JP4634429B2 - Mobile communication system using downlink shared channel - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication method and apparatus in a mobile communication system using a downlink shared channel (DSCH).

  In recent years, development of CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) communication systems has rapidly progressed, and not only voice, but also large volumes of data such as images and videos are transmitted and received at high speed, high quality, and high efficiency. There is an increasing need to shift to a wide system (W-CDMA).

Communication system corresponding to such a request, generally referred to as third-generation mobile communication systems, various standards have been developed, a global standards body by ^{3GPP (3 rd Generation Partnership Project)} , and the introduction of already system is started Yes.

  In 3GPP, a downlink shared channel (DSCH) is defined as a downlink channel shared and used by a plurality of mobile devices (see 3GPP TS25.427 and TS25.435). In DSCH, one channel can be shared by many mobile devices, and flexible power control is also possible. For this reason, it is possible to realize high-speed and highly efficient data communication within a limited resource called wireless, and it is considered that its importance will increase more and more in the future.

  1A to 1C show an outline of downlink data communication (communication to a mobile device) in a communication system using DSCH. Such a system includes a core network 100, which is a wired network, a wireless network control device 101, a base station 102, and a mobile device 103.

  Note that the DSCH is a name of a channel between the radio network controller 101 and the base station 102, and the DSCH is mapped to a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) which is one of physical channels on the radio.

  In addition, there is a channel that is individually assigned to one mobile device 103, a dedicated channel (DCH: Dedicated Channel) between the radio network controller 101 and the base station 102, and a dedicated physical channel (DPCH :) on the radio. Dedicated Physical Channel). The mapping of each channel is defined in 3GPPTS25.301.

  As shown in FIG. 1A, when data is transmitted on the DSCH, control data called signaling needs to be transmitted on the DPCH. The signaling data is used to notify the mobile device 103 whether or not data exists on the PDSCH at a timing corresponding to this signaling.

  That is, the mobile device 103 is not always in a receiving state with respect to the PDSCH, and receives data on the PDSCH only when receiving signaling data on the DPCH.

  Therefore, data can be received on the DSCH only when an individual CH is set for the mobile station 103, and data on the DSCH cannot be received in an idle state or a state where an individual channel is not set. . Note that the mobile device 103 constantly receives signaling data on the DPCH.

  As described above, the signaling data is mapped on the DPCH on the radio. However, between the radio network control apparatus 101 and the base station 102, there is a case where a channel for signaling is further transmitted when the DCH is transmitted on the DCH. Two types are defined for transmission and transmission on this channel.

  Here, since the mobile station 103 starts preparation for receiving the DSCH after receiving the signaling data, the DSCH data needs to be transmitted after the delay time ΔT after the signaling.

  Since the DSCH data is transmitted according to the reference timing set for each sector, the reception timing is the same in all the mobile devices 103. On the other hand, the DPCH reception timing is different for each mobile device 103. For this reason, the delay time ΔT is also different for each mobile device 103. Therefore, the radio network controller 101 needs to perform transmission timing control with respect to the delay time ΔT for each mobile device 103 with respect to the signaling data.

  The delay time ΔT is notified to each of the radio network controller 101, the base station 102, and the mobile device 103 by an application at the time of call setting.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, in the DSCH frame 104, an identifier ID 104-2 assigned to each mobile device is stored in addition to the user data 104-1. This is necessary for the DSCH frame 104 to be correctly transmitted to a specific mobile device 103.

  For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1C, in one transmission slot, transmission to only one mobile station 103 is possible, and a plurality of mobile stations 103 simultaneously receive DSCH frames transmitted in the corresponding transmission slot. I can't do it.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a processing sequence during DSCH transmission. When receiving the user data 104-1 from the core network 100 (step S1), the radio network controller 101 generates the DSCH frame 104 from the user data 104-1 and various information that has already been set (processing step P1). . Thereafter, the transmission timing of the DSCH frame 104 is determined (processing step P2).

  Subsequently, after the signaling data is generated (processing step P3), the signaling data transmission timing is determined based on the delay time ΔT from the DSCH frame transmission timing (processing step P4). The signaling data is transmitted to the mobile device 103 via the base station 102 according to the signaling transmission timing (step S2).

  When receiving the signaling data, the mobile device 103 recognizes that there is a DSCH frame to be received on the PDSCH, and starts preparation for receiving the corresponding DSCH frame (processing step P5). Thereafter, the radio network controller 101 transmits the DSCH frame to the mobile device 103 via the base station 102 according to the DSCH frame transmission timing (step S3).

  After receiving the corresponding DSCH frame, the mobile device 103 compares the mobile device identifier ID 104-2 in the data with its own ID (processing step P6), and if they match, performs subsequent data processing. Also, if the mobile device ID 104-2 in the DSCH frame data does not match the own ID, this DSCH frame is discarded (processing step P7).

  As described above, the DSCH can realize high-speed and high-efficiency wireless communication because many mobile devices 103 share one channel, as described above. However, as shown in FIG. 1, in one transmission slot, transmission to only one mobile device 103 is possible. A plurality of mobile stations 103 cannot simultaneously receive the DSCH frame transmitted in the transmission slot (see FIG. 1C).

  In the future, with the improvement in communication rate, it is expected that large-capacity services such as music distribution and video distribution will be enhanced. In this way, when distributing the same data to a plurality of mobile devices 103, DSCH in the current technology is used. In such a case, it is necessary to transmit exactly the same data as many as the number of mobile devices to be received due to the above limitation. Therefore, not only is there a lot of waste in terms of the use efficiency of wireless and wired transmission paths, but the amount of data for each mobile device is integrated, which results in a compression of the DSCH rate and a reduction in communication quality. Conceivable.

  These problems can be solved on the surface by strengthening infrastructure facilities, but as a result, the costs of infrastructure facilities and, consequently, communication charges will increase, and the future diversification of service forms and their development Could put a pagination on.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an efficient communication method and apparatus based on the current DSCH technology for realizing a diversified service, particularly a distribution service (multicast service), by improving the communication rate in the future. It is to provide.

  Furthermore, from the viewpoint of development cost and development period, it is important to keep the existing 3GPP rules from changing as much as possible. The DSCH has a feature that it can be received only when an individual CH is set for the mobile device. In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication method and apparatus for realizing a new service such as data distribution on the DSCH only during a call.

  The features of the communication method and apparatus of the present invention corresponding to such an object are composed of a radio network controller, a base station, and a mobile device each implementing a communication protocol defined by one or more 3GPP, etc., and using DSCH. And multicasting data to the one or more mobile devices.

  Furthermore, the radio network control device according to the present invention has a function unit for processing DSCH therein, and further comprises table means for storing various setting information relating to DSCH communication and DSCH multicast communication. To do. In accordance with these pieces of information, multicast communication (including unicast communication) using DSCH is realized for one or more mobile devices.

  The base station according to the present invention has a function of transmitting DSCH data received from a radio network controller and the signaling data to a mobile device through a radio line.

  Further, the mobile device has an identification function as to whether the data on the DSCH is unicast or multicast in addition to the normal function.

  Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments of the invention described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the multicast DSCH communication method according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an operation sequence diagram of the multicast DSCH communication method of FIG.

  As described with reference to FIG. 1, only one mobile station can receive data per transmission slot because of the mobile station ID present in the DSCH frame.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3B, the mobile station ID storage section 306-2 of the DSCH frame 306 configured by the user data storage section 306-1 and the mobile station identifier ID storage section 306-2 is used for multicast. Identification information (multicast ID) is stored.

  As a result, the plurality of mobile devices 300 to 302 can receive one DSCH frame 306 simultaneously. FIG. 3A shows a state where a plurality of mobile devices 300 to 302 simultaneously receive the DSCH frame 306 using the multicast ID after receiving signaling data on each DPCH.

  Furthermore, the sequence at the time of multicast communication using DSCH demonstrated in FIG. 3 is demonstrated using FIG. When receiving the user data from the core network 100 (not shown in FIG. 3) (step S11), the radio network controller 303 determines whether the corresponding user data is to be multicast, and if it is not a multicast target Performs unicast processing according to the sequence described in FIG.

  When the user data received from the core network 100 is a multicast target, the radio network control device 303 generates the DSCH frame 306 in FIG. 3B from the corresponding user data and various information already set ( Processing step P11).

  Thereafter, the transmission timing of the DSCH frame 306 is determined (processing step P12). At this time, the multicast ID is stored in the DSCH frame 306 in the multicast ID storage area 306-2 described with reference to FIG.

  Next, the radio network control device 303 selects the mobile devices 300 to 302 that perform multicast based on the information related to multicast set inside (processing step P13), and performs signaling for each corresponding multicast target mobile device. Data generation and signaling frame transmission timing are determined (processing step P14).

Each of the signaling data is transmitted to all the mobile devices 300 to 302 that are multicast targets via the base station 304 in accordance with the signaling transmission timing (step S12). Upon receiving the signaling, each mobile device recognizes that there is a DSCH frame to be received on the PDSCH and starts preparation for receiving the corresponding DSCH frame (processing steps P14-1 to P14-3).
Thereafter, the radio network controller 303 transmits the DSCH frame to the mobile devices 300 to 302 via the base station 304 according to the DSCH frame transmission timing (step S13).

  Each mobile device simultaneously receives the DSCH frame 306 transmitted above, and then checks the mobile device identifier ID in the received data (processing step P15). If the identifier ID matches the multicast ID, Processing of the received data is continued (processing step P16). If it is not a multicast ID, it is compared with the own ID of each mobile device in the process step P6 in the sequence of FIG. 2, and if they match, the subsequent data processing is performed. If the received data ID does not match the own ID, the DSCH frame 306 is discarded (processing step P7).

  Here, a description will be given of an embodiment of the radio network controller 303 that executes the corresponding processing in the sequence according to the present invention.

  FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the radio network controller 303 according to the present invention.

  The wireless network control device 303 includes a DSCH processing unit 500, a macro diversity processing unit 505, a main control unit 507, and a line termination unit 506, and each functional unit is connected by an in-device bus 501.

  The macro diversity processing unit 505 is a functional unit for realizing macro diversity which is a characteristic technique in mobile communication. In macro diversity, a plurality of channels are set between a certain node and a certain mobile device, and the same data is duplicated and transmitted to all the plurality of channels on the transmission side. On the receiving side, it is used to improve the communication quality at the time of handover or the like by selecting the highest quality data among the same data received by a plurality of channels.

That is, the macro diversity processing unit 505 mainly performs the following two processes.
(1) The data for a certain mobile device received from the core network 100 side is duplicated by the number of channels set in the corresponding mobile device, and transmitted to the mobile device on all the set channels. Do.
(2) The quality of each data received from a certain mobile device through a plurality of channels is determined, and the data with the best quality is selected and transferred to the core network 100 side.

  The line termination unit 506 has a function of terminating all lines such as the core network 100 side and the base station 304 side, and transfers data to a processing block in an appropriate apparatus or another node depending on the channel.

  The main control unit 507 has functions of setting various information in each functional block in the apparatus and exchanging control information with other nodes.

  The DSCH processing unit 500 stores therein a DSCH frame processing unit 504 that performs DSCH frame generation, transmission timing adjustment, and the like, a multicast setting table 502 that stores information related to multicast using the DSCH, and information for normal DSCH communication The DSCH setting table 503 is configured.

  Control information received from the main control unit 507 or the like is set and stored in the multicast setting table 502 or the DSCH setting table 503. Various information set and stored in this way is referred to by the DSCH frame processing unit 504 during processing such as frame generation processing and transmission timing determination.

  5, the DSCH processing unit 500 and the macro diversity processing unit 505 are separate functional blocks. However, the DSCH processing unit 500 and the macro diversity processing unit 505 may be configured in a single functional block. Essentially possible.

  FIG. 6 shows an example of the multicast setting table 502. In the configuration of the multicast setting table 502, one row indicates setting information of one multicast group. The setting information includes (a) a multicast channel identifier ID, (b) a DSCH identifier ID, and (c). It consists of the number of mobile devices participating in the corresponding multicast group and (d) the identifier ID of the mobile device.

Details of each setting information will be described below.
(A) [Multicast channel identifier ID]
This is an identifier of a multicast data distribution channel set between the radio network controller 303 and the core network 100. Here, one multicast channel is necessarily mapped to one DSCH, but one multicast channel can be mapped to a plurality of DSCHs depending on the configuration of the table.
(B) [DSCH identifier ID]
This is an identifier assigned to the DSCH. Here, one multicast channel is mapped to one DSCH, but a plurality of multicast channels can be mapped to one DSCH depending on the configuration of the table.
(C) [Number of mobile units]
In the DSCH indicated by the DSCH identifier ID, it represents the number of mobile stations participating in the multicast group.
(D) [Mobile device identifier ID]
This is the identification of mobile devices participating in the multicast group, and is listed by the number of the mobile devices.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of the DSCH setting table 503. In the configuration of the DSCH setting table 503, one row indicates setting information related to one DSCH. The setting information includes (a) dedicated channel identifier ID, (b) DSCH identifier ID, and dedicated channel identifier ID. It includes a corresponding (c) identifier ID of the mobile device and (d) timing offset at the time of signal transmission set for the mobile device.

Details of each setting information will be described below.
(A) [Individual channel identifier ID]
This is an identifier of a channel uniquely assigned to each mobile device set between the radio network controller 303 and the core network 100. One dedicated channel is always mapped to one DSCH.
(B) [DSCH identifier ID]
This is an identifier assigned to the DSCH. One dedicated channel is mapped to one DSCH.
(C) [Mobile device identifier ID]
This is the identifier ID of the mobile device to which the dedicated channel is assigned.
(D) [Timing offset]
This represents the amount of deviation from the reference timing in the radio network controller, and is transmitted to the mobile station with the timing corrected from the reference timing by the offset.

  FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams showing what information is set in the multicast setting table 502 and the DSCH setting table 503 in correspondence with the specific example of the system state shown in FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows only the radio network controller 304, and the base station 304 is not shown. In this specific example, three DSCHs # 0 to # 2 are set, and multicast channels MC # CH # 0 and # 1 and dedicated channels CH # 0 to # 2 are accommodated in DSCH # 0, and DSCH # 1 includes , Multicast channel MC # CH # 2 and dedicated channels CH # 3 to # 6 are accommodated, and dedicated channels CH # 7 to # 8 are accommodated in DSCH # 2.

  Further, mobile devices # 0 to # 2 communicate via DSCH # 0, mobile devices # 0 and # 2 are multicast participating mobile devices, and mobile device # 1 is a mobile device that does not participate in multicasting.

  Also, mobile devices # 3 to # 5 communicate via DSCH # 1, mobile devices # 3 to # 5 are multicast participating mobile devices, and mobile device # 6 is a mobile device that does not participate in multicasting. Further, mobile devices # 7 and # 8 communicate via DSCH # 2, and these mobile devices do not participate in multicast.

  For the state shown in FIG. 10, the multicast setting table 502 in FIG. 8 shows that (a) any multicast channel is accommodated in (b) any DSCH, (c) the number of multicast participating mobile stations, and (d) The identifier ID of the participating mobile device is registered.

  On the other hand, in the DSCH setting table 503 of FIG. 9, (a) for each individual channel ID, (b) a DSCH identifier ID to be accommodated, and (c) a corresponding mobile device identifier ID are registered.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing sequence from the start of the system to the start of multicast communication.

  When the mobile network, that is, the wireless network control device 303 and the base station 304 are activated, various settings are performed according to a procedure defined between the corresponding nodes (processing step P21). At this time, the DSCH used in the present invention is also set (processing step P22).

  When the DSCH setting is completed, a multicast data channel is set between the core network 100 side and the radio network control device 303 (processing step P23). Although not shown in FIG. 11, it is assumed that the multicast data channel is connected to, for example, a data distribution server in the core network 100 (processing step P24).

  After completing the setting of the multicast data channel, the multicast setting table 502 in the wireless network device is updated in accordance with the mapping information between the set multicast data channel and DSCH (processing step P24).

  Thereafter, transmission of multicast data is started from the data distribution server or the like (step S21). At this time, there is not necessarily a mobile device that receives multicast data. Alternatively, it is also possible to stop transmission of multicast data and issue the data transmission start request to the server side when a mobile device that receives the multicast data is registered.

After that, when a certain mobile device makes a call connection (processing step P25) and then a switching determination is made to use the DSCH according to a predetermined procedure (processing step P26), the radio network control device connects the mobile device to the DSCH. It adds to the setting table 503 (processing process P27).
Thereafter, an instruction to switch to DSCH is transmitted to the corresponding mobile device 300 via the base station 304 (step S22).

  When the mobile device 300 receives an instruction to switch to the DSCH, the mobile device 300 extracts and sets a parameter for DSCH reception included in the switch instruction signal (processing step P28).

  Further, the corresponding mobile device 300 determines whether or not to participate in multicast communication applied to DSCH (processing step P29), and sends a DSCH switching completion response message including the presence or absence via the base station. It returns to the wireless network control device (step S23).

  Here, the determination as to whether or not the mobile device 300 participates in multicast communication may be a method set in advance by the user in the mobile device or a method set in the network.

  If the wireless network control device 303 receives the DSCH switching response from the mobile device 300 and there is a multicast participation request, the wireless network control device 303 adds the mobile device to the internal multicast setting table 502 and updates it (processing step P30).

  In addition, when the method set in the network is used as a method for determining whether or not the mobile device participates in multicast communication, authentication processing is performed in the network 100 when the DSCH switching response is received from the mobile device. If the mobile station is participating in the multicast communication, the mobile station adding process to the multicast setting table 502 is executed.

  After the mobile device is added to the multicast setting table 502, data is distributed from a server or the like (step S24), and this distribution data is assembled into a DSCH frame in the DSCH processing unit 500 in the radio network controller 303. The transmission timing is determined (processing step P31). Thereafter, signaling (step S25) and transmission of the DSCH frame are performed for the added mobile device (step 26).

  On the other hand, after receiving the signaling transmitted by the radio network controller 303, the mobile station side activates DSCH reception processing (processing step P32), and DSCH frame reception processing (processing step P33) is performed as shown in FIG. 2 (processing step P6, P7) and FIG. 4 (processing steps P15 and P16).

FIG. 12 shows a specific example of the signaling method.
Since signaling needs to be transmitted for each mobile device, a signaling transmission channel must also be set for each mobile device.

  In 3GPP, two methods are defined: a method of using DCH as a signaling transmission channel and a method of newly setting a channel (signaling bearer) for signaling. In FIG. 12, how the signaling is actually transmitted in the radio network controller 303 in the above two cases will be described.

  As described above, since signaling is generated and transmitted when data is transmitted on the DSCH, the signaling transmission trigger is generated by the DSCH processing unit 500.

Four examples will be described below.
[Case A]
In the case (Case) A shown in FIG. 12A, signaling is transmitted on the DCH. According to the embodiment described in FIG. 5, since the DCH is terminated by the macro diversity processing unit 505, the DSCH processing unit 500 needs to issue a signaling transmission instruction to the macro diversity processing unit 505 at the time of signaling transmission. .

  At this time, since the macro diversity processing unit 505 needs to recognize to which mobile station (DCH) the signaling is transmitted, the DSCH processing unit 500 transmits the signaling transmission to the macro diversity processing unit 505. Along with the instruction, it is also necessary to pass the identifier ID of the mobile device to be transmitted. At this time, for delivery of the transmission instruction and the mobile unit identifier ID between the DSCH processing unit 500 and the macro diversity processing unit 505, a method using the in-device bus of FIG. 5 or a method of providing a dedicated control path for information delivery And so on.

Macro diversity processing section 505 generates signaling data from the signaling transmission instruction and mobile station identifier ID received from DSCH processing section 500, and transmits this signaling data on the corresponding DCH. Although not shown in FIG. 5, the macro diversity processing unit 505 includes a mapping table means for the mobile device identifier ID and DCH.
[Case B]
Case B shown in FIG. 12B is also a case where signaling is transmitted on the DCH. 12A is characterized in that signaling data is generated and transmitted by the DSCH processing unit 500, and the mapping of signaling data to the DCH is performed by the line termination unit 506.

  The DSCH processing unit 500 transmits signaling data to the line termination unit 506 using the same channel ID as the DCH channel terminated by the macro diversity processing unit 505. Since the channel ID transmitted by the DSCH processing unit 500 matches the ID of the DCH corresponding to the mobile station that should receive the signaling, the signaling data merges with the DCH at the line termination unit 506 and is supported through the base station 304. Sent to the mobile station.

In this case, the DSCH processing unit 500 needs to recognize the channel ID of the DCH corresponding to the registered mobile device at the same time. This is added to the DSCH setting table 503 shown in FIG. It is possible to store it as.
[Case C]
In the case C shown in FIG. 12C, a signaling channel (signaling bearer) is newly set between the DSCH processing unit 500 and the base station 304. In this embodiment, signaling data is transmitted using this channel. In this case, the signaling data generated in the DSCH processing unit 500 is transmitted as it is by the signaling bearer terminated by the DSCH processing unit 500.
[Case D]
In Case (D) shown in FIG. 12D, a signaling channel (signaling bearer) is newly set between the macro diversity processing unit 505 and the base station 304, and signaling data is transmitted using this channel. Example of the case. This case is the same as Case A.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow at the time of DSCH transmission in the radio network control apparatus 303, particularly, the DSCH processing unit 500 and the macro diversity processing unit 505. At this time, Case A of FIG. 12A is used as a signaling method.

  When receiving data from the core network 100 side (processing step P40, Yes), the DSCH processing unit 500 extracts the channel ID of the received data (processing step P41). The DSCH processing unit 500 refers to the multicast setting table 502 and checks whether the channel ID extracted in the processing step P41 exists in the multicast setting table 502 (processing step P42).

  When the channel ID extracted in the processing step P41 exists in the multicast setting table 502 (processing step P42, Yes), the DSCH processing unit 500 moves all the movements belonging to the DSCH-ID and DSCH from the multicast setting table 502. The machine ID is extracted (processing step P44).

  Next, when there is no mobile device ID in the multicast setting table 502 (No in the process step P45), if it is not in the DSCH setting table 503 (No in the process step P43), the data is discarded (process). Step P46).

  When one or more mobile device IDs exist in the multicast setting table 502 (Yes in processing step P45), the DSCH processing unit 500 assigns a multicast ID to the data received in the processing step P1 and generates a DSCH frame. (Processing step P47).

  On the other hand, in the process step P42, when the channel ID extracted in the process step P41 does not exist in the multicast setting table 502 (No in the process step P42), the DSCH processing unit 500 determines that the extracted channel ID is the DSCH setting table 503. (Processing step P48).

  If the extracted channel ID does not exist in the DSCH setting table 503 in the processing step P48, the data received in the processing step P40 is discarded by the DSCH processing unit 500 (processing step P49).

  In the process step P49, when the extracted channel ID exists in the DSCH setting table 503 (Yes in the process step P48), the DSCH processing unit 500 extracts the DSCH-ID and the mobile device ID from the DSCH setting table 503. (Processing step P50). Thereafter, the extracted mobile device ID is added to the data received in the processing step P1, and a DSCH frame is generated (processing step P51).

  Next, after the DSCH frame is generated in the processing steps P47 and P51, the DSCH processing unit 500 determines the transmission timing of the generated DSCH frame (processing step P52) and corresponds to the corresponding DSCH from the DSCH setting table 503. The timing offset of the mobile device to be acquired is acquired (processing step P53).

  Thereby, the transmission timing of signaling data is calculated from the DSCH frame transmission timing and the mobile station timing offset (processing step P54).

  Thereafter, the DSCH processing unit 500 notifies the macro diversity processing unit 505 of a signaling transmission instruction together with the mobile device ID in accordance with the signaling transmission timing determined in the processing step P54 (processing step P55).

  The macro diversity processing unit 505 generates a signaling frame based on the mobile device ID and the signaling transmission instruction passed from the DSCH processing unit 500, and transmits the signaling frame on the corresponding DCH (processing step P56).

  Here, the process of the said process process P52-P56 is performed by the number of mobile devices. Thereafter, the DSCH processing unit 500 transmits the DSCH frame generated in the processing step P47 or the processing step P51 on the DSCH according to the DSCH frame transmission timing determined in the processing step P52 (processing step P57).

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing flow at the time of DSCH reception in the mobile device. In FIG. 14, it is assumed that dedicated channels (DCH, DPCH) have already been set in the mobile station by a predetermined procedure.

  When the mobile station receives signaling on the DPCH (processing step P60, Yes)), DSCH reception preparation is started (processing step P61), and a DSCH frame on the PDSCH is received (processing step P62).

  Thereafter, an error check of the DSCH frame is performed (processing step P63). If there is an abnormality in the data, the received DSCH frame is discarded (processing step P64).

  If the received DSCH frame is normal (processing step P63, Yes), the identifier ID in the DSCH frame is checked (processing step P65), and the corresponding identifier ID is a multicast ID (processing step P66, Yes). Is processed as multicast data (processing step P67).

  On the other hand, if it is not the multicast ID in the process step P66, the ID in the DSCH frame is compared with the self identifier ID (process step P68), and if it does not match the self identifier ID (process step P68, No). The received DSCH frame is discarded (processing step P64).

  If it matches the self-identifier ID (processing step P68, Yes), processing as normal unicast data is performed (processing step P67).

  Here, the operation when a control frame is received from the base station 304 will be described with reference to FIG. In 3GPP, several control frames are defined between the radio network controller 303 and the base station 304. One of them is a control frame called timing adjustment. This is used to correct the timing of the channel set between the radio network controller and the base station.

  When the data transmitted by the wireless network 100 is not received at an appropriate timing by the base station 304, the timing adjustment control frame is transmitted from the base station 304 to the wireless network control device 303. The difference from the reception timing is stored and transmitted. Also, a timing adjustment control frame is returned using a channel whose transmission timing is abnormal.

  Upon receipt of the timing adjustment (Timing Adjustment) control frame, the wireless network control device 303 corrects the transmission timing in the own device for all the corrections stored in the frame for the received channel, and thereafter performs data transmission. Do.

  Details of the timing adjustment are defined in detail in 3GPPTS25.402.

  In a data communication system using DSCH, signaling data is transmitted to a mobile station immediately before transmitting a DSCH frame. The transmission timing of signaling data is based on the transmission timing of dedicated channels (DCH, DPCH). This is as described above.

  Therefore, if there is an abnormality in the transmission timing of an individual channel during communication on a normal individual channel, and the timing adjustment (Timing Adjustment) control frame is transmitted to the individual channel, In addition to correcting the transmission timing of the individual channels, it is also necessary to correct the timing offset for each mobile device stored in the DSCH setting table 503 in the DSCH processing unit 500.

Here, as described above, a method of notifying the DSCH processing unit 500 of control information (in this case, a timing correction value) when a timing adjustment (Timing Adjustment) control frame is generated on the dedicated channel will be described.
Note that the following method can be similarly applied to other control frames related to the dedicated channel.

FIGS. 15A to 15C show a case A, a case B, and a case as methods for notifying the DSCH processing unit 500 of control information when a timing adjustment control frame is received. 3 patterns of C are shown. Hereinafter, these three patterns will be described.
[Case A]
In the case A shown in FIG. 15A, the timing adjustment (Timing Adjustment) control frame transmitted on the DCH is terminated by the macro diversity processing unit 505, and the timing correction value for the DCH is extracted from the control frame. .

The macro diversity processing unit 505 corrects the timing of the corresponding DCH in the own processing unit based on the correction value. The macro diversity processing unit 505 notifies the DSCH processing unit 500 of the correction value and the mobile device ID. Thereby, the DSCH processing unit 500 corrects the timing offset amount corresponding to the corresponding mobile device in the DSCH setting table 503 based on the correction value and the mobile device ID.
[Case B]
In the case B shown in FIG. 15B, the line terminating unit 506 duplicates all the uplink data transmitted on the dedicated channel terminated by the macro diversity processing unit 505 and transmits it to the DSCH processing unit 500 as well. Do.

The DSCH processing unit 500 monitors the uplink data on the dedicated channel transmitted from the line termination unit 506 one by one, receives only a control frame such as a timing adjustment control frame, and normal user data is Discard it. Accordingly, the DSCH processing unit 500 can also know the timing correction amount on the individual channel.
[Case C]
In the case C shown in FIG. 15C, the same number of channels dedicated to control frames as the number of dedicated channels is set between the radio network controller 303 and the base station 304, and the base station 304 and the radio network A control frame is transmitted to the control device 303. In that case, in the base station 304, after duplicating the control frame, the corresponding individual channel and the control frame duplicated on the corresponding control frame dedicated channel are transmitted.

  Here, a service using a multicast DSCH that can be realized by applying the present invention will be described.

  As described above, in order to receive the data on the DSCH, the mobile station must always receive the signaling data on the dedicated channel (DPCH).

  This means that in order to receive the DSCH, the mobile device needs to be in a call connection, not in a standby state (idle state). That is, it can be said that the service using multicast DSCH is a service that is multicast-distributed to mobile stations only during call connection.

  Although explanation is omitted earlier, one to several DSCHs are normally set for each area, and when the mobile device moves from one area to another, the DSCH to be received Switching will be performed. In other words, as another feature of multicast communication using DSCH, it can be said that different information can be distributed for each area.

  From the above, the characteristics of the multicast service using DSCH are summarized as “area-aware service only for mobile devices in call connection”.

  Since the DSCH is not received unless the mobile device is in a call connection state, the mobile device does not consume wasteful power due to multicast distribution in the standby state.

Below are some examples of these services.
[Example 1: Area information distribution service using multicast DSCH]
For each area, information related to the area is always distributed from the server means in the core network using the multicast DSCH, and the mobile station performs the call connection. Receive.
[Example 2: BGM distribution service using multicast DSCH]
Music data or the like is always transmitted from server means or the like in the core network, and is multicast to the area using DSCH. When the mobile device is connected and connected during a call, the mobile device receives and reproduces the distributed music data on the DSCH.
By doing this, it is possible to listen to the received music in the background like BGM while talking to the other party.

  Furthermore, by making the music data different for each area, it can be considered that a service with a special feature for each area becomes possible. Of course, this is not limited to music data, and all services are the same as long as they are auditory.

  With recent advances in mobile communication technology, the communication rate and communication quality have improved dramatically. As a result, the forms of services are diversified, and services that handle not only voice calls but also large amounts of data such as images and moving images are being started. However, at present, most of the user-requested services are used, and it can be said that high-rate broadcast / multicast services such as radio and television are left to the future.

  From this aspect, as described above, the current third-generation mobile communication technology, particularly the W-CDMA communication network specified by 3GPP, provides an optimal method for efficiently realizing a high-rate multicast service so far. It is thought that it is not done. This may result in hindering the development of communication services that will be increasingly diversified in the future.

  According to the present invention, an efficient multicast service can be realized with only a slight modification to the DSCH technology in 3GPP. In addition, it is expected that various services that have been difficult to realize will be developed in the future by applying the very characteristic technical property of "receiving the distribution service by area only during call connection". This will lead to the expansion of the mobile communications market.

  In addition, with the diversification and expansion of such services, telecommunications carriers will be burdened by current users by switching from the form of earning revenue through communication costs from users to the direction of obtaining communication network usage fees from multicast service providers. It is possible to reduce the communication cost, and as a result, it is thought to lead to further market expansion.

(Supplementary note 1) a wireless network control device connected to the network;
A base station,
Having one or more mobile devices connected to the base station;
A mobile communication system for transmitting data from the radio network control device to the one or more mobile devices using a downlink shared channel,
A channel for transmitting multicast data is set between the data server means existing in the network and the radio network controller,
A mobile communication system, wherein the set channel is mapped to the downlink shared channel.

(Appendix 2) In Appendix 1,
Mapping table means for storing a correspondence relationship between one or more channels and the downlink shared channel in the radio network controller;
A mobile communication system, wherein a channel for transmitting the multicast data is mapped to an appropriate downlink shared channel with reference to the mapping table means.

(Appendix 3) In Appendix 2,
The mapping table means stores, for each downlink shared channel, an identifier of a mobile device to be multicast, and multicasts data to the mobile device indicated by the identifier.

(Appendix 4) In Appendix 1,
In the radio network controller, mapping table means for storing a correspondence relationship between an individual channel set for each mobile station between a core network and the radio network and the downlink shared channel,
A mobile communication system, wherein the dedicated channel is mapped to an appropriate downlink shared channel by referring to the mapping table means.

(Appendix 5) In Appendix 4,
The mapping table means stores an identifier of a mobile device for each dedicated channel, and unicasts data to the mobile device indicated by the identifier.

(Appendix 6) In Appendix 5,
The mapping table means stores a timing offset for each dedicated channel, and transmits data to a corresponding mobile station at a transmission timing based on the timing offset when transmitting data using the dedicated channel. A mobile communication system.

(Appendix 7) In any one of Appendices 4-6,
The radio network controller refers to the mapping table means when multicasting data on the downlink common channel, selects a mobile device to be multicast, and for all selected mobile devices A mobile communication system characterized by transmitting signaling data at an appropriate timing.

(Appendix 8) In Appendix 7,
The wireless network control device stores identification information indicating multicast data in a data frame of the downlink common channel to be transmitted when performing multicast of data using the downlink common channel. A mobile communication system.

(Appendix 9) In Appendix 8,
The mobile communication system, wherein the mobile station determines whether the received data frame of the downlink common channel is multicast or not with reference to the identification information.

(Appendix 10) In Appendix 8,
When the mobile station stores not the multicast identifier but the mobile station identifier in the received downlink common channel data frame, the mobile station performs normal unicast reception. Mobile communication system.

(Appendix 11) In Appendix 8,
When the identifier stored in the data frame of the downlink common channel received by the mobile device is neither a multicast identifier nor an identifier of the mobile device, the mobile device discards the received data. A mobile communication system.

(Appendix 12) In Appendix 2,
The mobile device receives an instruction to switch to a downlink common channel from the radio network controller,
When the mobile device transmits a response message to the switching instruction to the radio network control device, the mobile device stores information indicating presence / absence of participation in multicast in the response message. A mobile communication system.

(Appendix 13) In Appendix 12,
The radio network controller refers to presence / absence of participation in multicast in a response message to the switching instruction, and if it is “participation”, registers the mobile station that has transmitted the response message in the mapping table means. A mobile communication system.

(Appendix 14) In Appendix 6,
The mobile communication characterized in that the timing offset information is updated when control data for prompting timing correction is received from the base station to the radio network controller on a dedicated channel or a dedicated channel for signaling data. system.

(Appendix 15) In Appendix 1,
A mobile communication system, wherein multicast data distribution is performed only to a mobile device in a call connection state using the downlink common channel.

(Appendix 16) In Appendix 15,
A mobile communication system characterized in that, when multicast data distribution is performed only to a mobile device in a call connection state using the downlink common channel, the distribution contents differ for each area.

(Supplementary note 17) A base station connected to a mobile device and a radio network controller connected to a network,
A main control unit, a downlink common channel processing unit that performs downlink common channel processing, a macro diversity processing unit for realizing a macro diversity function, and a line termination unit, each connected by an in-device bus means;
The common channel processing includes a mapping table configured to store a correspondence relationship between one or more channels for transmitting multicast data and the downlink common channel, which are set between a core network and the radio network controller. Prepared,
By referring to the mapping table means, the channel for transmitting the multicast data is mapped to an appropriate downlink common channel,
A radio network control apparatus in a mobile communication system, wherein data is transmitted to the one or more mobile devices.

(Appendix 18) In Appendix 17,
The downlink common channel processing unit includes a mapping table that stores a correspondence relationship between a channel for transmitting multicast data set between a core network and the radio network control device and one or more downlink common channels. ,
A radio network control apparatus that maps a channel for transmitting the multicast data to an appropriate downlink common channel by referring to the mapping table.

(Appendix 19) In Appendix 18,
The mapping table stores an identifier of a mobile device to be multicast for each of the one or more downlink common channels, and multicasts data to the mobile device indicated by the identifier Network controller.

(Appendix 20) In Appendix 17,
The downlink common channel processing unit includes a mapping table for storing a correspondence relationship between an individual channel set for each mobile device between a core network and the wireless network, and the downlink common channel,
A radio network control apparatus, wherein the dedicated channel is mapped to an appropriate downlink common channel by referring to the mapping table.

(Appendix 21) In Appendix 20,
The mapping table stores an identifier of a corresponding mobile device for each dedicated channel,
A radio network control apparatus characterized in that data is unity-cast to a mobile station indicated by the identifier.

(Appendix 22) In Appendix 20,
The mapping table stores a timing offset in the channel for each individual channel,
When transmitting data using the dedicated channel, the wireless network control device transmits data to a corresponding mobile station at a transmission timing based on the timing offset.

(Appendix 23) In Appendix 22,
The downlink common channel processing unit includes a downlink common channel frame processing unit,
The downlink common channel frame processing unit generates a downlink common channel frame from multicast data and data for a specific mobile station received from the core network,
A radio network controller characterized by transmitting the downlink common channel frame together with signaling data to a mobile device to be transmitted.

(Appendix 24) In Appendix 23,
The downlink common channel frame processing unit generates an downlink common channel frame by adding an identifier indicating that the received data is multicast data when the data received from the core network is multicast data. A wireless network control device.

(Appendix 25) In Appendix 17,
When multicasting data on the downlink common channel, by referring to the mapping table, select a mobile device to be multicast,
A radio network control apparatus, wherein signaling data is transmitted to all of the mobile devices at an appropriate timing.

(Appendix 26) In Appendix 25,
As a channel used for the signaling data transmission, a dedicated channel (DCH) terminated by the macro diversity processing unit is used.
The downlink common channel processing unit, with respect to the macro diversity processing unit,
At least a signaling transmission instruction and an identifier of a mobile device that is a signaling transmission target,
The radio network controller according to claim 1, wherein the macro diversity processing unit that receives the signaling transmission instruction and the mobile station identifier transmits signaling to the mobile station using the dedicated channel.

(Appendix 27) In Appendix 25,
As a channel used for the signaling data transmission, a dedicated channel (DCH # 0) terminated by the macro diversity processing unit is used, and the signaling data is generated and transmitted in the downlink common channel processing unit,
The signaling transmitted from the common channel processing unit is transmitted on the first channel (DCH # 1) set between the downlink common channel processing unit and the line termination unit, and the dedicated channel (DCH # 0) ) And the first channel (DCH # 1) are joined at the line termination unit, so that the signaling data transmitted from the downlink common channel processing unit is transmitted on the dedicated channel for the corresponding mobile station. A wireless network control apparatus characterized by being configured to be performed.

(Appendix 28) In Appendix 25,
As a channel used for the signaling data transmission, a dedicated channel for signaling is set independently for each mobile device in the downlink common channel processing unit, and the signaling data is transmitted to the corresponding mobile device using the dedicated signaling channel. A wireless network control device characterized by transmitting

(Appendix 29) In Appendix 25,
As a channel used for the signaling data transmission, in the macro diversity processing unit, a dedicated channel for signaling is set independently for each mobile device,
The downlink common processing unit notifies the macro diversity processing unit of at least a signaling transmission instruction and an identifier of a mobile device to be subjected to signaling transmission,
The radio network controller according to claim 1, wherein the macro diversity processing unit that receives the signaling transmission instruction and the mobile station identifier transmits signaling to the mobile station using the signaling dedicated channel.

(Supplementary Note 30) A mobile device that receives data sent through a wireless network control device connected to a network and is connected to a base station,
Referring to the data identifier stored in the downlink common channel frame;
When the data identifier matches the own identifier, the received data is processed as unicast data,
A mobile device characterized in that when the data identifier is not a multicast identifier and does not match the own identifier, the received data is discarded.

(Appendix 31) In Appendix 30,
After receiving the switching instruction to the downlink common channel identifier from the radio network controller,
A mobile device characterized in that when the response message for the switching instruction is transmitted to the radio network control device, information indicating whether or not to participate in multicast is stored in the response message.

  (Supplementary Note 32) Refer to presence / absence of participation in multicast in the transmitted switching response message stored in the mobile device in supplementary note 31. If “participation”, the mobile device that transmitted the response message is stored in the mapping table. A wireless network control device for registration.

(Appendix 33) In Appendix 17,
When the macro diversity processing unit terminates the dedicated channel or the dedicated signaling channel, when the timing correction control cell is transmitted from the base station on the dedicated channel or the dedicated signaling channel, the macro diversity processing unit The wireless network control device, wherein the downlink common channel processing unit is notified of timing correction information extracted from the timing correction control cell together with an identifier of a mobile station corresponding to the dedicated channel.

(Appendix 34) In Appendix 33,
Based on the timing correction information and the mobile station identifier notified from the macro diversity processing unit to the downlink common channel processing unit, the downlink common channel processing unit updates the value of the area for storing the timing offset value in the mapping table A wireless network control device.

(Appendix 35) In Appendix 33,
When the macro diversity processing unit terminates the dedicated channel or the signaling dedicated channel, when the timing correction control cell is transmitted from the base station on the dedicated channel or the signaling dedicated channel, the line termination is performed. Unit copies all or part of the data of the dedicated channel or the signaling dedicated channel, and sends the copied data to the downlink common channel processing unit, so that timing correction information is processed in the downlink common channel processing. A wireless network control device that notifies a communication unit.

(Appendix 36) In Appendix 35,
The downlink common channel processing unit receives all the duplicated data, extracts only timing correction control cells from the received data, and discards user data.

(Appendix 37) In Appendix 36,
A radio network control device, wherein a timing correction value is extracted from the received timing correction control cell, and a value in a storage area of a timing offset value in the mapping table is updated.

(Appendix 38) In Appendix 33,
When the macro diversity processing unit terminates the dedicated channel or the signaling dedicated channel, when the timing correction control cell is transmitted from the base station on the dedicated channel or the signaling dedicated channel,
A dedicated channel for control frames is set between the downlink common channel processing unit and the base station,
As a result, the base station replicates the timing correction control cell and enables transmission on a channel dedicated to the control frame.

(Appendix 39) In Appendix 33,
The DSCH processing unit extracts a timing correction value from a timing correction control cell received on a channel dedicated to the control frame, and updates a value in a storage area of a timing offset value in the mapping table. Network controller.

(Appendix 40) a wireless network control device connected to the network;
A base station,
Having one or more mobile devices connected to the base station;
The wireless network control device is configured to transmit data to the one or more mobile devices using a downlink shared channel,
A mobile communication system, wherein data is selectively multicasted only to a specific mobile station in a call connection.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of downlink data communication (communication to a mobile device) in a communication system using DSCH. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence during DSCH transmission. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the multicast DSCH communication method according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an operation sequence diagram of the multicast DSCH communication method of FIG. FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the radio network controller 303 in the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the multicast setting table 502. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the DSCH setting table 503. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing what information is set in the multicast setting table 502. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing what information is set in the DSCH setting table 503. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of the system state. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a processing sequence from the start of the system to the start of multicast communication. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the signaling method. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a processing flow at the time of DSCH transmission in the radio network control apparatus 303, particularly, the DSCH processing unit 500 and the macro diversity processing unit 505. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing flow at the time of DSCH reception in the mobile device. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the operation when a control frame is received from the base station 304.

Claims (4)

A wireless network control device connected to the network;
A base station,
Having one or more mobile devices connected to the base station;
A mobile communication system for transmitting data from the radio network control device to the one or more mobile devices using a downlink shared channel,
A channel for transmitting multicast data is set between the data server means existing in the network and the radio network controller,
Mapping the configured channel to the downlink shared channel ;
Mapping table means for storing a correspondence relationship between one or more channels and the downlink shared channel in the radio network controller;
With reference to the mapping table means, configured to map a channel for transmitting the multicast data to an appropriate downlink shared channel;
Furthermore, the mapping table means stores an identifier of a mobile device to be multicast for each downlink shared channel, and multicasts data to the mobile device indicated by the identifier . A wireless network control device connected to the network;
A base station,
Having one or more mobile devices connected to the base station;
A mobile communication system for transmitting data from the radio network control device to the one or more mobile devices using a downlink shared channel,
A channel for transmitting multicast data is set between the data server means existing in the network and the radio network controller,
Mapping the configured channel to the downlink shared channel;
In the radio network controller, mapping table means for storing a correspondence relationship between an individual channel set for each mobile station between a core network and the radio network and the downlink shared channel,
By mapping the dedicated channel to an appropriate downlink shared channel by referring to the mapping table means,
The mapping table means stores a mobile device identifier for each dedicated channel, and unicasts data to the mobile device indicated by the identifier.
A mobile communication system. In claim 2,
The mapping table means stores a timing offset for each dedicated channel, and transmits data to a corresponding mobile station at a transmission timing based on the timing offset when transmitting data using the dedicated channel. A mobile communication system. In any one of Claims 1-3,
The radio network controller refers to the mapping table means when multicasting data on the downlink common channel, selects a mobile device to be multicast, and for all selected mobile devices A mobile communication system characterized by transmitting signaling data at an appropriate timing .

Images