JP2017152770A - Communication system, communication method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system capable of distributing packets appropriately, in a network constructed based on the standard of 3GPP.SOLUTION: A communication system includes a DB 60 for managing the identification information of a UE 40 and the identification information of a core network where the UE 40 is registered, in association, and a gateway device 20 for terminating a S1AP message transmitted from an eNB10, extracting the identification information of a core network associated with the identification information of a UE 40 included in the S1AP message among a plurality of core networks, from the DB 60, and transmitting the terminated S1AP message to a MME arranged in the core network.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, a communication method, and a program, and more particularly, to a communication system, a communication method, and a program for transmitting a message.

  In recent years, with the spread of smartphones and the like, IoT (Internet Of Things) services are also spreading. The IoT service is implemented using, for example, a terminal that autonomously communicates without user operation. Generally, it is known that traffic characteristics are different between a terminal such as a smartphone and a terminal used for an IoT service. For example, in IoT services, a small amount of data is often transmitted compared to a smartphone or the like. Furthermore, the IoT service may have a traffic characteristic that data is transmitted at a predetermined timing in one day.

  As described above, since the general service using a terminal such as a smartphone and the IoT service have different traffic characteristics, the core network that provides the general service and the core network that provides the IoT service are separated from each other independently. Operation is under consideration. By separating the core network, it becomes possible to design facilities according to the traffic characteristics of each service.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration of a gateway device having traffic characteristics suitable for distinguishing user terminals having different traffic characteristics and connecting the user terminals. Specifically, a packet distribution control unit included in the gateway apparatus determines a packet transfer destination based on the MAC address or domain information of the user terminal included in the packet. Further, the packet distribution control unit changes the IP address of the packet transmission destination to the IP address of the gateway device of the transfer destination.

JP2015-43522A

  However, in a network constructed based on a standard such as 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), various protocols are defined between node devices. For this reason, there is a problem that when the packet is transferred, only by changing the IP address of the transmission destination, the information with the protocol defined between the node devices does not match and the packet cannot be transferred appropriately. .

  An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system, a communication method, and a program capable of appropriately distributing packets in a network constructed based on the 3GPP standard.

  A communication system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a management device that associates and manages identification information of a mobile station and identification information of a core network in which the mobile station is registered, and terminates an S1AP message transmitted from an eNB. The core network identification information associated with the mobile station identification information included in the S1AP message is extracted from the management device from a plurality of core networks, and the MME arranged in the core network And a gateway device that transmits the S1AP message terminated to the network.

  The communication method according to the second aspect of the present invention terminates the S1AP message transmitted from the eNB and manages the management information in association with the identification information of the mobile station and the identification information of the core network in which the mobile station is registered The identification information of the core network associated with the identification information of the mobile station included in the S1AP message is specified from among a plurality of core networks, and terminated to the MME arranged in the core network The S1AP message is transmitted.

  The program according to the third aspect of the present invention terminates the RANAP protocol message transmitted from the RNC, and manages the management information in association with the identification information of the mobile station and the identification information of the core network in which the mobile station is registered To identify the identification information of the core network associated with the identification information of the mobile station included in the RANAP protocol message from among the plurality of core networks, and to the SGSN arranged in the core network Sending the terminated RANAP protocol message to the computer.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication system, a communication method, and a program capable of appropriately distributing packets in a network constructed based on the 3GPP standard.

1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a first exemplary embodiment; FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a second exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of Attach processing concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the flow of the process at the time of the no-communication detection concerning Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a third exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of Attach processing according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of processing when no communication is detected according to the third exemplary embodiment; FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a fourth exemplary embodiment. It is a figure which shows the information which DB which concerns on Embodiment 4 manages. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of packet distribution processing according to the fourth exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of packet distribution processing according to the fifth exemplary embodiment. It is a block diagram of SGSN concerning Embodiment 6. FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of Attach processing according to the sixth embodiment. It is a figure when UE concerning Embodiment 6 starts a packet communication. It is a figure which shows the processing flow when UE concerning Embodiment 6 completes packet communication. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing when no communication is detected according to the sixth embodiment;

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A communication system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The communication system in FIG. 1 includes an eNB (evolved Node B) 10, a gateway device 20, an MME (Mobility Management Entity) 30, an MME 32, and a UE (User Equipment) 40. The UE 40, eNB 10, gateway device 20, and MME 30 may be a computer device that operates when a processor executes a program stored in a memory.

  The eNB 10 is a base station that supports LTE (Long Term Evolution) in 3GPP. The eNB 10 performs radio communication with the UE 40 using LTE as a radio communication method. UE40 is a general term for mobile stations used in 3GPP.

  The MME 30 and the MME 32 are node devices that manage location information of the UE 40 in 3GPP and further perform call processing control on the UE 40. The MME 30 and the MME 32 are node devices that constitute the core network. In FIG. 1, two MMEs 30 and 32 are shown, but three or more MMEs may be arranged.

  The gateway device 20 is arranged between the eNB 10 and the MME 30, and relays control data transmitted between the eNB 10 and the MME 30. The control data may be data for collecting location information of the UE 40, data for executing call processing control, and the like. The control data may be referred to as a control signal, control information, C-Plane data, or the like. Further, text data, image data, moving image data and the like transmitted and received by the UE 40 are referred to as user data. The user data may be referred to as user information or U-Plane data.

  The eNB 10 and the MME 30 perform communication according to S1AP (S1 Application Protocol). That is, eNB10 and MME30 set various information to the S1AP message which is a control message prescribed | regulated in S1AP, and transmit an S1AP message. Between eNB10 and MME30, it is defined as S1 reference point in 3GPP. eNB10 and MME32 also perform communication according to S1AP.

  Next, a configuration example of the gateway device 20 will be described. The gateway device 20 includes a communication unit 21, a determination unit 22, and a conversion unit 23. The communication unit 21, the determination unit 22, and the conversion unit 23 may be software or a module that performs processing when the processor executes a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, the communication unit 21, the determination unit 22, and the conversion unit 23 may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip.

  The communication unit 21 terminates the S1AP message transmitted from the eNB 10, MME 30, or MME 32. The termination of the S1AP message by the communication unit 21 may mean that the communication unit 21 analyzes the information set in the S1AP message or changes the information set in the S1AP message. The communication unit 21 outputs the received S1AP message to the determination unit 22 and the conversion unit 23.

  The determination unit 22 determines the terminal type of the UE 40 associated with the S1AP message. The S1AP message is a message used for managing the location information of the UE 40 and further performing call processing control of the UE 40. That is, the S1AP message is transmitted for each UE.

  The terminal type may be, for example, identification information of services executed by the UE 40, information defining the traffic characteristics of the UE 40, identification information for identifying other UEs 40, or the like. For example, the terminal type may be information for identifying a terminal that executes the IoT service and other terminals.

  The conversion unit 23 changes the source address set in the S1AP message transmitted from the eNB 10 from the identifier of the eNB 10 to the identifier A of the gateway device 20. The identifier A is an identifier used for communication between the gateway device 20 and the MME 30 or between the gateway device 20 and the MME 32.

  Here, the communication unit 21 transmits the S1AP message in which the transmission source address is converted to the MME 30 or the MME 32 determined according to the terminal type. For example, the MME 30 and the MME 32 manage location information of the UE 40 of a specific terminal type, and further perform call processing control. In this case, the communication unit 21 transmits the S1AP message to the MME associated with the determined terminal type. In other words, the communication unit 21 distributes the S1AP message to a plurality of MMEs according to the terminal type.

  As described above, the gateway device 20 in FIG. 1 can terminate the S1AP message used for communication between the eNB 10 and the MME 30 in 3GPP. Furthermore, the gateway device 20 can distribute the S1AP message to a plurality of MMEs according to the terminal type of the UE 40.

  Furthermore, the gateway device 20 can change the transmission source address of the S1AP message transmitted from the eNB 10 from the eNB 10 to the gateway device 20. Thus, the gateway device 20 changes the identification information of the transmission source defined in the S1AP message, and transmits the S1AP message in which the identification information of the transmission source is changed to the MME, so that the gateway device 20 allows the eNB 10 and the MME 30 or Even if it is arranged between the MME 32 and the S1AP message is terminated, the S1AP message can be transmitted normally. That is, the MME sets the identification information of the gateway device 20 as the destination of the S1AP message, so that the S1AP message transmitted between the eNB 10 and the MME can be transmitted via the gateway device 20. And

(Embodiment 2)
Subsequently, a configuration example of the communication system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 shows that the MME 30 is arranged in the general network 50 and the MME 32 is arranged in the IoT network 52. The other configuration of FIG. 2 is the same as that of FIG.

  The IoT network 52 is a network that transmits data related to the UE used for the IoT service. For example, the IoT network 52 may be a network that transmits control data and user data related to a UE used for the IoT service. The IoT network 52 may include an SGW (Serving Gateway) and a PGW (Packet data network Gateway) for transmitting user data in addition to the MME 32 for transmitting control data.

  The general network 50 is a network that transmits data related to UEs other than the UE used for the IoT service. For example, the UE other than the UE used for the IoT service may be a mobile phone or a smartphone with a user operation when using the service.

  The IoT service often transmits a small amount of data compared to a smartphone or the like. Furthermore, the IoT service may have a traffic characteristic that data is transmitted at a predetermined timing in one day.

  On the other hand, a terminal such as a smartphone may receive a large amount of moving image data. Furthermore, it is possible to use various services using a smartphone terminal, and in recent years, it is considered that the amount of data transmitted and received by the smartphone terminal is increasing. In this way, the terminal used for the IoT service and the terminal used for other services have different traffic characteristics. Here, it is possible to efficiently design a network by handling traffic related to terminals having the same traffic characteristics in the same network.

  For example, in the IoT network 52 that is a network that handles traffic related to a terminal with less user data to be transmitted, the number of node devices such as SGW that relay user data may be reduced. Further, the IoT network 52 may accommodate more terminals in the future as compared with smartphones and the like. Therefore, in the IoT network 52, the number of node devices such as MMEs that process control data may be increased.

  On the other hand, the general network 50 handles traffic related to a terminal having a lot of transmitted user data. Therefore, in the general network 50, the number of node devices such as SGW that relay user data may be increased. In addition, the spread rate of smartphones and the like may slow down in the future. Therefore, in the IoT network 52, the number of node devices such as MME that process control data may be reduced, or the current number of node devices such as MME may be maintained.

  The gateway device 20 determines whether or not the UE 40 is a terminal used for the IoT service, and distributes a message regarding the UE 40 to the MME 30 or the MME 32.

  Then, the flow of the Attach process regarding UE40 is demonstrated using FIG. First, the UE 40 transmits an Attach Request message that is a NAS (Non Access Stratum) message to the eNB 10 (S11). The UE 40 may set information regarding the terminal type in the Attach Request message. The information regarding the terminal type may be information indicating whether the terminal is used for the IoT service, for example. Specifically, the UE 40 may set information regarding the terminal type in Device-Properties, which is a parameter set in the NAS message.

  Next, the eNB 10 transmits an Initial UE Message that is an S1AP message to the gateway device 20 (S12). The eNB 10 multiplexes the Attach Request message received from the UE 40 with the Initial UE Message. That is, the eNB 10 transmits an Initial UE Message including an Attach Request message to the gateway device 20. As the destination of the Initial UE Message, the gateway device 20 may be set, or an arbitrary MME may be set.

  The gateway device 20 determines the MME that transmits the control data related to the UE 40. Therefore, when an arbitrary MME is set as the destination of the Initial UE Message, the destination of the Initial UE Message is changed in the gateway device 20. Further, even when an arbitrary MME is set as the destination of the Initial UE Message, the communication path is set so that the Initial UE Message is transmitted to the gateway device 20.

  Next, the gateway device 20 determines the distribution destination of the Initial UE Message that is the S1AP message (S13). In other words, the gateway device 20 determines the transmission destination of the Initial UE Message. The gateway device 20 determines the distribution destination of the Initial UE Message using information regarding the terminal type set in the Attach Request message included in the Initial UE Message. When the information indicating that the terminal type is a terminal used for the IoT service is set in the terminal type, the gateway device 20 determines that the distribution destination of the Initial UE Message is the MME 32. In FIG. 3, a case will be described in which the gateway device 20 determines that the distribution destination of the Initial UE Message is the MME 32.

  Next, the gateway device 20 changes or replaces the source address of the Initial UE Message from the identifier of the eNB 10 to the identifier of the gateway device 20 (S14). The source address of the Initial UE Message is an address in the S1AP layer defined in S1AP. An identifier set to the address of the source of the Initial UE Message is assumed to be eNB-S1AP-id. For example, when the gateway apparatus 20 receives an Initial UE Message in which eNB-S1AP-id = A is set as the transmission source address, the gateway apparatus 20 changes the transmission source address to eNB-S1AP-id = C. The gateway device 20 manages eNB-S1AP-id = A and eNB-S1AP-id = C in association with each other. In other words, the gateway device 20 assigns eNB-S1AP-id = C to eNB-S1AP-id = A.

  Next, the gateway device 20 transmits an Initial UE Message whose source address has been changed to the MME 32 (S15). Next, the MME 32 transmits a Downlink NAS Transport message that is an S1AP message to the gateway device 20 (S16). The MME 32 sets eNB-S1AP-id = C as the destination of the Downlink NAS Transport message. For example, the MME 32 multiplexes an Authentication Request message used for performing authentication related to the UE 40 in the Downlink NAS Transport message. The Authentication Request message is a NAS message.

  Next, the gateway device 20 changes or replaces the source address of the Downlink NAS Transport message from the identifier of the MME 32 to the identifier of the gateway device 20 (S17). The source address of the Downlink NAS Transport message is an address in the S1AP layer defined in S1AP. The identifier set for the source address of the Downlink NAS Transport message is MME-S1AP-id. For example, when receiving the Downlink NAS Transport message in which MME-S1AP-id = D is set as the transmission source address, the gateway device 20 changes the transmission source address to MME-S1AP-id = B. The gateway device 20 manages MME-S1AP-id = D and MME-S1AP-id = B in association with each other. In other words, the gateway device 20 assigns MME-S1AP-id = B to MME-S1AP-id = D.

  Next, the gateway device 20 transmits a Downlink NAS Transport message in which the transmission source address is changed to the eNB 10 (S18). Further, the gateway device 20 changes eNB-S1AP-id = C set as the destination in the Downlink NAS Transport message to eNB-S1AP-id = A associated with eNB-S1AP-id = C. Here, when the eNB 10 receives the Downlink NAS Transport message, the eNB 10 transmits an Authentication Request message included in the Downlink NAS Transport message to the UE 40.

  Next, the UE 40 transmits an Authentication Response that is a NAS message, and the eNB 10 multiplexes the Authentication Response message into an Uplink NAS Transport message that is an S1AP message. The eNB 10 transmits an Uplink NAS Transport message in which the Authentication Response message is multiplexed to the gateway device 20 (S19). Here, the eNB 10 sets MME-S1AP-id = B as the destination of the Uplink NAS Transport message.

  Next, the gateway device 20 changes the source address of the Uplink NAS Transport message from eNB-S1AP-id = A to eNB-S1AP-id = C, and further changes the destination address to MME-S1AP-id = C B is changed to MME-S1AP-id = D (S20). Thereafter, in order to execute the Attach process of the UE 40, the Downlink NAS Transport message and the Uplink NAS Transport message are transmitted as in Steps S16 to S21.

  Next, when the Attach process related to the UE 40 is completed, the MME 32 multiplexes an Attach Accept message that is a NAS message with an Initial Context Setup Request message that is an S1AP message, and transmits the multiplexed message to the gateway apparatus 20 (S22). Here, the gateway apparatus 20 performs address conversion similarly to step S17, and transmits an Initial Context Setup Request message to the eNB 10.

  Next, eNB10 performs an E-RAB Setup process in order to set up a radio bearer with UE40 (S23). Next, the eNB 10 transmits a UE Radio Access Capability Information message, which is an S1AP message, to the gateway device 20 in order to notify the MME 32 of capability information or performance information of the UE 40 (S24). Here, the gateway apparatus 20 performs address conversion similarly to step S20, and transmits a UE Radio Access Capability Information message to the MME 32.

  Next, the UE 40 transmits an Attach Complete message that is a NAS message, and the eNB 10 multiplexes the Attach Complete message into an Uplink NAS Transport message that is an S1AP message. The eNB 10 transmits an Uplink NAS Transport message in which the Attach Complete message is multiplexed to the gateway device 20 (S25). Here, the gateway device 20 performs address conversion and transmits an Uplink NAS Transport message to the MME 32 as in step S20.

  Thereafter, Uplink / Downlink Packet that is user data regarding the UE 40 is transmitted between the eNB 10 and the SGW. The SGW is a node device arranged in the IoT network 52. Moreover, Uplink / Downlink Packet transmitted between eNB10 and SGW is transmitted via the gateway apparatus 20 similarly to control data. In this case, the gateway device 20 performs the conversion of the address set in the Uplink / Downlink Packet, similarly to Steps S17 and S20.

  Next, the flow of processing when no communication is detected according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, the eNB 10 detects that the UE 40 is not communicating for a predetermined period and is in a no-communication state (S31).

  Next, the eNB 10 transmits a UE Context Release Request message that is an S1AP message to the MME 32 via the gateway device 20 in order to release a radio bearer with the UE 40 (S32). The gateway device 20 performs address conversion in the same manner as in step S20 in FIG.

  Next, in order to instruct to release a radio bearer between the UE 40 and the eNB 10, the MME 32 transmits a UE Context Release Command message that is an S1AP message to the eNB 10 via the gateway device 20 (S33). The gateway device 20 performs address conversion in the same manner as in step S17 in FIG.

  Next, eNB10 performs the process which releases | releases the radio bearer between UE40 (S34). Next, the eNB 10 transmits a UE Context Release Complete message that is an S1AP message to the MME 32 via the gateway device 20 (S35). The gateway device 20 performs address conversion in the same manner as in step S20 in FIG.

  Next, the gateway device 20 associates management information that associates eNB-S1AP-id = A and eNB-S1AP-id = C, and further associates MME-S1AP-id = B and MME-S1AP-id = D. The management information is released or deleted (S36). In other words, the gateway device 20 assigns eNB-S1AP-id = C assigned to eNB-S1AP-id = A and MME-S1AP-id = B assigned to MME-S1AP-id = D. release.

  As described above, by performing the Attach process according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the gateway device 20 can select an MME according to the terminal type of the UE 40 and distribute the S1AP message to the selected MME. it can. Also, the gateway device 20 can terminate and transfer the S1AP message between the eNB 10 and the MME via the gateway device 20 by converting the address information set in the S1AP message. That is, the gateway apparatus 20 can relay the S1AP message transmitted between the eNB 10 and the MME by converting the address of the S1AP message transmitted between the eNB 10 and the MME.

(Embodiment 3)
Then, the structural example of the communication system concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. The communication system of FIG. 5 replaces eNB 10 of the communication system of FIG. 2 with RNC (Radio Network Controller) 12, and replaces MME 30 and MME 32 of the communication system of FIG. 2 with SGSN (Serving General packet radio service Support Node) 31 and SGSN 33. ing. The SGSN 31 is arranged in the general network 50, and the SGSN 33 is arranged in the IoT network 52. The gateway device 20 in FIG. 5 has the same configuration as that of the gateway device 20 in FIGS.

  The RNC 12 is a node device that controls a radio access network called 3G. SGSN 31 and SGSN 33 are node devices that manage location information of UE 40 and further perform call processing control on UE 40. SGSN31 and SGSN33 transmit the control data and user data regarding UE40.

  Then, the flow of the Attach process of UE40 concerning Embodiment 3 of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. First, the UE 40 transmits an Attach Request message that is a NAS message to the RNC 12 (S41). The UE 40 may set information regarding the terminal type in the Attach Request message. The information regarding the terminal type may be information indicating whether the terminal is used for the IoT service, for example. The UE 40 may set information regarding the terminal type in Device-Properties, which is a parameter set in the NAS message.

  Next, the RNC 12 transmits an Initial UE Message, which is a RANAP (Radio Access Network Application Part) protocol message, to the gateway device 20 (S42). The RNC 12 multiplexes the Attach Request message received from the UE 40 with the Initial UE Message. That is, the RNC 12 transmits an Initial UE Message including an Attach Request message to the gateway device 20. The gateway device 20 may be set as the destination of the Initial UE Message, or an arbitrary SGSN may be set.

  The SGSN that transmits the control data related to the UE 40 is determined in the gateway device 20. Therefore, when an arbitrary SGSN is set in the Initial UE Message, the destination of the Initial UE Message is changed in the gateway device 20.

  Next, the gateway device 20 determines a distribution destination of an Initial UE Message that is a RANAP protocol message (S43). In other words, the gateway device 20 determines the transmission destination of the Initial UE Message. The gateway device 20 determines the distribution destination of the Initial UE Message using information regarding the terminal type set in the Attach Request message included in the Initial UE Message. When the information indicating that the terminal type is a terminal used for the IoT service is set in the terminal type, the gateway device 20 determines that the distribution destination of the Initial UE Message is the SGSN 33. In FIG. 6, a case will be described in which the gateway device 20 determines that the initial UE Message distribution destination is the SGSN 33.

  Next, the gateway device 20 changes or replaces the transmission source address of the Initial UE Message from the identifier of the RNC 12 to the identifier of the gateway device 20 (S44). The source address of the Initial UE Message is an address in the SCCP layer defined in the RANAP protocol. The identifier set to the address of the source of the Initial UE Message is assumed to be Source-LR. For example, when the gateway device 20 receives an Initial UE Message in which Source-LR = A1 is set as the source address, the gateway device 20 changes the source address to Source-LR = C1. The gateway device 20 manages Source-LR = A1 and Source-LR = C1 in association with each other. In other words, the gateway device 20 assigns Source-LR = C1 to Source-LR = A1.

  Next, the gateway device 20 transmits an Initial UE Message whose source address has been changed to the SGSN 33 (S45). Next, the SGSN 33 transmits a Direct Transfer message that is a RANAP protocol message to the gateway device 20 (S46). The SGSN 33 sets Source-LR = C1 as the destination of the Direct Transfer message.

  Next, the gateway device 20 changes or replaces the source address of the Direct Transfer message from the SGSN 33 identifier to the gateway device 20 identifier (S47). The source address of the Direct Transfer message is an address in the SCCP layer defined in the RANAP protocol. The identifier set to the address of the direct transfer message source is Source-LR = D1. For example, when receiving the Direct Transfer message in which Source-LR = D1 is set as the source address, the gateway device 20 changes the source address to Source-LR = B1. The gateway device 20 manages Source-LR = D1 and Source-LR = B1 in association with each other. In other words, the gateway device 20 assigns Source-LR = B1 to Source-LR = D1.

  Next, the gateway device 20 transmits a Direct Transfer message in which the transmission source address is changed to the RNC 12 (S48). Further, the gateway device 20 changes Source-LR = C1 set as the destination in the Direct Transfer message to Source-LR = A1 associated with Source-LR = C1. Here, when the RNC 12 receives the Direct Transfer message, the RNC 12 transmits a NAS message included in the Direct Transfer message to the UE 40.

  Since the subsequent Attach process is a known process defined in 3GPP, detailed description thereof is omitted. 6 describes the flow of the Attach process. Similarly, in the PDP connection process, the gateway apparatus 20 can terminate and transfer the RANAP protocol message between the RNC 12 and the SGSN 31.

  Next, the flow of the radio bearer release process according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. First, the SGSN 33 transmits an Iu Release Command message, which is a RANAP protocol message, to the RNC 12 via the gateway device 20 in order to instruct to release the radio bearer between the UE 40 and the RNC 12 (S51). The gateway device 20 performs address conversion in the same manner as in step S47 in FIG.

  Next, RNC12 performs the process which releases | releases the radio bearer between UE40 (S52). Next, the RNC 12 transmits an Iu Release Complete message, which is a RANAP protocol message, to the SGSN 33 via the gateway device 20 (S53). The gateway device 20 performs address conversion in the same manner as in step S44 of FIG.

  Next, the gateway device 20 releases or deletes management information in which Source-LR = A1 and Source-LR = C1 are associated, and further, management information in which Source-LR = B1 and Source-LR = D1 are associated. (S54). In other words, the gateway device 20 releases Source-LR = C1 assigned to Source-LR = A1 and Source-LR = B1 assigned to Source-LR = D1.

  As described above, also in the communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the RANAP protocol message can be terminated and transferred between the RNC 12 and the SGSN 31 as in the second embodiment.

(Embodiment 4)
Then, the structural example of the communication system concerning Embodiment 4 of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. In the communication system of FIG. 8, a DB (database) 60 and an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 64 are added to the communication system of FIG. Further, an IoT core network 71, an IoT core network 72, and an IoT core network 73 exist in the IoT network 52. The MME 36 is disposed in the IoT core network 71, and the MME 37 is disposed in the IoT core network 72. The MME 38 is disposed in the IoT core network 73. Further, a server device 81 is connected to the IoT core network 71, a server device 82 is connected to the IoT core network 72, and a server device 83 is connected to the IoT core network 73.

  The IoT network 52 is divided into IoT core networks, such as an IoT core network 71, an IoT core network 72, and an IoT core network 73, for each IoT service to be provided. Alternatively, a plurality of IoT services may be provided in one IoT core network.

  IoT services include, for example, smart meter management services, traffic control services, services related to government agencies or emergency agencies, logistics management services, security services, inventory management services, etc. There are various services.

  Further, the server device 81, the server device 82, and the server device 83 may be server devices managed by a service provider that provides an IoT service. That is, the IoT core network 71 may be referred to as an IoT core network provided to a service provider that manages the server device 81. The IoT core network 72 and the IoT core network 73 are the same as the IoT core network 71.

  The gateway device 20 terminates the S1AP message transmitted from the eNB 10 and identifies a core network that transmits the S1AP message from among a plurality of IoT core networks. The gateway device 20 uses the DB 60 when specifying the core network that transmits the S1AP message.

  The DB 60 manages the identification information of the UE 40 in association with the identification information of the IoT core network in which the UE 40 is registered. The gateway device 20 extracts the identification information of the IoT core network associated with the UE 40 from the DB 60 using the identification information of the UE 40 included in the S1AP message. Further, the gateway device 20 transmits an S1AP message to the MME arranged in the identified IoT core network.

  The HSS 64 manages subscriber information regarding a plurality of UEs. For example, the HSS 64 manages the telephone number and location information of each UE. The MMEs 35 to 38 execute call processing control and the like using the subscriber information managed in the HSS 64.

  Next, information managed by the DB 60 will be described with reference to FIG. The DB 60 has an information management unit 61 and an information management unit 62. The information management unit 61 and the information management unit 62 may be a memory or the like in the DB 60, or may be an external memory or the like attached to the DB 60.

  The information management unit 61 manages information related to the IoT type and information related to the CN (core network) type in association with each other. The information related to the IoT type may be information for identifying the IoT service, for example. In FIG. 9, numbers 1 to 4 are used as information related to the IoT type. The information regarding the CN type is information for identifying the IoT core network. In FIG. 9, reference numerals 71 to 73 attached to the respective IoT core networks in FIG. 8 are used as information regarding the CN type.

  The information management unit 62 manages information related to the subscriber number and information related to the IoT type in association with each other. The information regarding the subscriber number may be, for example, a telephone number or a machine number assigned to the UE 40. In FIG. 9, the letters A to D are used as information regarding the subscriber number.

  Next, a flow of packet distribution processing according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, the DB 60 registers the information shown in FIG. 9 (S61). For example, the DB 60 may acquire the information shown in FIG. 9 from another server device or the like, or may receive the information shown in FIG. 9 from a user or the like who manages the DB 60.

  Next, the UE 40 transmits a packet communication start request message to the eNB 10 in order to start packet communication (S62). The UE 40 sets the subscriber number in the packet communication start request message. Here, it is assumed that the UE 40 sets the subscriber number A in the packet communication start request message. Next, the eNB 10 transmits the packet communication start request message received from the UE 40 to the gateway device 20 (S63). At this time, the eNB 10 transmits a packet communication start request message to the gateway device 20 as an S1AP message used for communication between the eNB 10 and the MME.

  Next, the gateway device 20 terminates the packet communication start request message that is the S1AP message transmitted from the eNB 10 and extracts the subscriber number of the UE 40. Further, the UE 40 transmits a Query message in which the extracted subscriber number A is set to the DB 60 (S64). When the DB 60 receives the Query message in which the subscriber number is set, the DB 60 uses the information management unit 62 to identify the IoT type associated with the subscriber number. Furthermore, the DB 60 uses the information management unit 61 to identify the CN type associated with the IoT type. Here, since the subscriber number A is set in the Query message, the DB 60 specifies the IoT type: 2 and the CN type: 72.

  Next, the DB 60 transmits an Answer message in which the CN type: 72 is set to the gateway device 20 (S65). Next, the gateway device 20 determines the distribution destination of the packet communication start request message (S66). In other words, the gateway device 20 determines the transmission destination of the packet communication start request message. The gateway apparatus 20 determines to transmit a packet communication start request message to the MME 37 disposed in the IoT core network 72 corresponding to the CN type: 72 set in the Answer message.

  Next, the gateway device 20 changes the transmission source address of the packet communication start request message that is the S1AP message to be transmitted to the MME 37 from the identification information of the eNB 10 to the identification information of the gateway device 20 (S67). Since the address conversion process in step S67 is the same as the address conversion process in steps S14 and S20 of FIG. 3, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  Next, the gateway device 20 transmits a packet communication start request message to the MME 37 (S68). Next, the MME 37 transmits a location registration request message to the HSS 64 in order to request transmission of the location registration information of the UE 40 (S69). Next, the HSS 64 transmits subscriber information including the location information of the UE 40 to the MME 37 (S70).

  As described above, by using the communication system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, when there is an IoT core network separated for each IoT service, the gateway device 20 uses the data related to the IoT service used by the UE 40. Can be relayed to the IoT core network transmitting the data.

  Here, when registering information on the subscriber number, the IoT type, and the CN type in step S61, the information may be registered in the DB 60 based on the registration status of the subscriber in each MME.

  For example, a case where there are a plurality of IoT core networks that transmit data related to the same IoT service will be described. In this case, an external monitoring device or the like may monitor the number of UEs registered in each IoT core network. Furthermore, the external monitoring device or the like may be configured so that the number of UEs registered in each IoT core network is equal, or the number of UEs registered in some IoT core networks is not biased. The IoT type associated with the UE may be determined. The external monitoring device or the like may transmit the determined information in which the subscriber number and the IoT type are associated with each other to the DB 60.

  That is, the information in which the subscriber number and the IoT type are associated with each other may be transmitted from the external monitoring device or the like to the DB 60 periodically or at an arbitrary timing according to the registration status of the UE.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 4, RNC may be used instead of eNB10, and SGSN may be used instead of MME.

  Also in the first to third embodiments, as described in the fourth embodiment, the gateway device 20 may determine a message distribution destination using the DB 60.

(Embodiment 5)
Next, a flow of packet distribution processing according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, the DB 60 registers information managed by the information management unit 61 shown in FIG. 9 (S81). Further, the HSS 64 registers information managed by the information management unit 62 shown in FIG. 9 (S82).

  Steps S83 to S85 are the same as steps S62 to S64 in FIG. When the DB 60 receives the Query message in which the subscriber number A of the UE 40 is set, the DB 60 transmits the received Query message to the HSS 64 (S86).

  Next, when receiving the Query message in which the subscriber number A is set, the HSS 64 specifies the IoT type: 2 associated with the subscriber number A. The HSS 64 transmits an Answer message in which the IoT type: 2 is set to the DB 60 (S87).

  Next, the DB 60 transmits an Answer message in which the CN type: 72 associated with the IoT type: 2 is set to the gateway device 20 (S88). Steps S89 to S93 are the same as steps S66 to S70 of FIG.

  As described above, when the packet distribution process according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is executed, information managed in the DB 60 and the HSS 64 is used. Information used for packet distribution processing is distributed and managed in the DB 60 and the HSS 64. Thus, the memory capacity of the DB 60 in the fifth embodiment can be reduced as compared with the DB 60 in the fourth embodiment.

  The UE 40 used for the IoT service may be a terminal dedicated to the IoT service, such as a smart meter or an in-vehicle terminal. Therefore, the IoT type may be registered in advance in the UE 40 used for the IoT service. For example, the IoT type may be registered in the UE 40 when the UE 40 is manufactured, shipped, or contracted with a communication carrier.

  In this case, the UE 40 may set information regarding the IoT type together with the subscriber number in the packet communication start request message in step S83. Accordingly, when the DB 60 receives the Query message in which the IoT type is set, the DB 60 may transmit the Answer message in which the CN type associated with the IoT type is set to the gateway device 20 without transmitting the Query message to the HSS 64. it can.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 5, RNC may be used instead of eNB10, and SGSN may be used instead of MME.

(Embodiment 6)
Then, the structural example of SGSN31 concerning Embodiment 6 of this invention is demonstrated using FIG. Since SGSN other than SGSN31 is the same structure as SGSN31, detailed description is abbreviate | omitted. SGSN 31 may also be referred to as a relay node device or the like arranged in the core network.

  The SGSN 31 includes a control unit 91, a subscriber data holding unit 92, and a session information holding unit 93. The control unit 91 may be software or a module that operates when a processor executes a program stored in a memory. Alternatively, the control unit 91 may be hardware such as a circuit or a chip. The subscriber data holding unit 92 and the session information holding unit 93 may be a memory in the SGSN 31 or an external memory attached to the SGSN 31.

  The subscriber data holding unit 92 holds subscriber data of the UE 40 transmitted from the HSS 64 that is a subscriber information management device. When the subscriber data holding unit 92 holds the subscriber data of the UE 40, the SGSN 31 can omit the process of acquiring the subscriber data from the HSS 64 when the UE 40 performs communication. The subscriber data may be referred to as VLR (Visitor Location Register) information, for example.

  The subscriber data holding unit 92 holds, for example, subscriber data related to the UE 40 transmitted from the HSS 64 during the Attach processing related to the UE 40.

  The session information holding unit 93 holds session information related to the UE 40. The session information is information used in a protocol higher than the network layer, and may be identification information that uniquely identifies the UE 40 in the radio network between the UE 40 and the RNC 12 and the core network. The session information may be referred to as, for example, PDP (Packet Data Protocol) information or a PDP context. The session information holding unit 93 holds session information related to the UE 40 while user data related to the UE 40 is transmitted.

  The control unit 91 determines whether or not the subscriber data holding unit 92 holds the subscriber data of the UE 40. Further, the control unit 91 determines whether or not the session information holding unit 93 holds the session data of the UE 40.

  When the user data related to the UE 40 is not transmitted, the control unit 91 determines whether or not the subscriber data holding unit 92 holds the subscriber data of the UE 40 according to the IoT service policy.

  The case where the user data related to the UE 40 is not transmitted is, for example, a case where a non-communication state of the UE 40 is detected during the Attach process executed before the user data related to the UE 40 is transmitted. May be.

  In the IoT service policy, for example, the connection time from when the UE 40 requests the start of packet communication to when the UE 40 connects to the core network may be defined. Specifically, the connection time may be the time from when the UE 40 requests the start of packet communication until the packet communication is actually executed.

  For example, a case where the UE 40 starts packet communication when the subscriber data holding unit 92 does not hold subscriber data of the UE 40 will be described. In this case, the SGSN 31 needs to acquire subscriber data from the HSS 64 in order to execute packet communication of the UE 40. That is, the UE 40 performs packet communication as compared with the case where the subscriber data holding unit 92 holds the subscriber data related to the UE 40 for the time during which the SGSN 31 acquires the subscriber data related to the UE 40 from the HSS 64. It takes extra time to execute.

  On the other hand, when the subscriber data holding unit 92 does not hold subscriber data related to the UE 40, the memory capacity can be reduced. Therefore, even when the subscriber data holding unit 92 does not hold the subscriber data regarding the UE 40, the control unit 91 does not exceed the connection time defined in the IoT service policy. It may be determined that the subscriber data related to the UE 40 is not held.

  In addition, the IoT service policy may determine whether or not SMS incoming to the UE 40 is permitted. For example, when the subscriber data holding unit 92 does not hold subscriber data related to the UE 40, the SMS incoming call to the UE 40 may not be executed normally. Therefore, when it is determined in the IoT service policy that SMS incoming to the UE 40 is permitted, the control unit 91 may determine that the subscriber data holding unit 92 holds subscriber data regarding the UE 40. On the other hand, when it is determined in the IoT service policy that SMS incoming to the UE 40 is not allowed, the control unit 91 may determine that the subscriber data holding unit 92 does not hold subscriber data regarding the UE 40.

  The IoT service policy is different for each service provider. That is, the IoT service policy is different for each IoT core network. Therefore, the SGSN arranged in each IoT core network holds information related to the IoT service policy in advance.

  Subsequently, the flow of the Attach process according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. First, the UE 40 transmits an Attach Request message to the SGSN 31 via the RNC 12 (S101). For example, the UE 40 sets IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) which is identification information of the UE 40 in the Attach Request message.

  Next, the SGSN 31 transmits a MAP-Send Authentication Info message in which the IMSI of the UE 40 is set to the HSS 64 (S102). Next, the HSS 64 transmits a MAP-Send Authentication Info Ack message to the SGSN 31 as a response message to the MAP-Send Authentication Info message (S103). The HSS 64 sets authentication information related to the UE 40 in the MAP-Send Authentication Info Ack message.

  Next, SGSN31 performs the authentication process regarding UE40 using the authentication information regarding UE40 transmitted from HSS64 (S104). Next, the SGSN 31 transmits a MAP-Update GPRS Location message to the HSS 64 (S105). The SGSN 31 sets the IMSI of the UE 40 and the SGSN number of the own device in the MAP-Update GPRS Location message (S105). Next, the HSS 64 transmits a MAP-Insert Subscriber Data message to the SGSN 31 (S106). The HSS 64 sets the subscriber data related to the UE 40 in the MAP-Insert Subscriber Data message.

  Next, the SGSN 31 transmits an Attach Accept message to the UE 40 via the RNC 12 (S107). Next, the UE 40 transmits an Attach Complete message to the SGSN 31 via the RNC 12 (S108).

  When receiving the Attach Complete message, the SGSN 31 determines whether or not to retain the subscriber data of the UE 40 based on the IoT service policy, and here determines that the subscriber data (VLR information) is not generated (S109). .

  Next, a case where the UE 40 starts packet communication in a state where the SGSN 31 has not generated subscriber data will be described using FIG. First, the UE 40 transmits a Service Request message to the SGSN 31 via the RNC 12 in order to start packet communication (S111). When receiving the Service Request message from the UE 40, the SGSN 31 does not hold the subscriber data of the UE 40, and therefore transmits a Service Reject message to the UE 40 (S112). SGSN31 refuses the packet communication of UE40 by transmitting a Service Reject message to UE40 via RNC12.

  After step S113, the UE 40 executes processing for starting packet communication. Steps S113 to S116 are the same as steps S101 to S104 in FIG.

  In step S116, when the authentication process related to the UE 40 is completed, the UE 40 transmits an Active PDP Context Request message to the SGSN 31 via the RNC 12 (S117). Steps S118 and S119 are the same as steps S105 and S106 in FIG.

  Next, the SGSN 31 holds the subscriber data transmitted from the HSS 64 in step S119, in other words, generates VLR information (S120). For example, the SGSN 31 may determine to hold the subscriber data transmitted from the HSS 64 in the Attach process after transmitting the Service Reject message.

  Next, in the UE 40, the RNC 12, and the SGSN 31, processing for establishing a RAB (Radio Access Bearer) is executed between the UE 40 and the RNC 12 (S121).

  Next, the SGSN 31 transmits an Active PDP Context Accept message to the UE 40 via the RNC 12 (S122). The Active PDP Context Accept message is a response message to the Active PDP Context Request message in step S117.

  Next, UE40, RNC12, and SGSN31 hold | maintain the PDP information regarding UE40 (S123). UE40, RNC12, and SGSN31 hold | maintain PDP information regarding UE40, and UE40 can perform packet communication.

  Next, the flow of processing when packet communication in the UE 40 is completed will be described using FIG. The UE 40 and the RNC 12 are in a state of holding PDP information, and the SGSN 31 is in a state of holding PDP information and VLR information (S131).

  When terminating the packet communication, the UE 40 transmits a Deactivate PDP Context Request message to the SGSN 31 via the RNC 12 (S132). Next, the SGSN 31 transmits a Deactivate PDP Context Accept message to the UE 40 via the RNC 12 (S133).

  When the Deactivate PDP Context Accept message is transmitted or received, the UE 40, the RNC 12, and the SGSN 31 delete the PDP information (S134). Next, the SGSN 31 determines whether or not to delete the VLR information based on information regarding whether or not IoT service policy or SMS reception is permitted. (S135).

  Next, a processing flow when it is detected that the UE 40 is in a no-communication state will be described using FIG. The UE 40 and the RNC 12 are in a state of holding PDP information, and the SGSN 31 is in a state of holding PDP information and VLR information (S141).

  When it is determined that the user data is not transmitted to the UE 40 for a predetermined period, the RNC 12 transmits a no-communication detection message to the SGSN 31 (S142). Next, the RNC 12 that has transmitted the no-communication detection message and the SGSN 31 that has received the no-communication detection message delete the PDP information (S143). The UE 40 is in a state of holding PDP information.

  Next, the SGSN 31 determines whether or not to delete the VLR information based on information regarding whether or not IoT service policy or SMS reception is permitted (S144).

  As described above, by using the SGSN according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not to retain the PDP information and the VLR information. The SGSN can save the memory capacity when the PDP information or the VLR information is deleted based on the service policy.

  Since it is predicted that the number of terminals used for the IoT service will increase in the future, it is possible to increase the number of terminals accommodated in the SGSN by saving the memory capacity allocated to the PDP information and the VLR information in the SGSN.

  In FIGS. 13, 15 and 16, it is described that VLR information is deleted when SMS reception is not permitted. However, SGSN31 may perform SMS reception processing by acquiring VLR information about UE40 from HSS64, when SMS reception to UE40 is notified in the state where VLR information was deleted.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 6, eNB may be used instead of RNC12 and MME may be used instead of SGSN31.

  In the above-described embodiments, the present invention has been described as a hardware configuration, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can also realize processing in the gateway device or other node devices by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a computer program.

  In the above example, the program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (for example, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / W, semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory)) are included. The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

10 eNB
12 RNC
20 gateway device 21 communication unit 22 determination unit 23 conversion unit 30 MME
31 SGSN
32 MME
33 SGSN
35 MME
36 MME
37 MME
38 MME
40 UE
50 General network 52 IoT network 60 DB
61 Information Management Unit 62 Information Management Unit 64 HSS
71 IoT Core Network 72 IoT Core Network 73 IoT Core Network 81 Server Device 82 Server Device 83 Server Device 91 Control Unit 92 Subscriber Data Holding Unit 93 Session Information Holding Unit

Claims (12)

A management apparatus for managing the identification information of the mobile station in association with the identification information of the core network in which the mobile station is registered;
Terminate the S1AP message transmitted from the eNB, and extract from the management device the identification information of the core network associated with the identification information of the mobile station included in the S1AP message from a plurality of core networks, And a gateway device that transmits the terminated S1AP message to the MME arranged in the core network. A management apparatus for managing the identification information of the mobile station in association with the identification information of the core network in which the mobile station is registered;
Terminates the RANAP protocol message transmitted from the RNC, and extracts the identification information of the core network associated with the identification information of the mobile station included in the RANAP protocol message from the management device from a plurality of core networks And a gateway device that transmits the RANAP protocol message terminated to the SGSN arranged in the core network. The management device
A first information management unit that holds a database in which IoT type information indicating an IoT service provided by the core network is associated with identification information of the core network;
The communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: a second information management unit that holds a database in which the identification information of the mobile station is associated with the IoT type information. The second information management unit
The communication system according to claim 3, wherein identification information of the core network associated with identification information of the mobile station is updated according to a registration status of the mobile station with the core network. The management device
A first information management unit that holds a database in which IoT type information indicating an IoT service provided by the core network is associated with identification information of the core network;
A communication unit that extracts the IoT type associated with the identification information of the mobile station transmitted from the gateway device from the HSS that holds a database that associates the identification information of the mobile station and the IoT type; The communication system according to claim 1 or 2. The management device
A first information management unit that holds a database in which IoT type information indicating an IoT service provided by the core network is associated with identification information of the core network;
A communication unit that extracts identification information of the core network associated with the IoT type information transmitted from the gateway device from the first information management unit, and transmits the extracted identification information of the core network to the gateway device And the communication system according to claim 1 or 2. The gateway device is
The transmission source address set in the S1AP message transmitted from the eNB is changed from the identifier of the eNB to the first identifier of the gateway device, and the S1AP message in which the transmission source address is changed is transmitted to the MME. The communication system according to claim 1. The gateway device is
The source address set in the RANAP protocol message transmitted from the RNC is changed from the identifier of the RNC to the first identifier of the gateway device, and the RANAP protocol message in which the source address is changed is changed to the SGSN. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the communication system is transmitted to. Terminate the S1AP message sent from the eNB,
Identification information of the mobile station included in the S1AP message from among a plurality of core networks using a management apparatus that manages the identification information of the mobile station and the identification information of the core network in which the mobile station is registered in association with each other Identifying the identification information of the core network associated with
A communication method for transmitting the terminated S1AP message to an MME arranged in the core network. Terminate the RANAP protocol message sent from the RNC,
Identification of the mobile station included in the RANAP protocol message from among a plurality of core networks using a management apparatus that associates and manages identification information of the mobile station and identification information of a core network in which the mobile station is registered Identifying identification information of the core network associated with the information;
A communication method for transmitting the terminated RANAP protocol message to an SGSN arranged in the core network. Terminate the S1AP message sent from the eNB,
Identification information of the mobile station included in the S1AP message from among a plurality of core networks using a management apparatus that manages the identification information of the mobile station and the identification information of the core network in which the mobile station is registered in association with each other Identifying the identification information of the core network associated with
A program for causing a computer to execute transmission of the terminated S1AP message to an MME arranged in the core network. Terminate the RANAP protocol message sent from the RNC,
Identification of the mobile station included in the RANAP protocol message from among a plurality of core networks using a management apparatus that associates and manages identification information of the mobile station and identification information of a core network in which the mobile station is registered Identifying identification information of the core network associated with the information;
A program for causing a computer to execute the termination of the RANAP protocol message to an SGSN arranged in the core network.

Images