JP2010283763A - Core network, home base station device, communication system, communication method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To establish a procedure to make an access from a communication terminal to a home network. <P>SOLUTION: In a communication system equipped with a CN (core network) 11 for controlling packet transfer and an HNB (home base station device) 61 connected to a home network, the CN 11 is provided with a communication part for receiving an access request message for requesting access to the home network by using an HNB 61 from a UE (mobile unit) 71, a data part for storing a list in which subscriber information to specify the UE 71 and the HNB 61 to which the UE 71 can be connected are associated with each other, and a control part for requesting the establishment of a connection between the UE 71 and the HNB 61 with which the UE 71 can be connected based on the access request message and the list. The HNB 61 establishes the connection with the CN 11 in response to the request from the CN 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for a communication terminal to access a home network, and more particularly, to a method for a mobile terminal to access a home device connected to the home network using a home base station.

  2. Description of the Related Art Recently, home network services have been provided that install a home network in a home, connect the home network and an IP (Internet Protocol) network, and enable remote operation of home devices via the IP network (for example, patents). Reference 1).

  When a mobile terminal accesses this home network service, it is conceivable to use a wireless communication system that provides a packet service. In a wireless communication system, a core network controls access requests from mobile terminals according to a packet service establishment procedure. In addition, in order to improve communication conditions, femto base stations that have a narrower area to be controlled / monitored than conventional base stations have been developed and installed in the home.

  In a conventional packet service establishment procedure, a femto base station establishes a PS RAB (Packet Switched RAB) with a mobile terminal in accordance with an RAB (Radio Access Bearer) establishment request from a core network.

  In a wireless communication system, a base station is installed for the purpose of controlling / monitoring a wide area such as several kilometers or several tens of kilometers, and covers a wide area using a macro network. Therefore, the device is not suitable for the purpose of individually covering each household.

  On the other hand, the femto base station is assumed to be installed in each home like a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) because the area to be covered is as narrow as several tens of meters. Accordingly, it is possible to realize cooperation with home devices installed in the home using the IP network.

  Currently, 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) is examining and creating specifications for third-generation mobile phone systems. For example, Non-Patent Documents 1 to 4 define specifications of related communication procedures. In 3GPP, specifications are defined for the purpose of covering a wide area like a macro network. For this reason, in the apparatus configuration of the existing macro network, a procedure for controlling the home device installed in the home from the base station is not created.

For this reason, when establishing a packet service using a communication procedure according to 3GPP, there are the following problems.
The first problem is that a connection for allowing the mobile terminal to remotely operate the home device cannot be established. Specifically, when the mobile terminal transmits an access request to the home device to the core network, the core network requests the femto base station to establish an RAB with the mobile terminal. In accordance with a request from the core network, the femto base station always performs RAB establishment with the mobile terminal. On the other hand, in order to control a home device connected to the home network, the home device is accessed using a port used by the home network, and therefore it cannot be compatible with RAB establishment.
For this reason, it has not been possible to establish a connection necessary for a home network service for remotely operating a home device between the mobile terminal and the home device.

  The second problem is that the information for identifying whether the packet service is a normal packet service or a home network service is not shared between apparatuses, and therefore, a service-conscious processing procedure cannot be realized.

JP 2006-352286 A

3GPP TS 24.008 V8.5.0, March 2009, 9.4.20, 9.5.1, 9.5.2 3GPP TS 25.331 V8.6.0, March 2009, 8.2, 8.15, 8.22, 8.23 3GPP TS 25.413 V8.2.1, March 2009, 8.2, 8.15, 8.22, 8.23, 9.1.3, 9.123 3GPP TS 25.468 V8.1.0, March 2009, chapter 8.2, chapter 8.3

  An object of the present invention is to establish a procedure for accessing a home network from a communication terminal.

One aspect of a core network according to the present invention is a core network that controls packet transfer, and communication that receives an access request message for requesting access to a home network using a home base station device from a communication terminal. A data section for storing a list in which subscriber information for identifying the communication terminal is associated with a home base station device to which the communication terminal can be connected;
A control unit configured to establish a connection between the communication terminal and a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal can be connected based on the access request message and the list.

  An aspect of the home base station according to the present invention is a home base station device connected to a home network, a port management unit for managing a port for transferring a message to a home device connected to the home network, A receiving unit that receives a connection establishment request message for requesting establishment of a connection to access a network, a base station control unit that opens the port to the port management unit in response to the connection establishment request message, and a port opening process Is completed, a transmission unit that returns a message notifying that the connection establishment request has been completed is provided.

  Furthermore, one aspect of a communication system according to the present invention is a communication system including a core network that controls packet transfer and a home base station device connected to a home network, the core network including the home base station device. A communication unit that receives an access request message for requesting access to a home network using a communication terminal; subscriber information that identifies the communication terminal; and a home base station device to which the communication terminal is connectable A data unit for storing a correlated list, and a control unit for requesting establishment of a connection between the communication terminal and a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal can be connected based on the access request message and the list And the in-home base station device responds to a request from the core network. To establish a connection with.

  Furthermore, another aspect of the communication system according to the present invention is a communication system including a core network, a home base station device, and a communication terminal, wherein the communication terminal is connected via the home base station device. Information indicating that access to the network is requested is included in the access request message and transmitted to the core network, and the core network receives the access request message from the communication terminal.

  In addition, according to an aspect of the communication terminal according to the present invention, information indicating that access to the home network is requested via the home base station device is included in the access request message and transmitted to the core network.

  One aspect of a core network communication method according to the present invention is a core network communication method, receiving an access request message requesting access to a home network using a home base station device from a communication terminal, Based on the access request message, a connection is established between the communication terminal and a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal can connect.

  One aspect of a communication method of a home base station according to the present invention is a communication method of a home base station device connected to a home network, receiving a connection establishment request message for requesting establishment of a connection to access the home network, In response to the connection establishment request message, the port for transferring the message to the home device connected to the home network is opened, and when the port opening process is completed, a message notifying that the connection establishment request is completed is returned. To do.

  One aspect of the communication method according to the present invention is a communication method including a core network and a home base station device connected to the home network, and the core network accesses the home network using the home base station device. An access request message requesting to be received from a communication terminal, and based on the access request message, requesting establishment of a connection between the communication terminal and a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal is connectable, The home base station apparatus establishes a connection with the core network in response to a request from the core network.

  One aspect of the program according to the present invention is a program for a core network to establish a connection, and an access request message for requesting a computer to access a home network via a home base station device, which is transmitted by a communication terminal. And a process of selecting a home base station apparatus connectable to the communication terminal and a process of establishing a connection between the communication terminal and the home base station apparatus connectable to the communication terminal. .

  Another aspect of the program according to the present invention is a program in which a home base station apparatus connected to a home network establishes a connection, and a connection establishment request message for requesting the computer to establish a connection to access the home network. In response, a process for opening a port for transferring a message to a home device connected to the home network, and a process for notifying a message notifying that a connection establishment request is completed when the port opening process is completed; Is executed.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a procedure for a communication terminal to access a home network.

It is a block diagram which shows the example of a communication system structure which implement | achieves the home network access of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a situation in which the mobile device directly communicates with the femto base station apparatus in the home in the configuration of FIG. 1. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a core network. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a femto base station apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the outline of the operation example of the communication system which concerns on this invention. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram (first half) illustrating an example of a processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the outside of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram (second half) illustrating an example of a processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the outside of the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the message used by step A-2 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the information set to Service Type. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram (first half) illustrating an example of a processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the home of Embodiment 1; FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram (second half) illustrating an example of a processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the home of Embodiment 1; FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (first half) illustrating an example of a processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the outside of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (second half) illustrating an example of a processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the outside of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (first half) illustrating an example of a processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the outside of the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram (second half) illustrating an example of a processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the outside in the third embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the message used by step D-9 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the information set to Paging Cause.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate. In the drawings, components having the same configuration or function and corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

In each of the following embodiments, a processing procedure in which a communication terminal realizes network communication with a home device such as a personal computer from a home or an external remote place using a femtocell system will be described.
The communication terminal notifies the access request message to the core network. The access request message includes subscriber information of the terminal itself and a home network access request. The home network access request is a request for a communication terminal to access a home device connected to the home network. In other words, the communication terminal uses the femto base station device (home base station device) to connect to the home network. A request to establish a connection.
When receiving the access request message, the core network identifies a femto base station necessary for the communication terminal to perform network communication with the in-home device, and establishes a connection necessary for the communication terminal to access the in-home device.
Each embodiment will be described below.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a communication system for realizing home network access according to the present invention. The communication system includes a core network (CN) 11, a base station controller (RNC) 21, a macro base station (Node B) 31, a femto gateway (HNB-GW) 41, a modem 51, a femto base station device (HNB) 61, a mobile A machine (UE) 71 is provided.

The core network (CN) 11 is a device that controls packet transfer. Here, a communication line necessary for packet transfer is included. A core network (CN) 11 that is an upper node is connected to a femto gateway (HNB-GW) 41 that manages a femto base station apparatus (HNB) 61.
The base station controller (RNC) 21 controls / monitors the macro base station (Node B) 31.
The macro base station (Node B) 31 controls communication of a mobile device (UE) 71 existing in the macro network of the own device.

The femto gateway (HNB-GW) 41 manages the femto base station apparatus (HNB) 61 and mediates communication between the core network (CN) 11 and the femto base station apparatus (HNB) 61 via the Internet 91.
The modem 51 performs signal conversion. For example, a telephone line modem, an ADSL modem for ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line), a cable TV modem, or a wireless modem for wireless communication is used. The model of the modem is selected according to the type of communication line between the Internet 91, the HNB 61, and the home device 81, the connection form, and the like.

  The femto base station device (HNB) 61 controls communication of a mobile device (UE) 71 existing in the femto cell of the own device. The femto base station apparatus (HNB) 61 is connected to a home network (LAN) via a modem 51. The femto base station apparatus (HNB) 61 is connected to the femto gateway (HNB-GW) 41 via the Internet 91 or the like.

  A mobile device (UE) 71 is a communication terminal that communicates using a radio channel. The mobile device (UE) 71 includes a mobile terminal, a mobile phone, and the like. The mobile device (UE) 71 can access the in-home device 81 via the macro base station (NodeB 31) and the base station controller (RNC) 21.

  FIG. 2 shows a case where the mobile device (UE) 71 directly communicates with the femto base station device (HNB) 61 in the home. The basic configuration is the same as that in FIG. 1 except that the route for accessing the in-home device 81 is different.

  Implements packet switching service with MSC (Mobile-services Switching Center) device that performs circuit switching service as a host device of base station controller (RNC) 21 or femto gateway (HNB-GW) 41 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. An SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) device exists. Since it is well known to those skilled in the art and is not directly related to the present invention, its detailed configuration is omitted. Further, in the following description, the names (abbreviated names) of the components described in FIG. 1 will be used as appropriate.

Next, the configuration of the CN 11 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the CN 11. The CN 11 includes a control unit 111, a reception unit 112, a transmission unit 113, and a data unit 114. In addition, the reception unit 112 and the transmission unit 113 are also referred to as a communication unit 115.
The control unit 111 performs message transmission / reception and data matching.
The receiving unit 112 receives a message from the RNC 21 or the HNB-GW 41.
The transmission unit 113 transmits a message to the RNC 21 and the HNB-GW 41.
The data unit 114 holds a database that manages a list of femto base stations to which the UE 71 can be connected.

  The database held by the data unit 114 includes subscriber information, femto base station identification information to which the UE 71 specified by the subscriber information can be connected, and gateway identification information. The database holds mapping information (list) that associates subscriber information and femto base station information. For example, the subscriber information is a terminal identifier (eg, IMSI) that identifies the UE 71, and the femto base station identification information is a femto base station number (eg, HNB ID) accessible by the UE 71. The gateway identification information is a gateway number (eg, RNC ID) that identifies a gateway to which the femto base station is connected.

Next, the configuration of the femto base station apparatus will be described. FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the HNB 61. The HNB 61 includes a control unit (base station control unit) 611, a reception unit (base station reception unit) 612, a transmission unit (base station transmission unit) 613, and a port management unit 614. In addition, the reception unit 612 and the transmission unit 613 are also referred to as a communication unit (base station communication unit) 615.

The control unit 611 performs message transmission / reception and physical port control.
The receiving unit 612 receives messages from the HNB-GW 41 and the UE 71.
The transmission unit 613 transmits a message to the HNB-GW 41 and the UE 71.
The port management unit 614 manages the state of the port (private port).

Subsequently, the operation of the communication system according to the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation example of the communication system according to the present invention. Dotted arrows indicate the message flow between devices.
First, the UE 71 transmits an access request message for requesting access to the home network (step S11). At this time, the UE 71 includes a home network access request and subscriber information in the access request message.

  In CN11, the receiving part 112 will notify the control part 111, if an access request message is received from UE71 (step S21). When the reception of the access request message is notified, the control unit 111 determines that the home network access is requested from the UE 71, and specifies the connection destination femto base station (step S22). Specifically, the control unit 111 refers to the database of the data unit 114 based on the access request message, obtains a list in which the subscriber information and the femto base station information are associated, and the UE 71 can be connected. Select the femto base station number. Subsequently, the control unit 111 transmits a connection establishment request message including the home network access request and the connection destination femto base station number via the transmission unit 113 (step S23).

  In the HNB 61, when receiving the connection establishment request message, the receiving unit 612 notifies the control unit 611 (step S31). The control unit 611 determines that the connection establishment request message is a request to access the home network (step S32).

  Thereafter, the control unit 611 requests the port management unit 614 to release the private port address so that a message for the home device 81 can be transferred. Here, the control unit 611 originally does not request the transmission unit 613 to transmit a message on the wireless communication system side that is transmitted to the UE 71. Instead of sending a message, the port management unit 614 is requested to release the private port address. As a result, the HNB 61 can transfer the message addressed to the home device 81 received from the UE 71 to the destination home device 81.

The port management unit 614 releases the private port address according to the instruction from the control unit 611 (step S33).
When the port opening process in the port management unit 614 is completed, the control unit 611 requests the transmission unit 613 to transmit a connection establishment completion message indicating the completion of the request from the CN 11 (step S34).
In CN11, the receiving unit 112 receives a connection probability completion message (S24). Thereafter, the establishment of the connection is notified to the UE 71 (S12).

  Next, a processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the outside will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 6 and 7. In the following description, a communication procedure according to 3GPP is used.

  In order to access the home network, the UE 71 establishes RRC Connection with the RNC 21 (step A-1). Thereafter, a service request is transmitted to the CN 11 via the RNC 21. A GMM: Service Request message (an example of an access request message) that makes a service request is used. UE71 notifies that it is a home network access using Service Type set to the message (step A-2).

  FIG. 8 shows the structure of the message used in step A-2. FIG. 8 shows parameters included in the message. Since these parameters are based on Table 9.4.20 of Non-Patent Document 1, detailed description of each parameter is omitted. The subscriber information corresponds to “P-TMSI”, and the fact that it is a home network access request can be set in “Service Type”. FIG. 9 shows information set in “Service Type” at the present stage. In the present embodiment, the UE 71 notifies the CN 11 that it is a home network access request by newly setting a value of Bits (for example, 101) not set in FIG. 9 in “Service Type”. Is possible.

  The CN 11 performs authentication and security checks to confirm that the access is not from an unauthorized terminal (step A-3). The UE 71 requests the CN 11 to start the PDP Context in order to perform the packet service (step A-4).

  In accordance with the home network access request of the UE 71, the CN 11 specifies the HNB 61 accessible by the UE 71 using a database registered in advance in the data unit 114 (step A-5). The operation in the CN 11 is as follows. The control unit 111 refers to the database held by the data unit 114 according to the home network access request of the UE 71. The control unit 111 selects an HNB 61 that can be accessed by the UE 71 from the database, and acquires a femto base station number.

The CN 11 transmits a RANAP: RAB Assignment Request message to the RNC 21 in order to establish a connection for transmitting / receiving user data to / from the UE 71 (step A-6).
After performing RAB establishment with the UE 71 (step A-7), the RNC 21 returns a RANAP: RAB Assignment Response message to the CN 11, and notifies that the RAB establishment with the UE 71 has been established (step A-). 8).

  Next, the CN 11 transmits a RANAP: RAB Assignment Request message (an example of a connection establishment request message) to the HNB-GW 41 in order to establish a connection with the femto base station. At that time, in order to identify the connection-destination femto base station, a femto base station number such as an HNB ID and information indicating an access request to the home network are notified. When the HNB-GW 41 receives the RANAP: RAB Assignment Request message from the CN 11, it returns an SCCP: CC message in order to establish an SCCP connection (step A-9).

  A configuration example of the message used in Step A-9 is defined in Chapter 9.1.3 of Non-Patent Document 3. Since this definition does not include a parameter indicating a home network access request, a new parameter is added. By using the new parameter, the CN 11 can notify the HNB 61 that it is a home network access request.

  When the HNB-GW 41 receives the RANAP: RAB Assignment Request message, the HNB-GW 41 transmits an RUA: Connect message from the femto base station number information to transfer the RANAP message to the HNB 61 (step A-10).

  When the HNB 61 receives the RUA: Connect message, the HNB 61 knows that it is an access request to the home network from the content of the transferred RANAP message. Then, a private port is opened for RAB establishment processing and connection with the home device 81 (step A-11). The HNB 61 operates as follows. The receiving unit 612 receives the RUA message including the RANAP message generated by the CN 11 via the HNB-GW 41. When notified of the RUA message from the receiving unit 612, the control unit 611 requests the port management unit 614 to release the private port address. The port management unit 614 opens a private port in response to a request from the control unit 611.

  After opening the private port, the HNB 61 returns a RANAP: RAB Assignment Response message (an example of a connection establishment completion message) notifying that the processing has been completed via the HNB-GW 41. As a result, the HNB 61 notifies the CN 11 that the connection establishment is completed. This completes the establishment of a connection for transferring user data between the HNB 61 and the CN 11 (step A-12).

  After step A-12 is completed, the CN 11 notifies the UE 71 that the activation of the PDP Context has been accepted, and the establishment of a connection for transferring user data between the UE 71 and the CN 11 is completed. As a result, the UE 71 can transmit user data to the HNB 61 via the network (step A-13).

  Next, in order to realize communication with the in-home device 81, the UE 71 specifies the in-home device 81 using, for example, the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) function. The UE 71 multicasts to the home network (private network) by transmitting a UPnP Search Request message to the HNB 61.

  At that time, the HNB 61 performs multicast by converting the source address of the user IP received from the UE 71 into the address of the HNB 61 itself. The in-home device 81 receives the Search Request message and notifies the UE 71 via the HNB 61 of information (such as an IP address) for accessing the in-home device 81. The UE 71 that has received the Response message has acquired information for accessing the in-home device 81, and therefore establishes a TCP connection with the in-home device 81, thereby enabling home network access (steps A-14 to A-). 15).

  As described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, when receiving a home network access request from the UE 71, the CN 11 first establishes a connection between the UE 71 and the CN 11, and subsequently establishes a connection between the CN 11 and the HNB 61. . When the UE 71 is notified from the CN 11 that the connection between the UE 71 and the HNB 61 has been established, the UE 71 establishes a connection for accessing the in-home device 81. In this way, in the communication system and communication method of the present embodiment, a connection between the UE 71 and the home device 81 is established.

A processing procedure for remotely operating the home device 81 in the home will also be described using the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 10 and 11.
Regarding the basic processing procedure, the processing procedure for remotely operating a home device from the outside is the same, but the procedure for establishing a connection for transferring user data between the UE 71 and the CN 11 is different. Specifically, since a connection is established via the HNB 61 and the HNB-GW 41, the point that an RUA message is used is different (steps B-1 to B-6 and B-11).

  Thereafter, a procedure for establishing a connection for transferring user data between the HNB 61 and the CN 11 (steps B-7 to B-10) and a procedure for establishing a TCP connection between the UE 71 and the in-home device 81 ( For steps B-12 to B-13), a procedure similar to the processing procedure for remotely operating the home device 81 from the outside is used.

As described above, the present embodiment has the following effects.
The first effect is that the UE 71 can access the home network 81 from the outside using the femtocell system. Therefore, the UE 71 can remotely operate the home device 81 from inside or outside the home.

  The second effect is that access to the home network and identification of the normal service can be performed by the femtocell system.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, an aspect of a communication procedure different from that in the first embodiment will be described. For the case where the UE 71 directly communicates with the HNB 61 (FIG. 2), the connection procedure is different and the description is omitted, but the same implementation procedure can be applied.

  The processing procedure of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. From the process in which the UE 71 requests a service to the CN 11 to access the home network, the process of determining the destination node (femto base station apparatus), and the RAB establishment procedure with the UE 71, the procedure in the first embodiment Therefore, detailed description is omitted (steps C-1 to C-8).

  Next, in order to establish a connection with the femto base station, the CN 11 transmits a RANAP: RAB Assignment Request message to the HNB-GW 41 without establishing an SCCP connection. At this time, information indicating that it is an access request to the home network (home network access request), and a femto base station number such as an HNB ID are notified in order to identify the connection-destination femto base station (step) C-9).

  When the HNB-GW 41 receives the RANAP: RAB Assignment Request message, the HNB-GW 41 transmits an RUA: Connectionless Transfer message to transfer the RANAP message from the femto base station number information to the HNB 61 in connectionless (step C-10).

  When the HNB 61 receives the RUA: Connectionless Transfer message, the HNB 61 knows that it is an access request to the home network from the content of the transferred RANAP message, and internally establishes a private port for RAB establishment processing and connection with the home device. Opening is performed (step C-11).

  After opening the private port, the HNB 61 notifies the CN 11 that the processing has been completed by setting a RANAP: RAB Assignment Response message in the RUA: Connect message and returning it. At that time, the HNB-GW 41 also implements the establishment of the SCCP connection. This completes the establishment of a connection for transferring user data between the HNB 61 and the CN 11 (step C-12).

  Thereafter, the notification that the activation of the PDP Context to be implemented is accepted, the identification of the in-home device 81, and the procedure for establishing the TCP connection with the in-home device 81 are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus detailed description is omitted (step C -13 to C-15).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the CN 11 can establish a connection between the UE 71 and the HNB 61 even if the communication procedure is different from that of the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
In the third embodiment, another aspect of communication procedure will be described.
The processing procedure of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. From the process in which the UE 71 requests a service to the CN 11 to access the home network, the process of determining the destination node (femto base station apparatus), and the RAB establishment procedure with the UE 71, the procedure in the first embodiment Therefore, detailed description is omitted (steps D-1 to D-8).

  Next, the CN 11 sends a RANAP: Paging message (an example of a connection establishment request message) in Connectionless without establishing an SCCP connection in order to notify the HNB 61 that a home network access request has occurred. At that time, in order to identify the information indicating that it is a request to access the home network and the femto base station of the connection destination, the femto base station number is notified (step D-9).

  FIG. 16 shows the structure of the message used in step D-9. FIG. 13 shows parameters included in the message. Since these parameters are defined in Chapter 9.1.23 of Non-Patent Document 3, detailed description of each parameter is omitted. The home network access request can be set in “Paging Cause”. FIG. 17 shows information set at the current stage in “Paging Cause”. In the present embodiment, by setting IE type and reference indicating new home network access in “Paging Cause”, the CN 11 can notify the HNB 61 that it is a home network access request. Become.

  Upon receiving the RANAP: Paging message, the HNB-GW 41 transmits an RUA: Connectionless Transfer message to transfer the RANAP message to the HNB 61 by connectionless from the femto base station number information (step D-10).

  When the HNB 61 receives the RUA: Connectionless Transfer message, the HNB 61 establishes the SCCP connection by transmitting the RUA: Connect message to the HNB-GW 41 without transferring the paging message to the UE 71 (step D-11). .

  After establishing the SCCP connection, the CN 11 transmits a RANAP: RAB Assignment Request message. At that time, information indicating that it is a request to access the home network is notified. When the HNB-GW 41 receives the RANAP: RAB Assignment Request message, the HNB-GW 41 transmits an RUA: Direct Transfer message to transfer the RANAP message to the HNB 61 (step D-12).

  When the HNB 61 receives the RUA: Direct Transfer message, the HNB 61 knows that it is an access request to the home network from the contents of the transferred RANAP message, and internally establishes the private port for RAB establishment processing and connection with the home device. Release is performed (step D-13).

  After opening the private port, the HNB 61 notifies the CN 11 that the process has been completed by setting a RANAP: RAB Assignment Response message in the RUA: Direct Transfer message and returning it. This completes the establishment of a connection for transferring user data between the HNB 61 and the CN 11 (step D-14).

  After that, the notification that the activation of the PDP Context to be executed has been accepted, the identification of the in-home device 81, and the procedure for establishing the TCP connection with the in-home device 81 are the same as those in FIG. 15-D-17).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the CN 11 can establish a connection between the UE 71 and the HNB 61 even if the communication procedure is different from that of the above embodiments.

(Other embodiments)
As an embodiment other than the above, regarding the RANAP message transmitted to the HNB-GW 41, it is also possible to realize access to the home network by using a new message without affecting the existing message.

  With respect to a NAS (Non Access Stratum) message notified to the CN 11 by the UE 71, it is possible to realize a service without affecting the existing message by using a new message for an access request to the home network.

  In the case where there are a plurality of access destination femto base stations, the UE 71 does not specify the connection destination in the UE 71 and the CN 11 does not specify the connection destination even if the UE 71 specifies one connection destination and then performs an access request to the home network. This can be realized by the CN 11 multicasting the request from the UE 71 in the procedure of making a connection establishment request to the base station and identifying the home device.

  In 2G system and LTE (Long Term Evolution), the message is different, but the same procedure can be applied.

  In each of the above embodiments, the femto base station apparatus has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be applied to any base station that is installed in a home and can be connected to a core network and is connected to the home network.

  Further, the process of establishing a connection by the CN 11 and the HNB 61 can be executed by a computer using a program. The computer loads a program (instruction group) into a memory and executes each instruction under the control of a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The program can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

  For example, the program that the CN 11 causes the computer to execute realizes at least the following processing. (1) Processing for selecting a home base station apparatus to which a communication terminal can be connected in response to an access request message. Here, as described above, the access request message is a message transmitted by the communication terminal, and includes information indicating that access to the home network is requested via the home base station apparatus. (2) Processing for establishing a connection between the communication terminal and the home base station device.

  The program that the HNB 61 causes the computer to execute realizes at least the following processing. (1) Processing for opening a port in response to a connection establishment request message. Here, as described above, the connection establishment request message is a message transmitted by the CN 11 and includes information indicating that the communication terminal requests establishment of a connection for accessing the home network. (2) When the port opening process is completed, a process for notifying a message notifying that the connection establishment request has been completed.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment shown above. Within the scope of the present invention, it is possible to change, add, or convert each element of the above-described embodiment to a content that can be easily considered by those skilled in the art.

11 Core network (CN)
21 Base station controller (RNC)
31 Macro Base Station (Node B)
41 Femto Gateway (HNB-GW)
51 Modem 61 Femto Base Station (HNB)
71 Mobile equipment (UE)
81 In-home equipment 91 Internet 111, 611 Control unit,
112, 612 Reception unit 113, 613 Transmission unit 114 Data unit 115, 615 Communication unit 614 Port management unit

Claims (24)

A core network that controls packet forwarding,
A communication means for receiving, from a communication terminal, an access request message for requesting access to a home network using a home base station device;
Data means for storing a list in which subscriber information for specifying the communication terminal is associated with a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal can be connected;
A core network comprising: control means for establishing a connection between the communication terminal and a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal can be connected based on the access request message and the list. The access request message includes the subscriber information and a home network access request,
2. The core according to claim 1, wherein the control unit selects a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal is connectable using the subscriber information and the list in response to the home network access request. network.   3. The communication means according to claim 2, wherein the communication means transmits a connection establishment request message requesting establishment of a connection between the selected home base station apparatus and the own apparatus, and thereafter receives a connection establishment completion message. Core network.   4. The core network according to claim 2, wherein the connection establishment request message includes a home base station number for identifying the selected home base station device and a home network access request.   The service request message defined in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) is used as the access request message, and the home network access request is set as a service type. The core network described in the section.   The core according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the connection establishment request message is a RAB assignment request message defined in 3GPP, and includes a parameter of the home network access request. network.   6. The core network according to claim 3, wherein a paging message defined in 3GPP is used as the connection establishment request message, and the home network access request is set in paging cause. . A home base station device connected to a home network,
Port management means for managing a port for transferring a message to a home device connected to the home network;
A receiving means for receiving a connection establishment request message for requesting establishment of a connection for accessing the home network;
In response to the connection establishment request message, base station control means for opening the port to the port management means,
A home base station apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that returns a message notifying that the connection establishment request is completed when the port opening process is completed. The connection establishment request message includes a home base station number and a home network access request,
9. The in-home base station apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the base station control means instructs the port management means to open the port when detecting the home network access request. A communication system including a core network for controlling packet transfer and a home base station device connected to a home network,
The core network is
A communication means for receiving an access request message for requesting access to a home network using the home base station device from a communication terminal;
Data means for storing a list in which subscriber information for specifying the communication terminal is associated with a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal can be connected;
Control means for requesting establishment of a connection between the communication terminal and a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal can connect based on the access request message and the list,
The home base station apparatus is a communication system that establishes a connection with the core network in response to a request from the core network. The access request message includes the subscriber information and a home network access request,
In response to the home network access request, the control means uses the subscriber information and the list to select a home base station device to which the communication terminal can be connected,
The communication means transmits a connection establishment request message for requesting establishment of a connection between the selected home base station apparatus and the own apparatus,
The home base station device
Port management means for managing a port for transferring a message to a home device connected to the home network;
Receiving means for receiving the connection establishment request message;
In response to the connection establishment request message, base station control means for opening the port to the port management means,
The communication system according to claim 10, further comprising: a transmission unit that returns a message notifying that the connection establishment request is completed when the port opening process is completed.   12. The communication system according to claim 11, wherein the connection establishment request message includes a home base station number for identifying the selected home base station device and a home network access request. A communication system comprising a core network, a home base station device, and a communication terminal,
The communication terminal is
Information indicating requesting access to the home network via the home base station device is included in the access request message and transmitted to the core network,
The core network is
A communication system for receiving the access request message from a communication terminal. The core network transmits a connection establishment request message for requesting establishment of a connection with a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal can connect based on the access request message,
The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the in-house base station device establishes a connection with the core network in response to the connection establishment request message.   The service request message defined in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) is used as the access request message, and the home network access request is set as a service type. The communication system according to item.   16. The connection establishment request message is a RAB assignment request message defined in 3GPP, and includes a parameter of the home network access request. The communication system described.   The paging message defined in 3GPP is used as the connection establishment request message, and the home network access request is set in a paging cause. Communications system.   A communication terminal that includes information indicating that access to a home network is requested via a home base station apparatus in an access request message and transmits the information to the core network. A communication method of the core network,
An access request message requesting access to the home network using the home base station device is received from the communication terminal,
A core network communication method for establishing a connection between the communication terminal and a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal is connectable based on the access request message. A communication method of a home base station device connected to a home network,
Receive a connection establishment request message requesting establishment of a connection to access the home network,
In response to the connection establishment request message, open a port for transferring the message to a home device connected to the home network,
A communication method of a home base station apparatus that returns a message notifying that a connection establishment request is completed when the port opening process is completed. A communication method comprising a core network and a home base station device connected to a home network,
The core network is
Receiving an access request message requesting access to a home network using the home base station device from a communication terminal;
Based on the access request message, request establishment of a connection between the communication terminal and a home base station device to which the communication terminal can connect,
The home base station device
A communication method for establishing a connection with the core network in response to a request from the core network. The access request message includes the subscriber information and a home network access request,
The request for establishment of the connection by the core network is:
In response to the home network access request, the communication terminal using the subscriber information, subscriber information for specifying the communication terminal, and a list in which a home base station device to which the communication terminal is connectable is associated Select a base station device that can be connected to
Sending a connection establishment request message requesting establishment of a connection between the selected in-house base station device and the own device;
The establishment of the connection by the home base station device is as follows:
Receiving the connection establishment request message;
In response to the connection establishment request message, open a port for transferring the message to a home device connected to the home network,
The communication method according to claim 21, wherein when the port opening process is completed, a message notifying that the connection establishment request is completed is returned. A program for the core network to establish a connection,
On the computer,
In response to an access request message for requesting access to a home network via a home base station device transmitted by a communication terminal, a process of selecting a home base station device to which the communication terminal can be connected;
A program for executing a process of establishing a connection between the communication terminal and a home base station apparatus to which the communication terminal can be connected. A home base station device connected to a home network is a program for establishing a connection,
On the computer,
In response to a connection establishment request message for requesting establishment of a connection for accessing a home network, processing for opening a port for transferring a message to a home device connected to the home network;
A program for executing a process of notifying a message notifying that a connection establishment request is completed when the port opening process is completed.

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