Signal transfer device, signal transfer method, signal transfer program, and signal transfer system

Abstract

A signal forwarding device according to one embodiment receives a plurality of signals which include an aperiodic signal which is higher priority than is another signal, respectively holds the received plurality of signals according to priority in a plurality of buffers, obtains signal information which includes the time at which the aperiodic signal is transmitted or received, and / or the data length of the aperiodic signal, predicts the timing at which the aperiodic signal will arrive to a buffer on the basis of the obtained signal information, sets a reservation for a time period during which the aperiodic signal is to be prioritized over another signal and forwarded on the basis of the predicted timing, controls so as to prioritize the aperiodic signal over another signal and output the same from the plurality of buffers during the period in which the reservation is set, and transmits the signal outputted by the buffer.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a signal transfer device, a signal transfer method, a signal transfer program, and a signal transfer system. [Background technology]

[0002] As a high-speed, broadband Ethernet (registered trademark) communication, for example, GE-PON (Gigabit Ethernet-PON), which is an optical point-to-multipoint, is known. Generally, packets are delayed when passing through a switch. Therefore, various technologies are applied to realize a low-latency network.

[0003] For example, Non-Patent Document 1 provides definitions regarding bridges and LANs for networks that require low latency. Also, Non-Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for reserving network resources and controlling the quality of communication.

[0004] Another known technology for reducing packet delays is the Time Aware Shaper (TAS) technology for preventing collision delays. In TAS, complete priority control is performed, and a transmission time slot is reserved (gate is opened and gates for other priorities are closed) within the signal transfer device for the signal of the priority that is the subject of priority control and is transmitted periodically. In the priority transmission section, signals of other priorities cannot be transmitted (they are made to wait). In complete priority control, the signal transfer device receives a signal that is the subject of priority control, and after it becomes capable of transmitting the signal, it opens the corresponding time gate when the transmission of the currently transmitted signal is completed.

[0005] In addition, Non-Patent Document 3 discloses a technology for implementing DBA (Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation), and Non-Patent Document 4 discloses a technology for improving TAS in order to improve the bandwidth utilization efficiency of traffic. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0006] [Non-Patent Document 1] "IEEE Standard for Local and metropolitan area networks- Time-Sensitive Networking for Fronthaul", IEEE Std 802.1CM, May 7, 2018 [Non-Patent Document 2] The Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, "Knowledge Base", Group 3 (Computer Networks), Part 5 (Communication Quality), Chapter 4, "Practical Quality Control", 2011, pp.1-21 [Non-Patent Document 3] Takamitsu Tochino, et al., "FIRST DEMONSTRATION OF MINI-PON BY USING STANDARD-BASED DBA-API AND SOFTWARE COMPONENTS ON COMMODITY SERVER APART FROM MODULAR OLT", ECOC2019 [Non-Patent Document 4] Naotaka Shibata and 3 others, "Traffic Control Technology for Layer 2 Networks Accommodating Multi-Services in the 5G / IoT Era," Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, IEICE Technical Report, 2018 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, TAS can only be applied to periodic traffic, and cannot be applied to non-periodic signals that are the subject of low-latency control. In addition, when a signal with a different priority is being transmitted, the signal that is the subject of low-latency control cannot be transmitted until the transmission of the other signal is completed, resulting in a delay.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a signal transfer device, a signal transfer method, a signal transfer program, and a signal transfer system that can reduce delay even if the signal subject to priority control is a non-periodic signal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A signal transfer device according to one embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a receiving unit that receives a plurality of signals including a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals, a plurality of buffers that respectively hold the plurality of signals received by the receiving unit according to priority, an acquisition unit that acquires signal information including at least one of the time when the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received and the data length of the non-periodic signal, a prediction unit that predicts the timing at which the non-periodic signal will arrive at the buffer based on the signal information acquired by the acquisition unit, a setting unit that sets a reservation for a period during which the non-periodic signal is transmitted with priority over other signals based on the timing predicted by the prediction unit, a control unit that controls the plurality of buffers to output the non-periodic signals with priority over other signals during the period for which the reservation is set by the setting unit, and a transmitting unit that transmits the signals output by the plurality of buffers in accordance with the control of the control unit.

[0010] Moreover, a signal transfer method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a receiving step of receiving a plurality of signals including a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals; a holding step in which a plurality of buffers respectively hold the received plurality of signals according to their priorities; an acquisition step of acquiring signal information including at least one of the time at which the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received and the data length of the non-periodic signal; a prediction step of predicting the timing at which the non-periodic signal will arrive at the buffer based on the acquired signal information; a setting step of setting a reservation for a period during which the non-periodic signal is transmitted with priority over other signals based on the predicted timing; a control step of controlling the plurality of buffers to output the non-periodic signals with priority over other signals during the period for which the reservation is set; and a transmission step of transmitting the signals output by the plurality of buffers in accordance with the control in the control step.

[0011] Moreover, a signal transfer system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a signal transfer system having a transmitting device that transmits one or more signals including a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals, and a signal transfer device that transfers multiple signals including the non-periodic signal to a receiving device, wherein the signal transfer device has a receiving unit that receives multiple signals including the non-periodic signal, multiple buffers that respectively hold the multiple signals received by the receiving unit according to their priority, an acquisition unit that acquires signal information including at least one of the time when the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received and the data length of the non-periodic signal, a prediction unit that predicts the timing at which the non-periodic signal will arrive at the buffer based on the signal information acquired by the acquisition unit, a setting unit that sets a reservation for a period during which the non-periodic signal is transmitted with priority over other signals based on the timing predicted by the prediction unit, a control unit that controls the multiple buffers to output the non-periodic signals with priority over other signals during the period for which the reservation is set by the setting unit, and a transmitting unit that transmits signals output by the multiple buffers in accordance with the control of the control unit. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, even if the signal that is the subject of priority control is a non-periodic signal, the delay can be reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a signal transfer system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of a signal transfer device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a signal transfer system. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 illustrates a second embodiment of the signal transfer system. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the signal transfer system. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an OLT and a DBA calculation server in a third embodiment of the signal forwarding system. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a signal transfer device according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a signal transfer device of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] First, the background of the invention will be described. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a signal transfer device 10 of a comparative example. The signal transfer device 10 has, for example, a receiving unit 11, a signal distribution unit 21, a buffer unit 22, a time gate unit 23, a control unit 24, and a transmitting unit 25, receives a signal transmitted by a transmitting device (not shown) and transmits (transfers) the signal to a receiving device (not shown).

[0015] The receiver 11 receives a plurality of signals including, for example, a periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals, and outputs the received signals to the signal distributor 21, respectively.

[0016] The signal distribution unit 21 has a function of distributing each of the signals input from the receiving unit 11 according to priority, and outputs the signals distributed according to priority to the buffer unit 22.

[0017] The buffer unit 22 includes a plurality of buffers 220 that hold signals for each priority, and the plurality of buffers 220 hold the signals that are assigned by the signal assignment unit 21 for each priority. In other words, the plurality of buffers 220 hold the plurality of signals received by the receiving unit 11 according to their priorities.

[0018] The time gate unit 23 has a plurality of gates 230 corresponding to the plurality of buffers 220, respectively. When the gate 230 is opened, it transmits the signal held in the buffer 220 to the transmission unit 25, and when it is closed, it stops the transmission of the signal held in the buffer 220 to the transmission unit 25.

[0019] The control unit 24 is a scheduler that controls signal transmission for each buffer 220 by controlling the opening and closing of each of the multiple gates 230 provided in the time gate unit 23, for example, in accordance with schedule information notified from outside or predetermined schedule information.

[0020] For example, when executing TAS according to schedule information notified from the outside, the control unit 24 performs control to open the gate 230 at a timing determined based on the period information, phase information, and data length of the signal included in the schedule information. Also, when performing full priority control according to predetermined schedule information, the control unit 24 performs control to give priority to the buffer 220 holding a signal with a high priority and opens the corresponding gate 230.

[0021] The transmitting unit 25 has a transfer function of transmitting, to a specified output destination, a signal for which the gate 230 has been opened. In other words, the transmitting unit 25 transmits the signals output by the multiple buffers 220 under the control of the control unit 24.

[0022] The signal transfer device 10 can perform full priority control using the conventional TAS when the receiving unit 11 receives a periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals. However, the signal transfer device 10 cannot perform full priority control using the conventional TAS when the receiving unit 11 receives a plurality of signals including a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals. Furthermore, when the signal transfer device 10 is transmitting a signal having a different priority, it cannot transmit the non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals until the transmission of the signal is completed, resulting in a delay.

[0023] Therefore, a signal transfer device according to an embodiment described below is configured to be able to transfer a plurality of signals, including an aperiodic signal having a higher priority than other signals, with reduced delay of the aperiodic signal having a higher priority. Hereinafter, an asynchronous signal is considered to be an example of an aperiodic signal.

[0024] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a signal transfer system 100 according to an embodiment. For example, the signal transfer system 100 is configured such that a signal transfer device 2 transfers a signal (data) transmitted by a transmitting device 1 to a receiving device 3.

[0025] For example, the signal transfer device 2 acquires information indicating the arrival timing of a signal transmitted by the transmitting device 1, and transfers multiple signals transmitted by the transmitting device 1 to the receiving device 3 so as to reduce the delay of a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals.

[0026] In addition, multiple signal transfer devices 2 may be disposed between the transmitting device 1 and the receiving device 3. In this case, the multiple signal transfer devices 2 transfer the signal transmitted by the transmitting device 1 in sequence and transmit it to the receiving device 3.

[0027] In addition, the signal transfer system 100 may be provided with a signal transfer control device in a network made up of multiple signal transfer devices 2, which determines which route between the multiple signal transfer devices 2 to use to transmit a signal, and which issues commands to the control unit 24 of each signal transfer device 2.

[0028] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a signal transfer device 2 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the signal transfer device 2 includes a receiving unit 20, a signal distribution unit 21, a buffer unit 22, a time gate unit 23, a control unit 24, a transmitting unit 25, and a timing calculation unit 26. In the signal transfer device 2 shown in Fig. 2, the same components as those of the signal transfer device 10 shown in Fig. 8 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0029] The receiving unit 20 receives a plurality of signals including a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals, and outputs each of the received signals to the signal sorting unit 21. The receiving unit 20 also receives signal information including at least one of the time when an asynchronous signal, which is a non-periodic signal, is transmitted or received, and the data length of the asynchronous signal, and outputs the received signal information to the timing calculation unit 26.

[0030] The receiver 20 may receive either signals whose priority is determined on a per-unit basis of the transmitter 1 that transmits a plurality of signals, or signals whose priority is determined on a per-unit basis of the signal flow.

[0031] The timing calculation unit 26 includes an acquisition unit 261, a prediction unit 262, and a setting unit 263, and calculates the timing for transferring a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals, and performs settings for the control unit 24.

[0032] The acquisition unit 261 acquires signal information from the signal information output by the receiving unit 20, including, for example, at least one of the time when the non-periodic signal is transmitted by the transmitting device 1, or the time when the non-periodic signal is received by the signal transfer device 2, and the data length of the non-periodic signal, and outputs the acquired signal information to the prediction unit 262.

[0033] For example, when the time at which the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received is determined in advance, the acquisition unit 261 may acquire signal information including only the data length of the non-periodic signal (or the transmission time of the data).

[0034] As a specific example, when the transmitting device 1 adds control information recognizable by the signal transferring device 2 to the end of data and transmits it, the signal transferring device 2 can ascertain the transmission time of the data by recognizing the control information.

[0035] Furthermore, when the data length (or the data transmission time) of the non-periodic signal is determined in advance, the acquisition unit 261 may acquire signal information including only the time at which the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received.

[0036] The prediction unit 262 predicts the timing at which the aperiodic signal will arrive at, for example, the signal transfer device 2 or the buffer 220 based on the signal information acquired by the acquisition unit 261, and outputs information indicating the predicted timing to the setting unit 263.

[0037] Based on the timing predicted by the prediction unit 262, the setting unit 263 sets in the control unit 24 a reservation for a period during which the non-periodic signal is transmitted with priority over other signals.

[0038] Therefore, the control unit 24 controls the time gate unit 23 so that the non-periodic signals are output from the multiple buffers 220 with priority over other signals during the period for which the setting unit 263 has set the reservation.

[0039] [First Example] Next, a description will be given of a first specific embodiment of the signal transfer system 100. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of the signal transfer system 100 (PON: Passive Optical Network).

[0040] The user terminal 40 is a device used by a user to generate traffic, and is connected to an ONU (Optical Network Unit) 41. The ONU 41 is accommodated in an OLT (Optical Line Terminal) 42. The ONU 41 and OLT 42 are devices described in IEEE 802.3 SECTION 5 and the like. The OLT 42 controls the signal transmission timing of the ONUs 41 (multiple) in an optical network of a P2MP (Point-to-Multipoint) topology. At this time, the user terminal 40, the ONU 41, and the OLT 42 correspond to the transmitting device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0041] (First operation example) The priority signal is to be used to identify traffic to be prioritized by using an identifier that can uniquely identify the traffic, such as information for identifying the ONU 41, a Logical Link ID (LLID), a source address, a destination address, or information indicating priority.

[0042] The priority signal is buffered by the ONU 41 in a queue independent of other signals. The OLT 42 recognizes the data amount (data length) of the buffered priority signal by a Report message from the ONU 41. The OLT 42 also recognizes the signal transmission start time of each ONU 41 by a bandwidth allocation method such as DAB (Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation). The OLT 42 then transmits the data amount and the transmission start time to the signal transfer device 2 as signal information (asynchronous signal information).

[0043] In the signal transfer device 2, the timing calculation unit 26 calculates the timing to open the gate 230 corresponding to the buffer 220 (FIG. 2) that holds the priority signal, using the received signal information and, for example, a preset transmission delay.

[0044] The signal transfer device 2 may recognize the transmission delay time by measuring the transmission delay between the OLT 42 and the signal transfer device 2 using a method similar to conventional TAS, etc. In addition, since the transmission distance between the ONU 41 and the OLT 42 is maintained, the signal transfer device 2 may obtain information indicating the transmission delay based on the transmission distance.

[0045] The timing calculation unit 26 outputs a command to the control unit 24 to reserve in advance the opening of the gate 230 for the priority signal at the calculated timing. The control unit 24 controls the time gate unit 23 in accordance with the command from the timing calculation unit 26, and causes the transmission unit 25 to transmit the priority signal. Thereafter, the control unit 24 controls the time gate unit 23 to cause the transmission unit 25 to transmit other signals.

[0046] The OLT 42 may calculate the timing to open the gate 230 for the priority signal and transmit it as signal information to the signal transfer device 2. In this case, the signal information indicates the "time to open the gate 230" and the "time for which the gate 230 is open."

[0047] (Second operation example) For example, assume that all signals output from any one of multiple ONUs 41 are priority signals. In this case, the ONU 41 buffers the priority signals. The OLT 42 recognizes the signal transmission start time and signal transmission duration of the ONU 41 by allocating a bandwidth to the ONU 41. Thereafter, the control unit 24 controls the time gate unit 23 according to a command from the timing calculation unit 26, and causes the transmission unit 25 to transmit the priority signal.

[0048] The signal transfer device 2 may have a transmission delay set in advance, may predict (learn) the transmission delay, or may measure the transmission distance to obtain the transmission delay.

[0049] [Second Example] Next, a description will be given of a specific second embodiment of the signal transfer system 100. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the second embodiment of the signal transfer system 100 (wireless network).

[0050] A user terminal 50 is a terminal used by a user to generate traffic and perform wireless communication, and is accommodated in a wireless station 51. The wireless station 51 is a base station or an access point in WiFi (registered trademark), and controls the signal transmission timing of the user terminals 50 (multiple) in a wireless network of P2MP topology. At this time, the user terminal 50 and the wireless station 51 correspond to the transmitting device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0051] The priority signal is to identify the traffic to be prioritized by using an identifier that can uniquely identify the traffic, such as a source address, a destination address, or information indicating a priority level.

[0052] The wireless station 51 schedules in advance the time and data amount for the user terminal 50 to transmit a signal to the wireless station 51, and transmits the signal transmission time and data amount to the signal transfer device 2 as signal information.

[0053] In the signal transfer device 2, the timing calculation unit 26 calculates the timing to open the gate 230 corresponding to the buffer 220 (FIG. 2) that holds the priority signal, using the received signal information and, for example, a preset transmission delay.

[0054] The timing calculation unit 26 outputs a command to the control unit 24 to reserve in advance the opening of the gate 230 for the priority signal at the calculated timing. The control unit 24 controls the time gate unit 23 in accordance with the command from the timing calculation unit 26, and causes the transmission unit 25 to transmit the priority signal. Thereafter, the control unit 24 controls the time gate unit 23 to cause the transmission unit 25 to transmit other signals.

[0055] [Third Example] Next, a specific third embodiment of the signal transfer system 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the third embodiment of the signal transfer system 100 (transmission from the OLT 61 to the DBA calculation server 7). Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the OLT 61 and the DBA calculation server 7 in the third embodiment of the signal transfer system 100.

[0056] For example, ONUs 60 (plural) are connected to an OLT 61. The ONUs 60 and the OLT 61 realize upstream signal control using MPCP (Multi Point Control Protocol). The OLT 61 transmits a signal to a DBA calculation server 7 via a signal transfer device 2.

[0057] For example, it is assumed that the priority signal transmitted by the OLT 61 to the DBA calculation server 7 is a bundled report frame. The bundled report frame is generated by the DBA engine 612 when the OLT 61 receives all report frames via the PON-IF (interface) 610 in a DBA period.

[0058] The DBA thread 70 notifies the OLT 61 in advance of the timing of receiving the report frame by bandwidth allocation. In addition, the frame format used for the notification is determined in advance between the DBA engine 612 and the DBA thread 70. Therefore, it is possible to recognize the data size in advance.

[0059] That is, the signal transfer device 2 receives the above-mentioned information as signal information, and thereby can control the priority signal in the same manner as in the other embodiments.

[0060] The priority signal may be a bundled gate frame. When the DBA thread 70 receives the bundled report frame and ends the bandwidth allocation process, the DBA thread 70 generates a bundled gate frame and transmits it to the DBA engine 612. Therefore, the DBA calculation server 7 can predict the timing when the process ends in advance.

[0061] Furthermore, the frame format used for notification is determined in advance between the DBA engine 612 and the DBA thread 70. Therefore, it is possible to know the data size in advance.

[0062] That is, the signal transfer device 2 receives the above-mentioned information as signal information, and thereby can control the priority signal in the same manner as in the other embodiments.

[0063] In this way, the signal forwarding device 2 can predict the arrival time of traffic that is subject to low latency control by acquiring information indicating the scheduling of traffic scheduled in a lower network in advance, and can open a transmission window in advance. Then, the signal forwarding device 2 can reduce the latency of one packet.

[0064] In addition, each function of the transmitting device 1, the signal transfer device 2, and the receiving device 3 may be configured in part or in whole by hardware such as a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or may be configured as a program executed by a processor such as a CPU.

[0065] For example, the signal transfer device 2 according to an embodiment can be realized using a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a storage medium or provided via a network.

[0066] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a signal transfer device 2 according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, for example, the signal transfer device 2 has an input unit 800, an output unit 810, a communication unit 820, a CPU 830, a memory 840, and an HDD 850 connected via a bus 860, and has a function as a computer. In addition, the signal transfer device 2 is configured to be able to input and output data to and from a computer-readable storage medium 870.

[0067] The input unit 800 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse, etc. The output unit 810 is, for example, a display device, etc. The communication unit 820 is, for example, an optical network interface, etc.

[0068] The CPU 830 controls each unit constituting the signal transfer device 2 and performs predetermined processing, etc. The memory 840 and the HDD 850 are storage units that store data and the like.

[0069] The storage medium 870 is capable of storing programs and the like for executing the functions of the signal transfer device 2. Note that the architecture constituting the signal transfer device 2 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0070] In this way, the signal transfer system 100 according to one embodiment controls the multiple buffers 220 to output non-periodic signals having a higher priority than other signals in preference to other signals during the period when the signal transfer device 2 has set a reservation, thereby reducing delays even if the signal subject to priority control is a non-periodic signal. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 transmitter, 2 signal transfer device, 3 receiver, 7 DBA calculation server, 20 receiver, 21 signal distribution unit, 22 buffer unit, 23 time gate unit, 24 control unit, 25 transmitter, 26 timing calculation unit, 40 user terminal, 41 ONU, 42 OLT, 50 user terminal, 51 radio station, 60 ONU, 61 ···OLT, 70··DBA thread, 220··Buffer, 230··Gate, 261··Acquisition unit, 262···Prediction unit, 263···Setting unit, 100···Signal transfer system, 612···DBA engine, 800···Input unit, 810···Output unit, 820···Communication unit, 830···CPU, 840···Memory, 850···HDD, 860···Bus, 870···Storage medium

Claims

1. a receiver for receiving a plurality of signals including a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals; a plurality of buffers for storing the plurality of signals received by the receiving unit in accordance with priority; an acquisition unit that acquires signal information including at least one of a time when the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received and a data length of the non-periodic signal; a prediction unit that predicts a timing at which the non-periodic signal will arrive at the buffer based on the signal information acquired by the acquisition unit; a setting unit that sets a reservation for a period during which the non-periodic signal is transmitted with priority over other signals based on the timing predicted by the prediction unit; a control unit that controls the plurality of buffers to output the non-periodic signals in priority to other signals during a period for which the setting unit has set the reservation; a transmitting unit that transmits signals output from the plurality of buffers in response to control by the control unit; A signal transfer device comprising:

2. The receiving unit is Receiving signals with a priority assigned to each transmitting device that transmits a plurality of signals, or signals with a priority assigned to each signal flow 2. The signal transfer device according to claim 1 .

3. The acquisition unit is When the time at which the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received is predetermined, signal information including a data length of the non-periodic signal is obtained, and when the data length of the non-periodic signal is predetermined, signal information including the time at which the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received is obtained.

3. The signal transfer device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a receiving step of receiving a plurality of signals including a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals; a holding step of holding the received signals in a plurality of buffers according to their priorities; an acquisition step of acquiring signal information including at least one of a time when the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received and a data length of the non-periodic signal; a prediction step of predicting a timing when the non-periodic signal will arrive at the buffer based on the acquired signal information; a setting step of setting a reservation for a period during which the non-periodic signal is transmitted with priority over other signals based on the predicted timing; a control step of controlling the plurality of buffers to output the non-periodic signals in a reservation-set period with priority over other signals; a transmitting step of transmitting signals output from the plurality of buffers in response to the control in the control step; A signal transfer method comprising:

5. In the receiving step, Receiving signals with a priority assigned to each transmitting device that transmits a plurality of signals, or signals with a priority assigned to each signal flow 5. The signal transfer method according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. In the obtaining step, When the time at which the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received is predetermined, signal information including a data length of the non-periodic signal is obtained, and when the data length of the non-periodic signal is predetermined, signal information including the time at which the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received is obtained.

6. The signal transfer method according to claim 4 or 5,

7. A signal transfer program for causing a computer to function as each unit of the signal transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

8. A signal transfer system having a transmitting device that transmits one or more signals including a non-periodic signal having a higher priority than other signals, and a signal transfer device that transfers a plurality of signals including the non-periodic signal to a receiving device, The signal transmission device includes: A receiving unit that receives a plurality of signals including the non-periodic signal; a plurality of buffers for storing the plurality of signals received by the receiving unit in accordance with priority; an acquisition unit that acquires signal information including at least one of a time when the non-periodic signal is transmitted or received and a data length of the non-periodic signal; a prediction unit that predicts a timing at which the non-periodic signal will arrive at the buffer based on the signal information acquired by the acquisition unit; a setting unit that sets a reservation for a period during which the non-periodic signal is transmitted with priority over other signals based on the timing predicted by the prediction unit; a control unit that controls the plurality of buffers to output the non-periodic signals in priority to other signals during a period for which the setting unit has set the reservation; a transmitting unit that transmits signals output from the plurality of buffers in response to control by the control unit; A signal transfer system comprising:

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