WO2024069862A1

WO2024069862A1 - Control of network corresponding to navigation route

Info

Publication number: WO2024069862A1
Application number: PCT/JP2022/036468
Authority: WO
Inventors: 仁中里; 紗季田中; 遥堀内; 啓佑高見
Original assignee: 楽天モバイル株式会社
Priority date: 2022-09-29
Filing date: 2022-09-29
Publication date: 2024-04-04

Abstract

In the present invention a network controller has one or more processors with which it is possible to achieve both continuous operation of a route search system and a reduction in energy consumption or equalization of utilized resources. The one or more processors execute processes that include: acquiring traffic information from a plurality of user terminals; acquiring route candidates from a starting point to a goal point along which the plurality of user terminals move; dividing the plurality of user terminals into groups on the basis of the traffic information; allocating the route candidates to the respective groups formed by the grouping process; and generating a startup request for a base station corresponding to a navigation route in accordance with the allocated route candidates.

Description

Control of a network corresponding to a navigation route

This disclosure relates to controlling a network that corresponds to a navigation route.

Generally, route search systems (navigation systems) such as car navigation systems provide a navigation route by inputting a start point and a finish point into a user's terminal. This navigation route can take into account traffic congestion, travel time, toll roads, and the user's preferences. In the future, the use of route search systems is expected to increase further with the development of high-speed, large-capacity communication networks.

However, on the navigation route obtained by the route search system, communication between the user terminal and the base station may be difficult. When communication between the user terminal and the base station is difficult, the user terminal may not be able to continue using the communication service via the base station. Specifically, for example, in a route search system, the user terminal may not be able to obtain the navigation route in real time, making it difficult for the route search system to continue operating.

Patent Document 1, an example of conventional technology, discloses a navigation device that prevents the guided route from having to be detouring due to avoiding dead zones and efficiently obtains desired information in communication-enabled areas by determining in advance which areas on the guided route are areas where communication with an information server is possible. The navigation device disclosed in Patent Document 1 can obtain radio wave condition information (predicted radio wave reception strength) at each point required for communication between a mobile unit and an information server, preventing the guided route from having to be detouring.

JP 2006-98147 A

As mentioned above, while the development of high-speed, high-capacity communication networks is progressing, some base stations with low communication demand may be turned off in order to reduce energy consumption or level out the resources used. In other words, base stations that communicate with user terminals infrequently may be turned off to reduce power consumption in the communication network.

However, turning off some base stations will expand the area where communication between user terminals and base stations is difficult, which will impair the continuity of users' communications as described above, making it difficult to continue operating route search systems, etc.

The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above, and aims to provide a network controller and navigation method that can achieve both a reduction in energy consumption or a leveling out of resource usage, and the continuous use of communication services such as a route search system.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the network controller has one or more processors. The one or more processors acquire traffic information of a plurality of user terminals. The one or more processors also acquire route candidates from a start point to a goal point along which the plurality of user terminals move. The one or more processors also group the plurality of user terminals based on the traffic information. The one or more processors also assign the route candidates to each of the groups formed by grouping. The one or more processors also generate a start-up request for a base station corresponding to a navigation route according to the assigned route candidates.

Further, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the navigation method includes acquiring traffic information of a plurality of user terminals using one or more processors. The navigation method also includes acquiring route candidates from a start point to a goal point along which the plurality of user terminals move using the one or more processors. The navigation method also includes grouping the plurality of user terminals based on the traffic information using the one or more processors. The navigation method also includes assigning the route candidates to each of the groups formed by grouping using the one or more processors. The navigation method also includes generating, using the one or more processors, a start-up request for a base station corresponding to a navigation route according to the assigned route candidates.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a route search to which a navigation system is applied. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation system and its peripherals according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the navigation system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a start-up process of a base station. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an application example of the navigation system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the configuration of the navigation system and its peripherals according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the navigation system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a route providing device. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a network controller.

Below, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiment described below is an example, and should not be construed as being limited by this description.

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a diagram showing an example of a route search to which a navigation system is applied. In FIG. 1, a vehicle equipped with a user terminal 1 travels from a start point 2 to a goal point 3.

In FIG. 1, a first base station 4a, a second base station 4b, a third base station 4c, a fourth base station 4d, a fifth base station 4e, and a sixth base station 4f are shown. In the following, the first base station 4a, the second base station 4b, the third base station 4c, the fourth base station 4d, the fifth base station 4e, and the sixth base station 4f are collectively referred to as "base stations 4". Each of the base stations 4 includes at least an RU (Radio Unit). The RU has an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves. In FIG. 1, the position of the RU is shown for each of the base stations 4.

Furthermore, FIG. 1 shows a first area 5a, a second area 5b, a third area 5c, a fourth area 5d, a fifth area 5e, and a sixth area 5f. In the following, the first area 5a, the second area 5b, the third area 5c, the fourth area 5d, the fifth area 5e, and the sixth area 5f are collectively referred to as "area 5". Each of the areas 5 is an area where radio waves can be transmitted and received between each antenna of the corresponding base station 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the start point 2 is located in the first area 5a, and the goal point 3 is located in the fourth area 5d.

Here, it is assumed that the first route 6a and the second route 6b shown in FIG. 1 have been searched for by the navigation system as candidate routes from the start point 2 to the goal point 3. The first route 6a is a route from the start point 2 to the goal point 3, passing through the first area 5a, the second area 5b, the third area 5c, and the fourth area 5d in this order. On the other hand, the second route 6b is a route from the start point 2 to the goal point 3, passing through the first area 5a, the fifth area 5e, the sixth area 5f, and the fourth area 5d in this order.

The following describes the case where a user equipment (UE) 1 moves along the first route 6a or the second route 6b shown in Figure 1.

The user terminal 1 performs wireless communication with a base station 4 with which it can communicate while moving along the first route 6a or the second route 6b. In FIG. 1, the user terminal 1 is mounted on a vehicle, and the vehicle travels from a start point 2 to a goal point 3. An example of such a user terminal 1 is a car navigation terminal. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the user terminal 1 may be a terminal that exists in the vehicle separately from the vehicle, or may simply be a terminal carried by a user who is in the vehicle. The user terminal 1 may also be a terminal carried by a user who is not in a vehicle and travels on foot. In other words, the type and means of transportation of the user terminal 1 are not limited in the present disclosure.

As described above, each of the base stations 4 includes at least an RU. The RU is communicatively connected to a DU (Distributed Unit) (not shown). The DU may be provided in the same location as the RU to which it is connected, for example, in the base station 4 that includes the RU, or may be provided in a location remote from the RU to which it is connected, for example, in a data center. The DU is also communicatively connected to a CU (Centralized Unit) (not shown). The CU may be provided in the same location as the DU to which it is connected, for example, in the base station 4 that includes the DU or a data center, or may be provided in a location remote from the DU to which it is connected. In other words, the base station 4 includes at least an RU and may further include a DU, or may further include a CU.

The DU may be a virtualized DU (vDU) built on a virtualization platform. Similarly, the CU may be a virtualized CU (vCU) built on a virtualization platform. In the following explanation, as a general rule, there is no distinction between DU and vDU and they are referred to as DU, and there is no distinction between CU and vCU and they are referred to as CU.

The RU and DU can be switched between on and off states under the control of another device not shown. If the DU is a vDU, the DU can be switched between on and off states by adding or deleting a vDU on the virtualization platform. Examples of devices that switch the RU and DU between on and off states include management devices such as an OSS (Operation Support System) or EMS in the wireless network system.

When the base station 4 is in the on state, the base station 4 can communicate with the user terminal 1. When the base station 4 is in the on state, it means that the RU provided in the base station 4, the DU connected to this RU, and the CU connected to this DU are all on. On the other hand, when the base station 4 is in the off state, it cannot communicate with the user terminal 1. When the base station 4 is in the off state (indicated as Sleep in Figure 1), it means that at least one of the RU and the DU connected to this RU is off.

Incidentally, in order to reduce energy consumption or level out resource usage, base stations 4 with low communication demand may be turned off. For example, if the DU constituting a base station 4 with low communication demand is a vDU, it is possible to quickly switch the base station 4 with an RU connected to this vDU to the off state by deleting the vDU on the virtualization platform.

As described above, the user terminal 1 moves, for example, along the first route 6a or the second route 6b while communicating wirelessly with the base stations 4 corresponding to each of the areas 5 that the user terminal 1 passes through. In FIG. 1, since the first base station 4a is on, the user terminal 1 can use the communication service by transmitting and receiving radio waves to the first base station 4a in the first area 5a. Similarly, since the second base station 4b, the third base station 4c, and the fourth base station 4d are on, the user terminal 1 can use the communication service in the second area 5b, the third area 5c, and the fourth area 5d. Therefore, when the user terminal 1 moves along the first route 6a, it can continuously use the communication service from the start point 2 to the goal point 3 without any interruption in the radio waves.

In contrast, in FIG. 1, since the fifth base station 4e is off, the user terminal 1 cannot transmit or receive radio waves to or from the fifth base station 4e even if it is in the fifth area 5e, and cannot use the communication service unless it transmits or receives radio waves to or from another base station 4. Similarly, since the sixth base station 4f is off, the user terminal 1 cannot use the communication service even if it is in the sixth area 5f. Therefore, when the user terminal 1 moves along the second route 6b, radio waves are interrupted in a position within the fifth area 5e or the sixth area 5f that does not overlap with any of the other areas 5, and the user terminal 1 cannot continuously use the communication service.

In this way, on the first route 6a, communication between the user terminal 1 and the base station 4 is ensured, and therefore continuity of the user's communication use is ensured. On the other hand, on the second route 6b, communication between the user terminal 1 and the base station 4 may be interrupted, making it difficult to ensure continuity of the user's communication use. Therefore, in this embodiment, the fifth base station 4e and the sixth base station 4f on the second route 6b searched by the navigation system are switched from an off state to an on state. Below, a configuration capable of switching the base stations 4 from an off state to an on state is described.

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a navigation system 30 and its peripheral configuration according to the first embodiment. The navigation system 30 shown in FIG. 2 has at least a route providing device 10 and a network controller 20. The navigation system 30 is also connected to a RAN (Radio Access Network) 40 and a management device 50. The RAN 40 is a network in a wireless network system that performs wireless communication with a user terminal 1, and the above-mentioned RU, DU and CU are included in the RAN 40.

The start point information is information indicating the position of the start point 2, and may include, for example, the longitude and latitude of the start point 2. The finish point information is information indicating the position of the finish point 3, and may include, for example, the longitude and latitude of the finish point 3. The route providing device 10 shown in FIG. 2 has a map information processing unit 11 and a route information providing unit 12.

The map information processing unit 11 stores map information such as a dynamic map. A dynamic map is a database-like map that adds various traffic information such as vehicle positions to a high-precision three-dimensional map. The map information processing unit 11 generates one or more route candidates based on the map information and the start point information and finish point information acquired from the user terminal 1. At this time, the map information processing unit 11 may generate route candidates using, for example, a known method, and may further generate route candidates taking into consideration traffic congestion, travel time, toll roads, user preferences, etc.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the map information processing unit 11 generates a first route 6a and a second route 6b as route candidates based on the start point information of the start point 2 and the finish point information of the finish point 3.

The route information providing unit 12 notifies the network controller 20 of information on route candidates (hereinafter referred to as "route information") generated by the map information processing unit 11. The route information includes, for example, identification information of roads through which each route candidate passes and the number of route candidates. In addition, the route information providing unit 12 provides the navigation route determined from the route candidates to the user terminal 1 via the RAN 40.

The network controller 20 includes an operation information acquisition unit 21, an operation information storage unit 22, a route information acquisition unit 23, a startup request generation unit 24, a traffic information acquisition unit 25, a traffic storage unit 26, a group formation unit 27, and a route allocation unit 28. The network controller 20 may be, for example, a RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller) or a real-time RIC.

The operation information acquisition unit 21 acquires information indicating the operation state of each of one or more base stations 4 included in the RAN 40 (hereinafter referred to as "operation information") from a management device 50 communicatively connected to the RAN 40. The operation information indicates whether the base station 4 is in an on state or an off state. The operation information acquisition unit 21 may acquire the operation information of the base station 4 at regular intervals, for example, by polling or Syslog.

The operation information storage unit 22 stores the operation information acquired by the operation information acquisition unit 21 as a database or the like.

The route information acquisition unit 23 acquires information on route candidates (route information) generated by the map information processing unit 11 of the route providing device 10 from the route information providing unit 12 of the route providing device 10. The route information acquired by the route information acquisition unit 23 includes, for example, the number of route candidates from the start point to the goal point.

The startup request generation unit 24 generates a startup request to request the startup of base stations 4 in order to start up all of the base stations 4 that are off and that correspond to each area 5 through which the navigation route passes, based on the operation information of each base station 4 that corresponds to each area 5 through which the determined navigation route passes. The startup request generation unit 24 then transmits the generated startup request to the management device 50. The startup request includes, for example, information on all base stations 4 that are off and that correspond to the area 5 through which the navigation route passes.

However, the startup request does not necessarily have to include information on all base stations 4 that are in the off state. For example, if a rule is established in advance that automatically starts the fourth base station 4d when the third base station 4c is started, and it is desired to start both the third base station 4c and the fourth base station 4d that are in the off state, the startup request may include, for example, information on the third base station 4c but not information on the fourth base station 4d.

The startup request generating unit 24 may also transmit to the management device 50 a startup request to sequentially start up the off-state base stations 4 corresponding to each area 5 through which the determined navigation route passes, from the start point 2 to the goal point 3.

The traffic information acquisition unit 25 acquires traffic information of multiple user terminals, including the user terminal 1, from the management device 50 that is communicatively connected to the RAN 40. The traffic information includes, for example, information such as the amount of traffic that each user terminal transmits and receives within a given period of time.

The traffic storage unit 26 stores the traffic information acquired by the traffic information acquisition unit 25 as a database or the like. Specifically, the traffic storage unit 26 stores the traffic for each user terminal in association with the identification information of each user terminal.

The group forming unit 27 forms groups of user terminals based on the route information acquired by the route information acquiring unit 23 and the traffic of each user terminal stored by the traffic storage unit 26. Specifically, the group forming unit 27 divides multiple user terminals that share a common start point 2 and goal point 3 into groups equal in number to the number of route candidates. That is, for example, if the number of route candidates is three, the group forming unit 27 divides multiple user terminals moving from the start point 2 to the goal point 3 into three groups. This makes it possible to form groups corresponding to the route candidates, and to distribute the communication load of multiple user terminals to the route candidates for each group.

At this time, the group forming unit 27 groups the user terminals based on the traffic of each user terminal, for example, by the first method or the second method described below.

In the first method, the group formation unit 27 determines the total traffic volume for each group by dividing the sum of the traffic volumes of multiple user terminals moving from the start point 2 to the goal point 3 by the number of route candidates. Then, the group formation unit 27 assigns each of the multiple user terminals moving from the start point 2 to the goal point 3 to each group so that the sum of the traffic volumes of the user terminals for each group does not exceed the total traffic volume. The group formation unit 27 may assign the multiple user terminals moving from the start point 2 to the goal point 3 to groups in descending order of traffic volume. As a result, when all user terminals are assigned to groups, the traffic volume of each group becomes equal to the total traffic volume.

In this way, according to the first method, multiple user terminals that share a common start point 2 and goal point 3 are grouped so that the total traffic volume does not exceed the total traffic volume for each group. Therefore, it is possible to form a number of groups equal to the number of route candidates so that the traffic volume of each group is equal.

In the second method, the group formation unit 27 forms a pair between a user terminal with the maximum traffic volume and a user terminal with the minimum traffic volume among multiple user terminals moving from the start point 2 to the goal point 3. Then, the group formation unit 27 repeats forming pairs between the user terminal with the maximum traffic volume and the user terminal with the minimum traffic volume among multiple user terminals excluding user terminals that have already been paired. Furthermore, when the group formation unit 27 has completed the formation of all pairs, it combines the pair with the maximum traffic volume and the pair with the minimum traffic volume. Then, the group formation unit 27 repeats combining the pair with the maximum traffic volume and the pair with the minimum traffic volume among pairs excluding pairs that have already been combined with other pairs. Similarly, the combination with the maximum traffic volume and the combination with the minimum traffic volume are combined until the number of combinations of user terminals becomes equal to the number of route candidates.

In this way, according to the second method, multiple user terminals that share the same start point 2 and goal point 3 are grouped by combining those with the largest traffic volume with those with the smallest traffic volume. Therefore, a number of groups equal to the number of route candidates can be formed by the relatively simple process of comparing the magnitude of traffic volume.

The route assignment unit 28 assigns route candidates to each group of user terminals formed by the group formation unit 27, and determines the navigation route to be provided to the user terminals of each group. At this time, the route assignment unit 28 may assign route candidates with fewer off-state base stations 4 to a group with a large amount of traffic compared to a group with a small amount of traffic, for example. This allows the route assignment unit 28 to use route candidates with fewer off-state base stations 4 as the navigation route for the group with a large amount of traffic. The route assignment unit 28 then notifies the route information provision unit 12 of the route provision device 10 of information on the determined navigation route for each group.

The route allocation unit 28 also notifies the activation request generation unit 24 of information on each navigation route in order to generate an activation request for the base station 4 corresponding to the area 5 through which the navigation route of each group passes. The route allocation unit 28 may, for example, notify the activation request generation unit 24 of information only on the navigation route of a group with a large amount of traffic, and may not notify the activation request generation unit 24 of information on the navigation route of a group with a small amount of traffic. Even in this case, the base station 4 on the navigation route traveled by the user terminal of the group with a large amount of traffic is activated, and communication can be continued efficiently. Also, for example, when a heterogeneous network in which 4G networks and 5G networks are mixed is constructed, even if the base station 4 of the 5G network on the navigation route of the group with a small amount of traffic is not activated, the user terminal of the group can continue communication using the base station of the 4G network.

The management device 50 is communicatively connected to the RAN 40, and acquires operation information of each of one or more base stations 4 included in the RAN 40. The management device 50 may acquire the operation information of the base stations 4 at regular intervals, for example, by polling or Syslog. The operation information of the base station 4 may indicate, for example, whether the RU connected to the DU is on or off. In this case, the management device 50 may acquire the operation information of the RU from the DU connected to the RU.

The management device 50 not only manages the navigation system 30, but also manages each configuration within the RAN 40. An example of such a management device 50 is an EMS (Element Management System). The management device 50 also acquires traffic information of multiple user terminals including the user terminal 1. The management device 50 may acquire traffic information of user terminals connected to the RAN 40 at regular intervals. An example of such a management device 50 is MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing). The management device 50 may be configured to include both an EMS and a MEC.

As shown in FIG. 2, when the operation information of the base stations 4 in the RAN 40 is stored in the operation information storage unit 22 included in the network controller 20, the navigation system 30 does not need to acquire the operation information of the base stations 4 from the management device 50 one by one during navigation operation. Therefore, the navigation system 30 can quickly perform operations that utilize the operation information of the base stations 4.

Next, the operation of the navigation system 30 configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram explaining the operation of the navigation system 30 according to the first embodiment.

The management device 50 periodically acquires operation information of one or more base stations 4 in the RAN 40. Specifically, the management device 50 requests one or more DUs in the RAN 40 to send operation information. The DU that has been requested to send operation information transmits to the management device 50 the operation information of the DU and the operation information of one or more RUs connected to the DU. In this way, the management device 50 acquires operation information of the base stations 4 (i.e., DUs and RUs) in the RAN 40.

The operation information of the base stations 4 acquired by the management device 50 is acquired and stored at regular intervals by the network controller 20. The acquisition of the operation information by the network controller 20 may be performed, for example, by polling or Syslog. By acquiring the operation information, the latest operation information of the base stations 4 in the RAN 40 is stored in the operation information storage unit 22 of the network controller 20, and when the navigation system 30 is operating, it can operate quickly without having to acquire operation information one by one.

However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the network controller 20 and management device 50 may acquire operation information of the base station 4 as appropriate while the navigation system 30 is operating.

The management device 50 also collects traffic information of multiple user terminals including the user terminal 1 at regular intervals and transmits the collected traffic information to the network controller 20. The management device 50 can obtain traffic information of each user terminal, for example, by obtaining the number of user terminals that are sending queries to a Domain Name System (DNS) server (not shown). The management device 50 may also obtain traffic information of each user terminal by mirroring and monitoring the router of the application. Furthermore, the management device 50 may obtain traffic information of each user terminal based on the response status or load of the proxy and/or the response status or load of a load distribution device (not shown) that is a load balancer.

The traffic information acquired by the management device 50 is acquired at regular intervals by the network controller 20. As the traffic information is acquired, the traffic storage unit 26 of the network controller 20 stores traffic information of multiple user terminals connected to the RAN 40.

The user terminal 1 transmits information about the start point 2 and the goal point 3 to the route providing device 10. Based on the information about the start point 2 and the goal point 3 transmitted from the user terminal 1 and the map information, the route providing device 10 searches for one or more route candidates in the map information and generates route information. Then, the route providing device 10 transmits the generated route information to the network controller 20.

The network controller 20 groups multiple user terminals that share a common start point 2 and goal point 3 based on the route information and traffic information. Specifically, the group formation unit 27 of the network controller 20 groups multiple user terminals that share the same start point and goal point as the user terminal 1 into groups equal to the number of route candidates.

At this time, the group forming unit 27 forms groups of user terminals based on the traffic of each user terminal, for example, so that the traffic volume of each group is equal. That is, the group forming unit 27 assigns each of the multiple user terminals to each group by using the first method described above, so that the total traffic volume of each group does not exceed the traffic upper limit. The group forming unit 27 may also group the multiple user terminals by combining those with the largest and smallest traffic volumes by using the second method described above.

When the network controller 20 forms groups of user terminals, it assigns route candidates to each group. That is, the route assignment unit 28 of the network controller 20 assigns one route candidate indicated by the route information to each group of user terminals. The route candidates assigned to the groups in this way become the optimal routes for the user terminals belonging to each group. The network controller 20 then transmits optimal route information indicating the optimal route for the user terminals of each group to the route providing device 10.

The route providing device 10 transmits navigation route information to each user terminal, with the optimal route for each user terminal being the navigation route. When the user terminal 1 receives the navigation route information, it displays the navigation route on the screen. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and if the user terminal 1 is a vehicle that performs automatic driving control, automatic driving control may be performed using the navigation route information without displaying the navigation route on the screen.

Once the optimal route for each group is determined by assigning route candidates to each group of user terminals, the network controller 20 determines the base station (hereinafter referred to as the "used base station") that the user terminals belonging to each group will use when traveling along the optimal route. Then, based on the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 22, the network controller 20 sends to the management device 50 a request to start up base stations 4 that are off among the determined used base stations. This executes the start-up process for the off-state base stations 4, and all the used base stations for the user terminals of each group are started up. As a result, the user terminals traveling along the navigation route can continuously use the communication service.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the startup process of a base station 4 that is in the off state. In the following description, a base station in use that is in the off state may be referred to as a "base station to be started."

The network controller 20 sends a startup request for the base station 4 to be started among the determined base stations to be used to the management device 50. The management device 50 performs instantiation of the DU corresponding to the base station 4 to be started that received the startup request.

In the RAN 40, a new session is opened between the RU of the base station 4 to be started and the instantiated DU, and a notification of the start-up completion of the base station 4 to be started is sent to the management device 50.

The management device 50 sends a startup completion notification for the base station 4 to be started to the network controller 20. The network controller 20 sends a startup completion notification to the route providing device 10.

Next, an application example of the navigation system 30 according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an application example of the navigation system 30 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows two candidate routes from the starting point 102 to the goal point 103 at the start, and five areas. The two candidate routes are a first route 106a and a second route 106b. The five areas are a first area 105a, a second area 105b, a third area 105c, a fourth area 105d, and a fifth area 105e.

The first area 105a, the second area 105b, the fourth area 105d, and the fifth area 105e are areas in which the corresponding base stations are on. Therefore, user terminals present in the first area 105a, the second area 105b, the fourth area 105d, and the fifth area 105e can use communication services using wireless communication.

On the other hand, the third area 105c is an area in which the corresponding base station is off at the start. Therefore, a user terminal present in the third area 105c cannot use communication services using wireless communication at the start unless it communicates with a base station in another area.

The first route 106a is a route that passes through the first area 105a, the second area 105b, the fifth area 105e, and the fourth area 105d in this order from the start point 102 to the goal point 103. Therefore, the user terminals of the group whose navigation route is the first route 106a can reach the goal point 103 from the start point 102 while continuing wireless communication with the base station.

The second route 106b is a route that passes through the first area 105a, the second area 105b, the third area 105c, and the fourth area 105d in this order from the start point 102 to the goal point 103. Therefore, by executing the startup process of the base station corresponding to the third area 105c as described above, the user terminals of the group whose navigation route is the second route 106b can reach from the start point 102 to the goal point 103 while continuing wireless communication with the base station.

As described above, according to this embodiment, even when a base station with low communication demand is turned off to reduce energy consumption or level out resource usage, a base station that is off and on the movement route of the user terminal is activated based on the navigation route. This makes it possible to enable the continuous use of communication services such as a route search system. As a result, it is possible to achieve both a reduction in energy consumption or level out resource usage and the continuous use of communication services such as a route search system.

(Embodiment 2)
In the above-mentioned first embodiment, an example has been described in which the network controller 20 determines the navigation route, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the navigation route may be determined in the user terminal 1. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a case in which the navigation route is determined in the user terminal 1 will be described.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing a navigation system 30a and its peripheral configuration according to embodiment 2. In FIG. 6, the same parts as in FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In the navigation system 30a shown in FIG. 6, the route providing device 10a has a route information providing unit 12a instead of the route information providing unit 12 shown in FIG. 2, and the network controller 20a has a route information obtaining unit 23a and a recommended route determining unit 29 instead of the route information obtaining unit 23 and the route allocation unit 28 shown in FIG. 2.

The route information providing unit 12a notifies the network controller 20a of the route information generated by the map information processing unit 11. The route information includes, for example, identification information of the roads through which each route candidate passes and the number of route candidates. The route information providing unit 12a also provides the recommended route notified by the network controller 20a to the user terminal 1 via the RAN 40, and prompts the user terminal 1 to determine a navigation route from the recommended route. The route information providing unit 12a then notifies the network controller 20a of the navigation route determined by the user terminal 1.

The route information acquisition unit 23a acquires route information generated by the map information processing unit 11 of the route providing device 10 from the route information providing unit 12a of the route providing device 10a. The route information acquisition unit 23a also acquires the navigation route determined by the user terminal 1 from the route information providing unit 12a of the route providing device 10a. Then, the route information acquisition unit 23a notifies the startup request generation unit 24 of the information on the navigation route of the user terminal 1 in order to generate a startup request for the base station 4 corresponding to the area 5 through which the navigation route passes.

The recommended route determination unit 29 assigns route candidates to each group of user terminals formed by the group formation unit 27, and determines the route candidates assigned to each group as the recommended route to be recommended to the user terminals of each group. The recommended route determination unit 29 then notifies the route information providing unit 12a of the route providing device 10a of information on the recommended route for each group.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram explaining the operation of the navigation system 30 according to the second embodiment. Below, only the differences between FIG. 7 and FIG. 3 will be explained.

The same processing as in the above-mentioned embodiment 1 (Figure 3) is executed until the network controller 20a groups multiple user terminals that share a common start point 2 and goal point 3 based on the route information and traffic information.

When the network controller 20a forms groups of user terminals, it assigns route candidates to each group and determines a recommended route for each group. That is, the recommended route determination unit 29 of the network controller 20a determines the route candidates assigned to each group of user terminals as the recommended route for each group. The recommended route for each group determined in this manner is notified to the route providing device 10a.

The route providing device 10a transmits the recommended route for each user terminal to each user terminal, and determines a navigation route based on the recommended route. That is, for example, a screen may be displayed to ask the user whether the recommended route should be used as the navigation route, or a screen may be displayed to allow the user to select a navigation route from the recommended route for the group to which the user terminal belongs and the recommended routes for other groups. In this way, the navigation route is determined in the user terminal 1.

When the navigation route is determined, the user terminal 1 transmits navigation route information to the route providing device 10a and displays the navigation route on the screen. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and if the user terminal 1 is a vehicle that performs automatic driving control, automatic driving control may be performed using the navigation route information without displaying the navigation route on the screen.

When the route providing device 10a receives navigation route information from the user terminal 1, it transmits this navigation route information to the network controller 20a. The network controller 20a then determines the base stations to be used by the user terminal 1 when moving along the navigation route, and transmits a request to the management device 50 to start up the base stations 4 that are off among the base stations to be used, based on the operation information stored in the operation information storage unit 22. As a result, as in the first embodiment, the start-up process of the base stations 4 that are off is executed, and all base stations to be used by the user terminal 1 are started up. As a result, the user terminal 1 moving along the navigation route can continuously use communication services.

As described above, according to this embodiment, even when a base station with low communication demand is turned off to reduce energy consumption or level out resource usage, the off-state base station on the movement route of the user terminal is activated based on the navigation route determined by the user terminal. This makes it possible to enable the continuous use of communication services such as a route search system. As a result, it is possible to achieve both the reduction in energy consumption or the leveling out of resource usage and the continuous use of communication services such as a route search system.

The

route providing device

10, 10a according to the above-mentioned first and second embodiments can be configured using a processor and a memory. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the route providing device 10 according to the first embodiment. The route providing device 10a according to the second embodiment can also have the same configuration as the route providing device 10. As shown in FIG. 8, the route providing device 10 has a transmission/reception unit 110 and a processing unit 120.

The transmitter/receiver unit 110 transmits and receives data between the user terminal 1 and the network controller 20.

The processing unit 120 has a processor 122, a memory 124, and a storage 126. Note that the processing unit 120 may have multiple processors 122 or multiple memories 124. That is, the processing unit 120 has one or more processors 122 and one or more memories 124.

The processor 122 has, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and operates the transmission/reception unit 110 and performs various types of data processing.

Memory 124 includes, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory), and stores data used in the data processing performed by processor 122.

Storage 126 includes, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores, for example, map information.

The route providing device 10 may also have other components not shown, such as a display unit and an input/output unit.

The

network controllers

20 and 20a according to the first and second embodiments can be configured using a processor and a memory. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the network controller 20 according to the first embodiment. The network controller 20a according to the second embodiment can also have a similar configuration to the network controller 20. As shown in FIG. 9, the network controller 20 has a transmission/reception unit 210 and a processing unit 220.

The transmission/reception unit 210 transmits and receives data between the route providing device 10 and the management device 50.

The processing unit 220 has a processor 222, a memory 224, and a storage 226. Note that the processing unit 220 may have multiple processors 222 or multiple memories 224. That is, the processing unit 220 has one or more processors 222 and one or more memories 224.

The processor 222 includes, for example, a CPU, FPGA, or DSP, and operates the transceiver unit 210 and performs various types of data processing.

Memory 224 includes, for example, RAM or ROM, and stores data used in the data processing performed by processor 222.

Storage 226 includes, for example, an HDD or SSD, and stores, for example, operation information of base station 4 and traffic information of user terminals.

The network controller 20 may also have other components not shown, such as a display unit and an input/output unit.

In the above embodiments, the

route providing device

10, 10a and the

network controller

20, 20a are described as separate devices, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. In other words, the

route providing device

10, 10a and the

network controller

20, 20a may be configured as an integrated device, and the

route providing device

10, 10a and the

network controller

20, 20a may share at least one of the transceiver, the processor, the memory, and the storage.

Note that this disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but also includes various modifications in which components are added, deleted, or converted from the above-described configuration.

Furthermore, the term "connection" as used in this disclosure means a logical connection for communication. For example, "an RU connected to a DU" means that the DU and RU are logically connected so that they can communicate with each other. Therefore, the DU and RU may be directly physically connected with a physical cable or the like, but this is not limited to this, and multiple devices or wireless communication devices may be placed between the DU and RU.

The present disclosure described above includes the following [1] to [8].

[1] A system having one or more processors,
The one or more processors:
Obtaining traffic information of a plurality of user terminals;
acquiring route candidates from a start point to a goal point along which the plurality of user terminals move;
grouping the plurality of user terminals based on the traffic information;
assigning the route candidates to each of the groups formed by the grouping;
generating an activation request for a base station corresponding to a navigation route according to the assigned route candidate;
A network controller that performs processing including:

[2] The grouping step comprises:
forming a number of groups equal to the number of obtained route candidates.

[3] The grouping step comprises:
forming groups so that a total amount of traffic for each group is equal.

[4] The grouping step comprises:
forming a group by combining a user terminal with the largest traffic volume with a user terminal with the smallest traffic volume.

[5] The generating step comprises:
determining a route candidate assigned to a group as a navigation route for the group, and generating an activation request for a base station corresponding to the navigation route for each group.

[6] The generating step comprises:
The network controller according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising: acquiring information on a navigation route determined by a user terminal based on route candidates assigned to the group; and generating an activation request for a base station corresponding to the navigation route of the user terminal.

[7] The process comprises:
The method further includes obtaining operation information of the base station;
The generating step comprises:
The network controller according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising: generating a request to start up a base station in an off state based on operation information of the base station corresponding to the navigation route.

[8] Using one or more processors, acquiring traffic information of a plurality of user terminals;
acquiring route candidates from a start point to a goal point along which the plurality of user terminals are moved, using the one or more processors;
grouping the plurality of user terminals based on the traffic information using the one or more processors;
assigning the route candidates to each of the groups formed by the grouping using the one or more processors;
generating, using the one or more processors, a request for activating a base station corresponding to a navigation route according to the assigned route candidate;
23. A navigation method comprising:

REFERENCE SIGNS

LIST

10, 10a Route providing device 11 Map

information processing unit

12, 12a Route

information providing unit

20, 20a Network controller 21 Operation information acquiring unit 22 Operation

information storage unit

23, 23a Route information acquiring unit 24 Start request generating unit 25 Traffic information acquiring unit 26 Traffic storage unit 27 Group forming unit 28 Route allocation unit 29 Recommended

route determining unit

110, 210 Transmitting/receiving

unit

120, 220

Processing unit

122, 222

Processor

124, 224

Memory

126, 226 Storage

Claims

One or more processors;
The one or more processors:
Obtaining traffic information of a plurality of user terminals;
acquiring route candidates from a start point to a goal point along which the plurality of user terminals move;
grouping the plurality of user terminals based on the traffic information;
assigning the route candidates to each of the groups formed by the grouping;
generating an activation request for a base station corresponding to a navigation route according to the assigned route candidate;
A network controller that performs processing including:
The grouping step comprises:
The network controller of claim 1 , further comprising: forming a number of groups equal to a number of obtained route candidates.
The grouping step comprises:
The network controller according to claim 1 , further comprising forming the groups so that a total of traffic amounts for each group is equal.
The grouping step comprises:
2. The network controller of claim 1, further comprising: forming a group by combining user terminals with the largest and smallest amounts of traffic.
The generating step comprises:
The network controller according to claim 1 , further comprising: determining a route candidate assigned to a group as a navigation route for the group; and generating an activation request for a base station corresponding to the navigation route for each group.
The generating step comprises:
The network controller according to claim 1 , further comprising: acquiring information on a navigation route determined by a user terminal based on route candidates assigned to a group; and generating an activation request for a base station corresponding to the navigation route of the user terminal.
The process comprises:
The method further includes obtaining operation information of the base station;
The generating step comprises:
The network controller according to claim 1 , further comprising: generating a request to start up a base station in an off state based on operation information of the base station corresponding to the navigation route.
obtaining, using one or more processors, traffic information for a plurality of user terminals;
acquiring route candidates from a start point to a goal point along which the plurality of user terminals are moved, using the one or more processors;
grouping the plurality of user terminals based on the traffic information using the one or more processors;
assigning the route candidates to each of the groups formed by grouping using the one or more processors;
generating, using the one or more processors, a request to activate a base station corresponding to a navigation route according to the assigned route candidate;
23. A navigation method comprising: