KR20050079957A - Core net simulator enable to interface dynamically with heterogeneous multiple rncs in 3rd generation mobile telecommunications, and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

In the third generation mobile communication, a core network (CN) simulation apparatus designed to enable dynamic matching with a plurality of radio network controllers (RNCs) having different connection methods. And to a method.

The third generation mobile communication network is mainly composed of a radio access network (RAN) and a core network (CN). In this wireless access network, the main device that interfaces directly with the core network (CN) is a radio network controller (RNC). The radio network controller (RNC) is connected to an evolutionary version of a third generation mobile communication network. However, the device structure may vary. Therefore, the core network (CN) should support the service according to the connection method and structure.

While the conventional core network (CN) simulation apparatus was a structure that matches only a predefined radio network controller (RNC) in a fixed manner, the core network (CN) simulation apparatus and method of the present invention is arbitrary in any manner. Dynamic matching to the radio network controller (RNC) is enabled, providing core network (CN) services in various forms without interruption.

Description

Core net simulator enable to interface dynamically with heterogeneous multiple RNCs in 3rd generation mobile telecommunications, and method therefor}

In the third generation mobile communication, a core network (CN) simulation apparatus designed to enable dynamic matching with a plurality of radio network controllers (RNCs) having different connection methods. And to a method.

The technical field of the present invention is largely the field of the tester and test method of the mobile communication system, in particular, the simulation device for providing the functions and services required for the target system by interworking with the development or test target system, In the field of methods. That is, it is a simulation device that provides the functions and services of the core network (CN) for the development and testing of the Radio Access Network (RAN), which is mainly a system such as a radio network controller (RNC). .

In general, the third generation mobile communication network is a core network (CN) for providing mobile communication services and a wireless access network (RAN) that provides access to the core network (CN) from a mobile station (MS). It can be said that.

Here, a core network (CN) is required to develop a wireless terminal and a wireless access network and to test its functions and services, and since the core network (CN) requires a lot of time and cost, it is possible to replace the role thereof. It is common to use simulation devices.

However, the problem is that this third generation mobile communication network is rapidly evolving toward the so-called fourth generation mobile communication network, and the connection (interface) method and device structure of the core network (CN) and the wireless access network are different depending on the evolution version. That is, the access method and structure of the wireless access network and the core network (CN) are evolving, and accordingly, the form is diverse. Specifically, the access method may be classified into an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), an Internet Protocol (IP) or a mixed method, and the access structure may be classified according to a call processing control structure, a user traffic processing structure, and the like. And the network configuration of the core network (Core Net; CN) and the connection structure between the systems is different.

The conventional simulation apparatus is fixed in its connection method and structure, and even if a plurality of methods / structures are provided, the simulation apparatus cannot cope dynamically, resulting in many inconveniences and limitations in the use of the tester. Here, "dynamic response" means that the tester recognizes the connection system and structure of the target system by itself, and thus provides the services of the core network (CN) required by the target system without interruption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is possible to dynamically match any radio network controller (RNC) in any connection method, so that the simulation apparatus for providing a core network (CN) service in various forms without interruption And the treatment procedure and method thereof.

The technical problem to be achieved by the present invention is to recognize the target system largely and to respond dynamically accordingly. In order to recognize any target system (s), it is necessary to dynamically grasp various address identification information of the target system, the connection method and the connection structure applied by the system. In addition, depending on the perceived target system (s), the simulation apparatus must dynamically adapt the connection scheme and connection structure with them. In order to recognize the target system by itself and to dynamically correspond to the simulation apparatus, various kinds of information are databased.

1 shows a basic configuration of a third generation mobile communication network. It is composed of a core network (CN) and a plurality of radio access networks (RAN). A radio access network (RAN) is a network that provides access to a core network (CN) to provide a mobile communication service to a radio terminal (MS), and generally mobile switching of the core network (CN) through a radio network controller (RNC) It is directly connected to a system such as a mobile switching center (MSC) and a serving GPRS support node (SGSN). A core network (CN) is a network composed of systems for providing various services to a mobile communication user. The system directly connects to a wireless access network (RAN) to perform related processing, a database system having various information, and a network to other networks. It consists of a system that performs connection processing. Typically, 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project, hereinafter referred to as "3GPP") refers to the interface specification point between the radio access network (RAN) and the core network (CN), and specifically, the Circuit Service (Circuit Service). Iu-CS for CS, Iu-PS for Packet Service (PS), and BroadCasting Service (CBC) for Cell Broadcasting Service (CBS). And the like).

FIG. 2 (a) is a basic structural diagram of a protocol stack required for matching a radio access network (RAN) and a core network (CN). 2 (b) to 2 (d) show a basic protocol stack structure of Iu-CS, Iu-PS, and Iu-BC recommended by 3GPP based on the structure of FIG. 2 (a), respectively. Such or similar protocol stacks are standard in the network. As shown in FIG. 2, in each structure, the Iu protocol stack is divided into a control plane and a user plane, and is divided into an upper radio network layer and a lower transport network layer. It is composed. This may vary depending on the target mobile communication service method and protocol type.

3 is a functional configuration diagram of a core network (CN) simulation apparatus of the present invention. The core network (CN) simulation device is simply a physical media, a protocol server, a message processing block, a core network (CN) function processing block, a core network (CN) function management block, a core network (CN) function control block, an associated database and dynamic matching processing. It can be said that it consists of blocks. Hereinafter, each component is demonstrated.

* Physical medium: A medium of a physical layer for communication with a remote system such as an actual radio network controller (RNC), and is generally divided into an ATM base and an Ethernet base. The radio network controller (RNC) may be classified into a hybrid-RNC that accommodates ATM-RNC, IP-RNC, or both according to the type of the medium.

* Protocol Server: A server that modulates the common protocols of lower layers in the protocol stack of FIG. (MTP3 User Adaptation) server, Iu-UP (User Protocol) server, GTP-U (General Tunneling Protocol-User) server, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) server and the like.

* Message processing block: A software (S / W) block for encoding / decoding messages of upper layer protocols in the protocol stack of FIG. 2 and transmitting and receiving messages through a protocol server, wherein the radio access network (RAN) application part Or RAN Application Part (RANAP), Access Link Control Application Part (ALCAP), Iu-UP, GTP-U, Service Area Broadcast Protocol (SABP), or the like.

Core Network (CN) Function Processing Block: A software (S / W) block that handles the unique functions of the Core Network (CN), which has several to process multiple services at the same time.

* Core Network (CN) Function Management Block: Software (S / W) block to support and manage the functions of the Core Network (CN) simulation device.

* Core Network (CN) Function Control Block: A software (S / W) block that operates and controls the general network (CN) simulation device.

Dynamic matching processing block: In processing the unique functions of the core network (CN), each CN function processing block has a core network (CN) control block, related message processing blocks, protocol servers, physical media and remote systems (RNC, etc.). Software (S / W) blocks that dynamically match the back.

* Database (DB): There is a database that configures various call processing data, subscriber information, network shape data, etc. required for the CN simulation apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a dynamic matching embodiment between a radio access network (RAN) and a core network (CN) simulation apparatus of the present invention. The matching between the core network (CN) and the radio access network (RAN) depends on the type of service, the method of the radio network controller (RNC), the communication network architecture options, etc., and the given core network (CN) function processing block is determined accordingly. The message processing block, the protocol server, the physical medium, and the target radio network controller (RNC) are determined by the dynamic matching processing block. These matching structures can vary, but only four are shown in the examples.

<First Embodiment>

As a matching configuration for providing a line service (CS) such as a voice call, the following matching is required between the core network (CN) function processing block 1 of FIG. 4 and the radio network controller (RNC2). The radio network controller (RNC2) is an ATM radio network controller (RNC), and an example in which an interworking with a media gateway (MGW) is separately required for the main line service CS. It demonstrates with reference to FIG. 2 (b).

* Radio Network Control Plane (C-Plane) Matching: A Radio Access Network (RAN) Application Processing (RANAP) message processing block, for a control plane (C-Plane) with an ATM wireless network controller (RNC), Matches with a broadband MTP Layer 3 (MTP3B) server and ATM physical media.

Transport Network Control Plane (C-Plane) Matching: Matches with an Access Link Control Application Part (ALCAP) message processing block, Broadband MTP Layer 3 (MTP3B) server, and ATM physical media for separate matching with the Media Gateway (MGW).

User Plane (U-plane) Matching: Matches with an Iu-UP message processing block, an Iu-UP server and an ATM physical medium for matching with a Media Gateway (MGW) for circuit service (CS) traffic processing. .

Second Embodiment

As a matching configuration for providing the packet service PS, the following matching is required between the core network (CN) function processing block 2 of FIG. 4 and the radio network controller RNC5. In the case of packet service (PS), an IP type radio network controller (RNC) is generally applied. It demonstrates with reference to FIG. 2 (c).

Control Plane (C-Plane) Matching: For the control plane (C-Plane) with IP-based Radio Network Controller (RNC), Radio Access Network (RAN) Application Processing (RANAP) message processing block, M3UA server and Ethernet physical Match to media.

U-plane matching: Matches to GTP-U message processing block, GTP-U server and Ethernet physical media for packet service (PS) traffic processing.

Third Embodiment

As a matching configuration for providing another type of packet service (PS), the following matching is required between the core network (CN) function processing block 3 of FIG. 4 and the radio network controller (RNC4). Packet service (PS) can be connected to a wireless network controller (RNC) in the form of ATM, IP or hybrid (Hybrid), but the wireless network controller (RNC4) of the present embodiment is a hybrid method of mixing ATM and IP Is a radio network controller (RNC). It demonstrates with reference to FIG. 2 (c).

Control plane (C-Plane) matching: For IP-based control plane (C-Plane), it matches with a Radio Access Network (RAN) Application Processing (RANAP) message processing block, M3UA server and Ethernet physical media.

User-Plane Matching: Matches GTP-U message processing blocks, GTP-U servers and ATM physical media for ATM traffic handling.

Fourth Embodiment

As a matching configuration for providing a Cell Broadcasting Service (CBS), the following matching is required between the core network (CN) function processing block 4 of FIG. 4 and the radio network controller RNC6. The cell broadcast service (CBS) is defined as a single plane without a control plane (C-Plane) / user plane (U-plane). It demonstrates with reference to FIG. 2 (d).

Service Area Broadcast (SAB) Plane Matching: Matches with a Service Area Broadcast Protocol (SABP) message processing block, TCP server, and Ethernet physical media for matching with an IP-based radio network controller (RNC).

Fig. 5 is a flowchart of dynamic matching processing of the core network (CN) simulation apparatus of the present invention. Dynamic registration processing blocks are by default

(1) When receiving a start message from a radio access network (RAN),

(2) the core network (CN) simulation apparatus requests service to the radio access network (RAN); and

(3) When additional matching is requested among the services

Can be divided into It demonstrates sequentially below.

(1) When a start message is received from a radio access network (RAN)

When the service is initiated from the radio terminal (MS), the service receives a message (eg, L3 (Layer 3) Initial Message) that is not assigned to the core network (CN) function processing block from the radio network controller (RNC). to be. Process as follows:

① You will be notified of this fact along with the relevant information from the corresponding message processing block.

② Allocate a core network (CN) function processing block to process the service, and allocate various signaling connection information to be applied locally.

③ Analyze the received message and the received information to recognize the wireless terminal (MS) that sent the service, the target wireless network controller (RNC), the requested service method, and the like. The target wireless network is referred to by referring to the network database (DB). Various address information of the controller RNC, a scheme of the radio network controller RNC, identification information of the radio terminal MS, etc. are grasped.

(4) Based on the above information, the basic matching structure information necessary for the service is determined. The information necessary for the control plane (C-Plane) registration is mainly determined, and the user plane (U-plane) is determined in advance if possible.

⑤ The determined information is notified to the assigned core network (CN) function processing block to process the corresponding service.

(2) When a core network (CN) simulation device requests a service to a radio access network (RAN)

In the case of initiating a service from a core network (CN) to a wireless terminal (MS), a case in which the core network (CN) control block generally receives a corresponding service command from a simulation device operator. Process as follows:

① It receives a message transfer (MT) service together with the relevant information from the CN control block.

② Allocate a core network (CN) function processing block to process the service, and allocate various signaling connection information to be applied locally.

(3) Selecting a target wireless network controller (RNC) by referring to the location information of the mobile terminal (MS) to which the service is to be received and the network database (DB), and selecting various address information of the wireless network controller (RNC), Learn how to use RNC.

(4) Based on the above information, the basic matching structure information necessary for the service is determined. The information necessary for the control plane (C-Plane) registration is mainly determined, and the user plane (U-plane) is determined in advance if possible.

⑤ The determined information is notified to the assigned core network (CN) function processing block to process the corresponding service.

(3) When additional matching is requested among the services

The core network (CN) processing block needs additional matching structure information during service processing or when the existing matching structure is inevitable. Process as follows:

① For the above reasons, this additional matching information is requested together with the relevant information from the corresponding core network (CN) function processing block.

② Analyze the requested information. Mainly, a request is made for matching information about a user plane (U-plane) negotiated during service or for a change in a given U-plane.

③ According to the above information, determine additional matching structure information required for the corresponding service.

(4) The determined information is notified to the assigned core network (CN) function processing block to process the corresponding service.

Third generation mobile communication networks are rapidly evolving towards the so-called fourth generation mobile communication networks, and the evolution (version) of the core network and the wireless access network (interface) method and device structure vary widely. In addition, the network function and the target system related to the various service types are different. To cope with this diversity, we devised a processing procedure and method of the simulation apparatus to provide the core network (CN) service without interruption.

1 is a basic configuration diagram of a third generation mobile communication network.

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of a protocol stack required for matching the radio access network RAN and the core network CN. FIG. 2A is a basic structural diagram of the protocol stack, and FIG. 2B is lu-CS. Fig. 2 (c) is a lu-PS protocol stack structure diagram and Fig. 2 (d) is a lu-BC protocol stack structure diagram.

3 is a functional configuration diagram of a core network (CN) simulation apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an embodiment of dynamic matching between a radio access network (RAN) and a core network (CN) simulation apparatus.

5 is a dynamic matching processing flowchart of the core network (CN) simulation apparatus.

Claims (2)

In the core network simulation device capable of dynamic matching with a plurality of heterogeneous wireless network controller in the third generation mobile communication, It consists of physical media, protocol server, message processing block, core network (CN) function processing block, core network (CN) function management block, core network (CN) function control block, related database and dynamic matching processing block, The physical medium is a physical layer medium for communication with a remote system such as an actual wireless network controller (RNC), and is divided into an ATM base and an Ethernet base, and the wireless network controller (RNC) is a medium. Depending on the type of ATM-RNC, IP-RNC or hybrid-RNC that accommodates both, The protocol server is a server that modulates the common protocols of lower layers in the protocol stack and emulates the function itself. The protocol server is a broadband (MTP) Layer 3 (MTP3B) server or an MTP3 user adaptation (M3UA). Server), Iu-UP (User Protocol) server, GTP-U (General Tunneling Protocol-User) server, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) server, etc. The message processing block is a software (S / W) block that encodes / decodes messages of upper layer protocols in a protocol stack and transmits and receives a message through a protocol server, and is a Radio Access Network (RAN) application part (RAN). Application Part (RANAP), Access Link Control Application Part (ALCAP), Iu-UP, GTP-U, Service Area Broadcast Protocol (SABP), etc. The core network (CN) function processing block is a software (S / W) block for processing the unique functions of the core network (CN), and a plurality of them are provided to process several services at the same time, The core network (CN) function management block is a software (S / W) block for supporting and managing the functions of the core network (CN) simulation apparatus, The core network (CN) function control block: a software (S / W) block for the overall operation and control of the core network (CN) simulation device, The database (DB) is composed of a database constituting various call processing data, subscriber information, network shape data, etc. necessary for the core network (CN) simulation apparatus, The dynamic matching processing block may include a core network (CN) control block, an associated message processing block, a protocol server, a physical medium, a remote system (RNC, etc.) in each of the core network (CN) functional processing blocks. Is a software (S / W) block that dynamically matches For dynamic matching with a radio access network (RAN), a given core network (CN) functional processing block is determined accordingly, depending on the type of service, the scheme of the radio network controller (RNC), and the communication network architecture options. The protocol server, physical medium and target radio network controller (RNC) are determined by dynamic matching processing blocks. If necessary, control plane (C-Plane) matching, transmission network control plane (C-Plane) matching, user plane (U-plane) matching, and service area broadcasting (SAB) plane (Plane) configured to perform at least one or more of the matches Core network simulation device capable of dynamic matching with a plurality of heterogeneous wireless network controller in the third generation mobile communication. In the core network simulation method capable of dynamically matching with a plurality of heterogeneous wireless network controller in the third generation mobile communication using the device having the configuration of claim 1, In the dynamic matching processing block, at least (1) When receiving a start message from a radio access network (RAN), (2) the core network (CN) simulation apparatus requests service to the radio access network (RAN); and (3) When additional matching is requested among the services The matching processing is performed dynamically by dividing by, and the processing step in each case above is (1) When a start message is received from a radio access network (RAN) (1) receiving a notification of this fact together with relevant information from the corresponding message processing block that has recognized this; (2) assigning a core network (CN) functional processing block to process a corresponding service and allocating various signaling connection information to be applied locally; ③ Analyze the received message and the received information to recognize the wireless terminal (MS) that sent the service, the target wireless network controller (RNC), the requested service method, and the like. The target wireless network is referred to by referring to the network database (DB). Identifying various address information of the controller RNC, a scheme of the wireless network controller RNC, identification information of the wireless terminal MS, and the like; (4) Based on the above information, the basic matching structure information necessary for the service is determined. Determining information necessary for control plane (C-Plane) matching, and predetermining a user plane (U-plane) if possible; ⑤ The determined information consists of a step of notifying the assigned core network (CN) function processing block to process the corresponding service, (2) When a core network (CN) simulation device requests a service to a radio access network (RAN) (1) receiving a request for a message transfer (MT) service together with related information from a core network (CN) control block recognizing this; (2) assigning a core network (CN) functional processing block to process a corresponding service and allocating various signaling connection information to be applied locally; (3) Selecting a target wireless network controller (RNC) by referring to the location information of the mobile terminal (MS) to which the service is to be received and the network database (DB), and providing various address information of the wireless network controller (RNC) and the wireless network controller ( Identifying a method of RNC); (4) Based on the above information, the basic matching structure information necessary for the service is determined. Determining information necessary for control plane (C-Plane) matching, and predetermining a user plane (U-plane) if possible; ⑤ The determined information consists of a step of notifying the assigned core network (CN) function processing block to process the corresponding service. (3) When additional matching is requested among the services (1) receiving this additional matching information together with the relevant information from the corresponding core network (CN) functional processing block for the above reason; ② Analyze the requested information. Receiving a request for matching information about a user plane (U-plane) negotiated during a service or a change of a given user plane (U-plane); Determining, according to the information, additional matching structure information required for the service; ④ Notified to the assigned core network (CN) function processing block, and consists in the step of processing the service Core network simulation method capable of dynamic matching with a plurality of heterogeneous wireless network controllers in the third generation mobile communication.