Base station slave unit provided in base station slave unit radio device, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide methods for time synchronization and communication signal schedule management in a base station radio device that synchronizes the communication schedule of a base station.SOLUTION: In a communication system, a base station slave unit provided in a base station radio device has information processing operations of: step S11 of acquiring first information indicating a signal switching schedule output by a base station master unit provided in the base station radio device; step S12 of acquiring second information indicating at least one of rising and falling of an output signal output by the base station master unit; and step S13 of using a counter to switch signals based on the counter, the first information, and the second information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for time synchronization and schedule management of communication signals in a base station radio device. [Background technology]

[0002] Fifth-generation mobile communication systems aim for high speeds and large capacities by utilizing radio waves in the high-frequency range, such as millimeter waves. Because higher frequencies tend to propagate more directional, line-of-sight communications are desirable. Therefore, the introduction of distributed MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology, which distributes base stations to expand the line-of-sight communication area, is being considered. Because distributed MIMO requires the installation of multiple access points, it is necessary to build them inexpensively and with low power consumption. Therefore, it is expected that the equipment previously integrated into a radio unit (RU) will be separated into a distributed antenna (DA), which mainly includes everything from the analog front-end to the antenna, and a mixed signal processing unit (MSPU), which includes digital signal processing such as modulation and demodulation. It is anticipated that a single mixed signal processing unit will process communication signals from multiple distributed antennas.

[0003] In the fifth-generation mobile communication system, switching between transmission and reception is performed using time division duplex (TDD), which requires accurate time control of communication schedules. To perform time division duplex, suppress radio interference between base stations, and simultaneously remove guard bands to improve the utilization efficiency of radio wave resources, it is necessary to synchronize the timing of switching between transmission and reception between base stations. Therefore, synchronization with the International Atomic Time (TAI: Temps Atomique International), which serves as a reference, is required. Furthermore, high time synchronization accuracy is required depending on the communication technology being introduced, such as carrier aggregation or MIMO. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for synchronizing the timing of switching between uplink and downlink in DA using TDD. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6868567 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program that are included in a base station radio device that can solve the above-mentioned technical problems. As an example, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program that are included in a base station radio device that is capable of time synchronization in a base station. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of a base station slave device is a base station slave device provided in a base station radio device, and includes a first information acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating a signal switching schedule output by a base station master device provided in the base station radio device, a second information acquisition means for acquiring second information indicating at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of an output signal output by the base station master device, a counter, and a switching means for switching the signal using the counter based on the first information and the second information.

[0007] One aspect of the information processing method is an information processing method used by a base station slave device provided in a base station radio device, which acquires first information indicating a signal switching schedule output by a base station master device provided in the base station radio device, acquires second information indicating at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of an output signal output by the base station master device, and switches the signal using a counter provided in the base station slave device based on the first information and the second information.

[0008] One aspect of the computer program acquires first information indicating a signal switching schedule output by a base station parent device provided in a base station radio device, acquires second information indicating at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of an output signal output by the base station parent device, and operates a base station child device provided in the base station radio device to switch the signal using a counter provided in the base station child device based on the first information and the second information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to each aspect of the base station slave unit, information processing method, and computer program provided in the above-mentioned base station radio device, signal switching is performed using a counter based on the signal switching schedule output by the base station master unit and at least one of the rising and falling edges of the output signal output by the base station master unit, so that the communication schedule of the base station can be synchronized. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1]1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a base station slave device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of operations of a base station slave device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station radio device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a distributed antenna according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] 1 is a chart outlining the operational flow of a distributed antenna according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a microcontroller unit according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 1 is a chart outlining the operational flow of a distributed antenna according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 is a chart outlining the operational flow of a distributed antenna according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] 1 is a chart outlining the operational flow of a distributed antenna according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a distributed antenna according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a description will be given of embodiments of a base station slave device provided in a base station radio device, an information processing method, and a computer program. [1: First embodiment]

[0012] A first embodiment of a base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program provided in a base station radio device will be described below. The first embodiment of a base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program provided in a base station radio device will be described below using a base station slave device 100 according to this disclosure. [1-1: Configuration of base station slave device 100]

[0013] Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a base station slave device 100 according to this disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the base station slave device 100 includes a first information acquisition unit 111, a second information acquisition unit 112, a counter 113, and a switching unit 114. The base station slave device 100 is included in a base station radio device. The base station radio device includes a base station master device and the base station slave device 100, and provides a radio communication environment for a communication terminal. [1-2: Information Processing Operation Performed by Base Station Subset 100]

[0014] The information processing operation performed by the base station slave device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the first information acquisition unit 111 acquires first information output by the base station master device, which indicates a schedule for switching signals (step S11). The second information acquisition unit 112 acquires second information indicating at least one of the rising edge and the falling edge of the output signal output by the base station master device (step S12). The switching unit 114 switches signals using the counter 113 based on the first information and the second information (step S13). [2: Second embodiment]

[0015] A second embodiment of a base station slave device provided in a base station radio device, an information processing method, and a computer program will be described below. Hereinafter, a second embodiment of a base station slave device provided in a base station radio device, an information processing method, and a computer program will be described using a distributed antenna DA as the base station slave device according to this disclosure. In the second and subsequent embodiments, a case will be described as an example in which a distributed MIMO base station radio device provides a wireless communication environment using distributed MIMO to a communication terminal. However, this disclosure can also be applied to base stations other than distributed MIMO, in which the base station master device and the base station slave devices are configured separately. [2-1: Configuration of the Radio Equipment (RU)]

[0016] As shown in Figure 3, the radio equipment (RU) is configured as a distributed antenna (DA) serving as a base station slave unit, and a mixed signal processing unit (MSPU) serving as a base station master unit. The distributed antenna (DA) is primarily equipped with components from the analog front end to the antenna. The mixed signal processing unit (MSPU) is equipped with digital signal processing functions such as modulation and demodulation. As shown in Figure 3, one mixed signal processing unit (MSPU) processes communication signals from multiple distributed antennas (DA). [2-2: Distributed Antenna DA Configuration]

[0017] 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a distributed antenna DA according to this disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, the distributed antenna DA includes a microcontroller unit (MCU) M, a detector D, a communication beamformer circuit B, and a directional coupler C.

[0018] The microcontroller unit M is connected to a signal line for receiving control data transmitted from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU. The control data includes DA setting data. The DA setting data includes switching schedule data.

[0019] The communication data transmitted from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU may be an analog signal such as an RF (Radio Frequency) signal, an IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal, etc. The directional coupler C extracts the power of the communication data transmitted from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU.

[0020] The detector D detects the signal. The detector D may detect the magnitude of the signal. The detector D may be a power detector. The detector D may be a power detector. The detector D may detect the amplitude of the signal. Below, a case where power is detected by a power detector will be described, but this is just one example. The detector D detects the rising and falling edges of the power of communication data transmitted from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU to the distributed antennas DA.

[0021] The communication beamformer circuit B includes an antenna for communication. The microcontroller unit M includes a counter. The microcontroller unit M controls the communication beamformer circuit B using the counter. [2-3: Operation of Distributed Antenna DA] [a. Switching between sending and receiving]

[0022] Consider a case where the mixed signal processing unit MSPU switches from transmission mode to reception mode. FIG. 5(a) illustrates communication data output by the radio unit RU. As illustrated in FIG. 5(a), the mixed signal processing unit MSPU continues to transmit communication data toward the distributed antenna DA in transmission mode, but does not transmit communication data toward the distributed antenna DA in reception mode. FIG. 5(b) illustrates communication data received by the distributed antenna DA. As illustrated in FIG. 5(b), the communication data arrives at the distributed antenna DA after a certain delay.

[0023] The directional coupler C extracts the power of the communication data and inputs it to the detector D. The detector D outputs high or low to the microcontroller unit M depending on whether the power extracted by the directional coupler C exceeds a certain threshold value.

[0024] Figure 5(c) shows an example of the output of detector D. As shown in Figure 5(c), the output of detector D is high when there is communication data from the mixed-signal processing unit MSPU, and low when there is no communication data. The time between the end of any high state and the start of the next high state is the same as the time during which the mixed-signal processing unit MSPU operates in receive mode. Therefore, the microcontroller unit M can achieve accurate synchronization without external control by switching the TDD control signal to coincide with the time when the output of detector D switches between high and low. Figure 5(d) shows an example of the time change of the TDD switching signal. [b. Beam switching]

[0025] Beam switching requires control during transmission operation. For this reason, it is not possible to detect the power of communication data and use it as a reference. Beam switching is performed by receiving switching schedule data in advance from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU. The switching schedule data is included in the first information. The microcontroller unit M stores the control time for each beam.

[0026] The microcontroller unit M uses a counter to switch the beam according to the schedule from the moment the output of the detector D becomes high. Figure 5(e) shows an example of beam switching. As shown in Figure 5(e), the microcontroller unit M measures time from the moment the output of the detector D becomes high, and switches the beams sequentially according to the schedule. This allows the microcontroller unit M to synchronize the time of beam control without receiving a highly accurate synchronization signal from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU.

[0027] The beam switching schedule data only needs to be received in advance, and precise time synchronization is not required. Therefore, the mixed signal processing unit MSPU does not require delay offset control, etc. [2-4: Technical effects of distributed antennas (DA) as base station slave units]

[0028] Time synchronization may be achieved by transmitting communication data, a TDD control signal for controlling communication transmission / reception switching, a beam switching signal for controlling the beam of the distributed antenna DA, and data for setting the distributed antenna DA from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU to the distributed antenna DA. In this case, multiple lines are installed between the mixed signal processing unit MSPU and the distributed antenna DA to transmit these signals, respectively. Alternatively, multiple signals are multiplexed and transmitted on a single signal line.

[0029] Delays occur as these signals propagate the long distance between the mixed signal processing unit MSPU and the distributed antenna DA. The delays vary in length depending on the characteristics of the signal lines and differences in frequency. If the delay lengths vary, a timing discrepancy occurs between the TDD control signals, beam switching signals, and communication data, making high-precision time synchronization impossible. Note that the DA setting signals do not need to be time-synchronized with the communication data.

[0030] The problem of TDD control signals and beam switching signals not being synchronized with communication data can be solved by measuring the difference in propagation delay of each signal between the mixed signal processing unit MSPU and DA in advance, and then transmitting each signal with an offset in the transmission timing of the mixed signal processing unit MSPU. However, the difference in delay of each signal is not unique because it depends on the distance between the mixed signal processing unit MSPU and DA. For this reason, when multiple DAs are installed, measurements must be made individually for each DA. This increases costs and complicates signal processing in the mixed signal processing unit MSPU.

[0031] In contrast, the distributed antenna DA disclosed herein detects the power of communication data transmitted from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU to the distributed antenna DA, and performs TDD time control and beam switching based on the rise and fall times of the power. The operation of the distributed antenna DA enables highly accurate time synchronization without complex error correction control, etc. Time synchronization of signals can be achieved even over a long distance between the mixed signal processing unit MSPU and the distributed antenna DA. [3: Third embodiment]

[0032] A base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program provided in a base station radio device according to a third embodiment will be described below. The base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program provided in a base station radio device according to the third embodiment will be described below using a distributed antenna DA as the base station slave device according to the present disclosure. [3-1: Distributed Antenna DA Configuration]

[0033] FIG. 6 illustrates the configuration of the microcontroller unit M. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the microcontroller unit M includes a clock generator M1, a clock counter M2, and a digital processing unit M3. The clock generator M1 generates a clock. The clock counter M2 receives and counts the clock. The digital processing unit M3 receives DA setting data sent from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU, the power detection result of the communication data output from the detector D, and the output from the clock counter M2. The digital processing unit M3 generates a TDD control signal and a beam control signal based on the received information. The digital processing unit M3 outputs the TDD control signal and the beam control signal to the communication beamformer circuit B. [3-2: Prerequisites for the operation of distributed antennas DA]

[0034] During a transmission operation, the distributed antenna DA transmits n_s slots with a time slot length of t_s. The beam ID when transmitting the nth slot is ID_n.

[0035] The microcontroller unit M receives the beam switching schedule and slot information sent by the mixed signal processing unit MSPU from the line that receives the DA setting data. The beam switching schedule data is a set of beam IDs for each of the n_s slots. In other words, the beam switching schedule data is a string of n_s integers, ID_1, ID_2, ..., ID_n_s.

[0036] The beam to which each ID_n corresponds is stored as known information in the internal memory of the digital processing unit M3. The clock frequency generated by the clock generator M1 is f_c. The cycle prefix of each symbol is t_c. [3-3: Operation of Distributed Antenna DA]

[0037] The flow of synchronization control of the distributed antenna DA will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7(a) illustrates communication data output by the radio device RU, Fig. 7(b) illustrates communication data received by the distributed antenna DA, Fig. 7(c) illustrates the output of the detector D, Fig. 7(d) illustrates TDD switching by the digital processing device M3, Fig. 7(e) illustrates clock counting by the clock counter M2, and Fig. 7(f) illustrates beam switching by the digital processing device M3.

[0038] For convenience, the operation description begins just before the end of the transmission operation of the distributed antenna DA. During the transmission operation of the distributed antenna DA, communication data is transmitted from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU to the distributed antenna DA, so the output of the detector D is in a high state. The digital processing unit M3, to which the high output is input, performs TDD control in transmission mode.

[0039] When the mixed signal processing unit MSPU switches to receive mode and stops transmitting communication data to the distributed antenna DA, after the delay time of the path between the mixed signal processing unit MSPU and the distributed antenna DA, the communication data power at the input end of the distributed antenna DA becomes zero. This causes the output of the detector D to switch to low. The digital processing unit M3 receives this low output and switches the TDD control to receive mode. During this receive operation, the beam switching schedule data (t_s, n_s, ID_n) is sent from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU to the digital processing unit M3 of the distributed antenna DA and stored in the internal memory of the digital processing unit M3.

[0040] After completing the receive mode operation, the mixed signal processing unit MSPU switches to transmit mode and transmits the communication data to the distributed antenna DA. When this communication data reaches the distributed antenna DA, the reverse of the series of operations described above is performed, and the digital processing unit M3 switches the TDD control to transmit mode. At the same time as switching the TDD control, the digital processing unit M3 also switches the beam ID of the communication beamformer circuit B to ID_1.

[0041] In this case, the time from when the communication data arrives at the distributed antenna DA until the switching between TDD control and beam control is completed must be within the symbol cycle prefix t_c at most. If the subcarrier spacing is 240 kHz, the cycle prefix t_c is 0.3 us, and it is desirable for this series of operations to be completed within 0.15 us. If the system clock of the microcontroller unit M is 72 MHz, the clock period will be approximately 14 ns. Therefore, the operating time condition can be met.

[0042] After switching between TDD operation and beam control, clock counter M2 begins counting clocks. Digital calculation unit M3 calculates t_s*f_c and rounds it off to determine the number of clocks it will take to switch slots. When clock counter M2 has counted the number of clocks determined based on t_s*f_c, digital calculation unit M3 switches the beam ID to ID_2. Next, digital calculation unit M3 calculates an integer by rounding 2*t_s*f_c based on the time when TDD control switched. When the clock has been counted this integer number of times, digital calculation unit M3 switches the beam ID to ID_3.

[0043] The digital calculation device M3 repeats this operation until the clock counts the number of times (n_s-1)*t_s*f_c is rounded up or down.

[0044] By determining the beam switching time based on the TDD switching time, it is possible to avoid the accumulation of errors that occur in the calculation of t_s*f_c, where the error between t_s and the value obtained by rounding t_s*f_c to the nearest integer and multiplying it by (1 / f_c) is kept within the cycle prefix t_c.

[0045] After a time n_s*t_s has elapsed since the TDD control was switched to transmission, the communication data sent from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU stops, and the output of the detector D switches to low. In response to this low output, the digital processing unit M3 switches the TDD control to reception and returns to the initial state. [4: Fourth embodiment]

[0046] A fourth embodiment of a base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program provided in a base station radio device will be described below. In the following, a fourth embodiment of a base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program provided in a base station radio device will be described using a distributed antenna DA as a base station slave device according to this disclosure. [4-1: Delay time t_d]

[0047] Fig. 8 illustrates the delay time t_d that takes from when a change in power occurs at the communication data input terminal of the distributed antenna DA until the output of the detector D is inverted. Fig. 8(a) illustrates the communication data received by the distributed antenna DA, and Fig. 8(b) illustrates the output of the detector D. Fig. 8 illustrates a case where a time lag occurs between signal switching and the output of the detector D.

[0048] In the fourth embodiment, an operation will be described in which the delay time t_d is greater than the cycle prefix t_c and cannot be ignored. In the fourth embodiment, a case will be described in which, taking into consideration the time it takes for communication data transmitted from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU to reach the distributed antenna DA, a waiting time longer than the delay time t_d is inserted when switching from a transmitting operation to a receiving operation. [4-2: Operation of Distributed Antenna DA]

[0049] The flow of synchronization control of the distributed antenna DA will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9(a) illustrates communication data output by the radio device RU, Fig. 9(b) illustrates communication data received by the distributed antenna DA, Fig. 9(c) illustrates the output of the detector D, Fig. 9(d) illustrates TDD switching by the digital processing device M3, Fig. 9(e) illustrates clock counting by the clock counter M2, and Fig. 9(f) illustrates beam switching by the digital processing device M3.

[0050] For convenience, the explanation of the operation begins just before the end of the transmission operation of the distributed antenna DA. As illustrated in Figure 9, when the operation of the mixed signal processing unit MSPU switches from transmission to reception, the power of the communication data is lost, causing the detector D to invert, the distributed antenna DA switches to reception, and the digital processing unit M3 of the distributed antenna DA starts counting the clock.

[0051] The time from when the mixed signal processing unit MSPU finishes a transmission operation to when it starts the next transmission operation is defined as the reception time t_r. When the clock count reaches the number obtained by rounding up (t_r-t_d)*f_c, the digital processing unit M3 switches the distributed antenna DA from reception to transmission. In other words, the digital processing unit M3 switches the distributed antenna DA from reception to transmission based on the reception time t_r corrected by the delay time t_d. The reception time t_r is received from the mixed signal processing unit MSPU at any timing during a transmission operation. The delay time t_d is known from measurements taken during the manufacture of the distributed antenna DA.

[0052] After the distributed antenna DA switches to transmitting operation, the digital processing unit M3 switches the beam every time the clock count reaches the rounded number of f_c*(t_r-t_d+n*t_s) (n=1, 2,...n_s-1). After the transmitting operation ends, it switches to receiving operation according to the output of the detector D as described above. [5: Fifth embodiment]

[0053] A fifth embodiment of a base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program provided in a base station radio device will be described below. The fifth embodiment of a base station slave device, an information processing method, and a computer program provided in a base station radio device will be described below using a distributed antenna DA as the base station slave device according to this disclosure.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 10, the distributed antenna DA according to the present disclosure may include an information processing device 1001 and a storage device 1002.

[0055] The information processing device 1001 may include at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The information processing device 1001 may load a computer program. For example, the information processing device 1001 may load a computer program stored in the storage device 1002. For example, the information processing device 1001 may load a computer program stored in a computer-readable storage medium using a storage medium reading device (not shown). The information processing device 1001 may acquire (i.e., download or load) the computer program from a device (not shown) located outside the distributed antenna DA via a communication device (not shown). The information processing device 1001 executes the loaded computer program. As a result of executing the computer program, logical functional blocks for executing operations to be performed by the distributed antenna DA are realized within the information processing device 1001. Specifically, logical functional blocks for executing the above-described information processing operations are realized within the information processing device 1001. That is, the information processing device 1001 can function as a controller for realizing logical function blocks for executing the operations to be performed by the distributed antenna DA.

[0056] The storage device 1002 can store desired data. For example, the storage device 1002 may temporarily store a computer program executed by the information processing device 1001. The storage device 1002 may temporarily store data that the information processing device 1001 temporarily uses when the information processing device 1001 is executing a computer program. The storage device 1002 may store data that the distributed antenna DA stores long-term. The storage device 1002 may include at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a disk array device. [6: Note]

[0057] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiment. [Appendix 1] A base station slave unit provided in a base station radio device, a first information acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating a signal switching schedule outputted by a base station master unit included in the base station radio device; second information acquisition means for acquiring second information indicating at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of the output signal output by the base station master device; A counter and a switching means for switching the signal using the counter based on the first information and the second information; A base station slave unit having the same. [Appendix 2] the second information acquisition means acquires the second information indicating a rising edge of the output signal; The switching means switches the signal using the counter based on the rising edge of the output signal. 1. A base station slave unit as described in Appendix 1. [Appendix 3] the first information includes information indicating a time slot length; The switching means switches the beam using the counter based on the time slot length and the counter period. 2. A base station slave unit as described in Appendix 2. [Appendix 4] the first information includes a time slot length; The switching means counts an integer obtained by dividing an integer multiple of the time slot length by the period of the counter and rounding the result to the nearest integer using the counter, and switches the beam. 4. A base station slave unit as described in Appendix 3. [Appendix 5] the second information acquisition means acquires the second information indicating a falling edge of the output signal; The switching means switches the signal based on the falling edge of the output signal. 1. A base station slave unit as described in Appendix 1. [Appendix 6] the first information includes information indicating a reception time from when the base station radio apparatus switches from a transmission state to a reception state until when the base station radio apparatus switches from the reception state to a next transmission state, The switching means switches between transmission and reception using the counter based on a delay time associated with detection of at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of the output signal output by the base station master unit, the reception time, and the counter period. 6. A base station slave unit as described in Appendix 5. [Appendix 7] The switching means counts an integer obtained by dividing the difference between the delay time relating to the detection of at least one of the rising and falling edges of the output signal output by the base station master unit and the reception time by the period of the counter, and rounding off the result using the counter, and switches between the transmission and reception. 7. A base station slave unit as described in Supplementary Note 6. [Appendix 8] the first information includes a time slot length; The switching means counts an integer obtained by adding an integer multiple of the time slot length to the difference and dividing the result by the period of the counter, and then rounding the result to the nearest integer using the counter, and switches the beam. 8. A base station slave unit as defined in claim 7. [Appendix 9] An information processing method used by a base station slave device provided in a base station radio device, comprising: acquiring first information indicating a signal switching schedule outputted by a base station master unit included in the base station radio device; acquiring second information indicating at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of an output signal output by the base station master device; The signal is switched using a counter included in the base station slave device based on the first information and the second information. Information processing methods. [Appendix 10] acquiring first information indicating a signal switching schedule outputted by a base station master unit included in the base station radio device; acquiring second information indicating at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of an output signal output by the base station master device; The signal is switched using a counter included in a base station slave device provided in the base station radio device based on the first information and the second information. A computer program for causing the base station slave unit to operate in such a manner.

[0058] The present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not contradict the gist or idea of ​​the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and base station radio equipment, information processing methods, and computer programs that involve such modifications are also included in the technical idea of ​​the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 100 base station slave units 111 1st Information Acquisition Department 112 2nd Information Acquisition Department 113 Counter 114 Switching section RU radio equipment DA Distributed Antenna MSPU Mixed Signal Processing Unit M Microcontroller Unit D detector B. Beamformer circuit for communications C directional coupler M1 Clock Generator M2 Clock Counter M3 Digital Calculation Unit

Claims

1. A base station slave unit provided in a base station radio device, a first information acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating a signal switching schedule outputted from a base station master unit included in the base station radio device; second information acquiring means for acquiring second information indicating at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of the output signal output by the base station master unit; A counter and a switching means for switching the signal using the counter based on the first information and the second information; A base station slave unit having the same.

2. the second information acquiring means acquires the second information indicating a rising edge of the output signal; The switching means switches the signal using the counter based on the rising edge of the output signal. The base station slave unit according to claim 1 .

3. the first information includes information indicating a time slot length; The switching means switches the beam using the counter based on the time slot length and the counter period. The base station slave unit according to claim 2.

4. the first information includes a time slot length; The switching means counts an integer obtained by dividing an integer multiple of the time slot length by the period of the counter and rounding the result to the nearest integer using the counter, and switches the beam. The base station slave unit according to claim 3.

5. the second information acquisition means acquires the second information indicating a falling edge of the output signal; The switching means switches the signal based on the falling edge of the output signal. The base station slave unit according to claim 1 .

6. the first information includes information indicating a reception time from when the base station radio apparatus switches from a transmission state to a reception state until when the base station radio apparatus switches from the reception state to a next transmission state, The switching means switches between transmission and reception using the counter based on a delay time associated with detection of at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of the output signal output by the base station master unit, the reception time, and the counter period. The base station slave unit according to claim 5.

7. The switching means counts an integer obtained by dividing the difference between the delay time relating to the detection of at least one of the rising and falling edges of the output signal output by the base station master unit and the reception time by the period of the counter, and rounding off the result using the counter, and switches between the transmission and reception. The base station slave unit according to claim 6.

8. the first information includes a time slot length; The switching means counts an integer obtained by adding an integer multiple of the time slot length to the difference and dividing the result by the period of the counter, and then rounding the result to the nearest integer using the counter, and switches the beam. The base station slave unit according to claim 7.

9. An information processing method used by a base station slave device provided in a base station radio device, comprising: acquiring first information indicating a signal switching schedule outputted by a base station master unit included in the base station radio device; acquiring second information indicating at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of an output signal output by the base station master device; The signal is switched using a counter included in the base station slave device based on the first information and the second information. Information processing methods.

10. acquiring first information indicating a signal switching schedule outputted from a base station master unit included in the base station radio device; acquiring second information indicating at least one of a rising edge and a falling edge of an output signal output by the base station master device; The signal is switched using a counter included in a base station slave unit provided in the base station radio equipment based on the first information and the second information. A computer program for causing the base station slave unit to operate in such a manner.

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