JP7099903B2 - Communication control system and communication control method - Google Patents

Description

One aspect of the present invention relates to a communication control system and a communication control method.

The following Non-Patent Documents 1 to 4 disclose an architecture relating to 5GC (5G Core Network), which is a core network of a 5th generation mobile communication system (5th generation).

3GPP TS 23.501 V15.2.0 (2018-06) 3GPP TS 23.502 V15.2.0 (2018-06) 3GPP TS 24.501 V15.0.0 (2018-06) 3GPP TS 33.501 V15.1.0 (2018-06)

When one communication terminal connects to 5GC via both a cellular access network and a non-cellular access network, the communication terminal and AMF (Access and Mobility management Function), which is a component of 5GC, Two control planes (C-Planes) are generated between them. In 3GPP, which formulates standard specifications after the 3rd generation mobile communication system (3rd generation), this control plane is called an N1 interface. One control plane goes through the cellular access network and the other cellular access network goes through the non-cellular access network. Since these control planes are independent of each other, a large amount of communication resources are consumed accordingly.

Therefore, it is desired to save communication resources when the communication terminal communicates simultaneously using both cellular communication and non-cellular communication.

The communication control system according to one aspect of the present invention is a target terminal capable of performing simultaneous connection using both cellular communication via a cellular access network and non-cellular communication via a non-cellular access network, and mobile communication. Connection control that controls the control plane that connects the target terminal and the mobile management function that has a storage unit that stores the terminal information of the communication terminal connected to the core network. The connection control unit establishes a cellular control plane via the cellular access network between the target terminal and the mobile management function, and responds to requests for simultaneous connections to create a non-cellular access network. Both cellular communication and non-cellular communication by the target terminal are controlled by using the cellular side control plane without using the non-cellular side control plane via the target terminal.

The communication control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a mobile communication with a target terminal capable of executing simultaneous connection using both cellular communication via a cellular access network and non-cellular communication via a non-cellular access network. It is a communication control method executed by a communication control system connected to the core network of the above, and connects the target terminal and a movement management function having a storage unit for storing the terminal information of the communication terminal connected to the core network. The connection control step includes the connection control step that controls the control plane, and the connection control step is a sub-step that establishes the cellular side control plane via the cellular access network between the target terminal and the mobile management function, and a request corresponding to simultaneous connection. In response to, the substep of controlling both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal by using the cellular side control plane without using the non-cellular side control plane via the non-cellular access network is included.

In this aspect, both cellular and non-cellular communication are performed using the cellular side control plane. Since it is not necessary to use the non-cellular side control plane, it is possible to save communication resources when the communication terminal executes simultaneous communication.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to save communication resources when a communication terminal communicates simultaneously using both cellular communication and non-cellular communication.

It is a figure which shows an example of the structure of the communication system in embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional structure of AMF (communication control system) which concerns on embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the operation of the communication system in Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the operation of the communication system in Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the operation of the communication system in Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the simultaneous connection corresponding to the process shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the operation of the communication system in Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the simultaneous connection corresponding to the process shown in FIG. 7. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the computer used for the communication control system which concerns on embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

The communication control system according to the embodiment is a computer system that connects a communication terminal and a core network of mobile communication.

A communication terminal is a computer having a data communication function. The type of data transmitted and received by the communication terminal is not limited, and for example, the data may include at least one of text, still image, moving image, and voice. The type of communication terminal is not limited in any way. The communication terminal may be a mobile terminal, a stationary terminal, or a terminal attached to an arbitrary device such as a mobile body. For example, the communication terminal may be a mobile phone, a fixed telephone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a wearable terminal, a personal computer, or an in-vehicle device. The communication terminal is used by the user. The user can acquire or send information or make a call with the other party by using the communication terminal. In the present specification, the communication terminal is also referred to as "UE" (User Equipment).

Mobile communication refers to a communication method that assumes that at least one of two communication terminals that transmit and receive data to and from each other can move. Both communication terminals may be stationary. The core network is a network that forms the core of mobile communication, and is equipped with various communication control devices.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a communication system 1 to which the communication control system according to the present embodiment is applied. As an example, the communication system 1 constitutes 5GC, which is a core network 2 for mobile communication. The communication system 1 connects the UE 3 and the data network 4 that provides a service to the UE 3. The service provided by the data network 4 is not limited, and may be, for example, Internet access, a service provided by a telecommunications carrier, or a service provided by a telecommunications carrier other than the telecommunications carrier.

The UE 3 can execute data communication with the data network 4 using at least one of cellular communication via the 3GPP access network 5 and non-cellular communication via the non-3GPP access network 6. The UE 3 can execute simultaneous connection using both cellular communication and non-cellular communication. Simultaneous connection means that the UE 3 connects to the data network 4 via cellular communication and also connects to the data network 4 via non-cellular communication. By this simultaneous connection, the UE 3 can execute data communication with the data network 4 using the two access networks. Simultaneous connection can also contribute to improving the stability of data communication.

The access network is a network that connects a communication terminal and a core network. The 3GPP access network 5 is an example of a cellular access network, and the non-3GPP access network 6 is an example of a non-cellular access network. Cellular communication is a communication method in which an area is divided into cells, base stations are installed in each cell, and wireless communication is performed via the base stations. Examples of cellular communication include 3G (3rd Generation) communication, 4G (4th Generation) communication, and LTE (Long Term Evolution) communication. However, the types of cellular communication are not limited to these, and any method may be adopted. Non-cellular communication refers to a communication method other than cellular communication. Examples of non-cellular communication include wireless LAN, Wi-Fi®, and WiMAX®. However, the types of non-cellular communication are not limited to these, and any method may be adopted.

The core network 2 has various network functions (Network Promotion). In the present embodiment, among its network functions, AMF (Authentication and Mobility Management Function) 10, N3IWF (Non-3GPP InterWorking Function) 20, SMF (Session Management Function) 30, Session (Ussion) 40, and UF. Server Function) 50 is shown. The AMF 10 is a network function that manages the movement of the UE 3 in mobile communication provided by the communication system 1, that is, a movement management function. The N3IWF 20 is a network function that provides quality of service (QoS) differentiation and mapping between quality of service (QoS) and non-3GPP access resources. The SMF 30 is a network function that provides the UE 3 with connectivity for data communication. The UPF 40 is a network function that supports the function of a user plane (U-Plane) used for transmitting a data signal. AUSF50 is a network function that authenticates UE3. These network functions may be equivalent to or correspond to the functions, nodes, information, or concepts of the same term described in Non-Patent Documents 1-4 above. Each of these network functions is implemented by one or more computers.

FIG. 1 also shows the reference points described in the above-mentioned Non-Patent Documents 1 to 4. Each reference point indicates an interface that is a control plane (C-Plane) connecting two nodes. The control plane is a communication path for transmitting a signal for communication control. The Y1 interface connects the UE 3 with the non-3GPP access network 6. The Y1 interface is an interface corresponding to the reference point Y1, and the relationship between such an interface and the reference point is the same for other interfaces and other reference points. The N1 interface, N2 interface, and N3 interface can be generated for cellular and non-cellular communication, respectively.

As described above, the UE 3 can execute simultaneous connection using both cellular communication and non-cellular communication. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, two N1, N2, and two N3 interfaces may be generated for each UE 3. Two N1 interfaces connecting the UE 3 and the AMF 10 can be generated, but these two N1 interfaces are independent of each other, and each consumes communication resources independently. Therefore, the consumption of communication resources increases. The number of UEs 3 connected to the core network 2 can be very large, in which case the amount of communication resources consumed for the N1 interface can be enormous. The communication control system according to the present embodiment saves communication resources by controlling the N1 interface by a new method. In this embodiment, the communication control system is applied to AMF10.

In the present disclosure, the N1 interface via the 3GPP access network 5 is also referred to as a cellular side N1 interface, and the N1 interface via the non-3GPP access network 6 is also referred to as a non-cellular side N1 interface.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the AMF 10. The AMF 10 includes a storage unit 11 and a connection control unit 12 as functional elements.

The storage unit 11 is a functional element that stores terminal information of the UE 3 connected to the core network 2. In this embodiment, one record of terminal information corresponds to one or two N1 interfaces of one UE3. In the present embodiment, the terminal information may include NAS (Non-Access-Stratum) information including a terminal identifier and an access type identifier. This terminal information is generated using at least one of the information obtained from the UE 3 and the information obtained in the core network 2.

The terminal identifier is an identifier that uniquely identifies the UE 3. For example, at least one of SUPI (Subscription Permanent Identity) and 5G-GUTI (5G Globally Unique Temporary Identity) described in Non-Patent Documents 1 to 4 can be used as the terminal identifier. Any other data item may be used as the terminal identifier.

The access type identifier is an identifier that uniquely identifies the access network to which the UE 3 is connected. The type of access network can be identified from this access type identifier. Therefore, the terminal information also indicates the type of access network to which the communication terminal is connected.

The terminal information may include data items other than the terminal identifier and the access type identifier. The other data items may differ between the terminal information corresponding to the 3GPP access network 5 and the terminal information corresponding to the non-3GPP access network 6. For example, the terminal information corresponding to the 3GPP access network 5 may include data items that are not applied in the non-3GPP access network 6, such as data items related to paging.

The connection control unit 12 is a functional element that controls the connection between the UE 3 and the AMF 10. The connection control unit 12 controls the control plane connecting the UE 3 and the AMF 10, that is, the N1 interface for the simultaneous connection of the UE 3. In response to the request corresponding to the simultaneous connection, the connection control unit 12 controls both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication of the UE 3 by using the cellular side N1 interface without using the non-cellular side N1 interface. The cellular side N1 interface is an example of a cellular side control plane, and the non-cellular side N1 interface is an example of a non-cellular side control plane.

Simultaneous connection may be realized by further executing non-cellular communication by the UE 3 that has executed only cellular communication. In this case, the connection control unit 12 does not establish the non-cellular side N1 interface. By this process, both cellular communication and non-cellular communication are controlled by using the cellular side N1 interface.

Alternatively, the simultaneous connection may be realized by the UE 3 that has executed only the non-cellular communication further executes the cellular communication. In this case, the connection control unit 12 releases the non-cellular side N1 interface after establishing the cellular side N1 interface. By this process, both cellular communication and non-cellular communication are controlled by using the cellular side N1 interface.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 8, some examples of the operation of the communication system 1 for connecting the UE 3 to the core network 2 will be described. In the present disclosure, the UE 3 that tries to connect to the core network 2 is also referred to as a "target terminal".

FIG. 3 shows an example of a process of connecting a UE 3 that is not connected to the core network 2 to the core network 2 via the 3GPP access network 5 as a process flow S1.

In step S101, the UE 3 transmits a registration request to the 3GPP access network 5. This registration request includes the terminal identifier of the UE 3. In step S102, the 3GPP access network 5 selects AMF10. In step S103, the 3GPP access network 5 transfers the registration request to the selected AMF10.

In step S104, the connection control unit 12 of the AMF 10 calls the AUSF 50 and determines whether or not to execute the authentication of the UE 3. If it is determined to execute the authentication of the UE 3, the authentication of the UE 3 and the NAS security setting are executed, and the processes after step S105 are further executed. If it is determined that the authentication of the UE 3 is not executed, the processing is stopped at this point, and the hardware resources and network resources used for the connection processing of the UE 3 are released.

In step S105, the connection control unit 12 acquires the subscriber information regarding the user of the UE 3, that is, the subscriber, from UDM (Unified Data Management) (not shown).

In step S106, the connection control unit 12 executes a policy linkage establishment process (Policy Association Estation) process with a PCF (Policy Control Function) (not shown).

In step S107, the connection control unit 12 generates terminal information including the terminal identifier of the UE 3 and the access type identifier of the 3GPP access network 5, and stores the terminal information in the storage unit 11. In step S108, the connection control unit 12 transmits a registration acceptance to the UE 3 via the 3GPP access network 5 as a response to the registration request. In step S109, the UE 3 responds to the registration acceptance and transmits a registration completion (Registration Complete) to the AMF 10 via the 3GPP access network 5. As a result, the cellular side N1 interface is established between the UE 3 and the AMF 10, and the UE 3 connects to the core network 2 via the 3GPP access network 5.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a process of connecting a UE 3 that is not connected to the core network 2 to the core network 2 via a non-3GPP access network 6 as a process flow S2.

In step S201, the UE 3 connects to the non-3GPP access network 6. This connection is achieved by performing probe, authentication, and association requests and responses between the UE 3 and the non-3GPP access network 6 in accordance with the 802.11 standard.

In step S202, N3IWF20 to be connected to UE3 is selected. In step S203, the request and response of IKE_SA is executed between the UE 3 and the selected N3IWF20. In this process, the UE 3 transmits a registration request including the terminal identifier to the N3IWF 20.

In step S204, N3IWF20 selects AMF10 to be connected to UE3. In step S205, the N3IWF 20 transfers the registration request received from the UE 3 to the AMF 10.

In step S206, the connection control unit 12 of the AMF 10 calls the AUSF 50 and determines whether or not to execute the authentication of the UE 3. If it is determined to execute the authentication of the UE 3, the authentication of the UE 3 and the NAS security setting are executed, and the processes after step S207 are further executed. If it is determined that the authentication of the UE 3 is not executed, the processing is stopped at this point, and the hardware resources and network resources used for the connection processing of the UE 3 are released.

In step S207, the connection control unit 12 refers to the storage unit 11 and determines whether or not the terminal identifier of the UE 3 is stored. For example, the connection control unit 12 determines whether or not the terminal identifier of the UE 3 exists in the storage unit 11 by executing the search using one or both of the SUPI and the 5G-GUTI. When the UE 3 is not connected to the core network 2, the terminal identifier of the UE 3 does not exist in the storage unit 11. Therefore, the connection control unit 12 determines that the terminal identifier of the UE 3 is not stored.

In step S208, in response to the absence of the terminal identifier, the connection control unit 12 requests the NAS parameter and the security mode command from the UE 3 via the N3IWF20. In step S209, the UE 3 responds to the request and transmits the NAS parameter and the security mode command completion to the AMF 10 via the N3IWF 20. The AMF10 receives these data.

In step S210, the connection control unit 12 transmits the NGAP (Next Generation Application Protocol) context request to the N3IWF 20 in the wake of the reception. In step S211 the N3IWF 20 sends the EAP-Success / EAP-5G to the UE 3 in response to the NGAP context request. In step S212, IPsec SA is established between the UE 3 and the N3IWF 20. In step S213, the N3IWF 20 sends an NGAP context response to the AMF10 in response to the establishment of its IPsec SA, and the connection control unit 12 receives the response signal.

In step S214, the connection control unit 12 generates terminal information including the terminal identifier of the UE 3 and the access type identifier of the non-3GPP access network 6, and stores the terminal information in the storage unit 11. In step S215, the connection requesting unit transmits a NAS registration completion message indicating that the registration of the terminal information is completed to the UE 3 via the N3IWF20. This NAS registration completion message may include 5G-GUTI (5G-Globally Unique Temporary Identity). As a result, a non-cellular side N1 interface is established between the UE 3 and the AMF 10, and the UE 3 connects to the core network 2 via the non 3GPP access network 6.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a process in which the UE 3 executing cellular communication further connects to the core network 2 via the non-3GPP access network 6 as a process flow S3. This processing flow S3 shows the processing for realizing the simultaneous connection of the UE 3 after the cellular side N1 interface is established, that is, after the processing flow S1 described above.

The processing of steps S301 to S306 is the same as that of steps S201 to S206 described above. The registration request transmitted to the AMF 10 in step S305 is an example of a non-cellular communication start request corresponding to the UE 3 executing cellular communication, and is therefore an example of a request corresponding to simultaneous connection. If it is determined in step S306 that the authentication of the UE 3 is to be executed, the authentication of the UE 3 and the NAS security setting are executed, and the processes after step S307 are further executed.

In step S307, the connection control unit 12 refers to the storage unit 11 and determines whether or not the terminal identifier of the UE 3 sent from the UE 3 is stored. When the UE 3 is already connected to the core network 2 via the 3GPP access network 5, the terminal information including the terminal identifier of the UE 3 exists in the storage unit 11 as the target terminal information. Therefore, the connection control unit 12 determines that the terminal identifier of the UE 3 is stored.

In step S308, in response to the presence of the terminal identifier, the connection control unit 12 notifies the UE 3 via the N3IWF 20 that the UE 3 has already been registered.

In step S309, the connection control unit 12 generates common NAS information for the UE 3. The NAS information of the terminal information of the UE 3 stored in the storage unit 11 includes the access type identifier of the 3GPP access network 5 as the first access type identifier. The connection control unit 12 generates common NAS information by adding the access type identifier of the non-3GPP access network 6 as the second access type identifier to the NAS information. This common NAS information is NAS information that does not depend on the type of access network, and is shared between cellular communication and non-cellular communication.

In step S310, the connection control unit 12 transmits an inquiry signal for inquiring about acceptance of the update of the common NAS information to the UE 3 via the 3GPP access network 5. In step S311, the UE 3 responds to the inquiry and transmits an acceptance signal indicating acceptance of acceptance of the common NAS information to the AMF 10 via the 3GPP access network 5.

In step S312, the connection control unit 12 responds to the consent signal and stores the common NAS information in the storage unit 11, thereby updating the terminal information of the UE 3. That is, the connection control unit 12 updates the target terminal information in a format that does not depend on the type of access network.

In step S313, the connection control unit 12 requests the N3IWF 20 to release the N2 interface. In step S314, in response to the release request, the release request and response of IKE_SA are executed between the N3IWF 20 and the UE 3. In step S315, the N3IWF 20 sends a message to the AMF 10 indicating that the release of the N2 interface is complete. Since the common NAS information is generated and stored in the storage unit 11, both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the UE 3 are controlled by using the cellular side N1 interface without using the non-cellular side N1 interface.

FIG. 6 shows an example of simultaneous connection realized by the processing flow S3. In the processing flow S3, the non-cellular side N1 interface is not established from the beginning. User planes 61 and 62 for transmitting data signals are established between the UE 3 and the data network 4. Simultaneous connection using the user planes 61 and 62 is performed using the cellular side N1 interface without using the non-cellular side N1 interface.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a process in which the UE 3 executing non-cellular communication further connects to the core network 2 via the 3GPP access network 5 as a process flow S4.

In the communication system 1, the UE 3 connects to the core network 2 by the non-3GPP access network 6 according to the above processing flow S2. After that, the UE 3 connects to the 3GPP access network 5 according to the above processing flow S1. The registration request transmitted to the AMF 10 in step S103 of the processing flow S1 is an example of a request for starting cellular communication corresponding to the UE 3 executing non-cellular communication, and is therefore an example of a request corresponding to simultaneous connection.

In step S401, the connection control unit 12 of the AMF 10 generates common NAS information for the UE 3. At this point, the storage unit 11 describes the UE 3 with the first terminal information including the access type identifier of the 3GPP access network 5 as the first access type identifier and the second terminal information including the access type identifier of the non-3GPP access network 6. It stores information on two terminals. The connection control unit 12 generates common NAS information by adding the access type identifier of the non-3GPP access network 6 as the second access type identifier to the NAS information of the first terminal information. This common NAS information is NAS information that does not depend on the type of access network, and is therefore NAS information that can be shared between cellular communication and non-cellular communication. The reason why the common NAS information is generated by using the NAS information of the first terminal information is that the terminal information corresponding to the 3GPP access network 5 includes data items not applied to the non-3GPP access network 6, for example, data items related to paging. Is.

In step S402, the connection control unit 12 transmits an inquiry signal for inquiring about acceptance of common NAS information to the UE 3 via the 3GPP access network 5. In step S403, the UE 3 responds to the inquiry and transmits an acceptance signal indicating acceptance of acceptance of the common NAS information to the AMF 10 via the 3GPP access network 5.

In step S404, the connection control unit 12 stores the common NAS information in the storage unit 11 in response to the consent signal, thereby updating the first terminal information (target terminal information), that is, the terminal information of 3GPP. That is, the connection control unit 12 updates the first terminal information in a format that does not depend on the type of access network.

In step S405, the connection control unit 12 deletes the second terminal information, that is, the non-3GPP terminal information from the storage unit 11, and releases the non-cellular side N1 interface.

After that, the process of steps S406 to S408, which is the same as the above steps S313 to 315, is executed. Since the common NAS information is generated and stored in the storage unit 11, both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the UE 3 are controlled by using the cellular side N1 interface without using the non-cellular side N1 interface.

FIG. 8 shows an example of simultaneous connection realized by the processing flow S4. In the processing flow S4, the non-cellular side N1 interface is released. User planes 61 and 62 for transmitting data signals are established between the UE 3 and the data network 4. Simultaneous connection using the user planes 61 and 62 is performed using the cellular side N1 interface without using the non-cellular side N1 interface.

In the present embodiment, the connection control unit 12 generates common NAS information by adding a non-3GPP access type identifier to the NAS information whose access type is 3GPP access. However, the method of updating the target terminal information to a format independent of the type of the access network is not limited to this, and the connection control unit may update the target terminal information by using another method.

In the present embodiment, the communication control system according to the present disclosure is applied to the AMF 10, but a communication control device or a computer other than the AMF 10 may function as the communication control system. That is, a communication control device or a computer other than the AMF 10 may include a connection control unit.

The block diagram used in the description of the above embodiment shows a block of functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of hardware and / or software. Further, the means for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized by one physically and / or logically coupled device, or directly and / or indirectly by two or more physically and / or logically separated devices. It may be connected specifically (eg, wired and / or wireless) and realized by these plurality of devices.

For example, the communication control system according to the embodiment of the present invention may function as a computer that performs the processing of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a computer 100 that functions as a communication control system (for example, AMF10). The computer 100 may physically include a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, and the like.

In the following description, the word "device" can be read as a circuit, a device, a unit, or the like. The hardware configuration of the communication control system may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured not to include some of the devices.

For each function in the communication system 1, the processor 1001 performs an operation by loading predetermined software (program) on hardware such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, and the communication device 1004 communicates with the memory 1002 and the storage 1003. It is realized by controlling the reading and / or writing of the data in.

Processor 1001 operates, for example, an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, and the like. For example, at least a part of the functional elements of the communication control system may be realized by the processor 1001.

Further, the processor 1001 reads a program (program code), a software module and data from the storage 1003 and / or the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to these. As the program, a program that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above-described embodiment is used. For example, at least a part of the functional elements of the communication system 1 may be stored in the memory 1002 and realized by a control program operating in the processor 1001, and other functional blocks may be realized in the same manner. Although it has been described that the various processes described above are executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. Processor 1001 may be mounted on one or more chips. The program may be transmitted from the network via a telecommunication line.

The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium, and is composed of at least one such as a ROM (Read Only Memory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). May be done. The memory 1002 may be referred to as a register, a cache, a main memory (main storage device), or the like. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), a software module, or the like that can be executed to implement the wireless communication control method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

The storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and is, for example, an optical disk such as a CDROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a photomagnetic disk (for example, a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, or a Blu-ray (registration)). It may consist of at least one such as a (trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (eg, a card, stick, key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, and the like. The storage 1003 may be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The storage medium described above may be, for example, a table, server or other suitable medium containing memory 1002 and / or storage 1003.

The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via a wired and / or wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, or the like. For example, at least a part of the functional elements of the communication control system may be realized by the communication device 1004.

The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives an input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may have an integrated configuration (for example, a touch panel).

Further, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be composed of a single bus or may be composed of different buses between the devices.

Further, the computer 100 includes hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP: Digital Signal Processor), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The hardware may implement some or all of each functional block. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented on at least one of these hardware.

As described above, the communication control system according to one aspect of the present invention is an object capable of executing simultaneous connection using both cellular communication via a cellular access network and non-cellular communication via a non-cellular access network. A communication control system that connects a terminal and a core network of mobile communication, and controls that connect the target terminal and a mobile management function that has a storage unit that stores terminal information of the communication terminal connected to the core network. It is equipped with a connection control unit that controls the plane, and the connection control unit establishes a cellular control plane via the cellular access network between the target terminal and the mobile management function, and responds to requests for simultaneous connections. , Both cellular communication and non-cellular communication by the target terminal are controlled by using the cellular side control plane without using the non-cellular side control plane via the non-cellular access network.

The communication control method according to one aspect of the present invention is a mobile communication with a target terminal capable of executing simultaneous connection using both cellular communication via a cellular access network and non-cellular communication via a non-cellular access network. It is a communication control method executed by a communication control system connected to the core network of the above, and connects the target terminal and a movement management function having a storage unit for storing the terminal information of the communication terminal connected to the core network. The connection control step includes the connection control step that controls the control plane, and the connection control step is a sub-step that establishes the cellular side control plane via the cellular access network between the target terminal and the mobile management function, and a request corresponding to simultaneous connection. In response to, the substep of controlling both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal by using the cellular side control plane without using the non-cellular side control plane via the non-cellular access network is included.

In this aspect, both cellular and non-cellular communication are performed using the cellular side control plane. Since it is not necessary to use the non-cellular side control plane, it is possible to save communication resources when the communication terminal executes simultaneous communication. Further, by unifying the control plane between cellular communication and non-cellular communication, it is possible to simplify the control of simultaneous connection.

In the communication control system according to one aspect of the present invention, the storage unit stores the terminal information of the target terminal as the target terminal information, and the connection control unit updates the target terminal information in a format independent of the type of the access network. , Both cellular communication and non-cellular communication by the target terminal may be controlled by using the cellular side control plane. By updating the target terminal information to a format that does not depend on the type of access network, it is possible to reliably control both cellular communication and non-cellular communication by the target terminal using the cellular side control plane.

In the communication control system according to the other aspect, the connection control unit stores the target terminal information including the first access type identifier indicating the cellular access network in the storage unit, establishes the cellular side control plane, and establishes the cellular access network. By adding the second access type identifier indicating the above to the target terminal information, the target terminal information may be updated in a format independent of the type of the access network. By including the access type identifier of each of the two types of access networks in the terminal information, it is possible to save communication resources for simultaneous communication of communication terminals without significantly changing the mechanism of the existing communication system.

In the communication control system related to the other aspect, the connection control unit sends an inquiry signal for inquiring about acceptance of the update of the target terminal information to the target terminal, and a consent signal indicating acceptance of the update of the target terminal information is sent from the target terminal. In response to the reception, both cellular communication and non-cellular communication by the target terminal may be controlled by using the cellular side control plane. By receiving consent from the target terminal for updating the target terminal information, simultaneous connection using the cellular side control plane, which is a single control plane, can be reliably executed.

In the communication control system according to the other aspect, the request corresponding to the simultaneous connection is the request to start the non-cellular communication corresponding to the target terminal executing the cellular communication, and the connection control unit indicates the access type indicating the cellular access network. When the target terminal information including the identifier exists in the storage unit, both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal may be controlled by using the cellular side control plane without establishing the non-cellular side control plane. .. With this mechanism, when the target terminal using cellular communication further uses non-cellular communication, communication resources for simultaneous communication can be saved.

In the communication control system according to the other aspect, the request corresponding to the simultaneous connection is the request to start the cellular communication corresponding to the target terminal executing the non-cellular communication, and the connection control unit responds to the request to start the cellular communication. Then, the cellular side control plane is established between the target terminal and the movement management function, the non-cellular side control plane is released, and both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal are controlled by using the cellular side control plane. You may. With this mechanism, when the target terminal using the non-cellular communication further uses the cellular communication, the communication resource for the simultaneous communication can be saved.

In the communication control system according to the other aspect, both the cellular side control plane and the non-cellular side control plane may be N1 interfaces defined by 3GPP. Since it is not necessary to use the N1 interface on the non-cellular side, it is possible to save communication resources when the communication terminal executes simultaneous communication.

Although the present embodiment has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present embodiment is not limited to the embodiments described in the present specification. This embodiment can be implemented as an amendment or modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as determined by the description of the scope of claims. Therefore, the description of the present specification is for the purpose of illustration and does not have any limiting meaning to the present embodiment.

Notification of information is not limited to the embodiments and embodiments described herein, and may be performed by other methods. For example, information notification includes physical layer signaling (eg, DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), higher layer signaling (eg, RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling, etc. It may be carried out by broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block)), other signals, or a combination thereof. Further, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

Each aspect / embodiment described herein includes LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G, 5G, FRA (Future Radio Access), W-CDMA. (Registered Trademarks), GSM (Registered Trademarks), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), It may be applied to Bluetooth®, other systems that utilize suitable systems and / or next-generation systems that are extended based on them.

The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, and the like of each aspect / embodiment described in the present specification may be rearranged in order as long as there is no contradiction. For example, the methods described herein present elements of various steps in an exemplary order and are not limited to the particular order presented.

Information and the like can be output from the upper layer (or lower layer) to the lower layer (or upper layer). Input / output may be performed via a plurality of network nodes.

The input / output information and the like may be stored in a specific place (for example, a memory) or may be managed by a management table. Information to be input / output may be overwritten, updated, or added. The output information and the like may be deleted. The input information or the like may be transmitted to another device.

The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (Boolean: true or false), or by comparing numerical values (for example, a predetermined value). It may be done by comparison with the value).

Each aspect / embodiment described in the present specification may be used alone, in combination, or may be switched and used according to the execution. Further, the notification of predetermined information (for example, the notification of "being X") is not limited to the explicit one, but is performed implicitly (for example, the notification of the predetermined information is not performed). May be good.

Software, whether called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or other names, instructions, instruction sets, codes, code segments, program codes, programs, subprograms, software modules. , Applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, features, etc. should be broadly interpreted.

Further, software, instructions, and the like may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, the software may use wired technology such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twist pair and digital subscriber line (DSL) and / or wireless technology such as infrared, wireless and microwave to website, server, or other. When transmitted from a remote source, these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission medium.

The information, signals, etc. described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description are voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or photons, or any of these. It may be represented by a combination of.

The terms described herein and / or the terms necessary for understanding the present specification may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings.

The terms "system" and "network" used herein are used interchangeably.

Further, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present specification may be represented by an absolute value, a relative value from a predetermined value, or another corresponding information. .. For example, the radio resource may be indexed.

The names used for the parameters mentioned above are not limited in any way. Further, mathematical formulas and the like using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed herein. Since the various channels (eg, PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements (eg, TPC, etc.) can be identified by any suitable name, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are in any respect. However, it is not limited.

User terminals and mobile communication terminals may be used by those skilled in the art as subscriber stations, mobile units, subscriber units, wireless units, remote units, mobile devices, wireless devices, wireless communication devices, remote devices, mobile subscriber stations, access terminals, etc. It may also be referred to as a mobile device, wireless device, remote device, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term.

As used herein, the terms "determining" and "determining" may include a wide variety of actions. “Judgment” and “decision” are, for example, judgment, calculation, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, and looking up (for example, a table). , Searching in a table or another data structure), ascertaining can be regarded as "judgment" or "decision". Further, "judgment" and "decision" are receiving (for example, receiving information), transmitting (for example, transmitting information), input (input), output (output), and access. (Accessing) (for example, accessing data in memory) may be regarded as "judgment" or "decision". In addition, "judgment" and "decision" are considered to be "judgment" and "decision" when the things such as solving, selecting, selecting, establishing, and comparing are regarded as "judgment" and "decision". Can include. That is, "judgment" and "decision" may include considering some action as "judgment" and "decision".

The terms "connected", "coupled", or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or connection between two or more elements and each other. It can include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two "connected" or "joined" elements. The connection or connection between the elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As used herein, the two elements are by using one or more wires, cables and / or printed electrical connections, and, as some non-limiting and non-comprehensive examples, radio frequencies. By using electromagnetic energies such as electromagnetic energies with wavelengths in the region, microwave region and light (both visible and invisible) regions, they can be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other.

The phrase "based on" as used herein does not mean "based on" unless otherwise stated. In other words, the statement "based on" means both "based only" and "at least based on".

As used herein by designations such as "first", "second", etc., any reference to that element does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations can be used herein as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Thus, references to the first and second elements do not mean that only two elements can be adopted there, or that the first element must somehow precede the second element.

As long as "include", "including", and variations thereof are used herein or within the scope of the claims, these terms are similar to the term "comprising". In addition, it is intended to be inclusive. Moreover, the term "or" as used herein or in the claims is intended to be non-exclusive.

In the present specification, a plurality of devices shall be included unless the device has only one device apparently in context or technically.

1 ... communication system, 2 ... core network, 3 ... UE (communication terminal), 4 ... data network, 5 ... 3GPP access network (cellular access network), 6 ... non-3GPP access network (non-cellular access network), 10 ... AMF (Communication control system), 11 ... Storage unit, 12 ... Connection control unit, 20 ... N3IWF, 30 ... SMF, 40 ... UPF, 50 ... AUSF, 61, 62 ... User plain.

Claims (8)

It is a communication control system that connects a target terminal capable of simultaneous connection using both cellular communication via a cellular access network and non-cellular communication via a non-cellular access network, and a core network of mobile communication. hand,
A connection control unit for controlling a control plane connecting the target terminal and a movement management function having a storage unit for storing terminal information of a communication terminal connected to the core network is provided.
The connection control unit
A cellular side control plane via the cellular access network is established between the target terminal and the mobile management function.
In response to the request corresponding to the simultaneous connection, both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal are performed on the cellular side control plane without using the non-cellular side control plane via the non-cellular access network. Control using,
Communication control system. The storage unit stores the terminal information of the target terminal as the target terminal information,
By updating the target terminal information to a format independent of the type of the access network, the connection control unit controls both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal using the cellular side control plane. do,
The communication control system according to claim 1. The connection control unit
The target terminal information including the first access type identifier indicating the cellular access network is stored in the storage unit to establish the cellular side control plane.
By adding the second access type identifier indicating the non-cellular access network to the target terminal information, the target terminal information is updated in a format independent of the type of the access network.
The communication control system according to claim 2. The connection control unit
An inquiry signal for inquiring about acceptance of the update of the target terminal information is transmitted to the target terminal.
In response to receiving the consent signal indicating acceptance of the update of the target terminal information from the target terminal, both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal are controlled by using the cellular side control plane. do,
The communication control system according to claim 2 or 3. The request corresponding to the simultaneous connection is the request to start the non-cellular communication corresponding to the target terminal in which the cellular communication is being executed.
The connection control unit
When the target terminal information including the access type identifier indicating the cellular access network exists in the storage unit, the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal can be performed without establishing the non-cellular side control plane. Both are controlled by using the cellular side control plane.
The communication control system according to any one of claims 2 to 4. The request corresponding to the simultaneous connection is the request to start the cellular communication corresponding to the target terminal executing the non-cellular communication.
The connection control unit
In response to the cellular communication start request, the cellular side control plane is established between the target terminal and the mobile management function.
Release the non-cellular side control plane and
Both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal are controlled by using the cellular side control plane.
The communication control system according to any one of claims 2 to 4. Both the cellular side control plane and the non-cellular side control plane are N1 interfaces defined by 3GPP.
The communication control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. Executed by a communication control system that connects a target terminal capable of simultaneous connection using both cellular communication via a cellular access network and non-cellular communication via a non-cellular access network, and a core network of mobile communication. It is a communication control method that is used.
A connection control step for controlling a control plane connecting the target terminal and a movement management function including a storage unit for storing terminal information of a communication terminal connected to the core network is included.
The connection control step
A sub-step for establishing a cellular side control plane via the cellular access network between the target terminal and the mobile management function, and
In response to the request corresponding to the simultaneous connection, both the cellular communication and the non-cellular communication by the target terminal are performed on the cellular side control plane without using the non-cellular side control plane via the non-cellular access network. Including substeps controlled using
Communication control method.

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