JP2008245031A - Multilink communication system, multilink communication method, multilink communication device, multilink communication system management method, multi-link communication base station and multilink terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure a requested transmission rate, without reducing the working efficiency of a radio communication system. <P>SOLUTION: Base stations 42, 52 obtain base station information indicating a resource use state for each base station function and sends it to a multi-link communication device 30. A multilink terminal 10 sends terminal information indicating a request condition of services used by the user and an operation state of the corresponding multilink terminal to the multilink communication device 30. The multilink communication device 30 decides an available radio communication system and the number of radio links based on the base station information, the request condition of services and the terminal information, and notifies it to the multi-link terminal 10. The multilink terminal 10 and the multilink communication device 30 establish a multilink communication via the base stations 42, 52 based on the available radio communication system and the number of radio links. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multilink communication system, a multilink communication apparatus, a multilink communication system management method, a multilink that performs multilink communication using a plurality of wireless communication links of the same or different wireless communication systems when performing communication. The present invention relates to a communication base station and a multilink terminal.

  As multilink communication protocols using a plurality of communication links, multilink procedures such as The PPP multilink protocol (MP, RFC 1990) and HDLC (High-level Data link Control Procedure, ISO 7766) are known. MP (Multilink PPP) realizes wide bandwidth communication by regarding a plurality of links as one virtual link. PPP (Point to Point Protocol) is a data link layer communication protocol for performing one-to-one communication, and also defines a specification that regards a plurality of links as one link.

  Since HDLC performs processing in bit units, it is superior in high speed, reliability, and transparency compared to the basic procedure. The HDLC multilink procedure uses a multilink frame and performs transmission / reception control between the network layer and an SLP (Single Link Procedure).

  Furthermore, there is Inverse Multiplexing (I-MUX), which is a method for transmitting high-speed data by dividing it into a plurality of channels. A multilink communication method using the I-MUX and using a plurality of different wireless communication systems is known (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a multilink wireless communication system according to a conventional technique. In FIG. 14, the multilink terminal 1 is arranged on the Internet 2 using the radio communication system (A) 4 through the base station 41 and the radio communication system (B) 5 through the base station 51. Multilink communication is performed with the multilink communication device 3.

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multilink terminal 1 when performing conventional multilink communication. The multilink terminal 1 first determines whether or not a service start request has been made (step S1020). If there is a service start request, the multilink terminal transmits a multilink communication start request to the multilink communication device 3 (step S1022). Next, the multilink terminal 1 determines whether or not a response to the multilink communication start request from the multilink communication device 3 has been received (step S1024). If a response to the multilink communication start request is received, the multilink terminal 1 performs multilink communication with the multilink communication device 3 using a plurality of radio links (step S1026).

FIG. 16 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the conventional multilink communication apparatus 3 for multilink communication. The multilink communication device 3 determines whether or not the multilink communication start request transmitted by the multilink terminal 1 has been received (step S1040). If a multilink communication start request is received, a radio link is set for multilink with the multilink terminal 1 (step S1042), and a multilink communication start request response is sent to the multilink terminal 1. Transmit (step S1044). Next, multilink communication is performed using the multilink terminal 1 and a plurality of wireless links (step S1046).
Kazuhiro Okanoue, Tsuneo Nakada, Yukinori Suda, Masahiro Ono, Yusuke Noguchi, Shuntaro Yamazaki, “Mobile Internet (1): Basic Concept and System Configuration”, IEICE 2004 General Conference, B-5-163, 2004 Year, pp. 650

  By the way, many wireless communication systems currently exist, and the speed of the wireless communication system is increasing. On the other hand, wireless services are classified and diversified according to required conditions, such as bandwidth guarantee service, best effort service, real-time service, and non-real-time service.

  In general, a high-speed wireless communication system has a narrow coverage area, and it is difficult for a user to always use a high-speed wireless communication system. Therefore, the above-described multilink communication technique is used as a technique capable of improving the communication speed. The multilink communication technique is a technique for improving the transmission speed by multiplexing a plurality of communication links. For example, there are 3G mobile phones, PHS (Personal Handyphone System), wireless LAN (Local Area Network), etc. as physical means for mobile users to access a fixed communication network. Not as big as Therefore, it is conceivable to achieve a high communication speed by combining all wireless channels (3G, PHS, wireless LAN, etc.) that can be used in a mobile environment and using them as one communication path.

  However, since the multilink communication technique is terminated between the multilink communication apparatus and the user terminal, there arises a problem that the transmission rate requested at the start of communication cannot always be ensured. In addition, when the wireless communication link is multiplexed more than the user request, there is a problem that the use efficiency of the wireless communication system is lowered in the circuit switching type wireless communication system. As described above, in the case of wireless communication, even if a plurality of communication channels are combined, a desired communication speed is not always achieved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object thereof is a multilink communication system capable of ensuring a requested transmission rate without reducing the utilization efficiency of the wireless communication system, A multilink communication apparatus, a multilink communication system management method, a multilink communication base station, and a multilink terminal are provided.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention can interconnect a multilink terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless communication systems, a base station operable as a plurality of different wireless communication systems, and a plurality of wireless communication systems. In a multilink communication system comprising a multilink communication device, the base station has base station function means for operating a base station function of one or more radio communication systems, and a base station function operated by the base station function means Base station information acquisition means for acquiring base station information indicating the resource usage status for each, and base station information communication means for transmitting the base station information acquired by the base station information acquisition means to the multilink communication device. The multilink terminal acquires a service request condition used by a user and transmits it to the multilink communication apparatus. Based on request condition acquisition means, terminal information notification means for acquiring terminal information indicating the operation status of the multilink terminal and transmitting it to the multilink communication apparatus, available radio communication system and number of radio links to be notified And multilink communication means for performing multilink communication with the multilink communication device via the base station, the multilink communication device including the base station information, the service request condition, and the terminal information. Receiving means for receiving, base station information management table for storing base station information received by the receiving means, request conditions for the service, terminal information, and base station information management received by the receiving means Based on the base station information stored in the table, the available wireless communication system and the number of wireless links are determined, Radio link determination means for notifying a link terminal; and multilink communication means for performing multilink communication with the multilink terminal via the base station based on the available radio communication system and the number of radio links. A multilink communication system.

  According to the present invention, in the above invention, the multilink communication apparatus is configured to determine whether or not to provide a service based on the wireless communication system determined by the wireless link determination unit; The base station further comprises base station function change addition requesting means for requesting the base station to change part or all of the base station function or addition based on the determination result of service availability by the judging means. The apparatus further comprises resource management means for changing or adding part or all of the base station function based on a base station function change or addition request from the multilink communication apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a multilink terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless communication systems, a base station operable as a plurality of different wireless communication systems, and a plurality of wireless communication systems. In a multilink communication method of a multilink communication system comprising a connectable multilink communication device, the base station performs a base station function step for operating a base station function of one or more radio communication systems, and the base station function A base station information acquisition step for acquiring base station information indicating a resource usage status for each, and a base station information communication step for transmitting the base station information to the multilink communication device, wherein the multilink terminal is a user A service request condition acquisition step of acquiring a request condition of a service used by the multi-link communication apparatus Based on the terminal information notification step of acquiring terminal information indicating the operation status of the multilink terminal and transmitting it to the multilink communication apparatus, and the available radio communication system and the number of radio links to be notified, the base station A multilink communication step for performing multilink communication with the multilink communication device via the multilink communication device, the multilink communication device receiving the base station information, the service request condition, and the terminal information, A base station information management step for storing the received base station information in a base station information management table; the received service request conditions and the terminal information; and a base stored in the base station information management table Based on the station information, the available wireless communication system and the number of wireless links are determined, and the multilink terminal A radio link determining step to be known, and a multi-link communication step of performing multi-link communication with the multi-link terminal via the base station based on the available radio communication system and the number of radio links. Is a multilink communication method.

  Further, in order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a multi-access system that can interconnect with a plurality of wireless communication systems via a base station that can operate as a plurality of different wireless communication systems. In a multilink communication apparatus that performs multilink communication with a link terminal, a base station that indicates a resource utilization status for each base station function for enabling operation in one or more wireless communication systems acquired by the base station Receiving means for receiving information, request conditions for a service used by a user acquired by the multilink terminal, and terminal information indicating an operation status of the multilink terminal, and base station information received by the receiving means Base station information management table for storing the service request conditions and the terminal information received by the receiving means, and the base station A wireless link determination means for determining a usable wireless communication system and the number of wireless links based on the base station information stored in the information management table and notifying the multilink terminal; and the usable wireless communication system, A multilink communication apparatus comprising multilink communication means for performing multilink communication with the multilink terminal via the base station based on the number of radio links.

  According to the present invention, in the above invention, the multilink communication apparatus is configured to determine whether or not to provide a service based on the wireless communication system determined by the wireless link determination unit; Base station function change addition request means for requesting the base station to change or add part or all of the base station function based on the determination result of whether or not the service can be provided by the determination means, the multilink communication A part or all of the base station function of the base station is changed or added based on a change or addition request by the apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a multilink terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless communication systems, a base station operable as a base station of a plurality of different wireless communication systems, and a plurality of wireless communication. In a multilink communication system management method of a communication system comprising a multilink communication device interconnectable with a system, a base station for enabling operation in one or more wireless communication systems acquired by the base station A receiving step of receiving base station information indicating resource usage status for each function, request conditions for a service used by a user acquired by the multilink terminal, and terminal information indicating an operation status of the multilink terminal; A base station information management step for storing the received base station information in a base station information management table; and Based on the service request conditions, the terminal information, and base station information stored in the base station information management table, a usable radio communication system and the number of radio links are determined and notified to the multilink terminal. And a multilink communication step of performing multilink communication with the multilink terminal via the base station based on the available radio communication system and the number of radio links. A multilink communication system management method.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a multilink communication between a multilink terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless communication systems and a multilink communication apparatus interconnectable with the plurality of wireless communication systems. A multi-link communication base station that can operate as a base station of a plurality of different wireless communication systems, and a base station function means that operates a base station function of one or more wireless communication systems, and the base station function means Base station information acquisition means for acquiring base station information indicating the resource usage status for each operating base station function, and a base station for transmitting the base station information acquired by the base station information acquisition means to the multilink communication device A multilink communication base station comprising an information communication means.

  The present invention according to the above invention further comprises resource management means for changing or adding a part or all of the base station function based on a change or addition request for the base station function from the multilink communication device. It is characterized by.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a multilink communication apparatus and a multilink that can be interconnected with a plurality of radio communication systems via a base station that can operate as a base station of a plurality of different radio communication systems. A multilink terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless communication systems performing link communication, acquiring a request condition for a service used by a user and transmitting the request condition to the multilink communication apparatus, and the multilink Based on terminal information notification means for acquiring terminal information indicating the operation status of the terminal and transmitting to the multilink communication device, the available wireless communication system and the number of wireless links to be notified, via the base station A multilink terminal comprising a multilink communication device and multilink communication means for performing multilink communication That.

  According to the present invention, the base station operates the base station function of one or more radio communication systems, acquires base station information indicating the resource usage status for each operating base station function, and transmits it to the multilink communication apparatus. Send. The multilink terminal acquires a request condition for a service used by the user and transmits the request condition to the multilink communication apparatus, acquires terminal information indicating the operation status of the multilink terminal, and transmits the terminal information to the multilink communication apparatus. The multilink communication apparatus receives base station information, service request conditions and terminal information, stores the received base station information in a base station information management table, and receives the received service request conditions, terminal information, and base information Based on the base station information stored in the station information management table, the available wireless communication system and the number of wireless links are determined and notified to the multilink terminal. The multilink terminal and the multilink communication apparatus perform multilink communication via the base station based on the available radio communication system and the number of radio links. Therefore, there is an advantage that the requested transmission rate can be ensured without reducing the utilization efficiency of the wireless communication system.

  Further, according to the present invention, the multilink communication apparatus determines whether or not to provide a service based on the determined wireless communication system, and determines whether the base station functions of the base station based on the determination result of whether or not the service can be provided. Requesting some or all changes or additions, the base station changes or adds some or all of the base station functions based on the change or addition request from the multilink communication apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to secure a radio link according to the use status of the radio communication system, and to obtain the advantage that the requested transmission rate can be secured without reducing the use efficiency of the radio communication system.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

A. First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a multilink communication system that can be used by a wireless communication system A and a wireless communication system B according to the first embodiment. The multilink communication device 30 includes a base station 42 of the wireless communication system (A) 4 or a control station 40 that manages a plurality of base stations of the wireless communication system (A), and a base station 52 of the wireless communication system (B) 5. Alternatively, they are interconnected with a control station 50 that manages a plurality of base stations of the wireless communication system (B) 5 and can communicate with each other.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the base stations 42 and 52 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the base station function means 504 operates as a base station function of the wireless communication system, and may be configured with dedicated hardware, or may be configured with software radio that can change the radio system by changing software. Good. The base station function unit 504 processes a signal from the wireless section and transmits it to the network via the network interface 508. The base station information acquisition unit 502 acquires the throughput, the frame error rate, the maximum base station capacity, and the like from the base station operated by the base station function unit 504 and notifies the base station information communication unit 506 of it.

  The hardware resource management means (resource management means) 500 observes the hardware resources constituting the base station function means 504, the amount of hardware resources actually operating, and the like, and sends the observation results to the base station information communication means 506. Notice. The base station information communication means 506 transmits base station information to the multilink communication device 30 shown in FIG. 1 via the network interface 508. Further, the base station information communication unit 506 performs function change, addition, channel reservation, etc. of the base station function unit 504 in response to a request from the multilink communication apparatus 30 shown in FIG.

  Next, FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the multilink communication device 30 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, a network interface 604 inputs and outputs data. The multilink communication means (reception means) 602 has a service data input / output function, and performs multilink communication such as frame division and multiplexing, multilink frame configuration, sequence number management, and the like.

  Radio link determination means (radio link determination means, service provision availability determination means, base station function change addition request means) 600 includes base station information, user terminal information, and service request conditions held in the base station information management table 608. Based on the above, the wireless link (the wireless communication system to be used and the number of wireless links) for multilink communication is determined, and the determined combination of the wireless links is notified to the wireless base station communication means 606. The radio base station communication unit 606 writes the base station information received from the base stations 42 and 52 shown in FIG. 1 in the base station information management table 608. The base station information management table 608 is a database that performs unified management of base station information.

  Next, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the multilink terminal 10 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 4, the wireless communication device 702 transmits and receives wireless signals and has a capability of supporting a plurality of wireless communication systems. A service quality analysis unit (service request condition acquisition unit) 706 is executed in response to a request from the multilink communication unit 704 when a service start request is input to the multilink communication unit 704, and analyzes the service quality. The request condition is notified to the multilink communication means 704.

  The terminal information notification unit 700 notifies the multilink communication unit 704 of information on the wireless communication system operating in the wireless communication device 702. The multilink communication unit 704 has a service data input / output function, and performs multilink communication such as frame division and multiplexing, multilink frame configuration, and sequence number management. The multilink communication unit 704 also performs control information communication such as notification of terminal information to the multilink communication apparatus 30 shown in FIG.

  Note that the base stations 42 and 52 of the wireless communication system or the control stations 40 and 50 of the wireless communication system may also serve as the multilink communication device 30.

  Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multilink terminal 10 according to the first embodiment. The multilink terminal 10 determines whether or not there is a service start request (step S120), and when a service start request is generated, the service quality analysis unit 706 analyzes the service request condition (step S122). Then, the multilink communication means 704 notifies the multilink communication device 30 of the service request conditions (step S124). The requirements are items such as best effort type service, bandwidth guarantee type service, highly reliable type service, real-time type service type, transmission speed, transmission delay or delay fluctuation, frame error rate, and communication reliability. , One of these, or a combination of two or more.

  The multilink terminal 10 uses the terminal information notifying unit 700 to identify communicable radio system identification information that identifies a radio system with which the multilink terminal 10 can communicate, or a radio communication system that is operating on the multilink terminal 10 The terminal information including any one or more of the operating wireless system identification information to be performed, the throughput of the operating wireless communication system, the frame error rate, or the reception level is notified to the multilink communication device 30 (step) S126).

  Note that the communicable radio system identification information is information for identifying a radio communication system capable of communicating as a capability regardless of whether the multilink terminal 10 is currently operating. The operating wireless system specifying information is information for specifying the wireless communication system in which the multilink terminal 10 is actually communicating at that time. Note that information indicating the wireless communication specification can be used as the information specifying the wireless communication system, which is obtained from the wireless communication device 702 included in the multilink terminal 10.

  Next, the multilink terminal 10 determines whether or not a response to the multilink communication start request from the multilink communication device 30 has been received (step S128). It is determined whether or not a radio link to be used in multilink communication, that is, a radio communication system to be used and the number (bandwidth) of radio links are designated from the link communication device 30 (step S130). Then, when the radio link is designated, since the start of multilink communication is successful, the multilink terminal 10 uses the designated radio link to transmit the base station 42 or 52, Alternatively, both are accessed and multilink communication is executed (step S132). On the other hand, if there is no radio link designation, multilink communication start fails (step S134), and the process ends.

  Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the base stations 42 and 52 according to the first embodiment. The base stations 42 and 52 determine whether or not a base station information acquisition request has been received from the multilink communication device 30 (step S150). When the base station information acquisition request is received, the base stations 42 and 52 use the base station information acquisition unit 502 to transmit the throughput of each base station, the number of accommodated users, the number of used channels, Total number of channels, frame error rate, reception level, base station power, signal processing capacity, memory, input / output device, high frequency circuit, or one of hardware resources such as antenna, Alternatively, two or more usage situations are acquired as base station information, and the base station information communication means 506 notifies the base station information to the multilink communication device 30 (step S152).

  Next, the base stations 42 and 52 determine whether or not a radio link reservation request transmitted from the multilink communication device 30 has been received (step S154). When a wireless link reservation request is received, the designated number (bandwidth) of wireless links of the wireless communication system indicated by the wireless reservation request is reserved (step S156), and the success or failure of the reservation is determined by multilink communication. The device 30 is notified (step S158), and the process ends.

  Next, FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the multilink communication device 30 according to the first embodiment. The multilink communication device 30 determines whether or not a multilink communication start request has been received from the multilink terminal 10 (step S170). When a multilink communication start request is received, a service request condition used by the multilink terminal 10 is received (step S172). Next, the multilink communication device 30 receives the terminal information transmitted from the multilink terminal 10 (step S174).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the base station information needs to be updated (step S176). The base station information can be updated periodically when updated or triggered by a request from the multilink terminal 10. If the base station information needs to be updated, the base station information is requested from the base stations 42 and 52 (step S178), and the base station information is acquired (step S180). Next, the multilink communication device 30 updates the information in the base station information management table 608 with the information indicated by the received base station information by the wireless base station communication means 606 (step S182). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S184. On the other hand, if there is no need to update, the process proceeds directly to step S184.

  The multilink communication device 30 reads the base station information from the base station information management table 608 by the radio link determination unit 600 (step S184), and performs multilink communication based on the base station information, service request conditions, and terminal information. The wireless link to be used, that is, the base station to be used, the wireless communication system, and the number (bandwidth) of the wireless links are determined (step S186). Next, it is determined whether or not the service can be provided from the determination result of the wireless link to be used (step S188). When the service can be provided, the multilink communication device 30 sets the information about the radio link (the radio communication system and the number of radio links) to be secured in the base station to the base stations 42 and 52. A reservation request is transmitted to reserve a wireless link (step S190).

  Next, the multilink communication device 30 determines whether or not the reservation of the radio link is successful based on the notification of the success or failure of the notification notified from the base stations 42 and 52 (step S192), and the reservation of the radio link is successful. In this case, the radio link determination unit 600 notifies the multilink terminal 10 of a radio link used in multilink communication (step S194), and the multilink communication unit 602 performs multilink transmission of user data to perform multilink transmission. Communication is executed (step S196), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S188 that the service cannot be provided, or if it is determined in step S192 that the radio link reservation has failed, the multilink terminal 10 is notified of the start of multilink communication failure (step S198). ), And it ends.

B. Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, since the structure of each component is the same, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multilink terminal 10 according to the second embodiment. The multilink terminal 10 determines whether or not there is a service start request (step S320), and when a service start request is generated, the service quality analysis unit 706 analyzes the service request condition (step S322). Then, the multilink communication means 704 notifies the multilink communication device 30 of the service request conditions (step S324). The requirements are items such as best effort type service, bandwidth guarantee type service, highly reliable type service, real-time type service type, transmission speed, transmission delay or delay fluctuation, frame error rate, and communication reliability. , One of these, or a combination of two or more.

  The multilink terminal 10 uses the terminal information notifying unit 700 to identify communicable radio system identification information that identifies a radio system with which the multilink terminal 10 can communicate, or a radio communication system that is operating on the multilink terminal 10 The terminal information including any one or more of the operating wireless system identification information to be performed, the throughput of the operating wireless communication system, the frame error rate, or the reception level is notified to the multilink communication device 30 (step) S326).

  Next, the multilink terminal 10 determines whether or not a response to the multilink communication start request from the multilink communication device 30 has been received (step S328). It is determined whether or not a radio link to be used in multilink communication, that is, a radio communication system to be used and the number (bandwidth) of radio links are designated from the link communication device 30 (step S330). Then, when the designation of the radio link exists, the start of the multilink communication is successful. Therefore, the multilink terminal 10 uses the designated radio link by the multilink communication means 704 to make the base station 42 or 52. Alternatively, both are accessed, and multilink communication is executed (step S332). On the other hand, if there is no radio link designation, multilink communication start fails (step S334), and the process ends.

  Next, FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the base stations 42 and 52 according to the second embodiment. The base stations 42 and 52 determine whether or not a base station information acquisition request has been received from the multilink communication device 30 (step S350). When the base station information acquisition request is received, the base stations 42 and 52 use the base station information acquisition unit 502 to transmit the throughput of each base station, the number of accommodated users, the number of used channels, Total number of channels, frame error rate, reception level, base station power, signal processing capacity, memory, input / output device, high frequency circuit, or one of hardware resources such as antenna, Alternatively, two or more usage situations are acquired as base station information, and the base station information communication means 506 notifies the multilink communication device 30 (step S352).

  Next, the base stations 42 and 52 determine whether or not a radio link reservation request transmitted from the multilink communication device 30 has been received (step S354). If a radio link reservation request is received, it is determined whether there has been a base station function change request or a base station function addition request from the multilink communication device 30 (step S356). If there is a base station function change request or addition request, the base station function is changed or added according to the request (step S358).

  The change / addition of the base station functions of the base stations 42 and 52 can be realized by controlling the activation and termination of dedicated hardware, or changing the software by software radio. Here, FIGS. 11A to 11D are conceptual diagrams for explaining a configuration example of the base station function and a modification example of the base station function according to the second embodiment.

  FIG. 11A shows an example in which the base station function is configured by dedicated hardware that operates as the base station 42 of the wireless communication system (A) 4 and the base station 52 of the wireless communication system (B) 5. Is shown. FIG. 11B shows a case where the base station function is configured by a general-purpose processor or the like, and the base station function can be changed by software change. In the base station function, the radio communication system (A) 4 An example is shown in which software that operates as the base station 42 and the base station 52 of the wireless communication system (B) 5 is executed.

  FIG. 11C shows an example in which the base station function of the currently used wireless system (A) 4 is changed to the base station function of the wireless system (B) 5 in response to a request from the multilink communication device 30. ing. Further, FIG. 11D shows that when the base station function of the wireless system (A) 4 is being executed, the wireless communication system ( A) An example in which four base station functions are added is shown.

  Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S360. On the other hand, if no request has been made, the process proceeds to step S360 without making any changes / additions. Next, the base stations 42 and 52 make a radio link reservation (step S360), notify the multilink communication device 30 of the success or failure of the reservation (step S362), and the process ends.

  Next, FIG.12 and FIG.13 is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the multilink communication apparatus 30 by this 2nd Embodiment. The multilink communication device 30 determines whether or not a multilink communication start request has been received from the multilink terminal 10 (step S370). If a multilink communication start request is received, a request condition for a service used by the multilink terminal 10 is received (step S372). Next, the multilink communication device 30 receives the terminal information transmitted from the multilink terminal 10 (step S374).

  Next, it is determined whether or not the base station information needs to be updated (step S376). The base station information can be updated periodically when it is updated or triggered by a request from the multilink terminal 10. If the base station information needs to be updated, the base station information is requested from the base stations 42 and 52 (step S378), and the base station information is acquired (step S380). Next, the multilink communication device 30 updates the information in the base station information management table 608 with the information indicated by the received base station information by the radio base station communication means 606 (step S382). Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S184. On the other hand, if there is no need to update, the process proceeds directly to step S384.

  The multilink communication device 30 reads the base station information from the base station information management table 608 by the radio link determination means 600 (step S384), and performs multilink communication based on the base station information, service request conditions, and terminal information. The wireless link to be used, that is, the base station to be used, the wireless communication system, and the number (bandwidth) of the wireless links are determined (step S386). Next, it is determined whether or not the service can be provided from the determination result of the wireless link to be used (step S388). When the service can be provided, the multilink communication device 30 requests the base stations 42 and 52 to change the base station function or add the base station function based on the determination result of whether or not the service can be provided ( Step S390). Next, a radio link reservation request in which information on the radio link (wireless communication system and the number of radio links) to be secured in the base station is transmitted to the base stations 42 and 52 to reserve the radio link (step S392). ).

  Next, the multilink communication device 30 determines whether or not the reservation of the radio link is successful based on the notification of the success or failure of the notification notified from the base stations 42 and 52 (step S394), and the reservation of the radio link is successful. In this case, the radio link determination unit 600 notifies the multilink terminal 10 of a radio link used in multilink communication (step S396), and the multilink communication unit 602 performs multilink transmission of user data to perform multilink transmission. Communication is executed (step S398), and the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S388 that the service cannot be provided, or if it is determined in step S394 that the radio link reservation has failed, the multilink terminal 10 is notified of the start of multilink communication failure (step S400). ), And it ends.

According to the first and second embodiments described above, the base station 42, 52 or the control station 40, 50 that manages the base station 41, 42 and the multilink communication device 30 are interconnected, thereby providing a multilink communication device. 30 can know the usage status, free channel, and processing capability of the base stations 42 and 52. In the multilink communication device 30, the usage status of the base stations 42 and 52 is centrally managed by the information database, so that a combination of radio links that satisfy user requirements and use radio facilities without waste can be selected. It becomes possible. Furthermore, since the multilink communication device 30 and the base stations 42 and 52 are interconnected, the multilink communication device 30 can control the base stations 42 and 52.
In the present embodiment, paying attention to the above features, the multilink communication device 30 and the base stations 42 and 52 or the control stations 40 and 50 that manage the base station cooperate to take into account the usage status of the wireless communication system. A combination of wireless communication links that satisfy user requirements is selected, and multilink communication is performed by securing wireless links of the base stations 42 and 52 in advance at the start of communication.

  As described above, according to the first and second embodiments, the radio link when the multilink communication device 30 performs the multilink communication based on the service request condition, the usage status of the radio communication system, and the terminal information. By selecting and securing radio links of the base stations 42 and 52 of the radio communication system to be used, multilink communication in cooperation with the base stations 42 and 52 of the radio communication system can be realized. As a result, a combination of wireless links that satisfy the user's requirements and improve the operating rate of the wireless communication system is determined before the start of multi-communication. In addition, the wireless system can be used flexibly.

  Each means of the multilink terminal 10, the multilink communication device 30, and the base stations 42 and 52 described above may be realized by dedicated hardware. In addition, the multilink terminal 10, the multilink, Each unit of the communication device 30 and the base stations 42 and 52 includes a memory and a CPU (central processing unit), and a program for realizing the functions of the multilink terminal 10, the multilink communication device 30, and the base stations 42 and 52. The function may be realized by loading the program into a memory and executing it.

  Further, a program for realizing the functions of each means of the multilink terminal 10, the multilink communication device 30, and the base stations 42 and 52 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is recorded. The processing of each unit of the multilink terminal 10, the multilink communication device 30, and the base stations 42 and 52 may be performed by being read and executed by a computer system. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.

  Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.

  The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, and a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built in the computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the multilink communication system which can use the radio | wireless communications system A and the radio | wireless communications system B by this 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the base stations 42 and 52 by this 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the multilink communication apparatus 30 by this 1st Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the multilink terminal 10 by this 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the multilink terminal 10 by this 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the base stations 42 and 52 by this 1st Embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multilink communication device 30 according to the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the multilink communication device 30 according to the first embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the multilink terminal 10 by this 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the base stations 42 and 52 by this 2nd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the structural example of the base station function by the 2nd Embodiment, and the example of a change of a base station function. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the multilink communication apparatus 30 by this 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the multilink communication apparatus 30 by this 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the multilink radio | wireless communications system by a prior art. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the multilink terminal 1 at the time of performing the conventional multilink communication. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the multilink communication apparatus 3 of the conventional multilink communication.

Explanation of symbols

2 ... Internet 4 ... Wireless communication system A
5. Wireless communication system B
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Multilink terminal 30 ... Multilink communication apparatus 40, 50 ... Control station 42, 52 ... Base station 500 ... Hardware resource management means (resource management means)
502 ... Base station information acquisition means 504 ... Base station function means 506 ... Base station information communication means 508 ... Network interface 600 ... Radio link determination means (radio link determination means, service provision availability determination means, base station function change addition request means)
602... Multilink communication means (reception means)
604 ... Network interface 606 ... Wireless base station communication means 608 ... Base station information management table 700 ... Terminal information notification means 702 ... Wireless communication device 704 ... Multilink communication means 706 ... Service quality analysis means (service request condition acquisition means)

Claims (9)

In a multilink communication system comprising a multilink terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless communication systems, a base station operable as a plurality of different wireless communication systems, and a multilink communication device interconnectable with the plurality of wireless communication systems ,
The base station
Base station function means for operating a base station function of one or more wireless communication systems;
Base station information acquisition means for acquiring base station information indicating a resource usage status for each base station function operated by the base station function means;
Base station information acquired by the base station information acquisition means, and comprises base station information communication means for transmitting to the multilink communication device,
The multilink terminal is:
Service request condition acquisition means for acquiring a request condition of a service used by a user and transmitting the request condition to the multilink communication device;
Terminal information notifying means for acquiring terminal information indicating the operation status of the multilink terminal and transmitting it to the multilink communication device;
Multilink communication means for performing multilink communication with the multilink communication device via the base station based on the notified available radio communication system and the number of radio links,
The multilink communication device is:
Receiving means for receiving the base station information, the service request conditions and the terminal information;
A base station information management table for storing base station information received by the receiving means;
Based on the service request conditions and the terminal information received by the receiving means, and base station information stored in the base station information management table, the available radio communication system and the number of radio links are determined. Radio link determination means for notifying the multilink terminal;
A multilink communication system comprising multilink communication means for performing multilink communication with the multilink terminal via the base station based on the available radio communication system and the number of radio links. The multilink communication device is:
Based on the wireless communication system determined by the wireless link determination means, a service provision availability determination means for determining the availability of service provision;
Further comprising base station function change addition requesting means for requesting the base station to change part or all of the base station function or addition based on the service provision availability judgment result by the service provision availability judgment means,
The base station
The resource management means for changing or adding a part or all of the base station function based on a change or addition request of the base station function from the multilink communication device is further provided. Multilink communication system. A multilink communication system comprising a multilink terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless communication systems, a base station operable as a plurality of different wireless communication systems, and a multilink communication device interconnectable with the plurality of wireless communication systems In the multilink communication method,
The base station
A base station functional step for operating a base station function of one or more wireless communication systems;
A base station information acquisition step of acquiring base station information indicating a resource usage status for each base station function;
A base station information communication step for transmitting the base station information to the multilink communication device;
The multilink terminal is:
A service request condition acquisition step of acquiring a request condition of a service used by a user and transmitting the request condition to the multilink communication device;
Acquiring terminal information indicating the operation status of the multilink terminal, and transmitting the terminal information to the multilink communication apparatus;
A multi-link communication step of performing multi-link communication with the multi-link communication device via the base station based on the notified available radio communication system and the number of radio links,
The multilink communication device is:
Receiving the base station information, the service request conditions and the terminal information;
A base station information management step of storing the received base station information in a base station information management table;
Based on the received request condition of the service, the terminal information, and base station information stored in the base station information management table, an available radio communication system and the number of radio links are determined, and the multi A radio link determination step for notifying the link terminal;
A multilink communication method comprising: a multilink communication step of performing multilink communication with the multilink terminal via the base station based on the available radio communication system and the number of radio links. In a multilink communication device that performs multilink communication with a multilink terminal that can communicate with a plurality of wireless communication systems, interconnecting with a plurality of wireless communication systems via a base station operable as a plurality of different wireless communication systems,
Base station information indicating resource usage status for each base station function for enabling operation in one or more wireless communication systems acquired by the base station, used by a user acquired by the multilink terminal Receiving means for receiving a service request condition and terminal information indicating an operation status of the multilink terminal;
A base station information management table for storing base station information received by the receiving means;
Based on the service request conditions and the terminal information received by the receiving means, and base station information stored in the base station information management table, the available radio communication system and the number of radio links are determined. Radio link determination means for notifying the multilink terminal;
A multilink communication apparatus comprising: multilink communication means for performing multilink communication with the multilink terminal via the base station based on the available radio communication system and the number of radio links. The multilink communication device is:
Based on the wireless communication system determined by the wireless link determination means, a service provision availability determination means for determining the availability of service provision;
Further comprising base station function change addition requesting means for requesting the base station to change part or all of the base station function or addition based on the service provision availability judgment result by the service provision availability judgment means,
The multilink communication apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a part or all of the base station function of the base station is changed or added based on a change or addition request by the multilink communication apparatus. A communication system comprising a multilink terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless communication systems, a base station operable as a base station of a plurality of different wireless communication systems, and a multilink communication device interconnectable with the plurality of wireless communication systems In the multilink communication system management method of
Base station information indicating resource usage status for each base station function for enabling operation in one or more wireless communication systems acquired by the base station, used by a user acquired by the multilink terminal Receiving a service request condition to be received and terminal information indicating an operation status of the multilink terminal;
A base station information management step of storing the received base station information in a base station information management table;
Based on the service request conditions and the terminal information received by the receiving means, and base station information stored in the base station information management table, the available radio communication system and the number of radio links are determined. A radio link determination step for notifying the multilink terminal;
And a multilink communication step of performing multilink communication with the multilink terminal via the base station based on the available radio communication system and the number of radio links. . Operates as a base station of a plurality of different radio communication systems that mediate multilink communication between a multilink terminal capable of communicating with a plurality of radio communication systems and a multilink communication device interconnectable with the plurality of radio communication systems In a possible multilink communication base station,
Base station function means for operating a base station function of one or more wireless communication systems;
Base station information acquisition means for acquiring base station information indicating a resource usage status for each base station function operated by the base station function means;
A base station information communication means for transmitting base station information acquired by the base station information acquisition means to the multilink communication apparatus.   8. The resource management means according to claim 7, further comprising resource management means for changing or adding a part or all of the base station function based on a base station function change or addition request from the multilink communication apparatus. Multilink communication base station. Multilink capable of communicating with a plurality of wireless communication systems performing multilink communication with a multilink communication device interconnectable with a plurality of wireless communication systems via a base station operable as a base station of a plurality of different wireless communication systems A terminal,
Service request condition acquisition means for acquiring a request condition of a service used by a user and transmitting the request condition to the multilink communication device;
Terminal information notifying means for acquiring terminal information indicating the operation status of the multilink terminal and transmitting it to the multilink communication device;
A multilink terminal comprising: multilink communication means for performing multilink communication with the multilink communication device via the base station based on the notified available radio communication system and the number of radio links .

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