JP5061160B2 - Mobile communication method, mobile communication system, and interworking apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile communication method, a mobile communication system, and an interworking apparatus.

  EPC (Evolved Packet Core) networks that can accommodate LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless access networks include MME (Mobility Management Entity), HSS (Home Subscriber Server), S-GW (S), W P-GW (Packet Data Network-Gateway), vPCRF (visited Policy and Charging Rules Function), hPCRF (Home Policy and Charging Rules Function), and the like are provided.

  Further, the EPC network is configured such that either a GTP (GPRS Tunneling Protocol) or a PMIP (Proxy Mobile IP) protocol is used between the S-GW and the P-GW.

3GPP TS 23.401 3GPP TS 23.402 3GPP TS 29.060 3GPP TS 29.274 3GPP TS 29.275 3GPP TS 23.203 3GPP TS 23.303

  FIG. 6 shows an EPC network architecture when roaming is performed by connecting the network operator A and the network operator B when GTP is used between the S-GW and the P-GW. FIG. 7 shows the architecture of the EPC network when roaming is performed by connecting network operator A and network operator B when PMIP is used between S-GW and P-GW. Show.

  As described above, the architecture of the EPC network in which GTP is used between the S-GW and the P-GW and the architecture of the EPC network in which PMIP is used between the S-GW and the P-GW. Different.

  Therefore, the EPC network in which GTP is used between the S-GW and the P-GW and the EPC network in which PMIP is used between the S-GW and the P-GW are directly connected to perform roaming. There was a problem that could not be implemented.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and a mobile communication method, a mobile communication system, and an interworking apparatus that enable roaming between network operators having different network architectures. The purpose is to provide.

  A first feature of the present invention is a mobile communication method, in which a first gateway device connected to an interworking device by a first protocol capable of transmitting quality of service information is connected to the interworking device. Transmitting a connection request of a mobile station as the control signal for the first protocol, and a second protocol in which the interworking device is connected to the interworking device by a second protocol that cannot transmit quality of service information. To a gateway device, a connection request of the mobile station is transmitted as the control signal for the second protocol, and a management device connected to the interworking device by a third protocol capable of transmitting service quality information. The mobile station connection request is transmitted as the third protocol control signal. A step in which the management device transmits a connection response as the third protocol control signal to the interworking device in response to the received connection request of the mobile station, and the second gateway device A step of transmitting a connection response as the control signal for the second protocol to the interworking device in response to the received connection request of the mobile station, and the interworking device received from the management device And a step of transmitting a connection response including service quality information for the mobile station included in the connection response to the first gateway device as the control signal for the first protocol.

  A second feature of the present invention is a mobile communication system, an interworking device, a first gateway device connected to the interworking device by a first protocol capable of transmitting quality of service information, a service, A second gateway device connected to the interworking device by a second protocol that cannot transmit quality information, and a management connected to the interworking device by a third protocol that can transmit quality of service information And the first gateway device is configured to transmit a connection request of a mobile station as the control signal for the first protocol to the interworking device, and the interworking device For the second gateway device, The mobile station connection request is transmitted as the second protocol control signal, and the mobile station connection request is transmitted as the third protocol control signal to the management apparatus, The management device is configured to transmit a connection response as the third protocol control signal to the interworking device in response to the received connection request of the mobile station, and the second gateway device The mobile station is configured to transmit a connection response as the second protocol control signal to the interworking device in response to the received connection request of the mobile station. A connection response including quality of service information for the mobile station included in the connection response received from the mobile station is sent to the first gateway device. And summarized in that it is configured to transmit a control signal for the first protocol.

  The third feature of the present invention is an interworking device, which is a second gateway device function connected to the first gateway device by a first protocol capable of transmitting service quality information, and transmits service quality information. A first gateway device connected to the second gateway device by a second protocol that cannot be performed, and connected to the management device by a third protocol capable of transmitting quality of service information; When the mobile station connection request is received by the second gateway device function, the first gateway device function sends the mobile station connection request as the second protocol control signal to the second gateway device. Transmitting the mobile station as the third protocol control signal to the management device The second gateway device function is configured to transmit a connection request, and includes the quality of service information for the mobile station included in the connection response from the management device received by the first gateway device function. The gist of the invention is that the connection response is transmitted to the first gateway device as the first protocol control signal.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mobile communication method, a mobile communication system, and an interworking apparatus that enable roaming between network operators having different network architectures. .

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a mobile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a functional block diagram of IWF concerning a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the mobile communication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the mobile communication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating operation | movement of the mobile communication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the conventional mobile communication system. It is a whole block diagram of the conventional mobile communication system.

(Configuration of mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention)
With reference to FIG.1 and FIG.2, the structure of the mobile communication system which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment includes an EPC network that can accommodate an LTE radio access network.

  Specifically, in the mobile communication system according to the present embodiment, an HPLMN (Home Public Land Mobile Network) that is a home network of the mobile station UE and a VPLMN (Visible Public Land Mobile Network) that is a visited network of the mobile station. It is configured to perform roaming between them.

  VPLMN is an EPC network of a network operator that uses GTP between S-GW and P-GW. In the example of FIG. 1, an LTE network, DNS (Domain Name Server) # 1, MME, HSS, S-GW, etc. are provided.

  On the other hand, HPLMN is an EPC network of a network operator using PMIP between S-GW and P-GW. In the example of FIG. 1, DNS # 2, hPCRF, P-GW, external It has a network.

  Here, the MME is an exchange that holds subscriber information necessary for connection of a mobile station UE (not shown) and is configured to provide a C-Plane function in an LTE radio access network. .

  The S-GW is a packet switch configured to provide a U-Plane function in an LTE wireless access network, and is an anchor node in a handover across an LTE wireless base station eNB (not shown).

  The P-GW is a connection point to an external network and is an anchor node in a handover across the S-GW.

  The HSS is a subscriber database configured to manage contract information regarding the mobile station UE, location information of the mobile station UE, and the like.

  The hPCRF is a management device configured to manage QoS information, billing information, and the like of the mobile station UE.

  The mobile communication system according to the present embodiment is further provided with an IWF connected to an S-GW in the VPLMN, a P-GW in the HPLMN, an hPCRF, DNS # 2, or the like.

  Here, the IWF is connected to the S-GW in the VPLMN by GTP (first protocol), connected to the P-GW in the HPLMN by PMIP (second protocol), and hPCRF by the Diameter (third protocol). Is an interworking device connected to

  GTP and Diameter are protocols that can transmit the QoS information (service quality information) of the mobile station, and PMIP is a protocol that cannot transmit the QoS information of the mobile station.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the IWF includes a P-GW function 11, a conversion function 12, and an S-GW function 13.

  The P-GW function 11 is configured to behave as a P-GW via GTP with respect to the S-GW in the VPLMN.

  The S-GW function 13 is configured to behave as an S-GW via PMIP for the P-GW in the HPLMN, and as an S-GW via the Diameter for the hPCRF in the HPLMN. It is configured to behave like

  The conversion function 12 is configured to perform conversion processing between a GTP-C signal (GTP control signal), a PMIP control signal, and a Diameter control signal. The conversion function 12 may be configured to perform conversion processing between the GTP-U signal, the PMIP data signal, and the Diameter data signal.

(Operation of the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention)
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the operation of the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, specifically, connection processing (for example, transmission processing, attach processing, etc.) of the mobile station UE. explain.

  When the MME receives a connection request from the mobile station UE (not shown) in step S101, the MME includes, in step S102, an APN (Access Point Name) of the network related to the connection request from the mobile station UE to DNS # 1. A DNS request (P-GW address resolution request) is transmitted.

  Here, DNS # 1 determines whether or not the connection request of the mobile station UE is for a specific network (HPLMN in the example of FIG. 1) based on the APN included in the DNS request.

  When the DNS # 1 determines that the connection request of the mobile station UE is for a specific network, the DNS # 1 transmits a DNS response including the S-GW address and the I-WF P-GW function 11 address to the MME. To do.

  The MME may hold in advance both the P-GW and S-GW addresses corresponding to the APN, or the P-GW address. In the former case, the MME does not use the P-GW address acquired from the DNS # 1 even if the above-described step S102 does not occur or the above-described step S102 occurs. In the latter case, the MME performs the conversion of only the address of the S-GW using the same procedure as Step 102.

  In step S103, the MME transmits a connection request for the mobile station UE including the addresses of the above-described APN and P-GW function 11 to the S-GW.

  In step S104, the S-GW transmits a connection request for the mobile station UE including the APN described above as a GTP-C signal to the P-GW function 11 of the IWF.

  In step S105, the IWF P-GW function 11 transmits a protocol conversion request including the received connection request of the mobile station UE to the IWF conversion function 12.

  In step S106, the IWF conversion function 12 receives, as a PMIP control signal, the mobile station UE connection request as the GTP-C signal received by the IWF P-GW function 11 in response to the received protocol conversion request. Mobile station UE connection request and a mobile station UE connection request as a Diameter control signal are generated.

  In step S107A, the conversion function 12 of the IWF acquires the address of the hPCRF and the address of the P-GW from the DNS # 2 by transmitting a DNS request including the above-described APN to the DNS # 2.

  Further, the S-GW function of the IWF may include a database that holds the hPCRF address and the P-GW address. In this case, the conversion function 12 of the IWF does not make an inquiry to the DNS # 2, or does not use the acquired information even if it makes it.

  In step S108, the conversion function 12 of the IWF transmits a connection request of the mobile station UE as a PMIP control signal and a connection request of the mobile station UE as a Diameter control signal to the IWF S-GW function 13. .

  Here, the S-GW function 13 of the IWF transmits a DNS request including the above APN to the DNS # 2 in step S107B instead of the operation of the step S107A by the conversion function 12 of the IWF. The address of hPCRF and the address of P-GW may be acquired from DNS # 2.

  Further, the S-GW function of the IWF may include a database that holds the hPCRF address and the P-GW address. In this case, the S-GW function 13 of the IWF does not make an inquiry to the DNS # 2 or does not use the acquired information even if it makes an inquiry.

  In step S109, the S-GW function 13 of the IWF transmits a connection request for the mobile station UE as a Diameter control signal to the hPCRF.

  In step S110, the hPCRF transmits a connection response including the QoS information of the mobile station UE as a Diameter control signal to the S-GW function 13 of the IWF in response to the received connection request of the mobile station UE.

  In step S110A, the IWF S-GW function 13 transmits a connection response including the QoS information of the mobile station UE received from the hPCRF to the IWF conversion function 12.

  In step S111, the S-GW function 13 of the IWF transmits a connection request for the mobile station UE as a PMIP control signal to the P-GW.

  In step S111A, the P-GW acquires the address of the hPCRF from the DNS # 2 by transmitting a DNS request including the above APN to the DNS # 2. The P-GW may hold the address of the hPCRF. In that case, step S111A is not performed.

  In step S112, the P-GW transmits the received connection request of the mobile station UE as a Diameter control signal to the hPCRF.

  In step S113, the hPCRF transmits a connection response including the QoS information of the mobile station UE to the P-GW as a Diameter control signal in response to the received connection request of the mobile station UE.

  Here, the setting of the downlink tunnel corresponding to the QoS information of the mobile station UE described above is completed between the S-GW and the P-GW. When data is transmitted from the P-GW in the direction of the mobile station UE, the data is converted into a GTP signal in the IWF via the IWF, and transferred from the IWF to the S-GW.

  In step S114, the P-GW transmits a connection response that does not include the QoS information of the mobile station UE to the S-GW function 13 of the IWF as a PMIP control signal.

  In step S115, the S-GW function 13 of the IWF transmits the connection response received from the P-GW to the conversion function 12 of the IWF.

  In step S116, the IWF conversion function 12 determines the connection response as a GTP-C signal based on the connection response as the Diameter control signal received in step S110A and the connection response as the PMIP control signal received in step S115. Is generated.

  Here, the conversion function 12 of the IWF can associate the two based on the APN and IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) included in the connection response as the Diameter control signal and the connection response as the PMIP control signal.

  Note that the connection response as the GTP-C signal includes the QoS information of the mobile station UE.

  In step S117, the conversion function 12 of the IWF transmits a connection response including the QoS information of the mobile station UE to the P-GW function 11 of the IWF. In step S118, the P-GW function 11 of the IWF -A connection response including the QoS information of the mobile station UE is transmitted to the GW as a GTP-C signal.

  Here, the setting of the uplink tunnel corresponding to the QoS information of the mobile station UE is completed between the S-GW and the P-GW. When data is transmitted from the mobile station UE in the P-GW direction, the data is converted from the GTP signal to the PMIP U-Plane signal in the IWF via the IWF, and transferred from the IWF to the S-GW. The

  In step S119, the S-GW transmits a connection response to the above-described connection request of the mobile station UE to the MME, and the MME transmits the connection response to the mobile station UE, whereby the mobile station The connection process of the UE is completed, and communication by the mobile station UE is possible.

(Operations and effects of the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention)
According to the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, roaming between VPLMN and HPLMN without modifying the function of selecting S-GW and P-GW in MME or DNS in VPLMN Can be implemented.

  That is, according to the mobile communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention, roaming is performed even with a network operator that does not cooperate with the function of selecting the S-GW and P-GW in the MME or the DNS modification in the VPLMN. Can be implemented.

  The characteristics of the present embodiment described above may be expressed as follows.

  A first feature of the present embodiment is a mobile communication method, which is an S− connected to an IWF (interworking apparatus) by GTP (first protocol) capable of transmitting QoS information (service quality information). The GW (first gateway device) transmits a connection request of the mobile station UE as a GTP-C signal (first protocol control signal) to the IWF, and the IWF cannot transmit QoS information. A connection request of the mobile station UE is transmitted as a PMIP control signal (second protocol control signal) to the P-GW (second gateway device) connected to the IWF by PMIP (second protocol), and QoS is determined. For hPCRF (management device) connected to IWF by Diameter (third protocol) capable of transmitting information, a step of establishing a communication path by transmitting a connection request of the mobile station UE as a control signal for iameter (third protocol control signal), and the hPCRF responds to the IWF according to the received connection request of the mobile station UE. , Establishing a communication path by transmitting a connection response as a Diameter control signal, and the P-GW sends a connection response as a PMIP control signal to the IWF in response to the received connection request of the mobile station UE. Transmitting and establishing a communication path, and the IWF transmits a connection response including the QoS information for the mobile station UE included in the connection response received from the hPCRF to the S-GW as a GTP-C signal. And establishing a communication path.

  In the first feature of the present embodiment, when the MME (switch) receives a connection request from the mobile station UE, a step of transmitting a P-GW address resolution request to the DNS; And a step of transmitting an address resolution response including the address of the IWF to the MME in response to the address resolution request of the GW.

  In the first feature of the present embodiment, the MME directly holds the address of the IWF, and may use the address of the IWF for address resolution of the P-GW without going through the DNS. The IWF address may be regarded as the P-GW address.

  The second feature of the present embodiment is a mobile communication system, which is an IWF, an S-GW connected to the IWF by GTP, a P-GW connected to the IWF by PMIP, and an IWF by Diameter. The S-GW is configured to transmit a connection request of the mobile station UE as a GTP-C signal to the IWF, and the IWF is connected to the P-GW. On the other hand, the mobile station UE connection request is transmitted as a PMIP control signal, and the mobile station UE connection request is transmitted as a Diameter control signal to the hPCRF. It is configured to transmit a connection response as a Diameter control signal to the IWF in response to the connection request of the station UE, and the P-GW The mobile station UE is configured to transmit a connection response as a PMIP control signal to the IWF in response to the connection request from the mobile station UE. The IWF is for the mobile station UE included in the connection response received from the hPCRF. The gist is that the connection response including the QoS information is transmitted to the S-GW as a GTP-C signal.

  In the second feature of the present embodiment, an MME and a DNS are further provided. When the MME receives a connection request from the mobile station UE, the MME issues a P-GW address resolution request to the DNS. The DNS may be configured to transmit, and in response to the P-GW address resolution request, the DNS may be configured to transmit an address resolution response including the IWF address to the exchange MME.

  Alternatively, the MME may be configured to directly hold the IWF address and use the IWF address for P-GW address resolution without going through the DNS.

  The third feature of the present embodiment is an IWF, and thus includes an S-GW function 13 (first gateway device function) connected to the hPCRF. The S-GW function 13 is a P- When the connection request of the mobile station UE is received by the GW function 11, the connection request of the mobile station UE is transmitted as a PMIP control signal to the P-GW, and as the first Diameter control signal to the hPCRF The P-GW function 11 is configured to transmit a connection request for the mobile station UE, and the P-GW function 11 includes the QoS information for the mobile station UE included in the connection response from the hPCRF received by the S-GW function 13 The gist is that the response is configured to be transmitted as a GTP-C signal to the S-GW.

  Note that the operation of the IWF described above may be implemented by hardware, may be implemented by a software module executed by a processor, or may be implemented by a combination of both.

  The software module includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM, a Hard Disk, a Registered ROM, a Hard Disk Alternatively, it may be provided in a storage medium of an arbitrary format such as a CD-ROM.

  Such a storage medium is connected to the processor so that the processor can read and write information from and to the storage medium. Further, such a storage medium may be integrated in the processor. Such a storage medium and processor may be provided in the ASIC. Such an ASIC may be provided in the IWF. Such a storage medium and processor may be provided in the IWF as a discrete component.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-described embodiments, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described in this specification. The present invention can be implemented as modified and changed modes without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the scope of claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for illustrative purposes and does not have any limiting meaning to the present invention.

11 ... P-GW function 12 ... Conversion function 13 ... S-GW function

Claims (7)

The first gateway device connected to the interworking device by the first protocol capable of transmitting quality of service information transmits a connection request of the mobile station to the interworking device as the control signal for the first protocol. And a process of
The interworking device sends a connection request of the mobile station as the second protocol control signal to the second gateway device connected to the interworking device by the second protocol that cannot transmit the quality of service information. And transmitting a connection request of the mobile station as a control signal for the third protocol to a management apparatus connected to the interworking apparatus by a third protocol capable of transmitting service quality information. When,
The management device transmits a connection response as the third protocol control signal to the interworking device in response to the received connection request of the mobile station;
The second gateway device transmits a connection response as the second protocol control signal to the interworking device in response to the received connection request of the mobile station;
The interworking device transmits a connection response including service quality information for the mobile station included in the connection response received from the management device as the first protocol control signal to the first gateway device. And a mobile communication method. A step of transmitting an address resolution request of the second gateway device to the DNS when the exchange receives the connection request of the mobile station;
The DNS further comprises a step of transmitting an address resolution response including an address of the interworking device to the exchange in response to an address resolution request of the second gateway device. The mobile communication method described.   When the exchange directly holds the address of the interworking device and receives the connection request of the mobile station, the address of the interworking device is resolved to the address of the second gateway device without going through DNS. The mobile communication method according to claim 1, further comprising: An interworking device;
A first gateway device connected to the interworking device by a first protocol capable of transmitting quality of service information;
A second gateway device connected to the interworking device by a second protocol that cannot transmit quality of service information;
A management device connected to the interworking device by a third protocol capable of transmitting quality of service information;
The first gateway device is configured to transmit a connection request of a mobile station as the control signal for the first protocol to the interworking device,
The interworking device transmits a connection request for the mobile station as the second protocol control signal to the second gateway device, and the mobile station as the third protocol control signal to the management device. Configured to send a station connection request,
The management device is configured to transmit a connection response as the third protocol control signal to the interworking device in response to the received connection request of the mobile station,
The second gateway device is configured to transmit a connection response as the second protocol control signal to the interworking device in response to the received connection request of the mobile station,
The interworking device transmits a connection response including service quality information for the mobile station included in the connection response received from the management device as the first protocol control signal to the first gateway device. It is comprised so that it may carry out. The mobile communication system characterized by the above-mentioned. It further comprises an exchange and DNS,
The exchange is configured to transmit an address resolution request of the second gateway device to the DNS when receiving a connection request of the mobile station,
The DNS is configured to transmit an address resolution response including an address of the interworking device to the exchange in response to an address resolution request of the second gateway device. 5. The mobile communication system according to 4. It further comprises an exchange and DNS,
The exchange directly holds the address of the interworking device, and when the mobile station connection request is received, the address of the interworking device is set to the second gateway device without passing through the DNS. The mobile communication system according to claim 4, wherein the mobile communication system is configured to be used for address resolution. A second gateway device function connected to the first gateway device by a first protocol capable of transmitting quality of service information;
A first gateway device function connected to the second gateway device by a second protocol that cannot transmit quality of service information and connected to a management device by a third protocol that can transmit service quality information; Has
When the mobile station connection request is received by the second gateway device function, the first gateway device function sends the mobile station connection request as the second protocol control signal to the second gateway device. And transmitting the mobile station connection request as the third protocol control signal to the management device,
The second gateway apparatus function sends a connection response including service quality information for the mobile station included in the connection response from the management apparatus received by the first gateway apparatus function to the first gateway apparatus. An interworking apparatus configured to transmit as the control signal for the first protocol.

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