WO2007096960A1

WO2007096960A1 - Control station apparatus and communication channel trouble notifying method

Info

Publication number: WO2007096960A1
Application number: PCT/JP2006/303185
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomofumi Tamura; Akito Fukui; Takeshi Kanazawa; Kenichiro Iida
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-02-22
Filing date: 2006-02-22
Publication date: 2007-08-30

Abstract

A control station apparatus wherein any communication channel trouble is detected and notified of, thereby suppressing wasted call receptions and data transfers and hence avoiding wasted resource consumptions. In this apparatus, a time synchronizing part (117) performs a time synchronization between an RNC (103) and a node B (101) in an FP layer and notifies a channel trouble detecting part (119) of a termination of the time synchronization. If not being notified of the termination of the time synchronization within a synchronization establishment limited-time, the channel trouble detecting part (119) determines that some channel trouble has occurred, and outputs information to the effect that some channel trouble has occurred. A C-plane processing part (120), when receiving the information to the effect that some channel trouble has occurred, notifies the rejection of any new call receptions to UEs under a charge of the node B (101), and further requests a transfer halt of a data to be transferred from another node B via an IP public network/user LAN/WAN (102).

Description

Specification

Control station apparatus and communication path failure notification method

Technical field

The present invention relates to a control station device and a communication path failure notification method, and more particularly to a control station device and a communication path failure notification method for detecting a communication path failure between a base station device and a control station device.

Background art

A mobile communication system includes a mobile terminal (hereinafter referred to as “UE”), a radio base station apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “Node B”), and a radio network control apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “RNC”) that controls Node B. And a core network (hereinafter referred to as “CN”) that performs UE location management, call control, and the like (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). RNC and Node B are connected via an IP public network / user LAN / WAN, which consists of routers or layer 2 switches. Fig. 1 shows an example of a mobile communication system, where 1 ^^ 12 and 1 ^^ C13 are connected through the same eleven. RNC12 is connected to Node B16 and Node B17 via IP public network / user LAN / WAN 14, and RNC13 is connected to Node B18 and Node B19 via IP public network / user LAN / WAN15. Has been. In addition, UE20 and UE22 are connected via a wireless line under Node B16, and UE21 is connected via a wireless line under Node B17.

Non-Patent Document 1: 3GPP, TS25.401 UTRAN overall description, V5.7.0

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0003] However, in the conventional apparatus, when connecting via the RNC and Node B power router or IP public network Z user LANZWAN composed of layer 2 switch, the communication path failure is not detected. The detection method has not been established. Therefore, even if a communication path failure occurs between RNC and Node B, RNC accepts a new call to Node B where the communication path failure has occurred, and wastes RNC internal resources. There is a problem. [0004] An object of the present invention is to detect and notify a communication path failure, thereby suppressing useless call acceptance and data transfer, so that it is possible to avoid useless consumption of resources. A station apparatus and a communication path failure notification method are provided.

Means for solving the problem

[0005] The control station apparatus of the present invention receives transmission means for transmitting a synchronization signal to the base station apparatus via a communication path, and receives the synchronization signal returned from the base station apparatus via the communication path. Receiving means, transmission timing of the synchronization signal transmitted by the transmission means, and information on reception timing of the synchronization signal included in the synchronization signal received by the reception means in the base station device A synchronization processing means for establishing synchronization with the base station apparatus based on the communication path, and a failure in the communication path when the synchronization processing means cannot establish synchronization with the base station apparatus within a synchronization establishment time limit. A path failure detection means for determining that a failure has occurred, and accepting a new call to a communication terminal apparatus subordinate to the base station apparatus when the path failure detection means determines that the failure has occurred. And a notification means for notifying the rejection of the transfer of data to the base station apparatus.

[0006] The communication path failure occurrence notification method according to the present invention includes a transmission timing of a synchronization signal to a communication partner and a reception timing of the synchronization signal included in the synchronization signal returned from the communication partner at the communication partner. A step of establishing synchronization with the communication partner based on the information, and a failure has occurred in the communication path with the communication partner when synchronization with the communication partner cannot be established within the synchronization establishment time limit And a step of notifying the occurrence of a failure when it is determined that a failure has occurred.

The invention's effect

[0007] According to the present invention, useless call reception and data transfer can be suppressed by detecting and notifying a communication path failure, so that useless consumption of resources can be avoided.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a mobile communication system FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the mobile communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing operations of the mobile communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing time synchronization processing according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a protocol configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

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

[0010] (Embodiment)

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of mobile communication system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The mobile communication system 100 includes Node B 101, IP public network Z user LANZWAN 102, RNC 103, and CN 104. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, description of UE, other RNC, and other Node B is omitted.

[0011] First, the configuration of Node B101 will be described. The transmission unit 106, the reception unit 107, and the time synchronization processing unit 110 constitute an FP processing unit 121. The radio reception unit 105, the transmission unit 106, the reception unit 107, the buffer 108, the radio transmission unit 109, and the time synchronization processing unit 110 constitute a U plane processing unit 122.

[0012] Radio receiving section 105 receives user data that has also been transmitted with UE power (not shown), wirelessly processes the received user data, and outputs the processed data to transmitting section 106.

Transmitter 106 performs FP processing on user data input from radio receiver 105 to generate an FP frame, and outputs the generated FP frame to IP public network Z user LANZWANIO 2. The transmission unit 106 performs FP processing on the time synchronization frame (synchronization signal) input from the time synchronization processing unit 110 and outputs the result to the IP public network Z user LANZWAN 102.

The receiving unit 107 performs FP processing on the FP frame input from the IP public network Z user LANZWAN 102 and outputs the result to the buffer 108. The receiving unit 107 performs FP processing on the time synchronization frame input from the IP public network Z user LANZWAN 102 and outputs the result to the time synchronization processing unit 110.

[0015] The notch 108 temporarily accumulates the FP frame input from the receiving unit 107 and outputs it to the radio transmitting unit 109. [0016] Radio transmission section 109 performs radio processing on the FP frame input from buffer 108 and transmits it to a UE (not shown).

[0017] Time synchronization processing section 110 performs time synchronization processing between RNC 103 and Node B 101 in the FP layer using a BFN counter (not shown). That is, the time synchronization processing unit 110 includes the time synchronization frame received from the reception unit 107 and the time synchronization frame reception time information and the time synchronization frame transmission time information to the transmission unit 106. Output. Here, the time synchronization processing is performed to calculate the delay between Node B101 and RNC 103 and the phase difference between the BFN counter of Node B 101 and the RFN counter of RNC 103. RFN is the frame number counted by the RNC 103, and BFN is the frame number counted by the Node B101.

[0018] C-plane processing unit 111 processes UE information (not shown) received control information or control information input from IP public network Z user LANZWAN102, and outputs it to IP public network Z user LA NZWAN102, or not shown Send to UE.

Next, the configuration of the RNC 103 will be described. The buffer 114, the transmission unit 115, the reception unit 116, the time synchronization processing unit 117, and the transmission timing control unit 118 constitute an FP processing unit 123. The RLC (Radio Link Control) processing unit 112, the MAC processing unit 113, the buffer 114, the transmission unit 115, the reception unit 116, the time synchronization processing unit 117, the transmission timing control unit 118, and the path failure detection unit 119 are U planes. The processing unit 124 is configured.

[0020] RLC processing section 112 performs RLC processing on the user data input from CN 104 and outputs the result to MAC processing section 113. Also, the RLC processing unit 112 performs RLC processing on the user data input from the MAC processing unit 113 and outputs the result to the CN 104.

The MAC processing unit 113 performs MAC processing on the user data input from the RLC processing unit 112 and outputs it to the buffer 114. Also, the MAC processing unit 113 performs MAC processing on the user data input from the receiving unit 116 and outputs the MAC data to the RLC processing unit 112.

The nota 114 temporarily accumulates the user data input from the MAC processing unit 113 and outputs the user data to the transmission unit 115.

[0023] Transmitting section 115 converts user data input from buffer 114 into an FP frame, and converts the converted FP frame to the IP public at a timing instructed by transmission timing control section 118. Network Z user Output to LANZWAN102. Further, the transmission unit 115 performs FP processing on the time synchronization frame input from the time synchronization processing unit 117 and outputs it to the IP public network Z user LANZWAN 102 at the timing instructed by the transmission timing control unit 118.

The receiving unit 116 performs FP processing on the FP frame input from the IP public network Z user LANZWAN 102 and outputs the result to the MAC processing unit 113. The receiving unit 116 performs FP processing on the time synchronization frame input from the IP public network Z user LANZWAN 102 and outputs the result to the time synchronization processing unit 117.

[0025] Time synchronization processing section 117 performs time synchronization processing between RNC 103 and Node B 101 in the FP layer using an RFN counter (not shown). That is, the time synchronization processing unit 117 outputs the time synchronization frame including the time information for transmitting the time synchronization frame to the transmission unit 115. In addition, time synchronization processing section 117 performs time synchronization between RNC 103 and Node B 101 based on the reception timing of the time synchronization frame input from reception section 116 and the time information included in the time synchronization frame. Process. Time synchronization processing section 117 then outputs the result of the time synchronization processing to transmission timing control section 118. In addition, when the time synchronization processing between the RNC 103 and the Node B 101 is completed, the time synchronization processing unit 117 notifies the path failure detection unit 119 that the time synchronization processing has been completed. The time synchronization processing method will be described later.

[0026] Transmission timing control section 118 receives RNC 103 and Node input from time synchronization processing section 117.

Based on the result of the time synchronization process with B101, the timing for transmitting the FP frame is determined. Then, the transmission timing control unit 118 instructs the transmission unit 115 to transmit the FP frame at the determined transmission timing.

[0027] The route failure detection unit 119 generates a route failure when it is notified from the time synchronization processing unit 117 that the time synchronization processing has been completed within the synchronization establishment time limit that is a predetermined time set in advance. Nothing is output because it is determined that it is not. Also, the route failure detection unit 119 determines that a route failure has occurred if the time synchronization processing unit 117 does not notify that the time synchronization processing is completed within the synchronization establishment limit time, and determines that the route failure has occurred. Information indicating that a failure has occurred is output to the C-plane processing unit 120. Then, the path failure detection unit 119 receives the synchronization establishment time limit newly set during the failure from the time synchronization processing unit 117. If it is notified that the time synchronization processing has been completed, information on failure recovery is output to the c-plane processing unit 120.

[0028] The C-plane processing unit 120 processes the control information input from the CN 104 or the control information input from the IP public network / user LANZWAN 102, and transmits it to the IP public network Z user LANZ WAN 102 or the CN 104. In addition, when information indicating that a path failure has occurred is input from the path failure detection unit 119, the C plane processing unit 120 notifies the CN 104 of rejection of acceptance of a new call to the UE under Node B101. IP public network Z user LA Requests the CN 104 and UEs under the other Node Bs to stop transferring data transferred from the other Node Bs via the LA NZWAN102. In addition, when the information on the recovery from the path failure is input from the path failure detection unit 119, the C plane processing unit 120 notifies the CN 104 that the new call reception to the UE under Node B101 is resumed, and the IP public Network Z user L Requests transfer of data transferred from other Node B via ANZWAN102 to CN 104 and UEs under other Node B.

Next, the operation of mobile communication system 100 will be described using FIG. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the mobile communication system 100.

[0030] First, the operation Ml at the normal time when no path failure has occurred will be described. The time synchronization processing unit 117 of the R NC 103 outputs a DL time synchronization frame at the time T1, and the R NC 103 transmits the DL time synchronization frame to all the subordinate Node B 101 (step ST201). At this time, the time synchronization processing unit 117 includes the information of the transmitted time T1 in the DL time synchronization frame. Further, the path failure detection unit 119 starts an internal timer. The RNC 103 periodically transmits a DL time synchronization frame to all the subordinate Node Bs 101 at the period Ts.

[0031] Next, Node B101 receives the DL time synchronization frame, and time synchronization processing section 110 of Node B101 receives the DL time synchronization frame at time T2.

[0032] Next, time synchronization processing section 110 outputs a DL time synchronization frame at time T3, and Node

B101 transmits a UL time synchronization frame to RNC103 (step ST202). At this time, the time synchronization processing unit 110 includes the received time T2 information and the transmitted time T3 information in the UL time synchronization frame. Therefore, at this point, the UL time synchronization frame Contains information about times Tl, Τ2, and Τ3.

[0033] Next, the RNC 103 receives the UL time synchronization frame, and the time synchronization processing unit 117 of the RNC 103 receives the UL time synchronization frame at time Τ4. Then, the time synchronization processing unit 117 performs time synchronization processing based on the information of the time した 4 when the UL time synchronization frame is received and the times Tl, Τ2, and Τ3 included in the UL time synchronization frame. Specifically, the time synchronization processor calculates the delay between RNC103 and Node B101 based on the time IJT1, T2, Τ3, and Τ4, as well as the time synchronization processor 117 of RNC103. And the phase difference of the counter which the time base processing part 110 of Node B101 has is calculated. Then, transmission timing control section 118 uses the calculation result of the phase difference between RNC 103 and Node B 101 as FP frame transmission timing control information.

[0034] Next, time synchronization processing section 117 notifies path failure detection section 119 that the time synchronization processing has been completed (step ST203). The path failure detection unit 119 sets the time from time T1 to time T6 in advance as time Tb, which is a failure determination threshold value for determining that a failure has occurred, and is earlier than time T6. At time T5, a notification that the time synchronization processing is completed is received from the time synchronization processing unit 117, so it is determined that no failure has occurred. That is, the path failure detection unit 119 determines that no failure has occurred because the time Tr between time T1 and time T5 is smaller than the time Tb that is the failure determination threshold value. As a result, the path failure detection unit 119 outputs nothing to the C plane processing unit 120.

[0035] Next, the operation M2 when a path failure occurs between the RNC 103 and the Node B101 will be described.

[0036] Time synchronization processing section 117 of RNC 103 outputs a DL time synchronization frame at time T7, and RNC 103 transmits the DL time synchronization frame to all subordinate Node Bs 101 (step ST204). At this time, the time synchronization processing unit 117 includes the information of the transmitted time T7 in the DL time synchronization frame. Further, the path failure detection unit 119 starts an internal timer.

[0037] However, due to a path failure on the way, RNC103 cannot receive the DL time synchronization frame output from Node B101, and Node B101 does not output the UL time synchronization frame to RNC. . As a result, the route failure detection unit 119 receives the time T8. Therefore, the measurement time of the internal timer of the path failure detection unit 119 exceeds the threshold value Tb for failure determination.

[0038] Next, the route failure detection unit 119, when the time T8 is exceeded, the RNC 103 and the Node

It is determined that a failure has occurred in the route to B101, and the route failure is notified to C plane processing section 120 (step ST205).

[0039] Next, the C-plane processing unit 120 notifies the CN 104 of rejection of acceptance of a new call to the UE under the Node B 101 in which the path failure has occurred, and other Nodes via the IP public network Z user LANZWA N102. Requests the CN 104 and other UEs under Node B to stop transferring data transferred from B. When the route failure is recovered, the route failure detection unit 119 notifies the CN 104 of the recovery from the route failure, and requests to accept a new call and resume data transfer. The DL time synchronization frame may be periodically transmitted a plurality of times, or may be transmitted a plurality of times at an arbitrary timing.

[0040] Next, the time synchronization process will be described in detail. Delay D between Node B and RNC is

It can be obtained from equation (1).

[0041] D = ((T4-T1)-(T3-T2)) / 2 (1)

Where D is the delay between Node B and RNC

T1 is the time when the RNC sends the time synchronization frame

T2 is the time when Node B receives the time synchronization frame

T3 is the time when Node B sends the time synchronization frame

T4 is the time when the RNC receives the time synchronization frame

[0042] Further, the phase difference between the RFN counter and the BFN counter can be obtained from equation (2).

[0043] P = T2-T1 -D (2)

Where P is the phase difference between the RFN counter and the BFN counter

T1 is the time when the RNC sends the time synchronization frame

T2 is the time when Node B receives the time synchronization frame

D is the delay between Node B and RNC

For example, from FIG. 4, the RNC transmits a time synchronization frame when the time synchronization frame is transmitted with an RFN counter value # 301 of “7”, and Node B receives the time synchronization frame. A time synchronization frame is received when the BFN counter value # 302 is “12” as the transmission time. Node B transmits a time synchronization frame when the time synchronization frame is transmitted at a BFN counter value # 303 of “14”, and the RNC receives an RFN counter value of “11” as a time when the time synchronization frame is received. At 304, a time synchronization frame is received. In such a case, the time synchronization processing unit 117 uses the delay D between Node B and the RNC because D = ((11-7) — (14—12)) / 2 from Equation (1). "1" is calculated as the value of. Then, the time synchronization processing unit 117 calculates “4” as the value of the phase difference between the RFN counter and the BFN counter because P = 12−7-1 according to equation (2).

[0045] The phase difference between the RFN counter and the BFN counter obtained in this way is notified to the Node B and used to adjust the count timing of the CFN counter. Here, CFN is a common frame number in UTR AN (RNC and Node B).

[0046] In addition, the delay between Node B and RNC is the transport channel time synchronization (Transport Channel time) that is performed when the transport channel between RNC and Node B is set. Used in Synchronization). In transport channel time synchronization, the transmission timing of the frame transmitted from the RNC to Node B is determined so that the transmission delay time and buffer delay time when Node B transmits data to the radio interface are minimized. Frame transmission from the RNC to Node B is started after the transport channel time synchronization, and the RNC transmits a frame at the determined transmission timing and specifies the CFN for Node B to transmit data to the radio interface.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a user plane protocol configuration. As shown in FIG. 5, the UE is composed of PHY layer # 401, MAC layer # 402, and RLC layer # 403. Node B includes PHY layer # 404, L1 layer # 405, L2 layer # 406, and FP layer # 407. The RNC is composed of L1 layer # 408, L2 layer # 409, FP layer # 410, MAC layer # 411, and RLC layer # 412. Time synchronization is performed between Node B FP layer # 407 and RNC FP layer # 410.

[0048] Thus, according to the present embodiment, a path failure is detected by time synchronization performed between the RNC FP layer and the Node B FP layer, and a new call is rejected and data is received. Since transfer stop is requested, useless call acceptance and data transfer can be suppressed, and Wasteful consumption of the source can be avoided. In addition, according to the present embodiment, since a path fault is detected based on time synchronization, a dedicated circuit for detecting the path fault becomes unnecessary, and the circuit scale can be reduced. In addition, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to monitor the power failure in which the failure has occurred periodically by detecting the route failure through time synchronization that is periodically performed. Can be detected. In addition, according to the present embodiment, since a path failure is detected by time synchronization processing, the path failure is detected by a simple process that does not require transmission / reception processing of a dedicated signal for detecting the path failure. can do.

[0049] This specification is based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-250947 filed on Aug. 30, 2004. All this content is included here.

Industrial applicability

[0050] The control station apparatus and communication path failure notification method according to the present invention can suppress wasteful call acceptance and data transfer by detecting and notifying a communication path failure, and thus wasteful consumption of resources. This is useful for detecting communication path failures.

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] A transmission means for transmitting a synchronization signal to the base station device via a communication path;

Receiving means for receiving the synchronization signal returned from the base station device via the communication path;

Based on the transmission timing of the synchronization signal transmitted by the transmission means and information on the reception timing of the synchronization signal included in the synchronization signal received by the reception means in the base station apparatus. Synchronization processing means for establishing synchronization with the station device;

A path failure detection unit that determines that a failure has occurred in the communication path when synchronization with the base station apparatus cannot be established within the synchronization establishment time limit by the synchronization processing unit;

When it is determined by the path failure detection means that the failure has occurred, the communication terminal device under the base station device is notified of rejection of acceptance of a new call or rejection of transfer of data to the base station device. Notification means;

A control station apparatus comprising:

[2] The path failure detection means, when the synchronization with the base station apparatus can be established within the synchronization establishment time limit newly set while the failure is occurring, Judging that power has been restored,

2. The control station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notifying unit makes a notification of resuming acceptance of the new call or a request for transferring the data when the path failure detecting unit determines that the restoration has been made.

[3] Synchronization with the communication partner based on the transmission timing of the synchronization signal to the communication partner and information on the reception timing of the synchronization signal included in the synchronization signal returned from the communication partner at the communication partner Establishing steps,

Determining that synchronization with the communication partner cannot be established within the synchronization establishment time limit! /, In the case where a failure has occurred in the communication path with the communication partner, and

A communication path failure occurrence notification method comprising: notifying that a failure has occurred when it is determined that a failure has occurred.