Communication apparatus

Abstract

To suppress influence on communication while suppressing redundancy cost.SOLUTION: A communication device in a communication system including a plurality of communication devices of an operation system and an auxiliary communication device of an auxiliary system includes a communication unit configured to transmit and receive communication device information including information on the communication device to and from another communication device, and a control unit configured to compare degrees of influence on communication of the communication device and the other communication device based on the communication device information, and start a synchronization process of transmitting synchronization data to be used in an operation to the auxiliary communication device when it is determined that the degree of influence of the communication device is high.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, wireless communication systems have become increasingly composed of various devices. If a component device in a wireless communication system fails and is unable to operate normally, this may affect the wireless communication of terminal devices. For this reason, wireless communication systems often employ redundancy methods.

[0003] The redundancy method is, for example, a one-to-one method in which one backup system (standby system: SBY system) is prepared for one operational system (ACT system).

[0004] Furthermore, redundancy methods include, for example, an N+M method in which M (M is a natural number, N>M) backup systems are prepared for N (N is a natural number) operational systems.

[0005] Techniques relating to redundancy methods in systems are described in the following prior art documents, for example. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-098058 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 04-113726 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 58-202630 [Patent Document 4] WO2011 / 077948 publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In the one-to-one system, by constantly copying the data of the working system to the backup system, if a failure occurs in the working system, it is possible to switch to the backup system in a short time, thereby minimizing the impact on wireless communications. However, in the one-to-one system, it is necessary to prepare the same number of backup systems as the working systems, which increases costs.

[0008] On the other hand, the N+M system can reduce the number of backup systems compared to the 1:1 system, thereby reducing costs. However, with the N+M system, when the active system fails, software installation and data copying must be performed on the backup system, which takes time to start up the new active system and has a significant impact on wireless communications.

[0009] Therefore, one disclosure provides a communication device that suppresses the impact on communication while suppressing redundancy costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] A communication device in a communication system having a plurality of operational communication devices and a standby communication device, the communication device having a communication unit that transmits and receives communication device information including information about the device itself with the other communication devices, and a control unit that compares the degree of impact on communication between the device itself and the other communication devices based on the communication device information, and if it determines that the degree of impact of the device itself is high, starts a synchronization process that transmits synchronization data to be used in operation to the standby communication device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] The present disclosure makes it possible to suppress the impact on communications while suppressing redundancy costs. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a communication system 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the DU 300. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of a backup system preparation process. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing flowchart of the influence degree determination process S11. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing examples of comparison items. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of synchronization data. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a sequence of processing when a failure occurs. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] [First embodiment] A first embodiment will be described.

[0014] <Configuration example of communication system 10> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 10. The communication system 10 has a controller 100, a standby DU (Distributed Unit) 200, and three active DUs 100-1 to 100-3 (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as DU 300). Hereinafter, the standby DU may be referred to as DU (SBY), and the active DU as DU (ACT). Furthermore, the communication system 10 will be described using an example of a redundant system configuration with one standby system and three active systems, but it may also have M standby systems for N active systems, as in an N+M system, for example. Hereinafter, the DU 200 and DU 300 may be simply referred to as communication devices. In other words, the communication devices include both DU (SBY) and DU (ACT). Furthermore, it is assumed that the devices are connected to each other via a network (not shown) and are capable of communicating with each other.

[0015] The controller 100 is a controller that controls the active system and the standby system, and is, for example, a server machine or a computer machine. For example, the controller 100 deletes a Pod for a DU (ACT) in which a failure has occurred, or creates a Pod for a DU (SBY) that is to be migrated to the active system. A Pod is a unit of application container, and includes, for example, applications and databases for properly operating a communication device. Creating a Pod also includes, for example, downloading applications and data to a communication device and making the communication device operational. Deleting a Pod also includes deleting applications and data downloaded to the communication device and making the communication device inoperable (stopped).

[0016] DU200 and DU300 are, for example, communication devices (communication control devices) having one or more RUs (Radio Units) under their control. For example, DU300-1 has RU400-1 under its control, DU300-2 has RU400-2 under its control, and DU300-3 has RU400-3 under its control. RU400-1 to RU400-3 each form a cell (communication area), and wirelessly connect to and perform wireless communication with terminal devices located within the cell area.

[0017] The DU 200 is a DU (SBY) and a standby system. When the DUs 300-1 to 3 are not broken down, the DU 200 is installed as a standby system in the communication system 10. When a failure occurs in any of the DUs 300-1 to 3, the DU 200 takes the place of the broken DU 300 and becomes a DU (ACT).

[0018] The DU 300 is a DU (ACT) and is an active system. The DU 300 may switch between the active system and the standby system under the control of the controller 100, for example.

[0019] In communication system 10, DU(ACT) 300-1 to 3 notify each other of their information, for example, periodically. Details of the information to be notified will be described later. DU(ACT) 300-1 to 3 determine the importance level of their own device from the received information of each other. When it is determined that the impact level (importance level) of their own device is high, DU(ACT) 300-1 to 3 synchronize with DU(SBY) 200 and prepare DU(SBY) 200 as the standby system of their own device. The impact level is, for example, the magnitude of the impact on wireless communication in communication system 10, and details of the determination will be described later.

[0020] In communication system 10, DU(ACT) 300 with a high importance level is selected, and data is synchronized with DU(SBY) 200 before a failure occurs, so that the standby system can be changed to the operating system in a short time when a failure occurs, suppressing the impact on communication.

[0021] <Configuration example of DU300(200)> FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of DU300. It is assumed that the hardware configurations of DU200 and DU300 are the same. Also, each program in FIG. 2 is a program in the operating system and shows the state after Pod switching (creation).

[0022] DU300 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 310, a storage 320, a memory 330, and a communication circuit 340.

[0023] [[ID=IS]]The storage circuit 320 is an auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores programs and data. The storage 320 stores a wireless communication control program 321 and a standby system preparation program 322.

[0024] The memory 330 is an area for loading the programs stored in the storage 320. Also, the memory 330 may be used as an area where the program stores data.

[0025] The communication circuit 340 is a device that communicates with other devices. The communication circuit 340 may be, for example, a wired communication circuit such as an NI (Network Interface), or a communication circuit that supports wireless connection. Furthermore, multiple communication circuits 340 may be installed, for example, one for connection with the RU 400 and one for connection with other communication devices (DUs 200, 300, and the controller 100).

[0026] The CPU 310 is a processor that loads a program stored in the storage 320 into the memory 330, executes the loaded program, configures each unit, and realizes each process.

[0027] The CPU 310 performs wireless communication control processing by executing the wireless communication control program 321. The wireless communication control processing is processing for controlling wireless communication performed by terminal devices of the communication system 10, for example, controlling the subordinate RUs 400.

[0028] The CPU 310 executes the backup system preparation program 322 to configure a communication unit and a control unit and perform backup system preparation processing. The backup system preparation processing is processing to prepare the DU (SBY) 200 as a backup system for the own device when the impact of the own device is higher (highest, relatively high) than other DUs 300. The backup system preparation processing includes information collection processing, impact determination processing, and synchronization processing.

[0029] The CPU 310 executes the information collection module 3221 included in the standby system preparation program 322 to establish a communication unit and perform information collection processing. The information collection processing is processing for transmitting and receiving DU information to and from other DUs 300. The information collection processing is performed, for example, periodically. The DU 300 recognizes other DUs 300 in the same group with the DU 200 as the standby system. For example, the DUs 300-1 to 3 recognize that they belong to the same group and that the DU 200 is the standby system of their own group. Note that, for example, if another DU 300 fails and the DU 200 switches to the working system as an alternative, the DU 300 recognizes that the DU 200 is in the same group and thereafter performs information collection processing with the DU 200. Details of the DU information will be described later.

[0030] The CPU 310 executes an impact determination module 3222 included in the backup system preparation program 322 to construct a control unit and perform impact determination processing. The impact determination processing is processing to determine the impact between the own device and other DUs 300. The impact is the magnitude of the impact on wireless communication, such as the number of terminal devices present in the cell of the subordinate RU 400.

[0031] The CPU 310 executes a synchronization module 3223 included in the backup system preparation program 322 to construct a control unit and perform synchronization processing. The synchronization processing is processing for transmitting synchronization data of the own device to the DU 200 periodically or irregularly. The synchronization processing is executed, for example, when the influence of the own device is greater than that of other DUs 300. Details of the synchronization data will be described later.

[0032] <Backup system preparation processing> The backup system preparation process is a process of determining the DU 300 with the highest degree of impact among multiple DUs 300, associating the DU 300 with the DU 200, performing synchronization processing, and preparing for a failure of the DU 300.

[0033] 3 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of a backup system preparation process. It is assumed that, among the DUs 300-1 to 3, the DU 300-2 has the largest number of UEs in its area.

[0034] The DUs (ACT) 300-1 to 300-3 recognize each other's identifiers, IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, etc., and further recognize that the DUs 300-1 to 3 are one group with the DU 200 as a backup system.

[0035] The DUs (ACTs) 300-1 to 3 perform information collection processing S10 with each other. The information collection processing S10 is, for example, processing that is executed periodically, and is processing that transmits DU information to each other (S10-1 to S10-3).

[0036] The DU information is information about a DU, and includes, for example, the number of terminal devices present or in communication, the amount of communication traffic, the number of accommodated cells, CPU utilization rate (load), etc. The DUs 300-1 to 3 transmit the DU information of their own devices to other DUs 300.

[0037] The DU (ACT) 300 receives the DU information, and when DU information from other DU (ACT) 300 in the same group is collected, it executes an impact determination process S11. The impact determination process S11 is a process for determining (estimating, calculating) the impact of a failure of the own device based on the DU information.

[0038] The impact determination process S11 is a process performed by each DU 300, and is performed periodically, for example, at predetermined intervals in association with the transmission and reception of DU information. The predetermined interval may be determined, for example, according to the information collected in the DU information. If the information is updated frequently, the predetermined interval will be short, and if the information is updated infrequently, the predetermined interval will be long. Also, there are cases where the same type of information is not necessarily transmitted and received each time DU information is transmitted and received. Therefore, the time interval from the transmission and reception of DU information to the transmission and reception of the next DU information may be a different period depending on the type of information included in the DU information.

[0039] 4 is a diagram showing an example of a processing flowchart of the impact determination process S11. The DU 300 compares with other DUs 300 and determines whether the number of UEs (terminal devices) in its area is the largest (S11-1).

[0040] The DU 300 determines whether there is another DU 300 with the same number of UEs in its coverage area as the DU 300 itself (S11-2). If there is another DU 300 with the same number of UEs in its coverage area (Yes in S11-2), the DU 300 determines whether there is more traffic than the DU 300 itself (S11-3).

[0041] If the traffic of the DU 300 is greater than that of the DU 300 (Yes in S11-3), the DU 300 determines that its own device is the DU 300 with the greatest degree of influence (S11-4), and ends the process.

[0042] Furthermore, in the process S11-2, if there is no DU 300 with the same number of UEs in its area (No in S11-2), the DU 300 determines that its own device is the DU 300 with the greatest degree of influence (S11-4), and ends the process.

[0043] Furthermore, in process S11-3, if the traffic of the DU300 is not greater than that of the DU300 with the same number of UEs in its area (No in S11-3), and if the number of UEs in its area is not the largest (No in S11-1), the DU300 determines that the DU300 is not the DU with the greatest impact (S11-5), and terminates the process.

[0044] The traffic is, for example, the amount of downlink and / or uplink data communication per cell (bps: bits per second). It is assumed that it is rare for the traffic to be exactly the same in different DUs 300, but it is possible that both the number of serving UEs and the traffic are exactly the same. In this case, another comparison item may be added.

[0045] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing examples of comparison items. The processing flowchart in Fig. 4 is an example using items of priority 1 and 2. The DU 300 may further add, as comparison items, the number of accommodated cells of priority 3, the frequency bandwidth used of priority 4, the load state (e.g., CPU usage rate, memory usage rate, etc.) of priority 5, and the average or total usage time for each UE of priority 6. Note that the DU information includes information corresponding to the comparison items.

[0046] Furthermore, the DU 300 may select some of these comparison items, score each of them, and determine the degree of influence using the total or average value of the scores.

[0047] 3, the DU 300-2 determines that its own device is the DU 300 with the greatest impact (S12). At this time, the other DUs 300-1 and 3 have determined that their own devices are not the DU 300 with the greatest impact.

[0048] The DU 300-2 transmits a pairing request to the controller 100 (S13). The pairing request is a message requesting that the DU (SBY) 200 be prepared as a backup device for the DU 300-2.

[0049] When the controller 100 receives the pairing request (S13), it creates a Pod for the DU 200 (S14). The DU 200 for which the Pod has been created prepares as a backup system for the DU 300-2.

[0050] Thereafter, the DU300-2 and the DU200 perform synchronization processing S15, for example, periodically. The synchronization processing S15 is a process of transmitting necessary synchronization data to the DU200 (S15-1, S15-n) so that the DU200 can operate as a substitute for the DU300-2 in the shortest possible time if a failure occurs in the DU300-2. The synchronization data includes data used or required for operation in the operational system.

[0051] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of synchronous data, in which the smaller the data number, the higher the real-timeness.

[0052] The DU 300 transmits, for example, data 2 to data 4 as synchronization data. Data 2 is data generated for each call setup. Data 2 is data generated at the time of call setup (at the time of wireless communication connection) of a terminal device (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as a subordinate terminal device) that performs wireless communication with the subordinate RU 400, and includes, for example, call management information.

[0053] Data 3 is data generated for each event. Data 3 is data generated when an event such as a maintenance command is received, and includes, for example, maintenance operation management information.

[0054] Data 4 is data that is generated only once after an idle run. Data 4 is data that is generated only once after an idle run, and includes, for example, session management information and cell setting information. "After an idle run" includes, for example, when switching from a standby system to an active system, or when starting operation after installing the DU300. Unlike data 5, data 4 is not data that is automatically generated when switching Pods (including, for example, when restarting after downloading an application), but is data that is generated during the initial processing that is performed after normal startup.

[0055] The reason why data 1 is not considered synchronous data is that data that changes in real time changes so frequently that if all of this data were to be sent to DU200, the amount of data and the number of transmissions would become large, placing a communication load on the entire communication system 10.

[0056] The reason why data 5 is not considered as synchronized data is that the data generated at startup is generated when the Pod is created, and therefore does not need to be sent.

[0057] The transmission timing is, for example, the timing when a change (update) occurs in the data to be transmitted. The synchronization data may be separated by data type and transmitted, or all or some types of data may be transmitted together.

[0058] Furthermore, data types that are updated frequently (for example, data generated for each call setup) may be sent periodically or after a certain number of updates, since the number of transmissions would be large if they were sent for each update.

[0059] Furthermore, the DU 300 may detect the data synchronization timing by using, for example, a function (for example, lsyncd or rsync) of the OS (Operating System) of the DU 300. The DU 300 may specify a file or directory containing synchronization data, and may use the timing at which the DU 300 detects a change in the file or directory specified by the OS function as the transmission timing of the synchronization data.

[0060] <Troubleshooting> The process when a failure occurs will be explained. Here, the case where the DU300-2 with the greatest impact fails (a fault occurs) will be explained. Note that when the DU300-1 and DU300-3, which do not have the greatest impact, fail, the same process as in the N+M method will be performed, for example.

[0061] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of processing when a failure occurs. A failure occurs in the DU 300-2 (S20).

[0062] The DU300-2 and DU200 perform health checks, for example, by periodic polling, etc. The DU200 can detect a failure of the DU300-2 by performing this health check.

[0063] The DU200 detects a failure of the DU300-2 (S21). When the DU200 detects the failure (S21), it performs Pod switching processing (S22). The Pod switching processing S22 is a process of switching its own device, which has been on standby as a backup system, to the failed DU300-2 and becoming the active system. The DU200, for example, starts controlling the subordinate RU400 and starts communication with a higher-level device (for example, a CU (Control Unit)), and starts operating as a DU (ACT) (S23).

[0064] Meanwhile, the controller 100 also detects that the DU300-2 has failed (S24). The controller 100 can detect the failure of the DU300-2, for example, by a health check or when communication is cut off for a certain period of time. When the controller 100 detects the failure of the DU300-2 (S24), it deletes the Pod from the DU300-2 (S25). The Pod deletion is, for example, a process of deleting the applications and data of the DU300-2 that was the active system. For example, when the failure is repaired and the DU300-2 returns to a state where normal operation is possible, the DU300-2 may be placed on standby as a backup system.

[0065] In the first embodiment, the DU 300 with a large impact synchronizes data with the standby system. This makes it possible to switch to the standby system in a short time even if the DU 300 with a large impact fails. In addition, because a standby system is not prepared for the DU 300 with a small impact, the number of standby systems can be reduced, and costs can also be reduced.

[0066] [Other embodiments] In the first embodiment, there was one standby system and three operational systems, but there may also be X standby systems (X is an integer equal to or greater than 2) and Y operational systems (Y is an integer greater than X). In this case, the Y operational systems are ranked by degree of impact, and the top X are associated with standby systems, and synchronization processing is performed. This allows standby systems to be associated in descending order of impact, making it possible to prepare standby systems efficiently.

[0067] To summarise the above, the following is added:

[0068] (Appendix 1) A communication device in a communication system having a plurality of communication devices of an active system and a standby communication device of a standby system, a communication unit that transmits and receives communication device information including information about the communication device itself to and from other communication devices; a control unit that compares the degree of influence on communication between the communication device itself and the other communication device based on the communication device information, and when it determines that the degree of influence on communication between the communication device itself and the other communication device is high, starts a synchronization process that transmits synchronization data to be used in operation to the backup communication device; A communication device having:

[0069] (Appendix 2) The control unit periodically performs the comparison. 10. The communication device of claim 1.

[0070] (Appendix 3) the communication device information includes the number of terminal devices subordinate to the communication device; The control unit determines that the influence of the own device is high when the number of terminal devices subordinate to the own device is greater than the number of terminal devices of the other communication device. 10. The communication device of claim 1.

[0071] (Appendix 4) the communication device information includes a numerical value related to a traffic volume of the communication device; When the other communication device has a second communication device subordinate thereto that has the same number of terminal devices subordinate thereto as the number of terminal devices subordinate thereto, the control unit determines that the influence of the own device is high when the traffic volume of the own device is greater than the traffic volume of the second communication device. 4. The communication device of claim 3.

[0072] (Appendix 5) When the standby communication device detects that a failure has occurred in the communication device, it takes over the communication device and switches to the active system. 10. The communication device of claim 1.

[0073] (Appendix 6) The synchronization data includes data generated when communication occurs with a subordinate terminal device of the own device. 10. The communication device of claim 1.

[0074] (Appendix 7) The synchronization data includes data generated when an event occurs. 10. The communication device of claim 1.

[0075] (Appendix 8) The synchronization data includes data that is generated only once at the start of operation. 10. The communication device of claim 1.

[0076] (Appendix 9) the communication system includes a controller that manages an active system and a standby system; When the control unit determines that the influence of the own device is high, the control unit notifies the controller. 10. The communication device of claim 1.

[0077] (Appendix 10) A communication system having a plurality of communication devices of an operational system and a backup communication device of a backup system, the communication device transmits and receives communication device information including information about the communication device itself to and from the other communication devices, compares the degree of influence on communication between the communication device itself and the other communication devices based on the communication device information, and when it is determined that the degree of influence on the communication device itself is high, starts a synchronization process of transmitting synchronization data to be used in operation to the backup communication device; The backup communication device receives the synchronization data in the synchronization process, and when it detects that a failure has occurred in the communication device that transmitted the synchronization data, it replaces the communication device that transmitted the synchronization data and switches to an active system. Communication system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 10: Communication Systems 100: Controller 200 :DU 300 :DU 310: CPU 320: Storage 321: Wireless communication control program 322: Preparatory Program 3221: Information gathering module 3222: Impact assessment module 3223: Synchronization module 330: Memory 340: Communication circuit

Claims

1. A communication device in a communication system having a plurality of communication devices of an active system and a standby communication device of a standby system, a communication unit that transmits and receives communication device information including information about the communication device itself to and from other communication devices; a control unit that compares the degree of influence on communication between the communication device itself and the other communication device based on the communication device information, and when it determines that the degree of influence on communication between the communication device itself and the other communication device is high, starts a synchronization process that transmits synchronization data to be used in operation to the backup communication device; A communication device having:

2. The control unit periodically performs the comparison. The communication device according to claim 1 .

3. the communication device information includes the number of terminal devices subordinate to the communication device; The control unit determines that the influence of the own device is high when the number of terminal devices subordinate to the own device is greater than the number of terminal devices of the other communication device. The communication device according to claim 1 .

4. the communication device information includes a numerical value related to a traffic volume of the communication device; When the other communication device has a second communication device subordinate thereto that has the same number of terminal devices subordinate thereto as the number of terminal devices subordinate thereto, the control unit determines that the influence of the own device is high when the traffic volume of the own device is greater than the traffic volume of the second communication device.

4. The communication device according to claim 3.

5. When the standby communication device detects that a failure has occurred in the communication device, it takes over the communication device and switches to the active system. The communication device according to claim 1 .

6. The synchronization data includes data generated when communication occurs with a subordinate terminal device of the own device. The communication device according to claim 1 .

7. The synchronization data includes data generated when an event occurs. The communication device according to claim 1 .

8. The synchronization data includes data that is generated only once at the start of operation. The communication device according to claim 1 .

9. the communication system includes a controller that manages an active system and a standby system; When the control unit determines that the influence of the own device is high, the control unit notifies the controller. The communication device according to claim 1 .

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