JP7048251B2 - LTE communication system and communication control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an LTE communication system and a communication control method that communicate according to an LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication system.

Conventionally, LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication has been used as a communication method for speeding up mobile communication. The LTE communication system that performs LTE communication includes an EPC (Evolved Packet Core) device, an eNB (eNodeB) device, a terminal, and the like. The EPC device has an SGW (Serving GateWay) and a PGW (PDN (Packet data network) GateWay). The PGW controls the transmission quality of IP packets according to the policy control information notified from the PCRF (Policy and Charging Rule Function) by the Gx interface (see Non-Patent Document 1). The policy control information includes a PCC rule (Policy and Charging Control Rule). The PCC rule includes a provision of the maximum bit rate in the communication path (bearer) of LTE communication (see Non-Patent Document 2).

Takehiro Nakamura, 5 others, "Activities and Contributions in Completing 3GPP LTE / SAE Standard Specifications", NTT DOCOMO Technical Journal Vol.17 No.2, P36-P45 “Policy and charging control rule”, 3GPP TS 23.203 V14.4.0 (2017-06), P93-P96

The EPC device can control the maximum bit rate (MBR) of each bearer according to the policy control information (for example, PCC (Policy and Charging Control) rule) notified from the PCRF. However, this MBR does not fully reflect the communication status of each bearer. For example, if the communication status of the communication network between the EPC device and the eNB changes and there is a discrepancy between the MBR statistics of each bearer and the communicable capacity of the communication network, the network utilization efficiency related to LTE communication will increase. May decrease. For example, if the total MBR value of each bearer exceeds the communicable capacity of the lower layer (for example, the physical layer), congestion occurs and the network utilization efficiency decreases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and provides an LTE communication system and a communication control method capable of suppressing a decrease in network utilization efficiency related to LTE communication.

One aspect of the present invention is an LTE communication system including a core network device that communicates according to an LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication method, and a router device and a control device. The router device is an LTE communication system. The control device detects a change in the line capacity of a communication line connecting the core network device and one or more base station devices, and the control device acquires information on the line capacity after the change in the communication line, and the core network. Information on the communicable capacity of a plurality of communication paths connecting the device and the plurality of terminals connected to the base station device is acquired, and the line capacity after the change of the communication line and the communicable capacity of the plurality of the communication paths are acquired. The communicable capacity of the plurality of communication paths is changed based on the ratio of the above, and the core network device acquires the changed communicable capacity of the plurality of the communication paths from the control device and communicates after the change. It is an LTE communication system that holds information on possible capacity.

One aspect of the present invention is a communication control method in an LTE communication system that communicates according to an LTE communication system, and detects a change in the line capacity of a communication line connecting the core network device and one or more base station devices. , Acquires information on the line capacity after the change of the communication line, and acquires information on the communicable capacity of a plurality of communication paths connecting the core network device and the plurality of terminals connected to the base station device. Based on the ratio of the line capacity after the change of the communication line and the communicable capacity of the plurality of the communication paths, the communicable capacity of the plurality of the communication paths is changed, and the communication is possible after the change of the plurality of the communication paths. It is a communication control method that controls communication via a plurality of the communication paths based on the capacity.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in network utilization efficiency related to LTE communication.

The figure which shows the configuration example of the LTE communication system in Embodiment The figure which shows the configuration example of the SD-WAN router The figure which shows the configuration example of the control device Sequence diagram showing an operation example of the LTE communication system The figure which shows the configuration example of the LTE communication system of the comparative example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the following embodiments, the LTE communication system and the communication control method are applied to the LTE communication system that communicates by the LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication method. The LTE communication method may include a method of communicating according to the LTE protocol via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) (for example, LTE over Wifi). LTE over Wifi is disclosed in, for example, Reference Patent Document 1.
(Reference Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-509793)

This LTE over Wifi technology is applicable to a method of communicating according to the LTE protocol via a WAN (Wide Area Network). That is, the LTE communication method may include a method of communicating according to the LTE protocol via the WAN.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the LTE communication system 5 in the embodiment. The LTE communication system 5 includes a plurality of UEs (User Equipment) 10, one or more eNBs 20, an SD-WAN (Software Defined WAN) router 30, a control device 40, and an EPC device 50.

The UE 10 is possessed by the user and performs processing related to LTE communication. LTE communication includes, for example, VoLTE communication. In FIG. 1, a plurality of UEs 10 are referred to as UE10A, UE10B, UE10C, ....

The eNB 20 manages the UE 10 under the eNB 20 which is its own device, and the eNB 20 which relays the communication performed between the UE 10 and the EPC device 50 may be installed outdoors or installed in each building, for example. You may. A plurality of eNBs 20 may exist, and one or more UEs 10 may exist under each of the plurality of eNBs 20s.

The SD-WAN router 30 controls communication via the SD-WAN 30D. The SD-WAN router 30 may be connected to the end of the SD-WAN 30N on the EPC device 50 side and the end of the SD-WAN 30N on the eNB 20 side. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the SD-WAN router 30 may be connected only to the end portion on the EPC device 50 side. This is because the data passing through the SD-WAN30N can be suitably controlled by controlling the communication amount and the communication speed on the EPC device 50 side, for example. The SD-WAN router 30 may be configured such that the WAN router has an API (Application Programming Interface).

SD-WAN30D is an example of a communication network line (communication line). The SD-WAN30D may be a wired line or a wireless line. The wired line may be, for example, an optical line or another wired line. The wireless line may be, for example, a satellite line or another wireless line.

In SD-WAN30D, the physical WAN line is operated by software, and it is easy to use. The SD-WAN30D makes it possible to flexibly link the WAN line with the system in which the WAN line is used (here, the LTE communication system 5). When the SD-WAN30D is used, for example, even if the traffic demand amount changes for each base, the traffic amount can be dynamically distributed and LTE communication can be stabilized. In this embodiment, a network line other than SD-WAN30D may be used.

The control device 40 adjusts the communication status and setting information related to the SD-WAN and the communication status and setting information related to the LTE protocol, and matches the communication quality in the SD-WAN with the communication quality of the LTE communication. The control device 40 may be provided independently of other devices. The control device 40 may be provided inside the EPC device 50, that is, the EPC device 50 may have the function of the control device 40. The control device 40 may be provided inside the SD-WAN router 30, that is, the SD-WAN router 30 may have the function of the control device 40.

The EPC device 50 is a device arranged in the LTE core network, and communicates with the eNB 20 via a communication network (for example, SD-WAN30D) according to the LTE protocol.

The EPC device 50 includes a PGW 51, a PCRF 52, an SGW 53, an MME (Mobility Management Entity) 54, and an HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 55. Each node of PGW51, PCRF52, SGW53, MME54, and HSS55 may be a logical node or a physical node. That is, the functions may be integrated into one device, or the functions may be distributed to a plurality of individual devices. The EPC device 50 is not limited to this configuration, and may include other incidental elements.

The MME 54, the HSS 55, and the PCRF 52 process the C plane data which is a control signal. The SGW 53 and PGW 51 process the transmission of U-plane data which is user data. Therefore, for example, when U-plane data, that is, U-plane traffic from the external network (upstream from the EPC device 50) reaches the EPC device 50 from the external network, the PGW 52, SGW 53, SD-WAN router 30, and It is transmitted to the UE 10A via the eNB 20.

The MME 54 is a node that provides movement control and the like, and performs movement control such as location registration, paging, and handover, and establishment or deletion of a bearer (data communication path) BR.

The bearer BR is a route through which data communicated by LTE communication passes, and is, for example, a route connecting PGW 52, SGW 53, SD-WAN router 30, eNB 20, and each UE 10. In this case, the bearer BR has a different communication path for each of the UEs 10A, 10B, and 10C. Therefore, when identifying the bearer BR, it is sufficient to identify whether the UE 10 is the UE 10A, 10B, or 10C.

The HSS55 is a node having a subscriber management database in LTE, and manages subscriber contract information, authentication information, location information, and the like. The MME 54 performs user authentication based on the authentication information notified from the HSS 55.

The SGW 53 is a gateway that accommodates a 3GPP access system and transmits data to the UE 10 and PGW 51.

The PGW 51 is a gateway that assigns an IP address to the UE 10, transfers packets, and the like at a connection point with an external network (PDN). The PGW 51 may operate according to the policy (polish control information) possessed by the PCRF 52 by cooperating with the PCRF 52. The PGW 51 may acquire the policy of PCRF 52 during communication (during LTE communication). Therefore, the PGW 51 can dynamically change the communication control policy even during communication to control the communication of the UE 10.

The PGW 51 may control the communication amount and the communication speed communicated via each bearer BR according to the policy of the PCRG52. By controlling the communication amount and communication speed of each bearer BR by the PGW 51, the processing load can be reduced as compared with the case where the UE10 or eNB 20 implements the communication amount or communication speed. This is because the congestion / retransmission control processing caused by communication exceeding the communicable capacity of the lower layer is suppressed. Further, since the PGW 51 controls the communication amount and the communication speed, the communication control is performed in the lower network and the device according to the communication amount and the communication speed.

The PCRF 52 is a node that controls quality of service (QoS) of user data transfer (control of communication quality such as priority transfer of packets) and billing. The QoS value determined by PCRF 52 is notified to PGW 51 and SGW 53. The PGW 51 and the SGW 53 perform QoS control on the U plane data according to the notified QoS value. The QoS value may be, for example, a set value included in the control information of the policy.

The policy may include the MBR value in communication via the bearer BR. The MBR value may include an MBR value (UL-MBR value) for an uplink and an MBR value (DL-MBR value) for a downlink. The MBR value indicates the maximum bit rate in communication via each bearer BR. Therefore, the MBR value may be a value in which the bit rate of the network line on the downstream side (for example, the communication line between the eNB 20 and the UE 10) is taken into consideration together with the SD-WAN30D. The policy may retain the MBR value for each bearer BR.

The policy may be changed dynamically. For example, the changed policy is notified to the PGW 51 and the SGW 53, and is reflected in the communication control by the PGW 51 and the SGW 53.

The EPC device 50 has a processing unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit. When each node of the EPC device 50 is a logical node, one device may be provided with a processing unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit. When each node of the EPC device 50 is a physical node, each node may be provided with a processing unit, a storage unit, and a communication unit.

The processing unit of the EPC device 50 realizes various functions by executing a program held in a memory by a processor (for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit)). The storage unit of the EPC device 50 may have, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and various storages (for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive)), and various information. Holds data and programs. The communication unit of the EPC device 50 communicates (wired communication or wireless communication) with the SD-WAN router 30, the control device 40, and various devices in the external network.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a configuration example of the SD-WAN router 30. The SD-WAN router 30 has a processing unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication unit 33.

The processing unit 31 realizes various functions by executing a program held in the memory by the processor. The processing unit 31 controls the operation of each unit of the SD-WAN router 30. For example, the processing unit 31 may manage the communication parameters of the SD-WAN30D and control the communication of the SD-WAN30D. The processing unit 31 may monitor the line status of the SD-WAN30D and detect that the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D has changed (for example, decreased or increased).

The storage unit 32 may have, for example, a ROM, RAM, or various types of storage, and holds various types of information, data, and programs.

The communication unit 33 communicates with one or more eNBs 20 (wired communication or wireless communication) via the SD-WAN30D. The communication unit 33 communicates with the SGW 53 and the MME 54 of the EPC device 50 (for example, wired communication or wireless communication).

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a configuration example of the control device 40. The control device 40 has a processing unit 410, a storage unit 42, and a communication unit 430.

The processing unit 410 realizes various functions by executing a program held in the memory by the processor. The processing unit 41 controls the operation of each unit of the control device 40. For example, the processing unit 41 may acquire information on the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D after the change when the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D changes. The current (setting) MBR value of each bearer BR via SD-WAN30D may be acquired. The processing unit 41 may calculate a new MBR value by proportionally dividing the changed line capacity of the SD-WAN30D based on the ratio of the current MBR values of each bearer BR.

The storage unit 42 may have, for example, a ROM, RAM, or various types of storage, and holds various types of information, data, and programs.

The communication unit 43 communicates with the SD-WAN router 30 (for example, wired communication or wireless communication). The communication unit 43 communicates with the PCRF 52 of the EPC device 50 (for example, wired communication or wireless communication).

Next, the operation of the LTE communication system 5 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example of the LTE communication system 5.

In FIG. 3, bearer BRs (BR1, BR2, BR3) are established between the UE 10 (UE10A, 10B, 10C) and the EPC device 50 (S11, S12, S13). These bearer BRs (BR1, BR2, BR3) are communication paths that pass through the UE 10 (any one of UE 10A, 10B, 10C), the eNB 20, the SD-WAN router 30, the control device 40, the SGB 53, and the PGW 51.

In the SD-WAN router 30, when the processing unit 31 detects a change in line capacity (change in line capacity equal to or higher than the threshold value th) (S14), the communication unit 33 notifies the control device 40 of information on the new capacity (S14). S15). The new capacity may be the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D after the change, or may be the difference between the line capacities of the SD-WAN30D before and after the change.

Changes in line capacity may include a decrease or increase in line capacity. For example, when the weather changes from good weather (for example, fine weather) to bad weather (for example, rainy weather), the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D may decrease. For example, when a satellite line or LWA (Lte Wifi Link Aggregation) is applied to SD-WAN30D, the throughput tends to decrease due to bad weather. Further, when the weather changes from bad weather to good weather, the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D may be improved and increased. In addition, the line capacity may decrease or increase with the start or end of an event in which the amount of communication is expected to change. Further, the line capacity may decrease or increase with the input based on the user operation to the operation unit for adjusting the setting of the SD-WAN router 30.

In the control device 40, the processing unit 41 acquires the information of each bearer BR that has already been established. The information of the bearer BR may be, for example, the correspondence information between the eNB 20 and the UE 10 corresponding to each bearer BR using the SD-WAN30D. The association information may be based on the identification information of the eNB 20 (for example, the eNB ID) and the identification information of the UE 10 connected to the eNB 20 (for example, the UE ID). The information of the bearer BR may be preset in the control device 40 and stored in the storage unit 42. The information of the bearer BR may be acquired from the EPC device 50 via the communication unit 43. Thereby, even if the control device 40 is arranged outside the EPC device 50, it can recognize which bearer BR is established inside the SD-WAN30D.

In the control device 40, the communication unit 43 receives and acquires information on the new capacity from the SD-WAN router 30 (S15). The communication unit 43 inquires of the PCRF 52 of the EPC device 50 about the current MBR values of the bearers BR1, BR2, and BR3 (S16). The control device 40 can identify each bearer BR1, BR2, and BR3 based on the above-mentioned information on the bearer BR.

In the EPC device 50, when the PCRF 52 receives an inquiry of the current MBR value of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 (S16), the PCRF52 receives the inquiry of the current MBR value of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 held in the storage unit or the like (S16). Is read. PCRF2 notifies the control device 40 of the current MBR values of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 (S17).

In the control device 40, the communication unit 43 receives the notification of the current MBR value of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 from the SD-WAN router 30 (S17). The processing unit 41 compares the current MBR value of the MBR of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 with the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D after the change. The processing unit 41 applies the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D after the change to the new (changed) MBR of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 based on the ratio of the current MBBR values of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3. Calculate the value. For example, the processing unit 41 distributes the changed line capacity of the SD-WAN30D based on the ratio of the current MBR values of the bearers BR1, BR2, and BR3, and distributes the distribution result to the new bearers BR1, BR2, and BR3. It is acquired as the MBR value of. The communication unit 43 notifies the PCRF 52 of the EPC device 50 of the new MBR value of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 in order to set a new MBR value of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 (S18).

For example, if the current MBBR values of bearers BR1, BR2, BR3 are 20 Mbps, 15 Mbps, 10 Mbps, and the line capacity of SD-WAN30D is from 45 Mbps to 36 Mbps, the new MBBR values of bearers BR1, BR2, BR3 are 16 Mbps, It may be 12 Mbps and 8 Mbps. For example, if the current MBBR values of the bearers BR1, BR2, and BR3 are 16 Mbps, 12 Mbps, and 8 Mbps, and the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D is from 36 Mbps to 45 Mbps, the new MBR values of the bearers BR1, BR2, and BR3 are 20 Mbps. It may be 15 Mbps and 10 Mbps. The new MBR value is not a faithful reproduction of the ratio of the current MBR value, and the ratio of the new MBR value may be slightly different from the ratio of the current MBR value.

In the EPC device 50, the PCRF 52 receives a new MBR value of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 from the control device 40 (S18). PCRF52 refers to the policy and modifies the policy by substituting the current MBR value contained in the parameters of the policy with the new MBR value. PCRF52 applies the modified policy to each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3. That is, the PCRF 52 reflects the new MBR value in each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 (S19).

When the new MBBR value is reflected in each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3, the PGW 51 determines each bearer BR1 so that the bit rate related to the communication of each bearer BR1, BR2, BR3 does not exceed the respective new MBR value. , BR2, BR3 to control communication.

It should be noted that FIG. 3 illustrates that a new MBR value is derived and PCRF52 is changed based on the established bearer BR information. The information on the bearer may include not only the information on the established bearer but also the information on the bearer that can establish the bearer but has not been established. Therefore, a new MBR value may be derived and the PCRF 52 may be modified based on established and unestablished bearers (that is, UE10 that can be connected, all UE10 under eNB20).

According to the operation example of FIG. 3, the LTE communication system 5 sets a new MBR value in the PCRF52 and reflects this MBR value in each bearer BR to communicate in response to a change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D. Quality can be achieved. Therefore, for example, when the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D is reduced, the LTE communication system 5 causes congestion in each bearer BR because the current MBR value is excessively large with respect to the reduced line capacity. Can be suppressed. Further, for example, when the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D increases, the LTE communication system 5 has an excessively small MBR value with respect to the increased line capacity, so that the utilization efficiency of each bearer BR becomes too small. Can be suppressed.

Further, the MBR value included in the policy of PCRF52 is appropriately adjusted (for example, optimized) according to the line quality of SD-WAN30D and each bearer BR (for example, each UE 10 under eNB 20). Therefore, the LTE communication system 5 can eliminate the need to individually generate the MBR value setting of the policy for each UE 10. Therefore, the LTE communication system 5 can save the trouble of the user who uses the LTE communication system 5 related to the MBR value generation, and can improve the convenience of the user.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of the LTE communication system 5X in the comparative example. The LTE communication system 5X has a plurality of UEs 10X (10X1, 10X2, 10X3, ...), An eNB 20X, and an EPC device 50X. The EPC device 50X comprises PGW51X, PCRF52X, SGW53X, MME54X, and HSS55X. The communication line between the eNB 20X and the EPC device 50X is not an SD-WAN but a physical WAN line N1, and software operation is not considered.

When the WAN line N1 is used, since the SD-WAN router 30 is not provided, the line status of the WAN line N1 is not monitored, and the flexibility of setting the communication amount and the like is inferior to that of the present embodiment. Further, the LTE communication system 5X does not include the control device 40. Therefore, even if the line status of the WAN line N1 changes, it is not reflected in the parameters related to LTE communication. Therefore, LTE communication may not be able to be used in a suitable situation.

On the other hand, the LTE communication system 5 is provided with the control device 40, so that the policy of the PCRF 52 can be changed according to the change in the line quality of the SD-WAN30D. The PGW 51 can control the LTE communication of the UE 10 according to the policy of PCRF 52. Therefore, the PGW 51 can control the LTE communication of the UE 10 in response to the change in the line quality of the SD-WAN30D. Further, the LTE communication system 5 makes it easy to maintain a constant utilization efficiency of the SD-WAN30D in the LTE communication system 5 even when the specifications (for example, line capacity) of the SD-WAN30D change dynamically.

Further, in the LTE communication system 5, by using the SD-WAN30D for the LTE communication, the interlocking between the LTE communication and the communication via the WAN line can be enhanced. In conventional LTE communication, there are many telephone communications and the like managed by a telephone company, and it is often known in advance how much traffic is required for LTE communication. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the line capacity of the WAN line is often fixedly set. On the other hand, when the planned usage amount of the line changes significantly due to a user request, it is desirable to be able to dynamically change the line capacity of the WAN line. For example, when it is expected that the traffic will increase due to the event being held, the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D can be increased by changing the setting of the SD-WAN30D as in the present embodiment.

Here, the increase in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D and the communication capacity of the LTE communication are separate. Therefore, if the SD-WAN30D information and the LTE communication information are not particularly linked, the SD-WAN30D line status and the LTE communication communication capacity are not associated with each other.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the control device 40 is notified by the SD-WAN router 30 of the change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN 30D, and gives an instruction to change the policy (for example, MBR value) of the PCRF 52 based on the change in the line capacity. Perform to PCRF52. As a result, the LTE communication system 5 can eliminate the need for a user operation for changing the policy of the PCRF 52 as the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D changes. Therefore, the LTE communication system 5 can match and optimize the communication via the SD-WAN30D and the LTE communication, and automatically responds to the line condition of the SD-WAN30D and automatically sets the policy for LTE communication. Can be set. Therefore, the LTE communication system 5 can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency between the SD-WAN30D and the LTE communication based on, for example, a user operation.

On the contrary, even if the control device 40 is notified by the EPC device 50 of the change of the policy (for example, MBR value) of the PCRF 52 and gives an instruction to change the line capacity of the SD-WAN 30D based on the change of the policy to the SD-WAN router 30. good. As a result, the LTE communication system 5 can eliminate the need for a user operation for changing the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D as the policy of the PCRF 52 is changed. Therefore, the LTE communication system 5 can match and optimize the communication via the SD-WAN30D and the LTE communication, flexibly correspond to the content of the policy for the LTE communication, and automatically adjust the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D. Can be set. Therefore, the LTE communication system 5 can suppress the occurrence of inconsistency between the SD-WAN30D and the LTE communication based on, for example, a user operation.

Further, when the physical WAN line is prepared by a third party other than the administrator who manages the LTE communication system 5, it is difficult to guarantee the line quality of the SD-WAN30D using the WAN line. Even in this case, the LTE communication system 5 can change the policy of the PCRF 52 according to the change in the line quality of the SD-WAN30D, and can suppress the decrease in the network utilization efficiency in the LTE communication.

As described above, the LTE communication system 5 of the present embodiment includes an EPC device 50 that communicates according to the LTE communication method, and includes an SD-WAN router 30 and a control device 40. The SD-WAN router 30 detects a change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN 30D that connects the EPC device 50 and one or more eNBs 20. The control device 40 acquires information on the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D after the change. The control device 40 acquires information on the communicable capacity of a plurality of bearer BRs that connect the EPC device 50 and the plurality of UEs connected to the eNB 20. The control device 40 changes the communicable capacity of the plurality of bearer BRs based on the ratio of the line capacity after the change of the SD-WAN 30D and the communicable capacity of the plurality of bearer BRs. The EPC device 50 acquires the changed communicable capacity of the plurality of bearer BRs from the control device 40, and holds information on the changed communicable capacity.

The SD-WAN router 30 is an example of a router device. The EPC device 50 is an example of a core network device. The eNB 20 is an example of a base station device. The UE 10 is an example of a terminal. Beara BR is an example of a communication path. SD-WAN30D is an example of a communication line.

As a result, the LTE communication system 5 is provided with the control device 40, so that the communicable capacity of the plurality of bearer BRs can be changed according to the change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D. In the LTE communication system 5, the EPC device 50 can control communication according to a change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D by referring to the changed communicable capacity of the plurality of bearer BRs, and the line of the SD-WAN30D. Communication quality can be achieved in response to changes in capacity. Further, the LTE communication system 5 can eliminate the need to individually generate and set the communicable capacity for each UE 10. Therefore, the LTE communication system 5 can save the trouble of the user who uses the LTE communication system 5 related to the generation of the communicable capacity of the bearer BR, and can improve the convenience of the user. Further, the LTE communication system 5 makes it easy to maintain a constant utilization efficiency of the SD-WAN30D in the LTE communication system 5 even when the line quality of the SD-WAN30D changes dynamically. In this way, the LTE communication system 5 can suppress a decrease in network utilization efficiency related to LTE communication.

Further, the LTE communication system 5 facilitates monitoring of line conditions such as line capacity by the SD-WAN router 30 by performing LTE communication via SD-WAN 30D. Then, the LTE communication system 5 can dynamically distribute the traffic amount even when the traffic request amount of the SD-WAN30D changes, and can stabilize the LTE communication.

The change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D may include a decrease in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D.

As a result, even if the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D is reduced, the LTE communication system 5 can reduce the communicable capacity of each bearer BR according to the reduced line capacity, and suppresses the occurrence of congestion in each bearer BR. can.

The change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D may include an increase in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D.

As a result, even if the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D increases, the LTE communication system 5 can increase the communicable capacity of each bearer BR according to the increased line capacity, and the utilization efficiency of each bearer BR becomes too small. Can be suppressed.

The information on the communicable capacity may include information on the maximum bit rate (MBR value).

As a result, the LTE communication system 5 can change the MBR value according to the change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D.

The EPC device 50 may include a PGW 51. Information on the maximum bit rate may be included in the PCRF 52 policy. The policy may be changed based on the changed MBR value from the control device 40. The PGW 51 may control communication via the plurality of bearer BRs according to the changed policy.

As a result, the LTE communication system 5 can change the MBR value, which is one of the parameters included in the PCRF policy, in the plurality of bearer BRs according to the change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D. Therefore, the LTE communication system 5 can manage the line status of the SD-WAN30D in cooperation with the parameters related to the LTE protocol, and can control the communication via the bearer BR using the changed MBR value.

The EPC device 50 may include a control device 40.

As a result, the LTE communication system 5 can simplify the configuration of the LTE communication system 5 without the need to separately provide a control device 40. The LTE communication system 5 can change the communicable capacity of each bearer BR according to the change in the line capacity of the SD-WAN30D even with a single device.

The LTE communication method may include a method of virtually communicating according to the LTE protocol via the WAN.

As a result, the eNB 20 is not limited to the case where the LTE communication is physically performed using the LTE line, and the LTE communication system 5 is not limited to the case where the communication according to the LTE protocol is virtually performed on the communication line other than the LTE line. , The communicable capacity of each bearer BR can be changed according to the change in the line capacity of the communication line.

Although various embodiments have been described above with reference to the drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can come up with various modifications or modifications within the scope of the claims, which naturally belong to the technical scope of the present invention. Understood.

The present invention is useful for LTE communication systems, communication control methods, and the like that can suppress a decrease in network utilization efficiency related to LTE communication.

5,5X LTE communication system 10,10A, 10B, 10C, 10X, 10X1, 10X2, 10X3 UE
20,20X eNB
30 SD-WAN router 30D SD-WAN
31 Processing unit 32 Storage unit 33 Communication unit 40 Control device 41 Processing unit 42 Storage unit 43 Communication unit 50, 50X EPC device 51, 51X PWG
52, 52X PCRF
53,53X SGW
54,54X MME
55,55X HSS
BR, BR1 Beara N1 WAN line

Claims (7)

An LTE communication system including a core network device that communicates according to an LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication method, and a router device and a control device.
The router device detects a change in the line capacity of a communication line connecting the core network device and one or more base station devices.
The control device is
Obtaining information on the line capacity after the change in the communication line,
Information on the communicable capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths connecting the core network device and the plurality of terminals connected to the base station device is acquired.
Based on the line capacity after the change of the communication line and the ratio of the communicable capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths, the communicable capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths is changed.
The core network device is
The changed communicable capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths is acquired from the control device, and the communicable capacity is acquired from the control device.
Retains the information on the communicable capacity after the change,
The communication line is SD-WAN (Software Defined --Wide Area Network).
LTE communication system. The LTE communication system according to claim 1.
The change in the line capacity of the communication line includes a decrease in the line capacity of the communication line.
LTE communication system. The LTE communication system according to claim 1 or 2.
The change in the line capacity of the communication line includes an increase in the line capacity of the communication line.
LTE communication system. The LTE communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The information on the communicable capacity includes information on the maximum bit rate.
LTE communication system. The LTE communication system according to claim 4.
The core network device includes a PGW (Packet data network GateWay).
The maximum bit rate information is included in the PCRF (Policy and Charging Rule Function) policy.
The policy is modified based on the communicable capacity from the controller.
The PGW controls communication via the plurality of communication paths according to the changed policy.
LTE communication system. The LTE communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 .
The core network device includes the control device.
LTE communication system. It is a communication control method in an LTE communication system that communicates according to the LTE communication system.
Detects changes in the line capacity of the communication line connecting the core network device and one or more base station devices,
Obtaining information on the line capacity after the change in the communication line,
Information on the communicable capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths connecting the core network device and the plurality of terminals connected to the base station device is acquired.
Based on the line capacity after the change of the communication line and the ratio of the communicable capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths, the communicable capacity of each of the plurality of communication paths is changed.
Based on each communicable capacity after the change of the plurality of communication paths, communication via the plurality of communication paths is controlled .
The communication line is SD-WAN.
Communication control method.

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