arithmetic means for transmitting / receiving data to / from the buffer means; and a plurality of buffer means and a plurality of arithmetic means for connecting A redundancy realizing method at the time of failure in a base station apparatus, comprising: a common signal path; and a control unit that sets parameters for each of the plurality of computing units and assigns each computing unit to the processing of each carrier and slot. , A step of connecting a preliminary calculation means not normally used to the common signal path, and detecting an abnormality of the plurality of calculation means If an abnormality is detected in any of the plurality of calculation means, the controller sets the parameter of the preliminary calculation means, and the processing of the calculation means in which the abnormality is detected is set as the preliminary calculation means. And a step of controlling so as to replace the above.
As a result, redundancy in the event of a processor failure can be realized with a simple and inexpensive configuration as compared with the base station apparatus of the prior art.

  In the present invention, the resources allocated to each processor (calculation means) constituting the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus (base station apparatus) can be changed according to the parameters, so that the configuration is simple and inexpensive compared to the prior art. Redundancy in case of processor failure can be realized.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus (base station apparatus) according to the present invention, which is a configuration example of a multiantenna / multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus having m carriers and n antennas. This multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus can communicate with other wireless communication terminals by wireless communication.

  In the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus shown in the figure, 1 is an antenna (# 1 to #m), 2 is a radio frequency circuit unit (RF) for wireless transmission / reception, and 3 is a DDC for demodulating a wireless communication digital signal ( (Digital down converter), 4 is a DUC (digital up converter) for modulation of radio communication digital signals, 5 is a path control unit for converting data corresponding to each antenna and each carrier, and 6 is each carrier Tx / Rx buffers (# 1 to # 3) (buffer means) prepared in units, 7 is a bus (common signal path) commonly used for each DSP, and 8 is a DSP (# 1 to # 3m + 3) (calculation) Means), 9 is a spare DSP (preliminary computing means), and 10 is a main controller (control means).

  The parameter setting unit 11 in the main control unit 10 is a processing unit that sets parameters that define the processing operation of each DSP (# 1 to # 3m + 3). The monitoring unit (monitoring means) 12 is a processing unit that detects an abnormality of each DSP (# 1 to # 3m + 3). The control unit 10 is connected to a network (not shown), and receives a data from the outside, and conversely transmits a data received from another wireless communication device to the network. (Not shown).

  In the example shown in FIG. 1, the parameter setting unit 11 assigns three DSPs (# 1 to # 3) 8 to the carrier (# 1) and three DSPs (# 2) to the carrier (# 2). 4 to # 6) 8 are allocated, and in the same manner, three DSPs (# 3m + 1 to # 3m + 3) 8 are allocated to the carrier (#m). Also, only one spare DSP 9 is prepared and connected to the bus 9.

  Next, a signal flow in the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus, first, radio waves are received using the respective antennas (# 1 to #n) 1. By passing the received radio wave through each RF 2 and DDC 3, intermediate frequency band I / F data for each antenna is obtained. The path control unit 5 converts the received I / Q data for each antenna into received I / Q data for each carrier. Received I / Q data for each carrier is stored in each Tx / Rx buffer 6.

  On the other hand, the main control unit 10 assigns a carrier number and a slot number to be processed in advance to each DSP (# 1 to # 3m + 3) 8. Each DSP 8 accesses the Tx / Rx buffer 6 of the carrier number and slot number in charge via the bus 7 to obtain received I / Q data. Based on the received data, the DSP 8 performs demodulation / decoding processing.

  In addition, transmission is the reverse of reception. Each DSP 8 receives data received from the network by the main control unit 10 through the network interface unit, performs encoding / modulation processing, and transmits to the Tx / Rx buffer 6 of the carrier number and slot number in charge via the bus 7. / Write Q data. The path control unit 5 converts transmission I / Q data for each carrier into transmission I / Q data for each antenna. Transmission I / Q data for each antenna is sent to the DUC 4 and transmitted from each antenna 1 via RF2.

  Here, if one of the DSPs (# 1 to # 3m + 3) 8 fails, the spare DSP 9 is used as a substitute DSP.

  In the configuration of the conventional multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. 6, when a DSP breaks down, the carrier number and slot number handled by this DSP are not set with parameters, so a spare DSP is prepared to compensate for the failed DSP. For this purpose, it is necessary to provide redundancy by the number of carriers. On the other hand, in the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. 1, transmission / reception is performed by giving the carrier number and the slot number assigned to the fault DSP as parameters to one spare DSP 9 prepared in advance. Since the processing can be continued, the performance deterioration of the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus can be prevented.

  FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 2, in a TDMA / TDD (Time Division Multiple Access / Time Division Duplex) scheme, signal frames are received slots (RxSlot # 1 to # 3) 11a, 11b, and 11c, and transmission slots (TxSlot # 1). ~ # 3) This is an example composed of 12a, 12b, and 12c. By increasing the frequency of the operation clock of the bus 7, the bus 7 common to all the DSPs 8 can be efficiently used in a time-sharing manner. It is an example. As shown in FIG. 2, in the signal frame in this embodiment, the period of the reception slot and the transmission slot are different (the reception slot is longer than the transmission slot), but the period of the reception slot and the transmission slot is different. The reception slot may be shorter than the transmission slot.

  In FIG. 2, transmission / reception processing corresponding to the carrier (# 1) is performed by the DSP (# 1 to # 3), and transmission / reception processing corresponding to the carrier # 2 is performed by the DSP (# 4 to # 6). In the following, transmission / reception processing corresponding to the carrier m is sequentially performed by the DSP (# 3m + 1 to # 3m + 3).

  The reception signal processing for the reception slot (RxSlot # 1) 11a is executed from the start timing of the RxSlot (# 2) 11b, and the processing a corresponding to the carrier (# 1) and the processing b corresponding to the carrier (# 2). Thereafter, processing is executed in order up to the processing m corresponding to the carrier (#m).

  Similarly, the reception signal processing for the reception slot (RxSlot # 2) 11b is executed from the start timing of the reception slot RxSlot # 3) 11c, and the reception signal processing for the reception slot (RxSlot # 3) 11c is performed on the transmission slot (TxSlot # 3) 11c. # 1) It is executed from the start timing of 12a.

  Also, the transmission signal processing for the transmission slot (TxSlot # 1) 12a is executed at the second half of the timing of the reception slot (RxSlot # 3) 11c (after completion of the processing for the reception slot (RxSlot # 2) 11b), and the carrier (# The process a ′ corresponding to 1), the process b ′ corresponding to the carrier (# 2), and thereafter the process m ′ corresponding to the carrier (#m) are executed in order.

  Similarly, transmission signal processing for the transmission slot (TxSlot # 2) 12b is executed at the second half timing of the transmission slot (TxSlot # 1) 12a, and transmission signal processing for the transmission slot (TxSlot # 3) 12c is performed in the transmission slot. (TxSlot # 2) Executed at the latter half of 12b.

  In this embodiment, by increasing the frequency of the operation clock of the bus 7, the common bus 7 can be used efficiently in a time division manner. Specifically, the frequency of the bus 7 is set within a certain slot. The clock frequency at which transmission of data received in the previous slot from the Tx / Rx buffer to all DSPs and transmission of data transmitted in the next slot from the DSP to the Tx / Rx buffer is completed. Operate with. That is, the bus 7 operates at a frequency at which the transmission process a ′ for the carrier (# 1) to the transmission process m ′ for the carrier (#m) are completed within the time of the reception slot (RxSlot # 3) 11c.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations in the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  First, the main control unit 10 assigns a carrier number and a slot number, which are parameters representing a processing target, to each DSP 8, and transmits the assigned parameters to the DSP 8 (step S1). Further, after assigning parameters to the DSP 8, the process proceeds to the failure detection process of the DSP 8 (step S2). If a failure occurs in any of the DSPs 8, the process returns to step S 1, and the parameters assigned to the DSP 8 in which the failure has occurred are reassigned to the spare DSP 9. By assigning the above parameters, the spare DSP 9 can access the bus 7.

  On the other hand, each DSP 8 calculates its own bus occupation time from the allocation parameter (carrier number / slot number) received from the main control unit 10 (step S3). Thereafter, the process proceeds to processing for detecting the head position of the frame (step S4). When the head of the frame is detected, the process waits until the reception bus occupation time allocated to itself (step S5), and when the reception bus occupation time allocated to itself is reached, reception processing is started (step S6). ).

  Next, it waits until the transmission bus occupation time allocated to itself (step S7), and when the transmission bus occupation time allocated to itself is reached, transmission processing is started (step S6).

  The configuration and operation of the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 have been described above. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, when one DSP in the plurality of DSPs 8 fails, the spare DSP 9 replaces the failed DSP 8. As an example used instead, in the present invention, it is possible to adopt a configuration corresponding to a case where a plurality of DSPs in the DSP 8 fail.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus. The configuration example shown in FIG. 4 is basically the same configuration as the configuration example shown in FIG. 1 except that the DSP 9a can be replaced with these DSPs when a plurality of DSPs in the DSP 8 fail. The operation of the other parts is the same as that shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the multicarrier transceiver shown in FIG. In the timing chart shown in FIG. 5, similarly to the timing chart shown in FIG. 2, the signal frame configuration includes reception slots (RxSlot # 1 to # 3) 11a, 11b, and 11c, and transmission slots (TxSlot # 1 to # 3). This is an example composed of 12a, 12b, and 12c.

  The timing chart shown in FIG. 5 is the same as the timing chart shown in FIG. 2 in a normal case where no DSP failure has occurred, and the transmission / reception processing corresponding to the carrier (# 1) is normally performed by the DSP (# 1 To # 3), and transmission / reception processing corresponding to the carrier (# 2) is performed by the DSP (# 4 to # 6), and transmission / reception processing corresponding to the carrier (#m) is sequentially performed in the DSP (#m). # 3m + 1 to # 3m + 3).

  In this state, when the DSP (# 1) 8 and the DSP (# 5) 8 fail (see FIG. 4), the processing a1, a1 ′ to be originally performed by the DSP (# 1) 8 and the DSP (# 5) The processing b1 and b1 ′ that should be originally performed in 8 is performed by the spare DSP 9a.

  As described above, even when a plurality of DSPs fail, the spare DSP can be used for replacement so that the operation as the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus can be executed more smoothly.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes a design and the like within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

It is a figure which shows the structural example of the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus (base station apparatus) by this invention. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement in a multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus. It is a figure which shows the other structural example of a multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus. 5 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus shown in FIG. 4. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the conventional multicarrier transmission / reception apparatus (base station apparatus).

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Antenna 2 ... High frequency circuit part (RF) 3 ... Digital down converter (DDC) 4 ... Digital up converter (DUC) 5 ... Path control part 6 ... Transmission / reception buffer (Tx / Rx buffer) 7, 7a, 7b, 7c ... Bus 8, 8a, 8b, 8c ... DSP 9, 9a ... Spare DSP 10 ... Main control part 11 ... Parameter setting part 12 ... Monitoring part

Claims (4)

In a base station apparatus used in a communication system that uses a plurality of carriers of different frequencies and performs time division multiplex communication by dividing the carrier into slots that are units for transmitting and receiving data,
A plurality of buffer means for holding transmission / reception data for each carrier;
A plurality of arithmetic means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the buffer means;
Preliminary computing means not normally used;
One common signal path connecting the plurality of buffer means, the plurality of arithmetic means, and the preliminary arithmetic means;
Control means for setting parameters in each of the plurality of computing means, and assigning each computing means to the processing of each carrier and slot;
Monitoring means for detecting an abnormality of the plurality of calculation means,
When an abnormality is detected in any of the plurality of calculation means by the monitoring means, the control unit sets a parameter in the preliminary calculation means, and the processing of the calculation means in which the abnormality is detected is set as the preliminary calculation. A base station apparatus that is controlled to replace the means. The base station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the preliminary calculation unit is configured to substitute processing of one or more calculation units. The control means further includes
The arithmetic means and the buffer means are
The data for each carrier transmitted and received in the same timing slot held by the plurality of buffer means,
3. The base station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so that transmission / reception is performed using the common signal path at a timing of a slot next to the slot. A plurality of buffer means for holding transmission / reception data for each carrier, which is used in a communication system for performing time division multiplex communication using a plurality of carriers of different frequencies and dividing into slots which are units for transmitting and receiving data on the carrier; A plurality of calculation means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the buffer means, a common signal path connecting the plurality of buffer means and the plurality of calculation means, and setting parameters for each of the plurality of calculation means, A redundancy realization method at the time of failure in a base station apparatus having control means for assigning each arithmetic means to the processing of each carrier and slot,
Connecting preparatory computing means not normally used to the common signal path;
Detecting an abnormality in the plurality of computing means;
When an abnormality is detected in any of the plurality of calculation means, the controller sets parameters of the preliminary calculation means, and the processing of the calculation means in which the abnormality is detected is replaced with the preliminary calculation means. A method for realizing redundancy at the time of failure, characterized by comprising:

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