WO2009133772A1

WO2009133772A1 - Heterogeneous network handover device, handover method, and handover control program

Info

Publication number: WO2009133772A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/057558
Authority: WO
Inventors: 真人大西
Original assignee: 日本電気株式会社
Priority date: 2008-04-30
Filing date: 2009-04-15
Publication date: 2009-11-05
Also published as: JP2011171779A

Abstract

Provided is a femtocell system capable of performing handovers between a device under the control of an IP Multimedia Subsystem/Multimedia Domain (IMS/MMD) femtocell system and a device under the control of a circuit exchange network. The femtocell system adopts an IMS/MMD connection method that integrates the call process into the IMS/MMD. In addition, the femtocell system has a first gateway device for exchanging the call process signals with a mobile switching center (MSC), which performs the handover process of a mobile terminal under the control of the circuit exchange network, and a second gateway device that connects an audio path to the MSC.

Description

Handover device between different networks, handover method, and handover control program

The present invention relates to a handover apparatus, a handover method, and a control program between heterogeneous networks, and more particularly, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) connection type femtocell system and circuit switching network. The present invention relates to a handover apparatus, a handover method, and a control program between different networks.

Recently, "Expanding low-cost areas in indoor insensitive areas such as high-rise condominiums and basements", "Communication that combines fixed and mobile networks by using broadband lines as access lines for femtocell systems For the purpose of “expanding Fixed Mobile Convergence (FMC) service, which is a form of the system” and “controlling the capital investment of macro base stations by diverting indoor data traffic to the femtocell system” The introduction of femtocell systems is under consideration.

A femto cell system is realized by a method in which a femto access point (Femto-AP (Access Point)) is placed under a radio network controller (RNC: Radio Network Controller), a mobile service center (MSC: Mobile Switching Center). Femto access point (Femto-AP) is placed under the network, and the femto access point (Femto-AP) is assigned to the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS: IP Multimedia Subsystem) / Multimedia domain (MMD: MultiMedia Domain) There are multiple implementation methods, such as a direct connection method.

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) / Multimedia Domain (MMD)
An operator who has already introduced a connection method, or an operator who is considering introducing the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) connection method in the future will also be able to handle the call processing of the femtocell system using the IP multi By integrating into the Media Subsystem (IMS) / Multimedia Domain (MMD) connection scheme, future capital investment can be reduced.

Regarding the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) connection method, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1 below. Patent Document 1 describes a P-CSCF (Proxy Call Session Function) high-speed handoff for an architecture in the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) connection method.

FIG. 12 shows an outline of the femtocell network of the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) connection method. On the circuit switching network 300 side, a terminal (MS: Mobile Station) 1 exists under the circuit switching network. The configuration nodes of the circuit switching network 300 include a radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 that is a radio access network (RAN) side device, and a mobile that is a core side node of the circuit switching network 300. A mobile service center gateway (GS: Gateway MSC) 4 serving as a gate between the service center (MSC) 3 and another network connection, and a register (HLR: Home Location Register) / server (HSS) for managing subscriber data : Home Subscriber Server) 5 exists.

Further, as a node constituting the IMS / MMD type femtocell system, there is a terminal (MS) 6 under the femto, and the call processing signal of the circuit switching network 300 from the terminal (MS) is initialized by a session. A femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 for converting into a protocol (SIP: Session Initiated Protocol) signal is arranged.

Between the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 and the packet data gateway (PDG: Packet Date Gateway) / access gateway (AGW: Access Gateway) 8, an Internet protocol security (IPsec: Internet Protocol) is provided to ensure security. (security protocol) tunnel is established and connected to the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) network 400 through the established internet protocol security tunnel.

The IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) network 400 includes a server (CSCF: Call Server Control Function) 9 that performs call processing and an application server (AS: Application Server) that performs service control of additional services. ) 10 and a gateway (MGCF: Media Gateway Control Function) / IM-MGW: IP Multimedia MGW (Gateway for MGCF) 11 and a register (HLR) / server (HSS) 5 for managing subscriber data Exists.

Here, it is common that the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 is separated into the radio network controller, the controller (RNC), and the base station and arranged in the network. The register (HLR) / server (HSS) 5 is described as a degenerate configuration of the function of the register (HLR) and the function of the server (HSS). In some cases, a register (HLR) exists and the server (HSS) exists in the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) network 400.

With the network configuration shown in FIG. 12, communication between the terminal (MS) 1 under the circuit switching network and the terminal (MS) 6 under the Femto becomes possible. FIG. 13 shows a transmission system for signaling signals (C-Plane signals) used for call processing and data signals (U-Plane data) such as voice. FIG. 13 shows an outline of communication between a circuit switching network of an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) connection method and a femtocell.

In this case, the signaling signal between the terminal (MS) 1 included in the circuit switching network 300 and the terminal (MS) under the femto is the terminal (MS) 1 included in the circuit switching network 300, the wireless network Controller (RNC) / Base station 2, Mobile service center (MSC) 3, Mobile service center gateway (GS) 4, Gateway (MGCF / IM-MGW) 11, Server (CSCF) 9, Application server (AS) 10, Packet data gateway (PDG) / access gateway (AGW) 8, femto access point (Femto-AP) 7, and terminals (MS) 6 subordinate to Femto are exchanged.
Further, a data signal between a terminal (MS) 1 included in the circuit switching network 300 and a terminal (MS) under the femto (Femto) is transmitted to the terminal (MS) 1 included in the circuit switching network 300, a radio network controller. (RNC) / base station 2, mobile service center (MSC) 3, mobile service center gateway (GS) 4, gateway (MGCF / IM-MGW) 11, packet data gateway (PDG) / access gateway (AGW) 8. Femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 and terminal (MS) 6 under Femto are exchanged.

JP 2008-072687 A

However, the method (IMS / MMD method) in which the femto access point (Femto-AP) shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 is directly connected to the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) is used for handover. There's a problem.

That is, handover between the cell of the circuit switched network 300 and the cell of the femtocell network 200 uses the application server (AS) 10 in the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) network 400. However, in this handover control method, it is essential to add a function necessary for handover control to the node on the circuit switched network 300 side. This places a new economic burden on the mobile operator operating the circuit switched network 300, which has integrated call processing into the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) network. This may hinder the adoption of the IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) / Multimedia Domain (MMD) connection method.

Patent Document 1 describes P-CSCF high-speed handoff, but does not describe handover between a circuit-switched network and a femtocell network, and has the P-CSC high-speed handoff technique. The above-mentioned problem in handover between a circuit switched network and a femtocell network cannot be solved.

An object of the present invention is to avoid the addition of functions in a circuit switching network with overhand control between a cell of a circuit switching network and a cell of a femto network, and an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain. (MMD) It is an object of the present invention to provide a handover apparatus and its method between a connection type femtocell system and a circuit switched network.

A femtocell system according to the present invention is a femtocell system that employs an IMS / MMD connection method in which call processing is integrated into IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) / MMD (MultiMedia Domain).
A first gateway device that exchanges call processing signals with an MSC (Mobile Switching Center) that performs handover processing of a mobile terminal under a circuit switching network, and a second gateway that connects a voice path with the MSC Device.

A gateway device according to the present invention is a gateway device used in a femtocell system that employs an IMS / MMD connection method in which call processing is integrated into IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) / MMD (MultiMedia Domain), and is moved under a circuit switched network. First means for exchanging call processing signals with an MSC (Mobile Switching Center) that performs terminal handover processing, and second means for controlling other gateway devices that connect voice paths with the MSC And.

A handover method between circuit-switched networks according to the present invention is a handover method between circuit-switched networks used in a femtocell system that employs an IMS / MMD connection method in which call processing is integrated into IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) / MMD (MultiMedia Domain). And
The first gateway device exchanges call processing signals with an MSC (Mobile Switching Center) that performs handover processing of mobile terminals under the circuit switching network,
A voice path is connected to the MSC at the second gateway device.

The present invention can realize the handover by avoiding the addition of functions in the circuit switching network accompanying the overhand control between the circuit switching network and the IMS / MMD network connection type femto network.

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

First, an outline of a femtocell network of an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) connection method to which a handover apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described.

As shown in FIG. 1, an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) connection type femtocell network is integrated with a circuit switching network 300 to perform call processing. It is constructed as a configuration in which a femto network 200 is directly connected to the domain network 400. Reference numeral 100 denotes a public network.

As shown in FIG. 1, a terminal (MS: Mobile Station) 1 exists under the circuit switching network on the circuit switching network 300 side. The configuration nodes of the circuit switching network 300 include a radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 that is a radio access network (RAN) side device, and a mobile that is a core side node of the circuit switching network 300. A mobile service center gateway (GS: Gateway MSC) 4 serving as a gate between the service center (MSC) 3 and another network connection, and a register (HLR: Home Location Register) / server (HSS) for managing subscriber data : Home Subscriber Server) 5 exists. The terminal 1 under the circuit switching network is connected to the radio network controller / base station 2 via the public network 100.

As shown in FIG. 1, on the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) / multimedia domain (MMD) network (hereinafter referred to as IMS / MMD network) 400 side, there is a terminal (MS) 6 subordinate to Femto. Then, a femto access point (Femto-AP7) for converting a call processing signal of the circuit switching network 300 from the terminal (MS) 6 into a session initialization protocol (SIP: Session Initiated Protocol, hereinafter referred to as SIP signal) is arranged. . Then, the terminal 6 under the femto is connected to the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 through the femto network 200 secured in a part of the public network 100.

Further, on the IMS / MMD network 400 side, an access gateway (AGW: Access Gateway) 8, a server (CSCF: Call Server Control Function) 9 that controls call processing, and an application server that performs service control of additional services (CSF: Call Server Function). AS (Application Server) 10 and a gateway (MGCF: Media Gateway Control Function) / IM-MGW: IP Multimedia MGW (Gateway) 11 that connects to other network connection, and a register (HLR) / server that manages subscriber data HSS) 5.

Here, the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 is generally separated into the radio network controller, the controller (RNC), and the base station and arranged in the network. The register (HLR) / server (HSS) 5 is described as a degenerate configuration of the function of the register (HLR) and the function of the server (HSS). In some cases, a register (HLR) exists and the server (HSS) exists in the IMS / MMD network 400.

An Internet Protocol security (IPsec) tunnel is used between the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 and the packet data gateway (PDG) / access gateway (AGW) 8 to ensure security. Establish and connect to the IMS / MMD network 400 through the established Internet protocol security tunnel.

The relationship between the circuit switching network 300, the IMS / MMD network 400, the femto network 200, and the public network 100 described above is the same as that shown in FIG.

Next, features of the handover apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The embodiment of the present invention avoids the addition of functions in the circuit switching network 300 in accordance with the overhand control between the circuit switching network 300 and the above-described femto network 200 of the IMS / MMD network connection method, and the IMS / MMD The handover between the connection type femto network 200 and the circuit switching network 300 is realized.

Here, the femto network 200 of the IMS / MMD connection system means a femto network configured such that the femto access point 7 connected to the terminal 6 under the femto network is connected to the IMS / MMD network 400. The communication range covered by the femto network 200 is divided into a plurality of cells, and the terminal 6 is registered for each cell. A signal (protocol) used for establishing a session between the terminals 6 in the femto network 200 is converted into a SIP signal used for establishing a session in the IMS / MMD network 400, and the IMS / MMD network 400 and the femto network 200 Communication between the two is possible.

As described above, the embodiment of the present invention avoids the addition of functions in the circuit switching network 300 accompanying the overhand control between the circuit switching network 300 and the femto network 200. Here, for establishing a session in communication between terminals 1 using the circuit switching network 300, an Internet protocol (hereinafter, IP signal) is used, and communication between the terminals 6 using the IMS / MMD network 400 is performed. The SIP signal is used for session establishment in FIG. 5, and the signals (protocols) for session establishment between the communication networks 300 and 4000 are different.

To solve this, it is necessary to add a function for establishing a session with an SIP signal to the circuit switching network 300 and add a function for establishing a session with an IP signal to the IMS / MMD network 400.

As described above, in the method of adding a new function to the circuit switching network 300 and the IMS / MMD network 400, the functions in the circuit switching network 300 are accompanied by overhand control between the circuit switching network 300 and the femto network 200. It will not be possible to achieve the objective in the embodiments of the present invention to avoid the addition.

Therefore, the present inventor has intensively studied the communication mode in the IMS / MMD network 400 and uses the SIP signal for session establishment in the communication mode in the IMS / MMD network 400. The transmission of the data signal is not particularly restricted, and it is possible to perform the data signal in the IMS / MMD network 400 using an in-net protocol used for data signal communication in the circuit switching network 300. That's why I focused on that. Further, the present inventor is a communication mode in which the IMS / MMD network 400 is added to the existing circuit switching network 300, or the assets of the circuit switching network 300 are to be taken over and replaced in the future. It was noticed that the transmission of data signals in the IMS / MMD network 400 has become an Internet protocol (IP) and the transmission of data signals has been integrated into the Internet protocol.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the IMS / MMD network 400 has a handover processing function (function of the mobile service center (MSC) 3 or radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2) in the existing circuit switching network 300. Thus, overhand control between the circuit switched network 300 and the femto network 200 is realized. In the embodiment of the present invention, as a function of handover processing in the circuit switching network 300, a function of forming a path for transmitting a call processing signal for session establishment using a protocol used in the circuit switching network 300; The IMS / MMD network 400 has a function of forming a path for transmitting a data signal when the session is established.

Next, the handover apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described. The embodiment of the present invention is based on the above-described idea, and as a constituent node of the IMS / MMD network 400, the terminal 1 and the Femto network of the circuit switched network 300 based on the protocol used in the circuit switched network 300 are described. A femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 that establishes a session with 200 terminals 6 and between the terminal 1 of the circuit-switched network 300 and the terminals 6 of the femto network 200 when the session is established. And a femto-media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 that forms a path for transmitting a data signal. The femto gateway (Femto-GW) 8 executes a function of forming a path for transmitting a call processing signal for establishing the session, and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 performs the session establishment. A function for forming a path for transmitting a data signal is executed. The femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 are arranged on the entrance side of the IMS / MMD network 400 with respect to the circuit switching network 300.

In the circuit switched network 300, at least one of the mobile service center (MSC) 3 and the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 is used for executing the handover process within the communication area. In the following description, a case where the mobile service center (MSC) 3 is used will be described. However, as will be described later, a radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 may be used in place of the mobile service center (MSC) 3 in order to execute the handover process.

The femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 is connected to the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300 and to the core network of the IMS / MMD network 400. Here, the core network of the IMS / MMD network 400 includes a register (HLR) / server (HSS) 5, a packet data gateway / access gateway (PDG / AGW) 8, and a server (CSCF) that controls call processing. 9, an application server (AS) 10 that performs service control of additional services, and a gateway (MGCF / IM-MGW) 11 that serves as a gate for connection to another network. The femto gateway 12 includes a register / server (HLR / HSS) 5, a packet data gateway / access gateway (PDG / AGW) 8, and a server (CSCF) 9 in the core network of the IMS / MMD network 400. Is connected to each.

The femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 transmits a processing signal (for example, U-Plane signal) for session establishment at the time of handover between the circuit switching network 300 and the femto network 200. A handover path is formed and a handover is executed. More specifically, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 converts the protocol used in the circuit switching network 300 into the SIP protocol used in the IMS / MMD network 400, whereby the terminal on the IMS / MMD network 400 side. 6 is converted to a protocol used in the circuit switching network 300, for example, by converting the SIP protocol used in the IMS / MMD network 400 into a protocol used in the circuit switching network 300. 6 functions as a terminal 1 on the circuit switching network 300 side, a function for controlling a femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 using, for example, the MEGACO protocol for media control, and a line for handover control. With the mobile service center (MSC) 3 on the switching network 300 side In example MAP and a function for exchanging information necessary for handover between the mobile service center (MSC) 3 using a circuit switched network protocol (Mobile Application Part). In addition, as a location registration process of the terminals under the Femto network 200, the subscriber / register (HLR / HSS) 5 that manages the subscriber data is accessed, and the subscribers stored in the register (HLR) 5 are accessed. It has a function of referring to data and executing authentication and location registration. The result of the location registration executed by the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 is stored in the register (HLR) 5.

The femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 is connected to the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300, and the packet data gateway / access gateway (PDG) of the core network of the IMS / MMD network 400. / AGW) 8 and a gateway (MGCF / IM-MGW) 11 and the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 respectively.

The femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 has a function of executing media conversion as necessary based on a command from the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12, and the femto gateway at the time of handover. (Femto-GW) 12 has a function of forming a path for transmitting a data signal to the circuit switching network 300 based on a command from the Femto-GW 12. When the data switching is performed using the same protocol in the circuit switching network 300 and the IMS / MMD network 400, the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 performs media conversion. And media conversion is performed when data signals are transmitted using different protocols. In addition, the path of the data signal formed between the circuit switching network 300 and the circuit switching network 300 is such that a mobile service center (MSC) 3 and a radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 are provided. Formed between at least one of the two.

In FIG. 1, a thin line connecting each component indicates a call processing signal (U-Plane signal) transmission system, and a thick line connecting each component indicates a data signal (U-Plane data). A transmission system is shown, and a two-dot chain line connecting the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 and the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 shows the transmission system of the control signal. In FIG. 1, the thick line is shown as sound, but in addition to this sound, it may be a data signal including image data.

Next, in order to clarify the handover process performed between the circuit switched network 300 and the IMS / MMD network 400 in the IMS / MMD connection type femtocell network to which the handover apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, First, the case where communication is performed between the terminal 1 of the circuit switching network 300 and the terminal 6 of the IMS / MMD network 200 in a state where handover is not performed will be described with reference to FIG. Accordingly, in FIG. 2, the terminal 1 included in the circuit switching network 300 stops within one cell set in the communication area of the circuit switching network 300 and performs communication without moving between the cells. The terminal 6 included in the femto network 200 stops within one cell set in the communication area of the femto network 200 and performs communication without moving to the cell of the circuit switching network 300. Communication other than these will be described later.

The terminal 1 included in the circuit switching network 300 is connected to the radio network (RNC) / base station 2 via the public network 100. When the terminal 1 transmits a call processing signal S1 (for example, U-Plane signal, indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 2) to the radio network (RNC) / base station 2, the radio network (RNC) / base station 2 outputs the call processing signal S 1 to the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300. The mobile service center (MSC) 3 outputs the call processing signal S1 to the mobile service center gateway 4. The mobile service center gateway 4 outputs the call processing signal S 1 to the IMS / MMD network 400 as a call processing signal from the terminal 1 of the circuit switching network 300.

When the gateway (MGCF / IM-MGM) 11 of the IMS / MMD network 400 receives the call processing signal S1 from the circuit switching network 300, it passes it to the application server (AS) 10 via the server (CSCF) 9. . When the application server (AS) 10 receives the call processing signal S 1 from the server (CSCF) 9, the application server (AS) 10 performs processing necessary for the communication service in the IMS / MMD network 400, and sends it to the server (CSCF) 9. Output. When the server (CSCF) 9 receives a signal from the application server (AS) 10, the server (CSCF) 9 treats the signal as a SIP signal S 2, and uses the SIP signal S 2 via the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 Output to the gateway / access gateway (PDG / AGW) 8. The packet data gateway / access gateway (PDG / AGW) 8 outputs the received SIP signal S2 to the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 of the femto network 200. The femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 converts the SIP signal S2 into a protocol S3 used in the femto network 200, and outputs it to the corresponding terminal 6 under the femto (Femto). Call the terminal 6. In this case, the conversion processing of the SIP signal S2 is executed by the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7, but instead of the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7, the packet data gateway / access gateway (PDG / AGW) 8 may be executed.

When the terminal 6 of the femto network 200 responds to the call from the circuit switching network 300, the terminal 6 responds to the femto network 200 and the femto access secured in a part of the public network 100. A response signal transmitted from the terminal 6 connected to the IMS / MMD network 400 via the point 7 is transmitted to the terminal 1 of the circuit switching network 300 through the above-described call processing signal path. As a result, a session is established between the terminal 1 of the circuit switching network 300 and the terminal 6 of the femto network 200.

When the session is established, for example, when the terminal 1 of the circuit switching network 300 outputs a data signal D, for example, a voice signal, to the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2,
The voice signal D is a radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of a circuit switching network 300, a mobile service center (MSC) 3, a gateway (GS) 4, a gateway (MGCF / IM-MGW) 11, a femtomedia gateway ( A femto network 200 is transmitted through each of the femto-MGW 13, the gateway (PDG / AGW) 8, and the femto access point (Femto-AP 7). As a result, the data signal D is exchanged between the terminal 1 of the circuit switching network 300 and the terminal 6 of the femto network 200 with a session established.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific example in which the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 in the embodiment of the present invention is constructed as hardware. As shown in FIG. 3, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 includes an IMS / MMD connection unit 121, a media control unit 122, a handover control unit 123, and an authentication / location registration unit 124. .

The IMS / MMD connection unit 121 has a SIP protocol function for connecting to the IMS / MMD, and simulates a SIP terminal viewed from the IMS / MMD network 400, that is, a protocol used by the terminal 1 on the circuit switching network 300 side. Is converted into the SIP protocol used by the terminal on the IMS / MMD network 400 side, so that the terminal on the circuit switched network 300 side is simulated as the terminal 6 on the IMS / MMD network 400, and conversely used on the IMS / MMD network 400. For example, the function of simulating the terminal 6 on the IMS / MMD network 400 side as the terminal 1 on the circuit switching network 300 side is executed by converting the SIP protocol into a protocol used in the circuit switching network 300. The media control unit 122 executes a function of controlling the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 using, for example, the MEGACO protocol for media control.

For handover control, the handover control unit 123 uses the mobile service center (MSC) 3 with the mobile service center (MSC) 3 on the circuit switched network 300 side, for example, using the MAP (Mobile Application Part) circuit switched network protocol. ) A function for exchanging information necessary for handover with 3 is executed.

The authentication / location registration unit 124 accesses the register / server (HLR / HSS) 5 that manages subscriber data, refers to the subscriber data stored in the register (HLR) 5, and reads the femto (Femto). ) It has a function of performing authentication and location registration of the terminal 6 of the network 200. Note that the result of the authentication and the location registration of the terminal executed by the authentication / location registration unit 124 is stored in the register (HLR) 5.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a specific example in which the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW 13) in the embodiment of the present invention is constructed as hardware. As shown in FIG. 4, the femtomedia gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 is located between the femto network 200 and the IMS / MMD network 400, and includes a media conversion unit 131 and a handover processing unit 132. Have.

The media conversion unit 131 executes a function of media conversion as necessary based on a command from the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12. The handover processing unit 132 transmits a data signal to the circuit switched network 300, particularly to the mobile service center (MSC) 3, based on a command from the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 at the time of handover. Perform the function of forming a path. Note that when the data switching is performed using the same protocol in the circuit switching network 300 and the IMS / MMD network 400, the media conversion unit 131 does not perform media conversion, and different protocols are used. The media conversion is performed when the data signal is transmitted using the.

Furthermore, in order to clarify the handover process performed between the circuit switching network 300 and the IMS / MMD network 400 in the IMS / MMD connection type femtocell network to which the handover apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, FIG. 5, a case where communication is performed between terminals in the circuit switching network 300 when a handover process is executed in the communication area of the circuit switching network 300 will be described. In FIG. 5, communication performed between terminals included in the circuit switching network 300 is targeted. However, communication performed between terminals included in the Femto network 200 is performed in the same manner. FIG. 5 shows an example in which the mobile service center (MSC) 2 performs a path for transmitting call processing signals and data signals.

In FIG. 5, the

terminals

1a and 1b included in the circuit switching network 300 stop within the communication areas covered by the radio network controller (RNC) /

base stations

2a and 2b in the communication area of the circuit switching network 300, respectively. It is assumed that communication is performed without moving between each other. The signal flow indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 5 indicates the flow of the call processing signal S between the

terminals

1a and 1b, and the signal flow indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 indicates the data between the

terminals

1a and 1b. A flow of a signal (for example, an audio signal) D is shown.

Two

terminals

1a and 1b exist in different communication areas under the circuit switching network, and each of the

terminals

1a and 1b includes a radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2a, a radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2b. Are connected to the mobile service center (MSC) 3a and the mobile service center (MSC) 3b, and the mobile service center (MSC) 3a and the mobile service center (MSC) 3b are connected to each other, thereby , Exchange audio data with each other. If the

terminals

1a and 1b exist in the same cell, the radio network controller (RNC) / base station of the other party to which the

terminals

1a and 1b are connected respectively, the radio network controller (RNC) / In some cases, either the

base station

2a or 2b or the mobile service center (MSC) 3a or 3b is used.

Next, the operation of the handover process when one terminal 1b moves into the communication area where the other terminal 1a exists in the circuit switching network 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation of this handover process starts from a state in which one terminal 6 and the other terminal 6 are connected to different femto access points (Femto-AP) in the femto network 200, respectively. However, this is also applied to the operation of a handover process performed when moving to a communication area of a femto access point (Femto-AP) to which one terminal 6 is connected.

The example shown in FIG. 6 shows a case where the terminal 1b located under the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2b moves under the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2a. The signal flow indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 6 indicates the flow of the call processing signal S between the

terminals

1a and 1b, and the signal flow indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6 indicates the data between the

terminals

1a and 1b. A flow of a signal (for example, an audio signal) D is shown.

When the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2b receives notification from the terminal 1b that the radio network controller (RNC / base station 2a is to be handed over), it requests the mobile service center (MSC) 3b to perform a handover process. The service center (MSC) 3b performs a handover process with the mobile service center (MSC) 3a that is the handover destination of the terminal 1b.

The call processing signal S from the terminal 1b after the handover is not transmitted from the radio network controller (RNC) base station 2b to the mobile service center (MSC) 3b, but is handed over to the radio network controller (RNC) / base station of the handover destination. 2a is transmitted to the terminal 1a through the mobile service center (MSC) 3b, the mobile service center (MSC) 3a to be handed over, and the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2a. The data signal D from the terminal 1b after the handover is not transmitted from the radio network controller (RNC) base station 2b to the mobile service center (MSC) 3b, but is handed over to the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2a. Is transmitted to the terminal 1a through the mobile service center (MSC) 3a and the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2a of the handover destination via the mobile service center (MSC) 3b.
The communication and handover processing between terminals in the circuit switching network 300 (or the femto network 200) described based on FIGS. 5 and 6 are the same as the existing communication and processing.

In contrast to the description in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described above, in the IMS / MMD connection type femtocell network to which the handover apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is applied, the terminal 1 included in the circuit switching network 300 and the IMS An operation in which handover is performed in the process of communication with the terminal 6 included in the Femto network 200 directly connected to the / MMD network 400 will be described with reference to FIG. The communication operation in FIG. 7 is an operation when a handover occurs in the communication state shown in FIG.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the handover between the femtocell system of the IMS / MMD connection method using the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 and the circuit switched network 300 is performed as follows: This is realized by the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 having functions corresponding to the mobile service center (MSC) of the circuit switching network 300.

FIG. 7 shows a case where the terminal 6 included in the Femto network 200 moves under the circuit switching network from the connection state shown in FIG.

More specifically, the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 receives a notification from the terminal 6 of the femto network that the handover is performed to the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300. Then, the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 requests the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 for a handover process through the gateway (PDG / AGW) 8. When the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 receives the request for the handover process, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 calls between the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switched network 300 that is the handover destination using the protocol used in the circuit switched network 300. A path P1 for transmitting the processing signal is formed, and the handover process is performed by using the protocol of the circuit switching network 300 with the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300.
Therefore, the call processing signal S1 transmitted from the terminal 1 of the circuit switched network 300 after the handover is transmitted from the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 through the gateway (PDG / AGW 8) to the femto access point (Femto-FEM) as shown in FIG. AP) 7, but not through the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300, the mobile service center (MSC) 3 → the gateway 4 → the gateway 11 → the server 9 → the application server 10 → the server 9 → Transmitted to the femto gateway 12. When the femto gateway 12 receives a SIP signal (signal obtained by converting the protocol of the call processing signal S1 from the terminal 1) S2 from the server 9, the femto gateway 12 converts it into a protocol used in the circuit switching network 300, and converts it into the path P1. To the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300. When the mobile service center (MSC) 3 receives the call processing signal S3a from the femto gateway 12, the mobile service center (MSC) 3 moves to the area of the circuit switched network 300 through the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 6 is transmitted. The call processing signal S3a transmitted from the terminal 6 of the femto network 200 is transmitted to the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300 through the path P1 shown in FIG.
When the terminal 6 responds to the call from the terminal 1, a session is established between the

terminals

1 and 6.

At the time of handover, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 issues a command for changing the data signal transmission path to the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13. When the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 receives a change command from the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12, the data signal path P2 to the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switched network 300 is received. 2, the path of the data signal by the mobile service center (MSC) 3-gateway 4-gateway 11-femto media gateway 13-gateway 8 shown in FIG. 8 to the data signal path P2.
Therefore, after handover, the data signal D transmitted from the terminal 1 of the circuit switching network 300 is the data signal from the mobile service center (MSC) 3 → gateway 4 → gateway 11 → femtomedia gateway 13 → gateway 8 shown in FIG. Is transmitted from the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 to the terminal 6 through the path P2 of the data signal by the mobile service center (MSC) 3 → the femto media gateway 13 → the gateway 8 shown in FIG. Is transmitted. A data signal D transmitted from the terminal 6 of the femto network 200 is transmitted to the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300 through the path P2 shown in FIG. At this time, the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300 forms a voice path with the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2, and the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 A voice path is formed with the terminal 6 that has moved from the (Femto) network 200 to the communication area of the circuit switching network 300. Therefore, in the circuit switching network 300, the data signal D is transmitted between the terminal 1 and the terminal 6 through the path P2 shown in FIG.

Thus, in the embodiment of the present invention, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 of the IMS / MMD network 400 exchanges call processing signals with the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switched network 300, The femto media gateway (Femto-MGW 13) of the IMS / MMD network 400 forms a data signal D path with the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300, thereby realizing handover.

The handover process in the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG. 7 will be described using a handover sequence example shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a 3GPP2 (3rd Generation Partnership Project 2) based sequence between the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 of the IMS / MMD network 400 and the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300. The protocol is based on the MAP (Mobile Application Part) circuit-switched network protocol defined by the 3GPP2.

As nodes that perform the handover process, a femto access point (Femto-AP) 7, a femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12, and a femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 of the IMS / MMD network 400 are provided as handover sources. is there. The handover destination (Target) includes a mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switched network 300 and a base station center (RNC) of the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 included in the radio network controller (RNC). BSC: Base Station Center) exists.

When a terminal (MS) 6 of a femto network 200 is handed over from a subordinate of a femto cell in which a session has been established to a subordinate of a circuit switched network, the terminal (MS) 6 of the femto network 200 is connected to a femto access point (Femto). -AP) 7 is notified of the handover, and the femto access point (Femto-AP 7) uses, for example, the “MESSAGE” method [MESSAGE (Handoff Required)] of the SIP that is the protocol to be used, and the femto gateway ( (Femto-GW) 12 is notified of handover destination information (a1 in FIG. 8).

When the Femto Gateway (Femto-GW) 12 receives the SIP “MESSAGE”, it returns a SIP “200 OK (MESSAGE)” (a2 in FIG. 8), and a MEGACO “Add” signal (Add Req, Add Reply). Resources of the femto media gateway for handover (Femto-MGW13) are secured (a3, a4 in FIG. 8). Thereafter, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 transmits “FACDIR2” in which the resource information of the secured femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 is set to the mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the circuit switching network 300 that is the target. (A5 in FIG. 8).

The mobile service center (MSC) 3 of the Talget transmits a “HOREQ” to the base station center (BSC) included in the subordinate radio network controller (RNC) and performs a handover process (a6 in FIG. 8). When the mobile service center (MSC) 3 receives “HOREQACK” from the base station center (BSC) (a7 in FIG. 8), it sets data signal path connection destination information to the mobile service center (MSC) 3. “Facdir2” is returned to the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 of the IMS / MMD network 400 (a8 in FIG. 8).

Upon receiving “facdir2”, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 uses the MEGACO “Mod” signal (Add Req, Add Reply) to send connection information on the mobile service center (MSC) 3 side to the femto media gateway (Femto-GW). (MGW) 13 (a9, a10 in FIG. 8), and instructs the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 to form a data signal path with the mobile service center (MSC) 3.

When the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 completes the data signal path formation between the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 and the mobile service center (MSC) 3, the femto access point (Femto-GW) 12 AP) 7 is notified using the “MESSAGE (Handoff Command)” of the SIP “MESSAGE” method (a11 in FIG. 8). Upon receiving “MESSAGE (Handoff Command)”, the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 returns a SIP “200 OK (MESSAGE)” to the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 (a12 in FIG. 8). .

When the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 receives “MESSAGE (Handoff Commended)” of the SIP “MESSAGE” method of handover completion from the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 side (a13 in FIG. 8), SIP “200 OK (MESSAGE)” is returned to the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 (a14 in FIG. 8). Thereafter, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 sends the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 to the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 by a MEGACO “Mod” signal (Mod Req, Mod Reply). A command to stop transmission of the downstream data signal is transmitted (a15 and a17 in FIG. 8).

When the handover process on the BSC side included in the radio network controller (RNC) of the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 is completed, the mobile service center (MSC) 3 receives “HOCOMP” from the BSC (see FIG. 8 a16), the completion of the handover process is notified to the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 of the IMS / MMD network 400 by “MSONCH” (a18 in FIG. 8).

Upon reception of “MSONCH”, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 leaves the resources of the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 for handover and the femto media with the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7. The resources of the gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 are deleted by the MEGACO “Sub” signal (Sub Req, Sub Reply) (a19, a20 in FIG. 8).

Further, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 notifies the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 of the completion of the handover process by “MESSAGE (Clear Command)” of the SIP “MESSAGE” method (a21 in FIG. 8). ). Upon receiving “MESSAGE (Clear Command)”, the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 returns a SIP “200 OK (MESSAGE) (Clear Complete)” to the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 (FIG. 8 a22).

Finally, the session established between the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 is deleted by the SIP “BYE” method (a23, a24 in FIG. 8). ). As described above, in this embodiment, the handover process is performed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the IMS / MMD type femtocell system uses the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 to thereby provide an IMS / MMD type femtocell system. Handover between the subordinate and the circuit-switched network can be realized, and even when the terminal 6 moves between the femto network 200 and the circuit-switched network 300, the terminal 6 is connected to the circuit-switched network 300. Can continue to communicate with the terminal 1.

In the above description, the communication state in the embodiment of the present invention has been described by taking as an example the case where the terminal 6 of the femto network 200 is handed over to the communication area of the circuit switched network 300. However, the present invention is also applicable to a handover in a communication area of a femto network 200 connected to the IMS / MMD network 400 or a handover when moving between cells in a communication area of the femto network. The form can be similarly applied. Further, in the embodiment of the present invention described above, an example is shown in which a femto (Femto-GW) 12 and a femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 are newly introduced for performing a handover process. Even without newly introducing the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13, existing devices such as the gateway (PDG / AGW) 8 and the server (CSCF) 9 The functions of the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 can be degenerated.

In the example described above, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 are constructed as hardware as shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. However, for example, by causing the CPU of the server (CSCF) to execute a program, the function of the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the function of the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 shown in FIGS. May be constructed as a handover control program realized on software. In this case, in the case of a control program using the CPU of the server (CSCF) 9, since the femto gateway 12 and the femto media gateway 13 as hardware do not exist, the server 9 is connected to the mobile service center ( MSC) 3 and gateway 8 need to be connected. The handover control program is recorded on a recording medium and is subject to commercial transactions.

In the embodiment of the present invention described above, the case where the handover process is performed with the mobile service center (MSC) 3 on the circuit switching network 300 side is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The above-described handover process may be performed on the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 side of the circuit switching network 300, and the mobile service center (MSC) 3 and the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 are connected to each other. The handover process described above may be implemented in combination.

In the embodiment of the present invention, a case where a handover process is performed on the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 side of the circuit switched network 300 is illustrated, and handover is performed between the Femto network 200 and the circuit switched network 300 in the embodiment of the present invention. A case where processing is performed will be described. In the embodiment of the present invention, in order to clarify the handover process performed between the femto network 200 and the circuit switched network 300, the communication area of the circuit switched network 300 is used with reference to FIGS. A case where communication is performed between terminals in the circuit switching network 300 when the handover process is executed in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a connection image of the circuit switching network 300 before the handover. Two

terminals

1a and 1b exist in the circuit switching network 300, and each of the

terminals

1a and 1b passes through a radio network controller (RNC) /

base station

2a and 2b, respectively, and a mobile service center (MSC) 3a and 3b. Connected. In this case, the mobile service centers (MSC) 3a and 3b are connected to each other to form paths for call processing signals and data signals. If the

terminals

base station

2a or 2b or the mobile service center (MSC) 3a or 3b is used.

When the terminal 1b located under the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2b moves from the communication state shown in FIG. 9 to the radio network controller (RNC / base station 2a), the call processing signal S and the data signal D 10 shows the flow of the radio network controller (RNC / base station 2b receives a notification from the terminal 1b that the radio network controller (RNC / base station 2a is to be handed over. Radio network controller (RNC / base station 2b Performs handover processing with the handover destination radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2a.

The call processing signal S after the handover is not transmitted from the radio network controller (RNC / base station 2b to the terminal 1b, but from the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2b to the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2a. The data signal D is also transmitted through the same path system as the call processing signal.

As described above, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the handover is realized by exchanging the call processing signal between the radio network controller (RNC) /

base stations

2a and 2b and transmitting the voice path. ing. The process so far is an existing process.

Hereinafter, a case where the handover process between the Femto network 200 and the circuit switching network 300 of the IMS / MMD connection method is performed using the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300. Will be described with reference to FIG.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11, an IMS / MMD connection type femtocell system using a femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and a femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 and a circuit switched network 300 are connected. The handover is realized by the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 having functions corresponding to the radio network controller (RNC) / base station of the circuit switching network 300.

FIG. 11 shows a case where the terminal 6 included in the Femto network 200 moves under the circuit switching network.

More specifically, the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 receives a notification from the terminal 6 of the femto network that the handover is performed to the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300. Then, the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 requests the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 for a handover process through the gateway (PDG / AGW) 8. Upon receiving a request for handover processing, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 uses a protocol used in the circuit switching network 300 to communicate with the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300 that is the handover destination. By forming the path P1 for transmitting the call processing signal between them and using the protocol of the circuit switched network 300 with the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switched network 300, handover is performed. Perform the process.
Therefore, the call processing signal S1 transmitted from the terminal 1 of the circuit switched network 300 after the handover is transmitted from the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 through the gateway (PDG / AGW 8) to the femto access point (Femto-FEM) as shown in FIG. AP) 7, but not through the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300, the mobile service center (MSC) 3 → the gateway 4 → the gateway 11 → the server 9 → the application server 10 → the server 9 → Transmitted to the femto gateway 12. When the femto gateway 12 receives a SIP signal (signal obtained by converting the protocol of the call processing signal S1 from the terminal 1) S2 from the server 9, the femto gateway 12 converts it into a protocol used in the circuit switching network 300, and converts it into the path P1. To the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300. When the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 receives the call processing signal S3a from the femto gateway 12, the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 transmits the call processing signal S3a to the terminal 6 that has moved to the area of the circuit switching network 300. . Further, the call processing signal S3a transmitted from the terminal 6 of the femto network 200 is transmitted to the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300 through the path P1 shown in FIG.
When the terminal 6 responds to the call from the terminal 1, a session is established between the

terminals

1 and 6.

At the time of handover, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 issues a command for changing the data signal transmission path to the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13. When the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW) 13 receives a change command from the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12, a data signal is transmitted between the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300. The path of the data signal by the mobile service center (MSC) 3-gateway 4-gateway 11-gateway 11-femto media gateway 13-gateway 8 shown in FIG. 2 is formed as a radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2- The path is changed to the data signal path P2 by the femtomedia gateway 13-gateway 8.
Therefore, after handover, the data signal D transmitted from the terminal 1 of the circuit switching network 300 is the data signal from the mobile service center (MSC) 3 → gateway 4 → gateway 11 → femtomedia gateway 13 → gateway 8 shown in FIG. Is transmitted from the femto access point (Femto-AP) 7 through the data signal path P2 by the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 → femto media gateway 13 → gateway 8 shown in FIG. It is transmitted to the terminal 6. A data signal D transmitted from the terminal 6 of the femto network 200 is transmitted to the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300 through the path P2 shown in FIG. Therefore, in the circuit switched network 300, the data signal D is transmitted between the terminal 1 and the terminal 6 through the path P2 shown in FIG.

As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 11, the femto gateway (Femto-GW) 12 of the IMS / MMD network 400 communicates with the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switched network 300. By exchanging call processing signals, the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW 13 of the IMS / MMD network 400 forms a path of the data signal D with the radio network controller (RNC) / base station 2 of the circuit switching network 300. Realize handover.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in the IMS / MMD type femtocell system, by using the femto gateway (Femto-GW) and the femto media gateway (Femto-MGW), the femto of the IMS / MMD type is used. Handover between the cell system and the circuit switching network can be realized, and even when the terminal moves between the femto network and the circuit switching network, the terminal can be connected to the circuit switching network or the femto ( (Femto) network communication can be continued in the communication area.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, in order to realize a handover process with a circuit switching network while utilizing IMS / MMD, the femto of the IMS / MMD connection method can be used without adding a new function to the circuit switching network. (Femto) A handover process performed between a network and a circuit switching network can be realized, and an operator newly introducing a femtocell system, particularly an operator holding an IMS / MMD system, It is possible to provide an easy-to-install system for an operator who introduces MMD.

As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated with reference to embodiment (and an Example), this invention is not limited to the said embodiment (and Example). Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2008-119773 filed on April 30, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

The present invention can contribute to the implementation of a handover process performed between an IMS / MMD connection type femto network and a circuit switching network.

1 is a diagram illustrating a network overview of an IMS / MMD type femtocell system after introducing a femto gateway (Femto-GW) and a femtomedia gateway (Femto-MGW) in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of communication between an IMS / MMD type femtocell network and a circuit switching network after introducing the femto gateway (Femto-GW) and the femtomedia gateway (Femto-MGW) of FIG. 1; It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the femto gateway (Femto-GW) by embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the femtomedia gateway (Femto-MGW) by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the hand-over process (process before a hand-over) in the circuit switching network by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the hand-over process (process after hand-over) in the circuit switching network by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the hand-over process from the subordinate of the femtocell to the subdivision of a circuit switching network after introducing Femto-GW and Femto-MGW by embodiment of this invention. 6 is a sequence chart showing a processing example of handover from a femto cell subordinate to a circuit switched network subordinate according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the hand-over process (process before a hand-over) between RNC by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the hand-over process (process after a hand-over) between RNC between RNC by embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the hand-over process from a subordinate of a femto cell to a subordinate of a circuit switched network in other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the related IMS / MMD system femtocell network. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of communication between the circuit switching network of a related IMS / MMD system, and a femtocell.

1, 1a, 1b, 6

Terminals

2, 2a, 2b Radio Network Controller (RNC) /

Base Stations

3, 3a, 3b Mobile Service Center 4 Gateway (GS)
5 Register (HLR) / Server (HSS)
7 Femto Access Point (Femto-AP)
8 Gateway (PDG / AGW)
9 Server (CSCF)
10 Application server (AS)
11 Gateway (MGCF / IM-MGW)
12 Femto Gateway (Femto-GW)
13 Femtomedia Gateway (Femto-MGW)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Public network 121 IMS / MMD connection part 122 Media control part 123 Handover control part 124 Authentication / location registration part 131 Media conversion part 132 Handover processing part 200 Femto network 300 Circuit switching network 400 IMS / MMD network

Claims

In a handover apparatus used in a femcell network in which a femto network is connected to an IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain-in network integrating circuit switching and call processing,
A femto gateway that forms a path for transmitting a call processing signal between the circuit-switched network and the femto network by moving a terminal between the circuit-switched network and the femto network;
A femtomedia gateway that forms a path for transmitting data between the circuit switched network and the femto network by moving a terminal between the circuit switched network and the femto network; A femtocell network handover apparatus.
The femto cell network handover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the femto gateway controls the femto media gateway when a terminal moves between the circuit switched network and the femto network.
The femto gateway forms a path for transmitting the call processing signal to and from a mobile service center that performs a handover process in the circuit switched network.
2. The femto cell network handover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the femtomedia gateway forms a path for transmitting the data to and from a mobile service center that performs a handover process in the circuit switching network.
The femto gateway forms a path for transmitting the call processing signal to / from a radio network controller / base station that performs a handover process in the circuit switched network,
2. The femtocell network handover apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the femtomedia gateway forms a path for transmitting the data to and from a radio network controller / base station that performs a handover process in the circuit switching network. .
The femto gateway is
By converting the protocol used on the circuit switched network side to the protocol used on the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network side, the terminal on the circuit switched network side can be used on the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network. By converting the protocol used in the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network to the protocol used in the circuit switching network, the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network side is simulated. An IMS / MMD connection unit that simulates a terminal as a terminal on the circuit switched network side;
A media control unit that controls the femto media gateway using a media control protocol;
A handover control unit for exchanging handover information with a circuit-switched network using a circuit-switched network protocol;
The femtocell network handover apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an authentication / location registration unit that performs location registration of the femto network with reference to subscriber data.
The femtomedia gateway is
Based on a command from the femto gateway, a media conversion unit that converts media as necessary,
The handover processing unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a handover processing unit that forms a path for transmitting a data signal with a circuit switched network based on a command from the femto gateway at the time of handover. A femtocell network handover apparatus.
In a femcell network in which a femto network is connected to an IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain-in network integrating circuit switching and call processing,
A handover device,
The handover apparatus is
A femto gateway that forms a path for transmitting a call processing signal between the circuit-switched network and the femto network by moving a terminal between the circuit-switched network and the femto network;
A femtomedia gateway that forms a path for transmitting data between the circuit switched network and the femto network by moving a terminal between the circuit switched network and the femto network; To femtocell network.
The femto cell network according to claim 7, wherein the femto gateway controls the femto media gateway when a terminal moves between the circuit switching network and the femto network.
The femto gateway forms a path for transmitting the call processing signal to and from a mobile service center that performs a handover process in the circuit switched network.
8. The femto cell network according to claim 7, wherein the femto media gateway forms a path for transmitting the data to and from a mobile service center that performs a handover process in the circuit switching network.
The femto gateway forms a path for transmitting the call processing signal to / from a radio network controller / base station that performs a handover process in the circuit switched network,
8. The femto cell network according to claim 7, wherein the femto media gateway forms a path for transmitting the data with a radio network controller / base station that performs a handover process in the circuit switching network.
In a handover method in a femtocell network in which a femto network is connected to an IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain-in network integrating circuit switching and call processing,
When a terminal moves between the circuit switched network and the femto network, a path for transmitting a call processing signal is formed between the circuit switched network and the femto network,
A femtocell network handover method comprising: forming a path for transmitting data between the circuit switched network and the femto network by moving a terminal between the circuit switched network and the femto network. .
By converting the protocol used on the circuit switched network side to the protocol used on the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network side, the terminal on the circuit switched network side can be used on the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network. By converting the protocol used in the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network to the protocol used in the circuit switching network, the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network side is simulated. A process of simulating a terminal as a terminal on the circuit switched network side;
The process of controlling the femto media gateway using the media control protocol;
A process for exchanging handover information with a circuit switched network using a circuit switched network protocol;
The femtocell network handover method according to claim 11, wherein a process for registering a location of a femto network terminal is performed with reference to subscriber data.
Based on a command from the femto gateway, processing to convert media as necessary,
The handover method for a femtocell network according to claim 11, wherein a process for forming a path for transmitting a data signal to and from a circuit switched network is executed based on a command from the femto gateway at the time of handover.
Forming a path for transmitting the call processing signal to and from a mobile service center that performs handover processing in the circuit switched network;
The femtocell network handover method according to claim 11, wherein a path for transmitting the data is formed with a mobile service center performing a handover process in the circuit switching network.
Forming a path for transmitting the call processing signal to / from a radio network controller / base station that performs handover processing in the circuit-switched network;
The femtocell network handover method according to claim 11, wherein a path for transmitting the data is formed with a radio network controller / base station that performs a handover process in the circuit switched network.
In a femcell network in which a femto network is connected to an IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain-in network integrating circuit switching and call processing,
On the computer,
A function of forming a path for transmitting a call processing signal between the circuit switched network and the femto network by moving a terminal between the circuit switched network and the femto network;
A function of forming a path for transmitting data between the circuit-switched network and the femto network when a terminal moves between the circuit-switched network and the femto network. Control program.
In the computer,
By converting the protocol used on the circuit switched network side to the protocol used on the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network side, the terminal on the circuit switched network side can be used on the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network. By converting the protocol used in the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network to the protocol used in the circuit switching network, the IP multimedia subsystem / multimedia domain network side is simulated. The function of simulating a terminal as a terminal on the circuit switched network side;
The ability to control the femto media gateway using a media control protocol;
A function for exchanging handover information with a circuit switching network using a circuit switching network protocol;
The program for handover control according to claim 16, wherein a function for performing location registration of a terminal of a femto network is executed with reference to subscriber data.
In the computer,
Based on a command from the femto gateway, a function to convert media as necessary,
The handover control program according to claim 16, wherein a function for forming a path for transmitting a data signal to and from a circuit switched network is executed based on a command from the femto gateway at the time of handover.
In the computer,
A function of forming a path for transmitting the call processing signal to and from a mobile service center performing a handover process in the circuit switched network;
17. The program for handover control according to claim 16, wherein a function for forming a path for transmitting the data with a mobile service center that performs a handover process in the circuit switched network is executed.
In the computer,
A function of forming a path for transmitting the call processing signal to / from a radio network controller / base station that performs handover processing in the circuit-switched network;
17. The program for handover control according to claim 16, wherein a function for forming a path for transmitting the data is executed with a radio network controller / base station that performs handover processing in the circuit switched network.