JP2016072701A - Transmission control method and radio communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve throughput.SOLUTION: In a radio communication device 10, a signal processing unit 11 generates, using an input packet flow, a plurality of data units, and a descriptor including identification information on the input packet flow and identification information on a transmission processing unit 13 to which each data unit is distributed per data unit. In addition, the signal processing unit 11 controls the propriety of outputting each descriptor and a data unit corresponding to each descriptor to the transmission processing unit 13 of each distribution destination according to assignment by a scheduler 17 on the basis of a "first threshold value" corresponding to the transmission processing unit 13 of each distribution destination. A calculation unit 34 calculates the "first threshold value" corresponding to the transmission processing unit 13 of each distribution destination on the basis of the amount of non-completion processing (for example, an unprocessed number) of the descriptor at the transmission processing unit 13 of each distribution destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a transmission control method and a wireless communication apparatus.

  Conventionally, in a wireless communication device (for example, a base station) on a transmission side, a signal processing unit (for example, an L2 processing unit: layer 2 processing unit) uses a packet flow to generate a plurality of data units (for example, RLC-PDU: Radio). Link Control-Protocol Data Unit) is generated. Note that L2 includes, for example, PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol), RLC (Radio Link Control), and MAC (Medium Access Control). Then, the signal processing unit outputs the generated data unit to the transmission processing unit (for example, L1 processing unit: layer 1 processing unit) according to the scheduler assignment. Then, the transmission processing unit wirelessly transmits the data unit received from the signal processing unit to the receiving-side wireless communication device (for example, a terminal) using the “used frequency band”.

  Data units that have not been correctly received by the wireless communication device on the receiving side (that is, data units that have not been received yet) are subject to retransmission. Conventionally, data units to be retransmitted are again subject to scheduling by the scheduler. That is, the data unit to be retransmitted is a target of “rescheduling”.

JP 2010-258660 A

  However, since the time required for scheduling is prolonged as the amount of processing of the scheduler increases, according to the above-mentioned “conventional transmission control”, that is, when a data unit is scheduled for each retransmission, the receiving side It takes time until the wireless communication apparatus can receive the data unit, and as a result, the throughput may be reduced.

  For example, recently, a “carrier aggregation: CA” service has been started in which a plurality of “use frequency bands” are allocated to users for communication. The technology of “carrier aggregation” is defined by LTE-Advanced (3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution-Advanced). Note that the “use frequency band” may be referred to as “component carrier (CC)” in 3GPP LTE-Advanced. A plurality of transmission processing units are respectively associated with the plurality of component carriers. When the above-mentioned “conventional transmission control” is applied to this “carrier aggregation”, data units “unreceived” in a plurality of transmission processing units are subject to rescheduling. There is a possibility that waiting will occur and the throughput will be further reduced.

  The disclosed technology has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a transmission control method and a wireless communication device capable of improving throughput.

  In the aspect of the disclosure, the transmission control method includes a plurality of transmission processing units respectively corresponding to different use frequency bands, and transmits the data unit by processing the descriptor of the data unit input to each transmission processing unit. It is performed in the communication device. In addition, the transmission control method uses a packet flow input to the first signal processing unit to transmit a plurality of data units, identification information of the input packet flow, and a distribution destination of each data unit. A descriptor including part identification information is generated for each data unit. Further, the transmission control method determines whether to output each descriptor and a data unit corresponding to each descriptor to the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination according to the allocation of the scheduler. Control is performed based on the corresponding first threshold value. The transmission control method calculates the first threshold value corresponding to the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination based on the incomplete processing amount of the descriptor in the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination.

  According to the disclosed aspect, the throughput can be improved.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the first wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of the descriptor. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the second wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation of the first wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the first wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the first wireless communication apparatus. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the second wireless communication apparatus.

  Embodiments of a transmission control method and a wireless communication apparatus disclosed in the present application will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The transmission control method and the wireless communication apparatus disclosed in the present application are not limited by this embodiment. Moreover, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure which has the same function in embodiment, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

[Example 1]
[Outline of wireless communication system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes a transmitting-side wireless communication device 10 that transmits a data unit, and a receiving-side wireless communication device 50 that receives the transmitted data unit. The wireless communication device 10 is, for example, a base station, and the wireless communication device 50 is, for example, a terminal. Hereinafter, the wireless communication device 10 may be referred to as a “first wireless communication device” and the wireless communication device 50 may be referred to as a “second unrelated communication device”.

  The wireless communication device 10 is configured to transmit a plurality of data units generated using one packet flow to the wireless communication device 50 using a plurality of component carriers. The wireless communication device 50 receives a plurality of data units transmitted on a plurality of component carriers. Then, the wireless communication device 50 transmits a NACK related to a data unit that has not been correctly received (that is, a data unit that has not been received) to the wireless communication device 10.

  Then, the wireless communication device 10 transmits to the wireless communication device 50 a data unit that has not been received corresponding to NACK in addition to the new data unit.

  Here, unlike the above-described “conventional transmission control”, the wireless communication device 10 is different from the transmission control by the scheduler alone, and the signal processing unit 11 and the transmission processing unit 13 described later perform incomplete processing in the transmission processing unit 13. The transmission control of the data unit is executed in consideration of the amount. As a result, rescheduling of uncompleted data units can be avoided, so that the time until the receiving wireless communication apparatus can receive the data units can be shortened, and as a result, a reduction in throughput can be prevented. That is, the throughput can be improved.

[Configuration Example of First Wireless Communication Device]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the first wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. 2, the wireless communication device 10 includes N (N is a natural number of 2 or more) signal processing units 11-1 to 11 -N, a packet switch 12, and M (M is a natural number of 2 or more) transmission processing units. 13-1 to M and M wireless transmission units 14-1 to 14-M. The wireless communication apparatus 10 includes M wireless reception units 15-1 to 15 -M, M reception processing units 16-1 to 16 -M, and a scheduler 17. In the following description, the signal processing units 11-1 to 11-N may be collectively referred to as “signal processing unit 11” unless they are particularly distinguished. If the transmission processing units 13-1 to 13-M are not particularly distinguished, they may be collectively referred to as “transmission processing unit 13”. In addition, when the wireless transmission units 14-1 to 14 -M are not particularly distinguished, they may be collectively referred to as “wireless transmission unit 14”. In addition, when the radio reception units 15-1 to 15-M are not particularly distinguished, they may be collectively referred to as “radio reception unit 15”. In addition, when the reception processing units 16-1 to 16-M are not particularly distinguished, they may be collectively referred to as “reception processing unit 16”.

  The signal processing units 11-1 to 11-N have the same configuration. Each packet flow is input to one of the signal processing units 11-1 to 11-N.

  For example, the signal processing unit 11-1 uses the input packet flow to describe a plurality of data units, the input packet flow identification information, and the transmission processing unit identification information of each data unit. A child (ie, “descriptor”) is created for each data unit. Here, when there are a plurality of distribution destination transmission processing units for one packet flow, carrier aggregation using component carriers corresponding to the plurality of transmission processing units is executed. Then, the signal processing unit 11-1 determines whether or not to output each descriptor and the data unit corresponding to each descriptor to the transmission processing unit 13 of each distribution destination according to the allocation of the scheduler 17, the transmission processing of each distribution destination. Control is performed based on the “first threshold” corresponding to the unit 13. The “first threshold value” will be described in detail later.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the signal processing unit 11-1 includes a multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 21, a data unit buffer 22, a descriptor generation unit 23, a descriptor buffer 24, and an output control unit 25.

  The multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 21 generates a plurality of data units using the input packet flow, and outputs the generated plurality of data units to the data unit buffer 22.

  The data unit buffer 22 stores (holds) the data unit received from the multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 21.

  The descriptor generation unit 23 generates, for each data unit stored (held) in the data unit buffer 22, a descriptor including the identification information of the packet flow to which each data unit corresponds and the identification information of the transmission processing unit of the distribution destination. To do. Then, the descriptor generation unit 23 outputs the generated descriptor to the descriptor buffer 24.

  The descriptor buffer 24 stores (holds) the descriptor received from the descriptor generation unit 23.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the format of the descriptor. As shown in FIG. 3, the descriptor includes a destination device identifier, a transmission source device identifier, a flow identifier, a sequence number for each flow, a buffer length, and a buffer address. For example, the destination device identifier is identification information of the transmission processing unit 13 of the transfer destination (that is, the distribution destination). The transmission source device identifier is identification information of the signal processing unit 11 of the transfer source (that is, the distribution source). The sequence number for each flow is automatically assigned to each descriptor (or each data unit) for each packet flow by the descriptor generator 23.

  Returning to the description of FIG. 2, the output control unit 25 allocates each descriptor stored in the descriptor buffer 24 and the data unit corresponding to each descriptor to each distribution according to the allocation of the scheduler 17. Whether to output to the previous transmission processing unit 13 is controlled based on the “first threshold value”.

  For example, the output control unit 25 receives an “assignment signal” from the scheduler 17. Each “assignment signal” is an “output command amount (that is,“ scheduled output amount ”) of a descriptor and a data unit for each combination of packet flow identification information and distribution destination transmission processing unit 13 in“ processing unit time ”. ")"including. The “processing unit time” is, for example, a subframe unit.

  Then, the output control unit 25, for each distribution destination transmission processing unit 13, when the scheduled output amount of the descriptor is larger than the “first threshold” in each processing unit time, The amount that falls below the threshold value of 1 is output. Further, the output control unit 25 outputs the data unit corresponding to the descriptor to be output to the transmission processing unit 13 that is the distribution destination.

  Here, the “first threshold value” is calculated (determined) based on the “uncompleted processing amount” of the corresponding transmission processing unit 13 as described later. That is, the output control unit 25 does not directly follow the output command amount from the scheduler 17 but executes output control (that is, transmission control) in consideration of the incomplete processing amount in the transmission processing unit 13 of the distribution destination. ing. As a result, the “unreceived” data unit included in the incomplete processing amount can be excluded from rescheduling targets. As a result, a decrease in throughput can be prevented. That is, the throughput can be improved.

  Specifically, for example, the output control unit 25 sets the sequence number included in the last output descriptor for each combination of the packet flow identification information and the distribution destination transmission processing unit 13 in the previous processing unit time. Keep it. Hereinafter, this retained sequence number may be referred to as a “retained sequence number”. Then, the output control unit 25 adds the “holding sequence number” and “first threshold” of the target combination among the descriptors scheduled to be output for the target combination in the current processing unit time. Are output to the transmission processing unit 13 that is the distribution destination.

  For example, the packet switch 12 connects the signal processing units 11-1 to 11 -N and the transmission processing units 13-1 to 13 -M in a mesh shape. The packet switch 12 connects the transmission processing units 13-1 to 13-M in a mesh shape.

  The packet switch 12 receives the descriptor and the “pair” of the data unit corresponding to the descriptor from the output control unit 25, and transfers the received “pair” to the transmission processing unit 13 of the distribution destination indicated by the descriptor. To do.

  Further, the packet switch 12 transfers the descriptor and the data unit between the transmission processing units 13 in the “replacement process” described later.

  The transmission processing units 13-1 to 13-M have the same configuration. The transmission processing units 13-1 to 13-M correspond to different component carriers.

  Each transmission processing unit 13 performs predetermined transmission processing (for example, encoding processing and modulation processing) on the data unit, and outputs the obtained signal to the wireless transmission unit 14 corresponding to each transmission processing unit 13. To do. Each transmission processing unit 13 performs IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) processing, CP (Cyclic Prefix) insertion processing, and the like when transmitting an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) signal.

  Each transmission processing unit 13 executes “retransmission processing” of the data unit.

  In addition, each transmission processing unit 13 calculates the “first threshold value”.

  Each transmission processing unit 13 executes “replacement control” of the descriptor.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the transmission processing unit 13-1 includes a descriptor buffer 31, a data unit buffer 32, a transmission control unit 33, a calculation unit 34, and a replacement control unit 35. Similarly to the transmission processing unit 13-1, each of the transmission processing units 13-2 to 13-M also includes a descriptor buffer 31, a data unit buffer 32, a transmission control unit 33, a calculation unit 34, and a replacement control unit. 35.

  The descriptor buffer 31 stores (holds) the transferred descriptor. The data unit buffer 32 stores (holds) the transferred data unit.

  The transmission control unit 33 processes the descriptor stored in the descriptor buffer 31 and transmits the data unit stored in the data unit buffer 32. In addition, when receiving an ACK from the wireless communication device 50, the transmission control unit 33 deletes the descriptor and the data unit corresponding to the ACK from the descriptor buffer 31 and the data unit buffer 32. In addition, when receiving a NACK from the wireless communication device 50, the transmission control unit 33 processes a descriptor corresponding to the NACK and retransmits the data unit.

  The calculation unit 34 calculates the incomplete processing amount of the descriptor (or data unit) corresponding to the target packet flow from the “processing reference amount” per “processing unit time” for the target packet flow in the transmission processing unit 13-1. The above “first threshold value” is calculated by subtraction. The calculation unit 34 calculates the “first threshold value” for the portion transferred to the transmission processing unit 13-1 among the descriptors and data units corresponding to the target packet flow. The “processing reference amount” is, for example, the number of descriptors (or data units) that can be processed for the target packet flow within the processing unit time in the transmission processing unit 13-1 (that is, the processing reference number). The incomplete processing amount is, for example, the number of descriptors (or data units) corresponding to the target packet flow remaining in the transmission processing unit 13-1 (that is, the number of incomplete processing).

  Then, the calculation unit 34 sends the calculated “first threshold value” to the signal processing unit 11 that is the distribution source. In FIG. 2, an arrow that is notified from the transmission processing unit 13 to the signal processing unit 11 by a direct signal line is described, but when realized by software processing, notification may be performed via a packet switch.

  When the incomplete processing amount corresponding to the target packet flow in the transmission processing unit 13-1 is equal to or greater than the “second threshold” in the transmission processing unit 13-1, the replacement control unit 35 distributes the target packet flow other than the transmission processing unit 13-1. The descriptor and data unit corresponding to the target packet flow are replaced with the transmission processing unit 13 that is the destination. For example, the transmission processing unit 13 that is the replacement destination has an uncompleted processing amount corresponding to the target packet flow among the transmission processing units 13 that are distribution destinations other than the transmission processing unit 13-1 of the target packet flow. It is less than the “threshold”.

  The wireless transmission units 14-1 to 14-M have the same configuration. The wireless transmission units 14-1 to 14-M correspond to the transmission processing units 13-1 to 13-M, respectively. That is, the wireless transmission units 14-1 to 14-M correspond to different component carriers.

  Each wireless transmission unit 14 performs predetermined wireless transmission processing (for example, digital-analog conversion, up-conversion, etc.) on the transmission signal output from the corresponding transmission processing unit 13, and the obtained wireless signal is Transmit via antenna.

  The wireless reception units 15-1 to 15-M have the same configuration. The radio reception units 15-1 to 15-M correspond to different component carriers, respectively.

  Each radio reception unit 15 performs predetermined radio reception processing (down-conversion, analog-digital conversion, etc.) on the signal received via the antenna, and outputs the obtained signal to the corresponding reception processing unit 16. .

  The reception processing units 16-1 to 16-M have the same configuration. The reception processing units 16-1 to 16-M correspond to the wireless reception units 15-1 to 15-M, respectively. That is, the reception processing units 16-1 to 16-M correspond to different component carriers.

  Each reception processing unit 16 performs predetermined reception processing (for example, demodulation processing, decoding processing, etc.) on the signal received from the corresponding wireless reception unit 15. Each reception processing unit 16 extracts channel quality information (for example, CQI: Channel Quality Indicator) from the reception data obtained by the reception processing, and outputs the extracted channel quality information to the scheduler 17. Each reception processing unit 16 extracts delivery confirmation information (that is, ACK or NACK) from the reception data obtained by the reception process, and outputs the extracted delivery confirmation information to the transmission processing unit 13. Although not shown in FIG. 2, there is also a path for transmitting an instruction to the transmission processing unit in order for the scheduler to change the coding rate according to the CQI value.

  Based on the channel quality information received from the reception processing unit 16, the scheduler 17 generates the above “assigned signal” and outputs it to the signal processing unit 11. As described above, each “assignment signal” is the “output command amount (that is, the output instruction amount) of the descriptor and the data unit for each combination of the packet flow identification information and the distribution destination transmission processing unit 13 in“ processing unit time ”. “Scheduled output”) ”.

[Configuration Example of Second Wireless Communication Device]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the second wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. 4, the wireless communication device 50 includes a wireless reception unit 51, a reception processing unit 52, a signal processing unit 53, a channel quality measurement unit 54, a transmission processing unit 55, and a wireless transmission unit 56. In FIG. 4, a configuration corresponding to one component carrier is illustrated in order to simplify the description. That is, in practice, the wireless communication device 50 has the same number of sets as the number of component carriers that the wireless communication device 50 can handle, the wireless reception unit 51, the reception processing unit 52, the signal processing unit 53, the channel quality measurement unit 54, You may have the transmission process part 55 and the wireless transmission part 56. FIG.

  The radio reception unit 51 performs predetermined radio reception processing (down-conversion, analog-digital conversion, etc.) on the signal received via the antenna, and outputs the obtained signal to the corresponding reception processing unit 52.

  The reception processing unit 52 performs predetermined reception processing (for example, demodulation processing, decoding processing, etc.) on the signal received from the wireless reception unit 51. Then, when the data (that is, the data unit) obtained by the predetermined reception process is correctly received, the reception processing unit 52 outputs ACK to the transmission processing unit 55 as a delivery confirmation, and the data unit is transmitted to the signal processing unit. To 53. Further, the reception processing unit 52 outputs NACK to the transmission processing unit 55 as a delivery confirmation when the data (that is, the data unit) obtained by the predetermined reception processing is not correctly received.

  The signal processing unit 53 assembles a plurality of data units received from the reception processing unit 52 in order and outputs them as reception data.

  The channel quality measurement unit 54 measures the channel quality based on the output signal of the wireless reception unit 51 and outputs the measured channel quality information to the transmission processing unit 55.

  The transmission processing unit 55 performs predetermined transmission processing (for example, encoding processing and modulation processing) on the input signal, and outputs the obtained signal to the wireless transmission unit 56.

  The radio transmission unit 56 performs predetermined radio transmission processing (for example, digital-analog conversion, up-conversion, etc.) on the transmission signal output from the transmission processing unit 55, and transmits the obtained radio signal via an antenna. To send.

[Operation example of wireless communication system]
A processing operation example of the wireless communication system 1 having the above configuration will be described. Here, in particular, a processing operation example of the output control unit 25 of the first wireless communication device (that is, the wireless communication device 10) will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing operation of the first wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. The flowchart shown in FIG. 5 is executed every processing unit time.

  The output control unit 25 calculates the “added value” by adding the “holding sequence number” of the “target combination” and the “first threshold value” (step S101). As described above, the “target combination” is a combination of the packet flow identification information and the distribution destination transmission processing unit 13.

  The output control unit 25 inputs a descriptor having the smallest sequence number among the descriptors held in the descriptor buffer 24 and scheduled to be output for the target combination (step S102).

  The output control unit 25 determines whether or not the sequence number of the descriptor input in step S102 is equal to or less than the “added value” calculated in step S101 (step S103).

  When it is determined that the value is equal to or less than the “added value” (Yes at Step S103), the output control unit 25 selects the input descriptor and the data unit corresponding to the descriptor (the data unit held in the data unit buffer 22). And output to the destination transmission processing unit 13 (step S104). Note that the descriptor and data unit output to the transmission processing unit 13 that is the distribution destination may be deleted from the descriptor buffer 24 and the data unit buffer 22, or in the case of a flow in which delivery confirmation is performed also in the RLC layer, retransmission. You may hold it for use.

  The output control unit 25 determines whether all descriptors that are to be output for the target combination have been input (step S105).

  If it is determined that all are not input (No at Step S105), the output control unit 25 inputs the next descriptor to be output for the target combination from the descriptor buffer 24 (Step S106).

  When it is determined that the value is greater than the “added value” (No at Step S103) and when it is determined that all have been input (Yes at Step S105), the output control unit 25 determines the last output descriptor for the target combination. The “holding sequence number” is updated with the sequence number (step S107). Thus, the process in one process unit time is completed.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the wireless communication device 10 includes a plurality of transmission processing units 13 corresponding to different component carriers in each transmission processing unit 13, and the data unit input to each transmission processing unit 13. Process the descriptor and send the data unit. In the wireless communication apparatus 10, the signal processing unit 11 uses the input packet flow to identify a plurality of data units, identification information of the input packet flow, and identification information of the transmission processing unit 13 to which each data unit is allocated. Is generated for each data unit. In addition, the signal processing unit 11 determines whether to output each descriptor and the data unit corresponding to each descriptor to the transmission processing unit 13 of each distribution destination according to the allocation of the scheduler 17. Control is performed based on the “first threshold value” corresponding to. Then, the calculation unit 34 sets the “first threshold value” corresponding to the transmission processing unit 13 of each distribution destination to the incomplete processing amount (for example, the number of unprocessed) of descriptors in the transmission processing unit 13 of each distribution destination. Calculate based on For example, the calculation unit 34 calculates the “first threshold value” by subtracting the incomplete processing amount from the processing reference amount in the transmission processing unit 13 of each distribution destination.

  With this configuration of the wireless communication device 10, it is possible to avoid rescheduling of data units that have not been received yet, so that it is possible to shorten the time until the wireless communication device on the receiving side can receive the data unit, and as a result, prevents a decrease in throughput. can do. That is, the throughput can be improved.

  Further, the signal processing unit 11 determines, for each transmission destination transmission processing unit 13, that the descriptor's planned output amount is larger than the first threshold value in each processing unit time, and the first threshold value among the planned output amounts. Output the amount that fits below.

  With the configuration of the wireless communication device 10, the amount of data units output to the transmission processing unit 13 at each distribution destination can be limited to a processing reference amount or less.

  In addition, when the incomplete processing amount in the first distribution destination transmission processing unit 13 is equal to or greater than the “second threshold”, the distribution control unit 35 uses the first distribution destination transmission processing unit 13. Control is performed to replace the unprocessed descriptor and the data unit corresponding to the unprocessed descriptor with the transmission processing unit 13 of the second distribution destination whose incomplete processing amount is less than the second threshold.

  With the configuration of the wireless communication device 10, the transmission of the second transfer destination having the communication quality of the component carrier of the predetermined level or higher is transmitted from the transmission processing unit 13 of the first distribution destination in which the communication quality of the component carrier has decreased to the predetermined level or lower. Descriptors and data units can be replaced with the processing unit 13. In addition, since it is determined based on the incomplete processing amount whether or not the communication quality of the component carrier has decreased to a predetermined level or less, even if the communication quality of the component carrier is fast, it is possible to follow the replacement process. it can.

[Example 2]
In the second embodiment, a case where one packet flow is distributed to a plurality of signal processing units will be described. Hereinafter, in order to simplify the description, a case where one packet flow is distributed to two signal processing units will be described. The configurations of the wireless communication system and the second wireless communication apparatus of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the first wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the reception processing system in the first wireless communication apparatus is not shown.

  In FIG. 6, the wireless communication device 110 includes a distribution unit 111 and signal processing units 112-1 and 112-2.

  The distribution unit 111 distributes one packet flow to the signal processing unit 112-1 and the signal processing unit 112-2. Each packet in this packet flow is assigned a packet sequence number.

  The signal processing unit 112-1 and the signal processing unit 112-2 have the same configuration. The signal processing unit 112 basically has the same function as the signal processing unit 11 of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the signal processing unit 112 is connected to the transmission processing unit 13 via the packet switch, and can receive information on the “first threshold value”.

  Then, if the packet sequence number of the input packet has a missing number, the output control unit 121 of the signal processing unit 112 calculates the “scheduled output amount” including the descriptor generated from the packet corresponding to the missing number. To do. That is, for example, when there is a missing number in the packet sequence number of the packet input to the signal processing unit 112-1, the output control unit 121 of the signal processing unit 112-1 determines that the packet corresponding to the missing number is the signal processing unit. It can be determined that the data has been distributed to 112-2. Then, there is a possibility that the descriptor and the data unit generated using the packet input to the signal processing unit 112-2 are also distributed to the transmission processing unit 13 that is the distribution destination of the signal processing unit 112-1. For this reason, the output control unit 121 of the signal processing unit 112-1 calculates the expected output amount after allowing for the amount of packets distributed to the signal processing unit 112-2.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, in the wireless communication apparatus 110, the distribution unit 111 distributes one packet flow to the plurality of signal processing units 112. Each packet in the packet flow is assigned a packet sequence number. When the packet sequence number of the input packet has a missing number, the signal processing unit 112 calculates an “expected output amount” including a descriptor generated from the packet corresponding to the missing number.

  With the configuration of the wireless communication device 110, one signal processing unit 112 calculates a planned output amount taking into account descriptors and data units generated based on packets distributed to other signal processing units 112. Can do. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the transmission processing unit 13 at the distribution destination will be in a congested state.

  In the above description, one packet flow is described as being distributed to the two signal processing units 112, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, one packet flow may be distributed to three or more signal processing units 112. In this case, the wireless communication device 110 includes three or more signal processing units 112.

[Other embodiments]
[1] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the transmission processing unit 13 at the distribution destination whose “incomplete processing amount” is less than the “second threshold” to the transmission processing unit 13 at another distribution destination. Although the replacement process was performed, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, switching from the transmission processing unit 13 at the distribution destination to the transmission processing unit 13 at the other distribution destination corresponding to the component carrier whose CQI fed back from the wireless communication device 50 has decreased below the “third threshold value”. Processing may be performed. In short, for example, when carrier aggregation using a plurality of component carriers is performed, it is only necessary that the data unit can be replaced from a component carrier whose quality is lowered to a predetermined level or lower to another component carrier.

  [2] Each component of each part illustrated in the first and second embodiments does not necessarily need to be physically configured as illustrated. In other words, the specific form of distribution / integration of each part is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and all or a part thereof may be functionally or physically distributed / integrated in arbitrary units according to various loads and usage conditions. Can be configured.

  Furthermore, various processing functions performed in each device are performed on a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (or a microcomputer such as an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), MCU (Micro Controller Unit), etc.) in whole or in part. You may make it perform. Various processing functions may be executed entirely or arbitrarily on a program that is analyzed and executed by a CPU (or a microcomputer such as an MPU or MCU) or hardware based on wired logic. .

  The first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device according to the first and second embodiments can be realized by the following hardware configuration, for example.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the first wireless communication apparatus. As shown in FIG. 7, the wireless communication device 200 includes processors 201-1 to N, 203-1 to M, 207, a switch 202, FPGAs 204-1 to M, 205-1 to M, and an RF circuit 206-. 1-M and memories 208-1 to N, 209-1 to M, 210.

  Examples of the processors 201-1 to N, 203-1 to M, and 207 include a CPU, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Examples of the memories 208-1 to N, 209-1 to M, and 210 include RAM (Random Access Memory) such as SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory) such as flash memory, MRAM Other non-volatile memories such as (Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory) and NVRAM (Non Volatile Memory) can be used.

  Various processing functions performed by the first wireless communication apparatus according to the first and second embodiments may be realized by executing a program stored in various memories such as a nonvolatile storage medium using a processor. That is, a program corresponding to each process executed by the signal processing units 11-1 to 11 -N may be recorded in the memories 208-1 to 208 -N, and each program may be executed by the processors 201-1 to 201 -N. In addition, programs corresponding to the processes executed by the transmission control unit 33, the calculation unit 34, and the replacement control unit 35 of the transmission processing units 13-1 to 13-M are recorded in the memories 209-1 to 209-M. It may be executed by the processors 203-1 to 203-M. In addition, a program corresponding to each process executed by the scheduler 17 may be recorded in the memory 210, and each program may be executed by the processor 207. The functions related to encoding and modulation in the transmission processing units 13-1 to 13-M are realized by the FPGAs 204-1 to M, but may be accelerators mounted on the processors 203-1 to 203-M or LSIs. Also, the functions related to demodulation and decoding in the reception processing units 16-1 to 16-M are realized by the FPGAs 205-1 to M, but may be accelerators mounted on the processors 203-1 to M or LSI. The packet switch 12 is realized by the switch 202. Further, the wireless transmission units 14-1 to M are realized by the RF circuits 206-1 to M, respectively. In addition, the wireless reception units 15-1 to 15-M are realized by the RF circuits 206-1 to 206-1, respectively.

  Here, although the first wireless communication apparatus is described as one apparatus, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first wireless communication device may be realized by a control device and one or more wireless devices. For example, processors 201-1 to N, 203-1 to M, 207, switch 202, FPGAs 204-1 to M, 205-1 to M, memories 208-1 to N, 209-1 to M, 210 May be provided in the control device, and the RF circuits 206-1 to 206-M may be provided in one wireless device. Further, the RF circuits 206-1 to 206-1M may be provided in different wireless devices.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the second wireless communication apparatus. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the wireless communication device 300 includes an RF circuit 301, a processor 302, and a memory 303.

  Examples of the processor 302 include a CPU, a DSP, and an FPGA. Examples of the memory 303 include RAM such as SDRAM, ROM such as flash memory, and other nonvolatile memory such as MRAM and NVRAM.

  Various processing functions performed by the second wireless communication apparatus according to the first and second embodiments may be realized by executing a program stored in various memories such as a nonvolatile storage medium using a processor. That is, a program corresponding to each process executed by the reception processing unit 52, the signal processing unit 53, the channel quality measurement unit 54, and the transmission processing unit 55 is recorded in the memory 303, and each program is executed by the processor 302. May be. In addition, the wireless reception unit 51 and the wireless transmission unit 56 are realized by the RF circuit 301.

  Here, the various processing functions performed in the second wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment are executed by the single processor 302, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be executed by a processor.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Wireless communication system 10,50,110 Wireless communication apparatus 11,53,112 Signal processing part 12 Packet switch 13,55 Transmission processing part 14,56 Wireless transmission part 15,51 Wireless reception part 16,52 Reception processing part 17 Scheduler 21 Multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 22, 32 Data unit buffer 23 Descriptor generation unit 24, 31 Descriptor buffer 25, 121 Output control unit 33 Transmission control unit 34 Calculation unit 35 Replacement control unit 54 Channel quality measurement unit 111 Distribution unit

Claims (6)

A transmission control method in a wireless communication apparatus that has a plurality of transmission processing units respectively corresponding to different use frequency bands, processes a data unit descriptor input to each transmission processing unit and transmits the data unit,
A descriptor including a plurality of data units using the packet flow input to the first signal processing unit, and the identification information of the input packet flow and the transmission processing unit to which each data unit is distributed For each data unit,
Whether to output each descriptor and the data unit corresponding to each descriptor to the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination according to the allocation of the scheduler is based on the first threshold value corresponding to the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination. Control
Calculating the first threshold value corresponding to each transmission destination transmission processing unit based on an incomplete processing amount of a descriptor in each transmission destination transmission processing unit;
The transmission control method characterized by the above-mentioned. In the calculation process of the first threshold value, the first threshold value is calculated by subtracting the incomplete processing amount from a processing reference amount in the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination.
The transmission control method according to claim 1. In the availability control process, when the scheduled output amount of the descriptor is larger than the first threshold value in each processing unit time for the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination, the first output among the scheduled output amounts Output an amount that falls below the threshold of
The transmission control method according to claim 1 or 2. If the incomplete processing amount in the first distribution destination transmission processing unit is greater than or equal to a second threshold, the unprocessed descriptor and the unprocessed description in the first distribution destination transmission processing unit Reassigning the data unit corresponding to the child to the transmission processing unit of the second distribution destination whose incomplete processing amount is less than the second threshold;
The transmission control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Each packet in the packet flow is given a sequence number,
A part of the packet flow is distributed to the second signal processing unit,
In the calculation process of the scheduled output amount, when there is a missing number in the sequence number of the packet input to the first signal processing unit, the output schedule including a descriptor generated from the packet corresponding to the missing number is included. Calculate the quantity,
The transmission control method according to claim 3. A plurality of transmission processing units that respectively correspond to different use frequency bands, process descriptors of input data units, and transmit the data units;
Using the input packet flow, a plurality of data units and a descriptor including identification information of the input packet flow and identification information of a transmission processing unit to which each data unit is allocated are generated for each data unit. Whether to output each descriptor and the data unit corresponding to each descriptor to the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination according to the allocation of the scheduler is set as a first threshold value corresponding to the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination. A first signal processing unit to be controlled based on;
A calculation unit that calculates the first threshold value corresponding to the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination based on an incomplete processing amount of a descriptor in the transmission processing unit of each distribution destination;
A wireless communication apparatus comprising:

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