JP2010033454A - Information processor and information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processor for performing redundant connection of a module without damaging availability of a system with a configuration that is simpler than conventional dual star type connection and full connection type connection, and an information processing method using this device. <P>SOLUTION: The information processor has a plurality of function modules, and a main control module and a reserve system control module for controlling the function modules. The function modules and the control modules are connected in the shape of a partial mesh. When a failure in the function modules or the like is detected, the control module releases a logical line and resets a logical line about modules other than the failed module. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of modules are connected redundantly in a base station for wireless communication and the like, and a method for processing a communication signal by the module in the base station by the apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a system such as a base station for mobile radio communication, various configurations are known in which a plurality of modules configured according to functions are connected. For example, as the simplest one, there is a ring-type connection configuration in which a plurality of modules 100a to 100h are simply connected together as shown in FIG. 9A. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, there is a bus type connection configuration in which all modules 100a to 100h are connected to one bus 200.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 9C, there is a (single) star connection in which one hub module 300 is used as a center and all other modules 100a to 100h are connected to the hub module. As shown in FIG. 9 (D), two hub modules (300a and 300b) are used in a single star connection, and all the modules 100a to 100h are connected to the two hub modules 300a and 300b to provide redundancy and versatility. What improved is called dual star connection. In addition, as shown in FIG. 9E, there is a full-connect type connection in which the modules 100a to 100h are connected to all other modules. In a network system, various methods for redundantly connecting nodes are known (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

JP 7-297847 A JP 2002-281055 A

  As the typical connection configuration described above, an appropriate one is generally used in accordance with the situation of the base station and the required reliability. Each of these typical connection configurations has advantages and disadvantages. Normally, when reliability is improved by multiplexing connection configurations, the cost increases and the device configuration and connection mode become complicated.

  For example, the ring-type connection can be configured as a very simple connection, and the amount of wiring used can be small, but it cannot be said to be a configuration that improves the reliability of the entire base station system. That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, even if one of the modules 100a to 100h, for example, the module 100a fails or is lost (indicated by a cross), the other modules are operating normally. Connection of modules other than the failed module 100a is maintained. However, in this ring connection, for example, as shown in FIG. 10B, when the two modules 100a and 100f fail or are lost, the modules 100g and 100h are isolated without being connected to other modules, The connection of the entire base station system is disconnected.

  In a system such as a base station for mobile radio communication, the priority of keeping the service of the entire system from being stopped, that is, maintaining the availability of the entire system is usually extremely high. Therefore, even if some of the same type of multiple modules fail, it is configured so that the degenerate operation can be maintained using the remaining normally operating modules, and the situation where the entire base station function stops is avoided as much as possible. It is hoped that.

  On the other hand, the bus-type connection allows a plurality of modules to be shared by a single bus, and can cope with increase / decrease of modules relatively easily. However, the bus type connection may not be suitable for high-speed serial transfer in recent years.

  In addition, since the single star connection connects each module via a hub module, it can easily cope with the increase or decrease of the module. However, in the single star connection, when the hub module itself fails, the connection is disconnected as a whole base station system.

  In order to cope with such a situation, a dual star connection is a configuration in which hub modules are redundantly connected to increase reliability. In this connection, when a hub module fails, the connection is switched and a spare hub module is used. For this reason, unless all the hub modules fail, the connection as a whole of the base station system is not cut off.

  Furthermore, in the full connection type connection, each module is connected to each other in a one-to-one relationship with each other, so that a hub module is unnecessary. Even if there is a faulty module, the connection of the module is merely disconnected, and the connection of other modules is not affected, so the reliability is extremely high.

  However, since the number of wiring lines between the modules is large as a whole, the configuration of the dual star connection or the full connection connection becomes very complicated. In such a case, the number of wires between modules can be reduced by adopting serial transfer (instead of parallel transfer). However, in recent years, the number of connections between modules is set to 4 lanes or 8 lanes. There is a tendency to improve communication speed.

  For example, when connecting 8 modules in a dual star configuration, 16 lines of wiring and 2 hub modules are required, but if the lanes are increased and connected as described above, the number of necessary wiring connections is Increase dramatically. Moreover, in this case as well, the connection for eight modules is concentrated on one hub module, so if one hub module fails, all the connections for the eight modules are disconnected. Same as connection.

  In addition, when connecting eight modules in a full-connect connection configuration, a hub module is not necessary, but each module is connected to all other modules, so that the necessary wiring is 28 lines. In addition, when four-lane high-speed serial connection is performed between the modules, the number of necessary wirings is quadrupled.

  As described above, conventionally, increasing the availability of the entire base station system to improve the reliability increases the redundancy of the connection between the modules. As a result, the configuration of the connection between the modules is increased. There is a problem that it becomes extremely complicated.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention made in view of such circumstances is to connect modules in a base station or the like redundantly without compromising system availability with a simpler configuration than conventional dual star connection or full connect connection. It is to provide an information processing apparatus and an information processing method using the apparatus.

The invention of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 that achieves the above object is as follows:
A plurality of functional modules; and a plurality of control modules capable of controlling the plurality of functional modules;
The functional module and the control module are connected in a partial mesh shape, and are configured such that at least the control module is arranged on a logical path established in the connection state,
The control module is
If the first logical path is established and a failure of the functional module and / or the other control module is detected in the established first logical path, the first logical path is released; The second logical path except for the function module and / or other control module in which the failure is detected is re-established.

The invention according to claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The plurality of control modules include a main control module that controls the plurality of functional modules, and a standby control module that monitors the operation of the main control module,
When the failure of the main control module is detected, the spare control module takes over the control operation of the main control module and re-establishes the logical path.

The invention of the information processing method according to claim 3 that achieves the above object is as follows:
An information processing method by an information processing apparatus having a plurality of functional modules and a plurality of control modules capable of controlling the plurality of functional modules,
The functional module and the control module are connected in a partial mesh shape, and on the logical path established in the connection state, at least the control module is arranged,
The control module is
In the configuration, establishing the first logical path;
Detecting a failure of the functional module and / or other control module in the established first logical path;
If the failure is detected, releasing the first logical path and re-establishing the second logical path excluding the functional module and / or other control module in which the failure is detected;
It is characterized by including.

  According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of simplifying connection by adopting an intermediate configuration between a ring connection that is a simple connection configuration and a full connection connection that is a complicated connection configuration Is provided. The information processing apparatus according to the present invention detects a failure or missing state of each module and re-establishes a logical path according to the detection result, so that it can provide high reliability while being a simple connection.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1A shows a configuration in which modules of a base station according to the first embodiment of the present invention are connected. This base station includes eight modules 10a to 10h, and classifies these eight modules into three types. For example, the modules 10b, 10d, and 10g are line processing modules that are types of functional modules, and are denoted by X in the drawing. The modules 10a, 10c, and 10e are wireless processing modules that are a kind of functional modules, and are denoted by Y in the drawing. Functional modules X and Y each constitute N-1 redundancy. That is, for example, when one of the three modules X stops functioning due to a failure or the like, the processing capacity of the module X is reduced to 2/3 of the original, but the function of the module X itself is not stopped and the module X is stopped. Can continue to provide the functions of. Therefore, each of the plurality of function modules can provide the function of the module X without stopping the function until the last one breaks down by continuing the degenerate operation.

  Further, the module 10f is a control module and is denoted as C in the figure. The module 10h is a standby (redundant) control module and is denoted as C 'in the drawing. Therefore, the control modules C and C ′ constitute N + 1 redundancy. That is, when the function of the control module C is stopped due to a failure or the like, the standby system control module C ′ can take over the function. Therefore, the control modules C and C ′ can continue to provide the function without stopping the function of the control system of the base station unless both of them fail. Note that the line processing module X, the wireless processing module Y, and the control modules C and C ′ described above can be the same as the modules constituting the conventional base station, and thus detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. To do.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the eight modules 10a to 10h of the base station are physically connected by wiring so as to form a partial mesh. Specifically, between modules 10a to 10b, between modules 10b to 10c, between modules 10c to 10d, between modules 10d to 10e, between modules 10e to 10f, between modules 10f to 10g, between modules 10g to 10h, module 10h to Connect between 10a. Further, the modules 10a and 10e, the modules 10b and 10f, the modules 10c and 10g, and the modules 10d and 10h are also connected. Note that in FIG. 1A, a physically connected state but not logically connected is indicated by a broken line.

  With these connections, the eight modules are wired with three pairs of connections, and the required number of connections is twelve. As described above, the connection configuration according to the present embodiment has a slightly larger number of connections than the eight lines required for the non-redundant single star type connection described above. Don't concentrate on modules. In the dual star connection described above, 16 lines are required to connect each module to the two hub modules. Therefore, the configuration according to this embodiment can be connected with a smaller number of wires. Further, the connection configuration according to the present embodiment can remarkably reduce the number of wires as compared with the 28 wires necessary for the above-described full-connect connection.

  Even if a plurality of modules are physically connected to each other, each module cannot communicate with a target module unless a path (logical path) used by each module is established. Accordingly, during normal operation, when the control module C first confirms (recognizes) the presence and state of each module, the control module C designates a logical path for communication between these modules. With this designation, a logical route (first logical route) is established. Once the path has been established by the control module C, each module will continue until the next change is made to the established path, i.e. until another logical path (second logical path) is established. Communication is performed according to the established route.

  That is, for example, when the control module C confirms the existence and state of each module, the logical path that minimizes the number of hops to each module as shown in FIG. Specify. In FIG. 1B, a path indicated by a solid line represents a logical path among the physically connected paths, and a path indicated by a broken line is not included in the logical path among the physically connected paths. Represents a route. Since all eight modules are connected through the logically designated path in this way, each module can communicate with the target module.

  Next, the operation of the system when a failure occurs in the module will be described. First, a case where a failure occurs in the control module C will be described. For example, when the control module C becomes unable to communicate with other modules due to a failure such as a failure in the control module C, the logical connection of the wiring directly connected to the control module C is disconnected. . That is, as shown in FIG. 2A, the connections between the modules 10g to 10h, the modules 10h to 10a, and the modules 10d and 10h are disconnected. In preparation for such a case, the standby system control module C ′ performs an operation of monitoring the control module C periodically, for example, based on a predetermined timing.

  Hereinafter, the periodic monitoring operation performed by the standby system control module C ′ will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3.

  When this regular monitoring operation starts, the standby system control module C 'communicates with the control module C and checks whether the control module C is operating normally (step S11). If it can be confirmed that the control module C is functioning normally (YES in step S11), the regular monitoring operation of the standby control module C 'is terminated. On the other hand, when a communication failure such as a failure to communicate normally with the control module C is confirmed (NO in step S11), the standby control module C ′ acquires a control right in place of the control module C (step S13). ). The control right here is a right to control the control of all other modules. When the control right is acquired, the standby control module C ′ checks the status of each module via the physical wiring and resets (releases) the logical lines (first logical paths) of all communication paths ( Step S15). Once the logical line is reset, the standby system control module C 'resets the logical line between the modules in consideration of the module that cannot communicate (step S17). That is, another logical path (second logical path) is reestablished between the modules.

  At the time of resetting the logical line in step S17, for example, by setting the logical line as shown in FIG. 2B, all the modules except for the control module C in which the failure has occurred are connected. Communication with other modules can be continued.

  Next, a case where a failure occurs in a functional module other than the control module C or C ′ will be described. For example, a case where a failure such as a failure occurs in the module 10a, which is one of the wireless processing modules Y, during operation using the configuration of the logical line shown in FIG. 1B will be described. When a failure occurs in the module 10a and communication with another module becomes impossible, the logical connection (first logical path) of the wiring directly connected to the module 10a is disconnected. That is, as shown to FIG. 4 (A), the connection between modules 10a-10b, between modules 10h-10a, and between modules 10a and 10e is cut | disconnected. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4A, the module 10b is isolated without being connected to other modules.

  In preparation for such a case, the control module C performs an operation of monitoring other modules, for example, periodically based on a predetermined timing.

  Hereinafter, the periodic monitoring operation performed by the control module C for other functional modules will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Since there are a plurality of other functional modules controlled by the control module C, it is preferable to monitor each functional module sequentially based on a predetermined order or the like. Here, a case where the control module C monitors the module 10a, for example, will be described.

  When the regular monitoring operation starts, the control module C communicates with the module 10a and checks whether or not this module is operating normally (step S21). If it can be confirmed that the module 10a is functioning normally (YES in step S21), the periodic monitoring operation of the control module C ends, and the operation moves to the operation of monitoring the next module. On the other hand, when a communication failure such as failure to normally communicate with the module 10a is confirmed (NO in step S21), the control module C confirms the status of each module via the physical wiring and performs all communication. The logical circuit (first logical path) of the path is reset (released) (step S23). Once the logical line is reset, the control module C resets the logical line between the modules in consideration of the module incapable of communication (step S25). That is, another logical path (second logical path) is reestablished between the modules.

  When the logical line is reset in step S25, the logical line is reset as shown in FIG. 4B, for example. As a result, all the modules except the failed module 10a are connected, so that each module can continue to communicate with the target module.

  Next, the operation of the system when a failure occurs in two functional modules will be described. For example, the module 10a that is one of the wireless processing modules Y shown in FIG. 4B is operating in a state where a failure or the like has occurred, and the module 10c that is the wireless processing module Y or the like has a failure or the like. A case where the above occurs will be described.

  When a failure occurs in the module 10c and communication becomes impossible, as shown in FIG. 6A, the connection between the modules 10b to 10c is disconnected, so that the module 10b is isolated without being connected to other modules. It will be. Also in this case, the control module C confirms the state of the other modules by the operation described in FIG. 5, resets the logical lines formed by these modules, and resets them.

  When the logical line is reset, the logical line is reset as shown in FIG. 6B, for example. As a result, all the modules except the failed modules 10a and 10c are connected, so that each module including the module 10b can continue to communicate with the target module. Therefore, the base station system can provide the function of the radio processing module without stopping the function of the radio processing module by continuing the degenerate operation.

  In the state shown in FIG. 6B, for example, even if the module 10g, which is the line processing module X, becomes unable to communicate, the modules 10e to 10f are newly connected by resetting the logical line, All modules can be connected by maintaining the logical line connection.

  Hereinafter, another example of the occurrence of a failure will be described. For example, in the state where a failure such as a failure occurs in the module 10a which is one of the wireless processing modules Y shown in FIG. 4B, a failure such as a failure occurs in the module 10d which is the wireless processing module X. Explain the case.

  When a failure occurs in the module 10d and communication becomes impossible, as shown in FIG. 7A, the connection between the modules 10d to 10e is cut, so that the module 10e is isolated without being connected to other modules. It will be. Also in this case, the control module C confirms the state of the other modules by the operation described in FIG. 5, resets the logical lines formed by these modules, and resets them.

  When the logical line is reset, the logical line is reset as shown in FIG. 7B, for example. As a result, all the modules except the failed modules 10a and 10d are connected, so that each module including the module 10e can continue to communicate with the target module.

  Thereafter, if the module 10g, which is the line processing module X, becomes unable to communicate, the control of the isolated control module C is taken over by the control module C '. Also in this case, all the modules can be connected by newly connecting the modules 10b to 10f and maintaining the connection of other logical lines by resetting the logical lines.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the function can be provided without stopping the function as long as various function modules that operate normally remain one by one with a relatively small number of physical wires. In the present embodiment, each functional module is distributed and can cope with a case where a failure occurs in a plurality of modules. Therefore, extremely high reliability can be maintained. Further, in the connection configuration of the present embodiment, unlike the hub module used for the star connection, the connection is not concentrated on one module, so the failure of one module causes the entire base station system to stop functioning. It will not be.

(Second Embodiment)
In the first embodiment described above, there are eight modules included in the base station system, and the module types are the three types of line processing module X, wireless processing module Y, and control module C. They were physically connected one by one. However, in a base station system that is actually operated, it is assumed that a larger number of modules and module types are used.

  In such a case, in the second embodiment, in addition to the connection configuration similar to that of the first embodiment described above, the number of connections per module is increased as necessary. For example, as shown in FIG. 8A, 10 modules 20a to 20j are connected in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the modules 20g and 20j are connected by a connection line 40. That is, a connection is added between modules in a complementary relationship as an alternative, such as a connection between the control module C and the standby control module C ′. As a result, the monitoring operation and the control operation change of the modules between the control module C and the standby system control module C ′ are not affected by the failure occurring in the other modules.

  In the present embodiment, in addition to the connection configuration similar to that of the first embodiment described above, functional modules that frequently communicate may be directly connected as necessary. For example, when communication frequently occurs between the line processing module X (modules 20e and 20j) and the wireless processing module Y (modules 20b and 20g) shown in FIG. 8B, these are connected by the connection lines 40a to 40d. Connect the modules directly. Thereby, since many types of modules are used in the arrangement of each module and the connection configuration, it is possible to deal with more complicated failure modes than the failure handling executed in the first embodiment.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to embodiment mentioned above, Many change or deformation | transformation is possible. For example, in the first embodiment, a total of eight base station modules have been described, and in the second embodiment, a total of ten base station modules have been described. The number of is not limited.

  In each of the above embodiments, each module has been described as three types: a line processing module, a radio processing module, and a control module. However, the present invention is not limited to this type, and depends on the function required for the base station. Various modules can be used.

  Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments, the timing at which the control module performs monitoring has been described as being regular. However, the monitoring operation may be performed when a predetermined event occurs, Or you may prescribe | regulate the timing of monitoring operation | movement at random.

  In the above-described embodiment, the control module has been described as performing control by detecting a failure of all other modules. However, a configuration including a module for detecting a failure and a module for performing control separately from these modules. It may be.

It is a figure explaining the connection of the module which comprises the base station by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation | movement when a failure generate | occur | produces in the module of the base station of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the regular monitoring operation | movement of the standby system control module by 1st Embodiment. It is a figure explaining operation | movement when a failure generate | occur | produces in the module of the base station of FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the regular monitoring operation | movement of the control module by 1st Embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation when a failure further occurs in the module of the base station in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an operation when a failure further occurs in the module of the base station in FIG. 4. It is a figure explaining the connection of the module which comprises the base station by 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which illustrates the various structures which connect the conventional functional module. It is a figure explaining operation | movement when a failure generate | occur | produces in the module of the conventional base station.

Explanation of symbols

10, 20, 100 module 40 connection line 200 bus 300 hub module

Claims (3)

A plurality of functional modules; and a plurality of control modules capable of controlling the plurality of functional modules;
The functional module and the control module are connected in a partial mesh shape, and are configured such that at least the control module is arranged on a logical path established in the connection state,
The control module is
If the first logical path is established and a failure of the functional module and / or the other control module is detected in the established first logical path, the first logical path is released; An information processing apparatus for reestablishing the second logical path excluding the functional module and / or another control module in which the failure is detected. The plurality of control modules include a main control module that controls the plurality of functional modules, and a standby control module that monitors the operation of the main control module,
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when a failure of the main control module is detected, the standby control module takes over a control operation of the main control module and executes reestablishment of the logical path. An information processing method by an information processing apparatus having a plurality of functional modules and a plurality of control modules capable of controlling the plurality of functional modules,
The functional module and the control module are connected in a partial mesh shape, and on the logical path established in the connection state, at least the control module is arranged,
The control module is
In the configuration, establishing the first logical path;
Detecting a failure of the functional module and / or other control module in the established first logical path;
If the failure is detected, releasing the first logical path and re-establishing the second logical path excluding the functional module and / or other control module in which the failure is detected;
An information processing method comprising:

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