Control device and control method

Abstract

To contribute to optimizing communication routes in association between different networks.SOLUTION: A control device (SGW-C) 10 of a first network includes: an information acquisition unit 12 that, when a request to establish a communication path to a data network via a second network from a terminal located in the area of the first network is received, acquires unit information for identifying a second processing device (PGW-U+UPF) 40 that will be the path to the data network in the second network as a response to the request to a second control device (PGW-C+SMF) 30 of the second network; a selection unit 13 that selects a first processing device (SGW-U) 20 that will be a path to the data network in the first network based on the acquired unit information and information related to the location of the terminal; and an optimization request unit 14 that requests the second control device (PGW-C+SMF) 30 to optimize the communication path based on the selection information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] As the communication standard adopted in mobile communication systems, the new 5G-SA (5th Generation-Standalone) standard (hereinafter abbreviated as "5G-SA") will be gradually deployed in various areas, and therefore cooperation between the existing LTE (Long Term Evolution) standard (hereinafter abbreviated as "LTE") and 5G-SA (see Patent Document 1) is necessary, and cooperation between LTE and 5G-SA is achieved by interconnecting the LTE core device (hereinafter abbreviated as "EPC") and the 5G-SA core device (hereinafter abbreviated as "5GC").

[0003] In the above cooperation, EPC and 5GC each independently select a device (hereinafter referred to as "U-Plane device") that processes the user plane (U-Plane). At this time, EPC selects a U-Plane device according to the terminal's location information, while 5GC selects a U-Plane device according to both the terminal's location information and the destination network. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2023-512971 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of the above-described cooperation, the communication path for uplink communication is from the terminal via the U-Plane device selected by the EPC, then via the U-Plane device selected by the 5GC, to the destination network. In this case, if the U-Plane device selected by the EPC and the U-Plane device selected by the 5GC are the same device, there is no path between these U-Plane devices, and the communication path is the shortest. However, if the U-Plane device selected by the EPC and the U-Plane device selected by the 5GC are different devices, the communication path becomes a redundant path that includes a path between the two U-Plane devices. Currently, the EPC cannot determine the U-Plane device selected by the 5GC when selecting a U-Plane device, so it is quite possible that the U-Plane device selected by the EPC and the U-Plane device selected by the 5GC are different devices, as described above. Furthermore, the above-described issues can arise not only in cooperation between 5G-SA and LTE, but also in cooperation between various networks.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to contribute to optimizing communication paths in cooperation between different networks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The control device of the present disclosure is a control device for a first network that, when receiving a request to establish a communication path to a data network via a second network from a terminal located in the area of a first network, is equipped with: an information acquisition unit that acquires unit information, which is information for identifying a second processing device that will be a path to the data network in the second network, as a response from the second control device, which is a control device of the second network, to the request; a selection unit that selects a first processing device that will be a path to the data network in the first network based on the unit information acquired by the information acquisition unit and information regarding the location of the terminal; and an optimization request unit that requests the second control device to optimize the communication path based on the selection information of the first processing device by the selection unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present disclosure can contribute to optimizing communication paths in cooperation between different networks. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the SGW-C and peripheral devices. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of various information referenced in control processing by an SGW-C. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing a process executed in the communication system. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing the reselection process of the SGW-U. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an SGW-C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a control device and a control method according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiment, a control will be described after a location registration update request (Tracking Area Update (hereinafter referred to as "TAU")) is issued from a terminal in an LTE area to establish a communication path to a data network via 5G-SA when the terminal moves from a 5G-SA (second network) area to an LTE (first network) area.

[0011] 1 shows an overall configuration diagram of a communication system 1. The communication system 1 includes a Serving Gateway Control plane function (hereinafter referred to as "SGW-C") 10 which is a control device for LTE, a Serving Gateway User plane function (hereinafter referred to as "SGW-U") 20 which is a path to a data network (not shown) in LTE, a "device having a PDN Gateway Control plane function and a Session Management Function" (hereinafter referred to as "PGW-C+SMF") 30 which is a control device for 5G-SA, a "device having a PDN Gateway User plane function and a User Plane Function" (hereinafter referred to as "PGW-U+UPF") 40 which is a path to the data network in 5G-SA, and a Mobility Management Entity (hereinafter referred to as "MME") 60 which is a device that receives various control signals from a terminal 50 via a base station (eNodeB) not shown and forwards them to the SGW-C 10. Of these, MME 60 receives information about the connection destination PGW-C+SMF30 from AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), which is a device that manages access and terminal mobility, selects SGW-C10 based on location information of terminal 50, and transmits a communication path establishment request to SGW-C 10. The communication path establishment request is forwarded to PGW-C+SMF30 as well as SGW-C10.

[0012] Upon receiving the above-mentioned communication path establishment request, the SGW-C10 selects one SGW-U20 based on the location information of the terminal 50 (e.g., the area where the terminal 50 can connect), while the PGW-C+SMF30 selects one PGW-U+UPF40 based on the location information of the terminal 50 (e.g., the area where the terminal 50 can connect) and the destination network (e.g., the data network to connect to). The above-mentioned selections by the SGW-C10 and the PGW-C+SMF30 are performed independently.

[0013] Figure 2 shows the functional block configuration of the SGW-C10 and peripheral devices. The SGW-C10 comprises a call control signal transmitting / receiving unit 11, an information acquiring unit 12, a selecting unit 13, an optimization requesting unit 14, and a unit information database (DB) 15. The functions of each unit are outlined below, but details will be provided later using the flow diagrams in Figures 4 and 5.

[0014] Of the above, the call control signal transmitting / receiving unit 11 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various call control signals between the MME 60, the SGW-U 20, and the PGW-C+SMF 30.

[0015] The information acquisition unit 12 is a functional unit that, when receiving a request to establish a communication path to a data network via 5G-SA from a terminal 50 located in an LTE area, acquires unit information, which is information for identifying PGW-U+UPF40, which will be the path to the above-mentioned data network in 5G-SA, via the call control signal transmission / reception unit 11 in response to the request to PGW-C+SMF30.

[0016] The selection unit 13 is a functional unit that selects an SGW-U 20 that serves as a route to the data network in LTE, based on the unit information acquired by the information acquisition unit 12 and information related to the location of the terminal 50.

[0017] The optimization request unit 14 is a functional unit that requests the PGW-C+SMF 30 to optimize the communication path based on the selection information of the SGW-U 20 by the selection unit 13.

[0018] The unit information DB15 is a DB that stores the above-mentioned unit information (i.e., information for uniquely identifying the PGW-U+UPF40 that is the path to the data network) and its related information. For example, for each of the multiple SGW-U candidates (e.g., devices 1, 2, 3, etc.) that the SGW-C has shown in Figure 3, the unit information DB15 stores (1) area (connectable area) information that the SGW-U accommodates (e.g., TAC A, TAC B, etc.), (2) the unit name of the SGW-U (e.g., Shinagawa-upf1, Nagoya-upf2, etc.), and (3) IP address information of the nearest PGW-U+UPF, such as the IP address information of the nearest PGW-U+UPF and the IP address information of the nearest PGW-U+UPF. In addition, "TAC A" exemplified in (1) above means the area identification information (Tracking Area Code (TAC)) of area A, and "TAC B" means the area identification information of area B.

[0019] The information shown in Figure 3 is used, for example, by the SGW-C10 on the LTE side to grasp information about the PGW-U+UPF40 on the 5G-SA side and to utilize it for cooperation between LTE and 5G-SA (so-called EPC / 5GC Interwork).With this cooperation, even if the terminal switches wireless communication between LTE and 5G-SA, the communication path connection is not interrupted and wireless communication can be continued.

[0020] On the other hand, the PGW-C+SMF30 includes a call control signal transmitting / receiving unit 31, a control unit 32, a packet generation unit 33, and a unit information database (DB) 34. Of these, the call control signal transmitting / receiving unit 31 is a functional unit that transmits and receives various call control signals between the SGW-C10 and the PGW-U+UPF40, and the unit information DB34 is a DB that stores information (unit information) and related information for identifying the PGW-U+UPF40 that can be a path to a data network in 5G-SA. The packet generation unit 33 is a functional unit that generates packets that include the unit information along with IP address information, and the control unit 32 is a functional unit that controls processing such as transmitting the generated packets (including the unit information) to the SGW-C10 via the call control signal transmitting / receiving unit 31.

[0021] Hereinafter, the control processing in this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow diagrams of Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figure 1, when the terminal 50 moves from the area of 5G-SA (second network) to the area of LTE (first network), the terminal 50 issues a TAU (step S1), and the TAU arrives at the MME 60 via a base station (Evolved Node B (eNodeB)) not shown. Note that although the flow diagram of Figure 4 illustrates a Tracking Area Update as an example, the same applies to the PDN Connectivity Procedure and the Attach Procedure.

[0022] Upon receiving the TAU, MME 60 selects one SGW-C10 based on the conventional method (step S2), and sends a session creation request (GTPv2 Create Session Request) including area identification information (Tracking Area Code (TAC)) in which terminal 50 is located to the selected SGW-C10 (step S3).

[0023] Upon receiving the session generation request, the SGW-C10 selects one SGW-U20A to which the terminal 50 can connect by referring to the unit information in Figure 3 based on the location information of the terminal 50 (TAC information in which the terminal 50 is located) (step S4).Then, a session establishment request / response (PFCP_SessionEstablishmentReq / Res) is sent and received between the SGW-C10 and the selected SGW-U20A (step S5), and the session is established.

[0024] Next, the SGW-C10 transmits a session re-establishment request (e.g., GTPv2_ModifyBearerReq) to the corresponding PGW-C+SMF30 based on the destination PGW-C+SMF information notified by the AMF (step S6), and then a session re-establishment request / response (PFCP_SessionModificationReq / Res) is transmitted and received between the PGW-C+SMF30 and the PGW-U+UPF 40 selected by the PGW-C+SMF30 (step S7), and the session is re-established.Then, the PGW-C+SMF30 returns a response (GTPv2_ModifyBearerRes) to the request in step S6 to the SGW-C10 (step S8).

[0025] This embodiment has a feature that in step S8, the PGW-C+SMF30 returns a response signal including unit information (information including the IP address and unit name of the PGW-U+UPF40) for identifying the selected PGW-U+UPF40, which will be a path to the data network in 5G-SA, to the SGW-C10. In other words, the SGW-C10 has a feature that it acquires unit information (information including the IP address and unit name of the PGW-U+UPF40) for identifying the selected PGW-U+UPF40.

[0026] Upon receiving the response signal, the SGW-C10 executes the process for reselecting an SGW-U shown in FIG. 5 (step S9).

[0027] Here, the process related to the reselection of an SGW-U will be explained with reference to Fig. 5. First, the SGW-C10 determines whether or not there is an SGW-U (SGW-U candidate) that is close to the PGW-U+UPF in accordance with predetermined criteria in the area connectable from the terminal 50 by referring to the unit information as shown in Fig. 3 (step S9A). If it is determined that there is no SGW-U candidate, it can be determined that it is difficult to perform the process of reselecting an optimal SGW-U and optimizing the route, so the process returns to step S15 in Fig. 4, which will be described later, and route optimization is not performed.

[0028] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S9A that an SGW-U candidate exists, the SGW-C10 determines whether or not an SGW-U that is the same device as the PGW-U+UPF exists among the SGW-U candidates (step S9B). If an SGW-U that is the same device as the PGW-U+UPF exists, the SGW-C10 reselects the SGW-U (the SGW-U that is the same device as the PGW-U+UPF) (step S9D).

[0029] On the other hand, if there is no SGW-U of the same device in step S9B, the SGW-C10 determines whether there are multiple SGW-U candidates for which the route can be optimized (step S9C). Here, "SGW-U candidates for which the route can be optimized" means an SGW-U that can be connected to from terminal 50 and is close to the PGW-U+UPF in accordance with predetermined criteria. If there are no multiple SGW-U candidates (i.e., there is only one SGW-U candidate), the SGW-C10 reselects the SGW-U in question (the one SGW-U candidate) (step S9D).

[0030] On the other hand, if there are multiple SGW-U candidates in step S9C, SGW-C10 reselects the SGW-U that provides the shortest route from among the multiple SGW-U candidates by referring to the unit information in Figure 3 (step S9E).

[0031] After the optimal SGW-U (here, SGW-U20B) is reselected in step S9D or S9E above, SGW-C10 sends a route optimization instruction to PGW-C+SMF30 along with the reselection result of the optimal SGW-U (step S9F), returns to step S10 in Figure 4, and performs the following route optimization (steps S10 to S14).

[0032] First, in step S10, a session establishment request / response (PFCP_SessionEstablishmentReq / Res) is sent and received between SGW-C10 and the reselected SGW-U20B (step S10), and a new session is established between SGW-C10 and the reselected SGW-U20B.

[0033] Next, the SGW-C10 transmits a session re-establishment request (e.g., GTPv2_ModifyBearerReq) to the PGW-C+SMF30 (step S11), and then a session re-establishment request / response (PFCP_SessionModificationReq / Res) is transmitted and received between the PGW-C+SMF30 and the PGW-U+UPF40 selected by the PGW-C+SMF30 (step S12), and the session is re-established. Then, the PGW-C+SMF30 returns a response (GTPv2_ModifyBearerRes) to the request in step S11 to the SGW-C10 (step S13). Furthermore, a session disconnection request / response (PFCP_SessionDeleteReq / Res) is transmitted and received between the SGW-C10 and the initially selected SGW-U20A (step S14), and the session between the SGW-C10 and the SGW-U20A is disconnected.

[0034] In this way, a route from terminal 50 to the data network is established via the reselected SGW-U20B and PGW-U+UPF40, and SGW-C10 returns a session creation response to the session creation request made in step S3 to MME 60 (step S15).

[0035] The above-described embodiment can contribute to optimizing communication paths in cooperation between 5G-SA and LTE. Furthermore, the control described in the above embodiment can be applied not only to cooperation between 5G-SA and LTE but also to cooperation between various networks other than those described above, and can therefore contribute to optimizing communication paths in cooperation between different networks.

[0036] Furthermore, if an SGW-U that is the same device as the PGW-U+UPF exists in an area to which the terminal can connect, the SGW-U that is the same device will be reselected, thereby eliminating redundant routes between the PGW-U+UPF and SGW-U and optimizing the communication route.

[0037] Furthermore, if there is no SGW-U that is the same device as the PGW-U+UPF in an area where the terminal can connect, but there are multiple SGW-Us that can optimize the communication route, the SGW-U that provides the shortest route from those multiple SGW-Us is selected, and if there is only one SGW-U that can optimize the communication route, that one SGW-U is selected. This makes it possible to optimize the communication route under the condition that there is no SGW-U that is the same device as the PGW-U+UPF.

[0038] In addition, if there is no SGW-U in an area to which the terminal can connect, the selection of an SGW-U is avoided, thereby preventing unnecessary processing from being performed even when there is no SGW-U that can optimize the communication path.

[0039] Furthermore, the SGW-C acquires the unique unit name of the PGW-U+UPF instead of the IP address of the PGW-U+UPF as the unit information of the PGW-U+UPF. Therefore, even if IP addresses overlap between different networks, the PGW-U+UPF can be uniquely identified by the unique unit name, enabling smooth control processing.

[0040] The gist of the present disclosure lies in the following [1] to [7]. [1] An information acquisition unit that, when receiving a request for establishing a communication path to a data network via a second network from a terminal located in an area of a first network, acquires unit information, which is information for identifying a second processing device in the second network that serves as a path to the data network, as a response from a second control device that is a control device of the second network to the request. a selection unit that selects a first processing device that is a route to the data network in the first network based on the unit information acquired by the information acquisition unit and information related to the location of the terminal; an optimization request unit that requests the second control device to optimize the communication path based on selection information of the first processing device by the selection unit; a control device of the first network, Control device. [2] The control device according to [1], wherein the selection unit selects the first processing device if the first processing device is the same device as the second processing device and is present in an area to which the terminal can connect. [3] The control device described in [1] or [2], wherein the selection unit selects the first processing device that provides the shortest route from the plurality of first processing devices when there is no first processing device that is the same device as the second processing device in the area to which the terminal can connect, but there are multiple first processing devices that can optimize the communication path. [4] A control device described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein the selection unit selects one of the first processing devices when there is no first processing device that is the same device as the second processing device in an area to which the terminal can connect, but there is one first processing device that can optimize the communication path. [5] The control device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the selection unit avoids selecting the first processing device if the first processing device is not present in an area to which the terminal can connect. [6] The control device according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the information acquisition unit acquires, as the unit information, a unique unit name of the second processing device, instead of an IP address of the second processing device. [7] When a first control device, which is a control device of a first network, receives a request for establishing a communication path to a data network via a second network from a terminal present in the area of the first network, the first control device acquires unit information, which is information for identifying a second processing device in the second network that is a path to the data network, as a response from the second control device to the request to the second control device, which is a control device of the second network; The first control device selects a first processing device in the first network that is a route to the data network based on the acquired unit information and information related to the location of the terminal; The first control device requests the second control device to optimize the communication path based on the selection information of the first processing device; A control method comprising:

[0041] [Explanation of terms, explanation of hardware configuration (Figure 6), etc.] The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining the single device or multiple devices with software.

[0042] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, judgment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, election, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, regard, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0043] For example, a control device or the like in an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that executes the processes of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a control device (SGW-C) 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The above-described control device (SGW-C) 10 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0044] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the control device (SGW-C) 10 may be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or may be configured to exclude some of the devices.

[0045] Each function in the control device (SGW-C) 10 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as a processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication via the communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0046] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system, and may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc.

[0047] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-mentioned embodiments. Although the various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0048] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray disc), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0050] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc., to realize at least one of, for example, Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD).

[0051] The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (for example, a touch panel).

[0052] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0053] The control device (SGW-C) 10 may also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0054] The notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI) and Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, and broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB) and System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0055] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be any of the following: LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (x is, for example, an integer or decimal number)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE The present invention may be applied to at least one of systems using 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other appropriate systems, and next-generation systems that are extended, modified, created, or defined based on these systems. The present invention may also be applied to a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0056] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0057] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be sent to another device.

[0058] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0059] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Furthermore, notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the predetermined information).

[0060] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0061] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0062] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0063] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0064] Note that terms explained in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0065] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0066] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0067] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0068] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0069] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0070] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0071] When used in this disclosure, the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0072] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0073] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different." [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 1...communication system, 10...SGW-C (control device, first control device), 11...call control signal transmitting / receiving unit, 12...information acquisition unit, 13...selection unit, 14...optimization request unit, 15...unit information DB, 20...SGW-U (first processing device), 30...PGW-C+SMF (second control device), 31...call control signal transmitting / receiving unit, 32...control unit, 33...packet generation unit, 34...unit information DB, 40...PGW-U+UPF (second processing device), 50...terminal, 60...MME, 1001...processor, 1002...memory, 1003...storage, 1004...communication device, 1005...input device, 1006...output device, 1007...bus.

Claims

1. an information acquisition unit that, when receiving a request for establishing a communication path to a data network via a second network from a terminal present in an area of a first network, acquires unit information, which is information for identifying a second processing device that serves as a path to the data network in the second network, as a response from a second control device that is a control device of the second network to the request; a selection unit that selects a first processing device that is a route to the data network in the first network based on the unit information acquired by the information acquisition unit and information related to the location of the terminal; an optimization request unit that requests the second control device to optimize the communication path based on selection information of the first processing device by the selection unit; a control device of the first network, Control device.

2. the selection unit selects the first processing device when the first processing device is the same device as the second processing device and is present in an area to which the terminal can connect. The control device according to claim 1 .

3. the selection unit, when the first processing device that is the same device as the second processing device does not exist in an area to which the terminal can be connected, but a plurality of first processing devices that can optimize the communication path exist, selects a first processing device that forms the shortest path from the plurality of first processing devices. The control device according to claim 1 .

4. the selection unit selects the first processing device when the first processing device is the same as the second processing device but there is one first processing device capable of optimizing a communication path in an area where the terminal can be connected. The control device according to claim 1 .

5. the selection unit avoids selection of the first processing device when the first processing device is not present in an area to which the terminal can connect. The control device according to claim 1 .

6. the information acquisition unit acquires, as the unit information, a unique unit name of the second processing device, instead of an IP address of the second processing device. The control device according to claim 1 .

7. When a first control device, which is a control device of a first network, receives a request for establishing a communication path to a data network via a second network from a terminal present in an area of the first network, the first control device acquires unit information, which is information for identifying a second processing device in the second network that is a path to the data network, as a response from the second control device to the request to the second control device, which is a control device of the second network; The first control device selects a first processing device in the first network that is a route to the data network based on the acquired unit information and information related to the location of the terminal; the first control device requesting the second control device to optimize the communication path based on the selection information of the first processing device; A control method comprising:

Images