Information processing device, terminal device, communication method and program

Abstract

To make it possible to keep end-to-end delay in periodic communication constant and to minimize it. [Solution] The present invention comprises a time synchronization control unit that performs time synchronization processing with a mobile communication network, a communication resource information acquisition unit that acquires communication resource information relating to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and a terminal device from a core network of the mobile communication network, a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the terminal device, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit, a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from an information processing device to be received by the terminal device, based on information contained in the packet received from the terminal device, and a transmission phase change control unit that changes the phase of transmitting data to the terminal device within the data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a terminal device, a communication method, and a program, and more particularly to an information processing device, a terminal device, a communication method, and a program that enable end-to-end delay in periodic communication to be constant and minimized. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand for highly deterministic communications in order to realize advanced IoT services in factories, etc. Highly deterministic communications require that data be received with a constant delay time.

[0003] Specifically, for example, when data is transmitted between a server and a terminal at a predetermined cycle, it is required to reduce the fluctuation in the timing of receiving data at each of the server and the terminal.

[0004] To meet these demands, a communication format called Time Sensitive Communication has been established as a 3GPP standard technology. This technology uses a technology called SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling) in the Uu section (wireless section) to increase time determinism. SPS is a method of reserving radio resources for data transmission in advance, and is a method of scheduling the timing of sending data from the MAC layer to the PHY layer.

[0005] Also proposed is a technology in which timing information of traffic flows communicated via a time-sensitive networking Ethernet bridge is received, and a predetermined time-sensitive networking time domain is designated from among a plurality of time domains in which a mobile wireless communication system is configured to receive synchronization information (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0006] Furthermore, a technique has been proposed for improving the accuracy of estimating the cause of a communication failure due to an external factor in a wireless communication network using an industrial protocol (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-547375 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2023-547375 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, even if SPS schedules the timing of sending data from the MAC layer to the PHY layer, conventional technology does not provide a way to share the timing of data transmission in the MAC layer with the upper layer (application layer). As a result, a discrepancy occurs between the timing of data transmission in the application layer and the timing of data transmission in the MAC layer, resulting in retention time in the MAC layer.

[0009] In this case, the time it takes for the transmitted data to be received will vary depending on whether the residence time is long or short. In other words, the residence time will change every time data is transmitted by the application layer, and as a result, it is not possible to expect communications in which data can be received with a constant delay time.

[0010] Thus, the conventional technology has a problem in that the one-way delay time can change every time data is transmitted by an application.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention aims to provide a technique that allows for consistent and minimal end-to-end delay in periodic communications. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] An information processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information processing device that is connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicates with a terminal device synchronized to the time of the mobile communication network, and includes a time synchronization control unit that performs time synchronization processing with the mobile communication network, a communication resource information acquisition unit that acquires communication resource information related to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the terminal device from a core network of the mobile communication network, a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the terminal device, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit, a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the information processing device to be received by the terminal device, based on information contained in a packet received from the terminal device, and a transmission phase change control unit that changes the phase of transmitting data to the terminal device within the data transmission period so that the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit is reduced.

[0013] A communication method according to one aspect of the present invention is a communication method for an information processing device connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicating with a terminal device synchronized to the time of the mobile communication network, and includes the steps of: executing a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; acquiring communication resource information relating to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the terminal device from a core network of the mobile communication network; setting a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the terminal device based on the acquired communication resource information; measuring a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the information processing device to be received by the terminal device, based on information contained in a packet received from the terminal device; and changing the phase for transmitting data to the terminal device within the data transmission period so as to reduce the measured total delay time.

[0014] A terminal device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a terminal device that is connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicates with an information processing device synchronized to the time of the mobile communication network, and includes a time synchronization control unit that performs time synchronization processing with the mobile communication network, a communication resource information acquisition unit that acquires communication resource information related to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the information processing device from a core network of the mobile communication network, a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the information processing device, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit, a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the terminal device to be received by the information processing device, based on information contained in the packet received from the information processing device, and a transmission phase change control unit that changes the phase of transmitting data to the information processing device within the data transmission period so that the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit is reduced.

[0015] A communication method according to one aspect of the present invention is a communication method for a terminal device connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicating with an information processing device synchronized to the time of the mobile communication network, and includes the steps of: executing a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; acquiring communication resource information relating to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the information processing device from a core network of the mobile communication network; setting a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the information processing device based on the acquired communication resource information; measuring a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the terminal device to be received by the information processing device, based on information contained in a packet received from the information processing device; and changing the phase for transmitting data to the information processing device within the data transmission period so as to reduce the measured total delay time.

[0016] Each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, a program that causes a computer to execute each step of the above-described method, and a computer-readable recording medium having the program recorded thereon, also fall within the scope of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0017] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a technique is provided that allows for consistent and minimal end-to-end delay in periodic communications. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a network configuration for realizing time sensitive communication. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining a form of communication using SPS. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between Tcycle App and Tdelay in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of the relationship between Tcycle App and Tdelay in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a manner in which the phase at which data is sent from a server is changed within a cycle Tcycle App. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a first termination device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining a method of time synchronization in a 5G mobile communication system conforming to the 3GGP standard TS23.501. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a data transmission phase determination process. [Figure 9] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a second termination device according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 illustrates deterministic periodic communication between two end devices. [Figure 11]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer that executes instructions of a program, which is software that realizes each function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a network configuration for realizing Time Sensitive Communication (TSC). This figure corresponds to Figure 4.4.8.2-1 described in the 3GGP standard TS23.501. Here, TSC is a deterministic or isochronous communication.

[0020] TSC is a type of communication required in technologies such as digital twins, which require the reliable transmission of tens of bytes of data at intervals of tens of milliseconds.

[0021] Furthermore, many things such as autonomous driving of connected cars, metaverse, VR / XR, and remote control of robots are also premised on TSC. In all cases, technology that enables reliable and periodic data transmission is required. For example, technology that enables reliable transmission of small amounts of data of less than 1MB in short cycles of less than 1 second is required.

[0022] In the example of Figure 1, two TSN (Time Sensitive Networking) Systems (TSN systems) are shown connected via a 5G mobile communication system. Each TSN system is configured to provide a TSC, and the TSN system 22 on the left side of the figure is connected to the 5G mobile communication system via a UE (User Equipment). In this example, the TSN system 22 is connected to the UE via a DS-TT (Device-side TSN translator), and the DS-TT and the UE are referred to as a Device side of Bridge.

[0023] The TSN system 21 on the right side of the figure transmits and receives packets to and from the TSN AF (Time Sensitive Networking AF), which is a network function unit of the core network 31 of the 5G mobile communication system, to control each network function unit and to extract the status and statistical data of each network function unit. Such transmission and reception of packets is performed via an API (Application Programming Interface). The TSN system 21 also transmits and receives U-plane packets to and from the UPF (User Plane Function), which is a network function unit of the core network 31. The transmission and reception of U-plane packets is performed via the NW-TT (Network-side TSN translator) of the UPF.

[0024] As an example, the TSN system 22 may be a TSN system related to a remotely operated robot, and the TSN system 21 may be a TSN system related to a controller used for the remote operation. Alternatively, the TSN system 22 and the TSN system 21 may form a digital twin.

[0025] The UE is also connected to a core network 31 of the 5G mobile communication system by a base station (RAN). The UE transmits and receives C-Plane packets to and from an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), which is a network function unit of the core network 31 of the 5G mobile communication system, and this communication is performed via the base station. The UE transmits and receives U-plane packets to and from a UPF, which is a network function unit of the core network 31, and this communication is performed via the base station.

[0026] The core network, the base station, the UE, the DS-TT, and the NW-TT are referred to as a Logical Bridge that connects the two TSN systems. These are collectively referred to as a mobile communication network 11.

[0027] 3GPP is standardizing a technology called SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling) to realize TSC. SPS is a method of reserving downlink radio resources for data transmission in advance, and is a method of scheduling the timing of sending data from the MAC layer to the PHY layer. When reserving uplink radio resources for data transmission in advance, a technology called Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2 is used.

[0028] This ensures, for example, radio resources for periodically transmitting and receiving U-plane packets between the UE and the RAN in Fig. 1. For example, data transmission from a base station to a specific UE (Down Link) is periodically performed. Also, for example, data transmission from a specific UE to a base station (Up Link) is periodically performed.

[0029] If the downlink period is 100 ms, then every 100 ms, a single opportunity is given for data transmission from the base station to a specific UE. Also, if the uplink period is 100 ms, then every 100 ms, a single opportunity is given for data transmission to a specific base station.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining a form of communication using SPS. In this diagram, the horizontal axis represents time, and the timing of data transmission from a base station to a UE is shown corresponding to each layer of the base station and the UE. In Fig. 2, PDU indicates a communication path between the UPF of the core network 31 and the base station. For example, a communication path when one server included in the TSN system 21 in Fig. 1 communicates with a base station via the UPF is shown as PDU in Fig. 2.

[0031] Therefore, the data shown in Fig. 2 is actually transmitted from, for example, one server included in the TSN system 21 via the UPF of the core network 31, but the server and the UPF are omitted in Fig. 2. Also, the data shown in Fig. 2 is actually received by, for example, one terminal device included in the TSN system 22, but the terminal device is omitted in Fig. 2.

[0032] The base station has a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) layer. The base station also has a PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) layer, an RLC (Radio Link Control) layer, a MAC layer, and a PHY layer. The UE has a PHY layer, a MAC layer, an RLC layer, a PDCP layer, an IP / Ether layer, and an APP layer.

[0033] In the example of Fig. 2, one server included in the TSN system 21 transmits a small amount of data to the UE with a cycle Tcycle App. In Fig. 2, when data is transmitted from the server to the UE, the data transmitted by the server is transmitted via the UPF and arrives at the base station as a PDU.

[0034] In the base station, data passes through the PDU layer, PDCP layer, and RLC layer to reach the MAC layer. Note that the arrow pointing diagonally downwards in Figure 2 indicates the time it takes for data to reach the next layer from the previous layer.

[0035] For example, it takes a very short time for data to reach the PDCP layer from the PDU layer of the base station, another very short time for data to reach the RLC layer from the PDCP layer, and yet another very short time for data to reach the MAC layer from the RLC layer. In this way, since it takes time for data to reach each layer from when it is sent, a delay corresponding to the time st occurs between when data arrives at the PDU layer of the base station and when it reaches the MAC layer of the base station.

[0036] The MAC layer performs control to transmit the data to the UE using the radio resources secured for the UE. That is, the MAC layer of the base station transmits data to the PHY layer in a period allocated by the SPS. Here, the period allocated by the SPS is displayed as "Periodicity". Note that in the description of Figs. 2 to 5, it is assumed that the radio resources related to the Down Link are secured by the SPS.

[0037] The PHY layer of the base station transmits data using radio resources, and the data is received by the PHY layer of the UE. At this time, as shown by the arrows pointing diagonally downward to the right in Figure 2, there is a small amount of time until the data arrives at each layer. A delay corresponding to the time rt occurs between when the data is sent by the MAC layer of the base station and when the data is received by the PHY layer of the UE.

[0038] The UE's PHY layer sends the received data to the MAC layer, and then the data reaches the APP layer via the RLC layer, PDCP layer, and IP / Ether layer. Even in this case, there is a small amount of time before the data reaches each layer, as shown by the arrows pointing diagonally downward to the right in Figure 2. There is a delay corresponding to the time ut between when the data is received by the UE's PHY layer and when the data reaches the APP layer.

[0039] In this way, the data sent from the PDU layer of the base station reaches the APP layer of the UE. In Fig. 2, the delay until the data sent from the PDU layer of the base station reaches the APP layer of the UE is shown as time Tdelay.

[0040] Fig. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the relationship between Tcycle App and Tdelay in Fig. 2. As in Fig. 2, the horizontal axis in this diagram is time, and the timing of transmitting data from a PDU and a base station to a UE is shown corresponding to each layer of the base station and the UE. In the case of Fig. 3, Tcycle App is longer than Periodicity.

[0041] In the case of Fig. 3, the Tdely for the data transmitted the first time is the largest (longest), and the Tdely for the data transmitted the second time is smaller (shorter) than the first time. Similarly, the Tdely for the data transmitted the third time is smaller (shorter) than the second time, and the Tdely for the data transmitted the fourth time is the smallest.

[0042] In the example of FIG. 3, Δt for the data transmitted for the fourth time is almost 0, but Δt for the data transmitted for the fifth time is considered to be almost the same length as the Periodicity.

[0043] As mentioned above, because the timing of sending data from the MAC layer to the PHY layer is scheduled by SPS, data is held up in the MAC layer until it is sent from the MAC layer of the base station to the PHY layer. In other words, the MAC layer holds the data without sending it from the time the data arrives at the MAC layer of the base station until the timing scheduled by SPS arrives. In Figure 3, this retention time in the MAC layer is shown as Δt. In the case of Figure 3, Tcycle App is longer than Periodicity, so Δt changes each time data is sent from the APP layer (from the server).

[0044] On the other hand, the delay times st, rt, and ut calculated in Fig. 2 have hardly changed. The above times may change depending on the device performance, processing load, radio wave interference, and other conditions, but it is rare for the above conditions to change significantly within a few minutes. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the delay times st, rt, and ut are constant.

[0045] Now, if st+rt+ut=D, it can be expressed as Tdely=D+Δt. In the example of Figure 3, since Δt fluctuates, Tdely also fluctuates every time data is sent from the server.

[0046] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining another example of the relationship between Tcycle App and Tdelay in Fig. 2. As in Fig. 2, the horizontal axis in this diagram is time, and the timing of data transmission from the PDU and base station to the UE is shown corresponding to each layer of the PDU, base station, and UE. In the case of Fig. 4, Tcycle App is the same length in time as Periodicity.

[0047] In the case of Fig. 4, Tdely for the data transmitted for the first time is almost the same length in time as Tdely for the data transmitted for the second, third, and fourth times. That is, in the case of Fig. 4, since the time length of Tcycle App is the same as the time length of Periodicity, if the time st is constant, the data transmitted from the server will always remain in the MAC layer of the base station for the same time. That is, in the case of Fig. 4, Δt does not change.

[0048] In the example of FIG. 4, since Δt does not vary, Tdelay does not vary each time data is sent from the server, and an approximately constant Tdelay can be expected for each data transmission.

[0049] In the case of Fig. 3, Tdely also varies each time data is sent from the server, so it is not possible to realize communication that allows data to be received with a constant delay time. In other words, in the case of Fig. 3, it is not possible to realize communication that can reliably transmit small amounts of data in short cycles, as is realized by TSN system 22 and TSN system 21.

[0050] On the other hand, in the case of Figure 4, Tdely does not change each time data is sent from the server, so it is possible to realize communications in which data can be received with a constant delay time. However, data retention occurs in the MAC layer of the base station, resulting in a large delay.

[0051] Therefore, the phase at which data is sent from the server is changed within a cycle Tcycle App having the same time length as Periodicity. Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining an example of a manner in which the phase at which data is sent from the server is changed within the cycle Tcycle App. In this figure, the horizontal axis is time, and the timing at which data is sent from the server to the UE via the UPF and base station is shown in correspondence with each layer of the server, UPF, base station, and UE.

[0052] In the figure, the server has an APP layer and an IP / Ether layer, the UPF has an IP / Ether layer and a PDU layer, the base station has a PDU layer, a PDCP layer, an RLC layer, a MAC layer and a PHY layer, and the UE has a PHY layer, a MAC layer, an RLC layer, a PDCP layer, an IP / Ether layer and an APP layer.

[0053] In the case of Figure 5, the time length of Tcycle App is the same as the time length of Periodicity. Therefore, if the time st is constant, the data sent from the server will always remain in the MAC layer of the base station for the same amount of time.

[0054] In the case of Fig. 5, unlike the case of Fig. 4, the phase in which data is sent from the server is changed within the cycle Tcycle App. That is, in the first data transmission and the second data transmission in Fig. 5, data is sent from the App layer of the server in the same phase (first phase). On the other hand, in the third data transmission and the fourth data transmission in Fig. 5, data is sent from the App layer of the server in a phase (second phase) different from the first and second phases. As an example, the first phase may be 0, and the second phase may be π / 8.

[0055] That is, in the first data transmission and the second data transmission in Figure 5, the data is sent from the App layer of the server at the same time as the start of the Tcycle App, but in the first data transmission and the second data transmission, the data is sent from the App layer of the server when a time Dt has elapsed since the start of the Tcycle App.

[0056] In the first and second data transmissions, the data residence time Δt in the MAC layer of the base station is relatively long. This is because there is a large difference between the time the data is sent from the App layer of the server and the start of the periodicity. On the other hand, in the third and fourth data transmissions, the data residence time Δt in the MAC layer of the base station is shorter than the first and second transmissions. This is because there is a smaller difference between the time the data is sent from the App layer of the server and the start of the periodicity.

[0057] In this way, by reducing the data residence time Δt in the MAC layer of the base station, the delay time Tdelay until the data sent from the App layer of the server reaches the App layer of the UE can be reduced. In other words, even if the delay time until the data sent from the App layer of the server reaches the MAC layer of the base station cannot be reduced, it is possible to reduce the total delay time by reducing the data residence time Δt in the MAC layer of the base station. Theoretically, when the delay time until the data sent from the App layer of the server reaches the MAC layer of the base station is equal to the time Dt, the data residence time Δt in the MAC layer becomes 0, and the delay time Tdelay until the data sent from the App layer of the server reaches the App layer of the UE is minimized.

[0058] First embodiment In this embodiment, a server and a terminal device communicate with each other. Here, the server is, for example, a first end station in the TSN system 21 connected via the UPF of the core network 31. The data transmitted from the server is received by a terminal device that is a second end station in the TSN system 22 connected via the UE. The first end station and the second end station may be, for example, a server and a terminal device used in a technology such as a digital twin.

[0059] In this embodiment, the times are synchronized among the core network 31, the base station, the UE, the DS-TT, the NW-TT, the TSN system 22, and the TSN system 21. The time synchronization may be performed using, for example, Precision Time Protocol (PTP).

[0060] In this way, the delay time between the first terminating device and the second terminating device can be calculated accurately.

[0061] The base station transmits the data transmitted from the server to a device (e.g., UE) connected to the terminal device using the downlink radio resources at a periodicity assigned by the SPS. The base station also transmits the data transmitted from the terminal device to the core network using the uplink radio resources at a periodicity assigned by Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2.

[0062] In this embodiment, the Tcycle App is set to the same length in time as the Periodicity. Since the base station and the server (TSN system 21) are synchronized in time, the length in time of the Tcycle App and the length in time of the Periodicity can be accurately matched. In addition, for example, the phase at which data is sent from the App layer of the server is changed to a plurality of ways, and each phase is associated with a total delay time and stored. Then, the phase corresponding to the smallest total delay time is set as the transmission phase, which is the phase at which data should be transmitted to the UE.

[0063] In this way, it is possible to realize communications that always allow data to be received with a constant delay time, and to minimize the delay time Tdelay that it takes for data sent from the App layer of the server to reach the App layer of the UE. Note that here, the delay time Tdelay that it takes for data sent from the App layer of the server to reach the App layer of the UE is referred to as the total delay time.

[0064] 1, the TSN system 21 having the first terminal device and the TSN system 22 having the second terminal device are connected to each other via a core network, a base station, a UE, a DS-TT, and a NW-TT as a logical bridge. Therefore, the first terminal device and the second terminal device are both connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network 11.

[0065] In the following description, the first terminating device in the TSN system 21 is the server 101, and the second terminating device in the TSN system 22 is the terminal device 201.

[0066] (Server functional configuration example) 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a first terminal device (server) according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the server 101 has a time synchronization control unit 111, a communication resource information acquisition unit 112, a transmission cycle setting unit 113, a delay measurement unit 114, and a transmission phase change control unit 115.

[0067] (Time synchronization control unit) The time synchronization control unit 111 executes a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network. That is, the time synchronization control unit 111 synchronizes the time of the server 101 with the time distributed from the 5G mobile communication system. The time of the server 101 may be, for example, the system time of an operating system implemented in the server 101. The time synchronization may be performed, for example, using PTP (Precision Time Protocol). As a result, the time of the server 101 is synchronized with the time of the 5G GM (5G Grand Master). Note that a method of synchronizing the times of the core network 31, the base station, the UE, the TSN system 22, and the TSN system 21 by PTP is described in detail in, for example, Figure 5.27.1-1 described in the 3GGP standard TS23.501.

[0068] 7 is a diagram for explaining a method of time synchronization in a 5G mobile communication system conforming to the 3GGP standard TS23.501. The figure is similar to Figure 5.27.1-1 of the standard TS23.501, and the End Station 101 shown in the figure corresponds to the server 101, and the End Station 201 corresponds to the terminal device 201. As shown in FIG. 7, when the server 101 is connected to an external network (e.g., a TSN system 21), the time synchronization control unit 111 may synchronize the time of the server 101 with the time of the (g)PTP GM of the external network.

[0069] The communication resource information acquisition unit 112 acquires communication resource information related to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and a terminal device from a core network of the mobile communication network. That is, the communication resource information acquisition unit 112 acquires communication resource information including a periodicity related to a downlink wireless resource allocated by the base station to a specific UE (UE to which the TSN system 22 is connected) by the SPS. The communication resource information acquisition unit 112 acquires the communication resource information from, for example, a network exposure function (NEF) or a policy control function (PCF), which is a network function unit of the core network 31.

[0070] (Transmission period setting section) The transmission cycle setting unit 113 sets a data transmission cycle, which is a cycle in which the server 101 transmits data to the terminal device 201, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit 112. More specifically, the transmission cycle setting unit 113 sets a cycle in which the APP layer of the server 101 sends data to be transmitted to the terminal device to the IP / Ether layer. This sets a data transmission cycle having the same time length as the time length of the Periodicity assigned by the SPS. The data transmission cycle set by the transmission cycle setting unit 113 corresponds to, for example, the Tcycle App shown in FIG. 5 and the like.

[0071] (Delay measurement section) Based on information included in a packet received from terminal device 201, delay measurement unit 114 measures the time from when the APP layer of server 101 sends data to be transmitted to terminal device 201 to the IP / Ether layer until the data reaches the APP layer of terminal device 201. The time measured by delay measurement unit 114 corresponds to Tdelay (total delay time) shown in Fig. 5, for example. As an example, delay measurement unit 114 transmits to the terminal device a packet (first packet) to which the time of server 101 when the APP layer of server 101 sends the data is added as a transmission timestamp.

[0072] The terminal device 201 receives the packet and assigns to the packet the time of the terminal device 201 when the packet reaches the APP layer of the terminal device 201 as a reception timestamp. Note that the time of the terminal device 201 may be, for example, the system time of an operating system implemented in the terminal device 201. Then, the terminal device 201 transmits to the server 101 the packet (second packet) to which the reception timestamp has been assigned.

[0073] The server 101 receives the packet, and the delay measurement unit 114 calculates the difference between the transmission timestamp and the reception timestamp, thereby calculating the time required for the packet transmitted from the server 101 to reach the terminal device 201 .

[0074] The difference between the transmission timestamp and the reception timestamp may be calculated in the terminal device 201 and may be included in the second packet transmitted from the terminal device 201 to the server 101.

[0075] In this way, the delay measurement unit 114 transmits a first packet with a timestamp to the terminal device 201, receives a second packet transmitted by the terminal device 201 after recording the reception time of the packet, and calculates the total delay time based on the information contained in the second packet.

[0076] (Transmission phase change control section) The transmission phase change control unit 115 changes the phase in which data is transmitted to the terminal device within a data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by the delay measurement unit 114. More specifically, the transmission phase change control unit 115 changes the phase in which the APP layer of the server 101 transmits data to the IP / Ether layer within a data transmission period. As an example, the transmission phase change control unit 115 may change the phase in increments of π / 8. In this case, the transmission phase change control unit 115 sets eight different phases from phase 0 to phase 7π / 8.

[0077] For example, the transmission phase change control unit 115 sets the phase at which the APP layer of the server 101 transmits data to the IP / Ether layer of the terminal device in a data transmission period to 0, and causes the delay measurement unit 114 to measure the total delay time T0. Then, the transmission phase change control unit 115 stores the phase 0 and the total delay time T0 in association with each other.

[0078] Next, transmission phase change control section 115 sets the phase at which the APP layer of server 101 sends data to the IP / Ether layer during the data transmission period to π / 8, and causes delay measurement section 114 to measure total delay time T1. Then, transmission phase change control section 115 associates the phase π / 8 with the total delay time T1 and stores them. Similarly, transmission phase change control section 115 associates the phase 2π / 8 with the total delay time T2 and stores them, associates the phase 3π / 8 with the total delay time T3, ... and stores the phase 7π / 8 with the total delay time T7.

[0079] Furthermore, the transmission phase change control unit 115 determines, from among the eight phases, a data transmission phase that is a phase to be set when transmitting data to the terminal device 201. For example, the transmission phase change control unit 115 identifies the smallest total delay time among total delay times T1 to T7, and determines the phase corresponding to that total delay time as the transmission phase in which data should be transmitted to the terminal device 201. For example, when total delay time T3 is the smallest among total delay times T1 to T7, phase 3π / 8 is determined as the data transmission phase.

[0080] In this way, the transmission phase change control unit 115 stores the multiple phases at which the first packet was transmitted in association with the total delay time, and determines the phase corresponding to the smallest total delay time as the transmission phase, which is the phase at which data should be transmitted to the terminal device.

[0081] Once the data transmission phase has been determined, the process of changing the phase in which the APP layer of server 101 sends data to the IP / Ether layer during the data transmission period is stopped, and the APP layer of server 101 continues sending the data to be transmitted to terminal device 201 to the IP / Ether layer at the determined data transmission phase.

[0082] (Data transmission phase determination process) Next, an example of the data transmission phase determination process by the server 101 in this embodiment will be described. Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of the data transmission phase determination process.

[0083] In step S21, the time synchronization control unit 111 synchronizes the time of the server 101 with the time distributed from the 5G mobile communication system. The time of the server 101 may be, for example, the system time of an operating system implemented in the server 101. The time synchronization may be performed using, for example, PTP (Precision Time Protocol). This synchronizes the time of the server 101 with the time of the 5G GM (5G Grand Master).

[0084] In step S22, the communication resource information acquisition unit 112 acquires communication resource information including a periodicity assigned by the base station to a specific UE (a UE to which the TSN system 22 is connected) by the SPS. The communication resource information acquisition unit 112 acquires the communication resource information from, for example, a network exposure function (NEF) or a policy control function (PCF), which is a network function unit of the core network 31.

[0085] In step S23, the transmission cycle setting unit 113 sets a data transmission cycle, which is a cycle in which the server 101 transmits data to the terminal device 201. More specifically, the transmission cycle setting unit 113 sets a cycle in which the APP layer of the server 101 sends data to be transmitted to the terminal device 201 to the IP / Ether layer. The data transmission cycle set by the transmission cycle setting unit 113 corresponds to, for example, the Tcycle App shown in FIG. 5 and the like.

[0086] In step S24, the transmission phase change control unit 115 sets a phase in the data transmission cycle set in the process of step S23 for transmitting data to the terminal device 201. At this time, the transmission phase change control unit 115 sets, for example, to 0 the phase in the data transmission cycle at which the APP layer of the server 101 sends data to be transmitted to the terminal device 201 to the IP / Ether layer.

[0087] In step S25, the delay measurement unit 114 measures the total delay time. That is, the time from when the APP layer of the server 101 sends data to be transmitted to the terminal device 201 to the IP / Ether layer until the data reaches the APP layer of the terminal device 201 is measured.

[0088] At this time, for example, the delay measurement unit 114 transmits a packet to the terminal device 201, to which is added the time of the server 101 when the APP layer of the server 101 sends out the data as a transmission timestamp. The terminal device 201 receives the packet, and adds to the packet the time of the terminal device 201 when the packet reaches the APP layer of the terminal device 201 as a reception timestamp. The terminal device 201 then transmits the packet to which is added the reception timestamp to the server 101.

[0089] The server 101 receives the packet, and the delay measurement unit 114 calculates the difference between the transmission timestamp and the reception timestamp, and calculates the time it takes for the packet sent from the server 101 to reach the terminal device 201 (total delay time).

[0090] The total delay time calculated at this time is associated with the phase set in step S24 and stored in the memory of the server 101. For example, the phase 0 and the total delay time T0 are stored in association with each other.

[0091] In step S26, the transmission phase change control unit 115 determines whether or not there is an unset phase. For example, when the phase is changed by π / 8, it is determined whether or not there is an unset phase among the eight phases from phase 0 to phase 7π / 8. For example, when phase 0 is set in step S24, seven phases from phase π / 8 to phase 7π / 8 have not been set, so in step S26 it is determined that there is an unset phase.

[0092] If it is determined in step S26 that there is an unset phase, the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the transmission phase change control unit 115 sets a phase (another phase) different from the phase already set. For example, the phase at which the APP layer of the server 101 sends data to be transmitted to the terminal device to the IP / Ether layer in the data transmission period is set to π / 8.

[0093] After the process of step S26, the process returns to step S25, and the process of step S25 and the process of step S26 are executed. In this case, the total delay time calculated in step S25 is associated with another phase set in step S27 and stored in the memory of the server 101.

[0094] In this manner, the processes of steps S25 to S27 are repeatedly executed, and in step S27, for example, seven different phases from phase π / 8 to phase 7π / 8 are sequentially set as different phases. Then, the transmission phase change control unit 115 stores each phase in association with a total delay time. For example, phase π / 8 is associated with total delay time T1, phase 2π / 8 is associated with total delay time T2, phase 3π / 8 is associated with total delay time T3, ... phase 7π / 8 is associated with total delay time T7, and so on.

[0095] If it is determined in step S26 that there is no unset phase, the process proceeds to step S28. In step S28, the transmission phase change control unit 115 identifies the smallest total delay time. At this time, for example, the smallest total delay time (for example, total delay time T3) is identified among the total delay times T0 to T7.

[0096] In step S29, the data transmission phase is determined. At this time, for example, the phase associated with the smallest total delay time identified in the process of step S28 is determined as the data transmission phase. For example, if the smallest total delay time identified in step S28 is T3, in step S29, the phase 3π / 8 is determined as the data transmission phase.

[0097] Once the data transmission phase has been determined, the data transmission phase determination process ends, and the APP layer of the server 101 continues to send data to be transmitted to the terminal device 201 to the IP / Ether layer in the determined data transmission phase.

[0098] In this manner, the data transmission phase determination process is performed.

[0099] In the above, an example has been described in which the first terminating device in the TSN system 21 is the server 101, the second terminating device in the TSN system 22 is the terminal device 201, and the data transmission phase related to the data transmitted from the server 101 to the terminal device 201 is determined. In a similar manner, the data transmission phase related to the data transmitted from the terminal device 201 to the server 101 may be determined. In this way, it is possible to further improve the time determinism of the periodic data transmission between the two terminating devices.

[0100] (Example of functional configuration of terminal device) 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a second end device (terminal device) according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the terminal device 201 has a time synchronization control unit 211, a communication resource information acquisition unit 212, a transmission cycle setting unit 213, a delay measurement unit 214, and a transmission phase change control unit 215.

[0101] (Time synchronization control unit) The time synchronization control unit 211 synchronizes the time of the terminal device 201 with the time distributed from the 5G mobile communication system. The time of the terminal device 201 may be, for example, the system time of an operating system implemented in the terminal device 201. The time synchronization may be performed using, for example, PTP. As a result, the time of the terminal device 201 is synchronized with the time of the 5G GM (5G Grand Master).

[0102] (Communication resource information acquisition unit) The communication resource information acquisition unit 212 acquires communication resource information including a periodicity of radio resources related to an Up Link that the base station allocates to a specific UE (UE to which the TSN system 22 is connected) by Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2. The communication resource information acquisition unit 212 acquires the communication resource information, for example, from an NEF or a PCF that is a network function unit of the core network 31. In this case, the communication resource information acquisition unit 212 may acquire the communication resource information from the NEF or the PCF via the UE to which the TSN system 22 is connected.

[0103] (Transmission period setting section) The transmission period setting unit 213 sets a data transmission period, which is a period in which the terminal device 201 transmits data to the server 101, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit 212. More specifically, the transmission period setting unit 213 sets a period in which the APP layer of the terminal device 201 sends data to be transmitted to the server 101 to the IP / Ether layer. As a result, a data transmission period having the same time length as the time length of the Periodicity assigned by Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2 is set.

[0104] (Delay measurement section) Based on information included in a packet received from the server 101, the delay measurement unit 214 measures the time from when the APP layer of the terminal device 201 sends data to be sent to the server 101 to the IP / Ether layer until the data reaches the APP layer of the terminal device 201. The time measured by the delay measurement unit 214 is called a total delay time. As an example, the delay measurement unit 214 transmits to the terminal device a packet (third packet) to which the time of the terminal device 201 when the APP layer of the terminal device 201 sends the data is added as a transmission timestamp.

[0105] Server 101 receives the packet and assigns to the packet the time at which the packet reaches the APP layer of server 101 as a reception timestamp. Server 101 then transmits the packet with the reception timestamp assigned (fourth packet) to terminal device 201.

[0106] The terminal device 201 receives the packet, and the delay measurement unit 214 calculates the difference between the transmission timestamp and the reception timestamp, thereby calculating the time required for the packet transmitted from the terminal device 201 to reach the server 101 .

[0107] The difference between the sending timestamp and the receiving timestamp may be calculated by the server 101 and may be included in the fourth packet transmitted from the server 101 to the terminal device 201.

[0108] In this way, the delay measurement unit 114 transmits a third packet with a timestamp to the server 101, receives a fourth packet transmitted by the server 101 after recording the reception time of the packet, and calculates the total delay time based on the information contained in the fourth packet.

[0109] (Transmission phase change control section) The transmission phase change control unit 215 changes the phase in which data is transmitted to the server 101 within the data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by the delay measurement unit 214. More specifically, the transmission phase change control unit 215 changes the phase in which the APP layer of the terminal device 201 transmits data to the IP / Ether layer within the data transmission period. As an example, the transmission phase change control unit 215 may change the phase by π / 8.

[0110] For example, the transmission phase change control unit 215 changes the phase at which the APP layer of the terminal device 201 sends data to the IP / Ether layer in a data transmission period into eight different phases, and causes the delay measurement unit 214 to measure the total delay time corresponding to each phase. Then, the transmission phase change control unit 215 stores each phase and the total delay time in association with each other.

[0111] Furthermore, the transmission phase change control unit 215 determines, for example, from among eight different phases, a data transmission phase that is a phase to be set when transmitting data to the server 101. For example, the transmission phase change control unit 215 identifies the smallest total delay time among total delay times T1 to T7, and determines the phase corresponding to the identified total delay time as the transmission phase in which data should be transmitted to the server 101.

[0112] In this way, the transmission phase change control unit 215 stores the multiple phases at which the third packet was transmitted in association with the total delay time, and determines the phase corresponding to the smallest total delay time as the transmission phase, which is the phase at which data should be transmitted to the information processing device.

[0113] Once the data transmission phase has been determined, the process of changing the phase at which the APP layer of the terminal device 201 sends data to the IP / Ether layer during the data transmission period is stopped, and the APP layer of the terminal device 201 continues sending the data to be sent to the server 101 to the IP / Ether layer at the determined data transmission phase.

[0114] The data transmission phase determination process in the terminal device 201 is similar to that described above with reference to FIG. 8, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0115] In this way, for example, as indicated by the arrows in FIG. 10, periodic communication with excellent time determinism can be performed between terminal device 101 and terminal device 201.

[0116] (Effects of the First Embodiment) As described above, this embodiment can improve the determinism of data transmission between both end devices. In other words, the end-to-end delay in periodic communication can be made constant and minimized. Moreover, this embodiment can be realized without modifying the 3GPP standard.

[0117] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the time when the APP layer of the first or second terminating device sends data to the IP / Ether layer is close to the time of periodic transmission in the MAC layer of the base station, so that even if retransmission occurs in the wireless transmission section, there is a high probability that retransmission between both terminating devices will not be necessary. Therefore, periodic transmission between both terminating devices can be performed more reliably.

[0118] Second Embodiment In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the UE sequentially transfers data received from the terminal device 201 to the base station. That is, it is assumed that the APP layer of the UE sends the data to the IP / Ether layer almost at the same time that the data transmitted from the terminal device 201 reaches the APP layer of the UE.

[0119] However, for example, the UE may also be configured to transfer data received from the terminal device 201 to the base station at a predetermined cycle. That is, similar to the case of the server 101, the APP layer of the UE may transmit data to the IP / Ether layer at a cycle of, for example, TcycleApp.

[0120] In such a configuration, it is desirable that the UE also has a functional configuration similar to the functional configuration described above with reference to Fig. 9. In the description of this embodiment, Fig. 9 is applied as the functional configuration of the UE. Then, in this embodiment, the data transmission phase of the UE is determined.

[0121] That is, the time synchronization control unit 211 of the UE in this embodiment synchronizes the time of the UE with the time distributed from the 5G mobile communication system.

[0122] In addition, the communication resource information acquisition unit 212 of the UE acquires communication resource information including the periodicity of the radio resources related to the uplink that the base station allocates to the UE (the UE to which the TSN system 22 is connected) by Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2.

[0123] Furthermore, the transmission cycle setting unit 213 of the UE sets a data transmission cycle, which is a cycle at which the UE transmits data to the server 101. More specifically, the transmission cycle setting unit 213 sets a cycle at which the APP layer of the UE sends data to the IP / Ether layer.

[0124] Then, delay measurement section 214 of the UE measures the time (total delay time) from when the APP layer of the UE sends data to be transmitted to server 101 to the IP / Ether layer until the data arrives at the APP layer of server 101. Also, transmission phase change control section 215 of the UE changes the phase for transmitting data to server 101 within the data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by delay measurement section 214, and determines the data transmission phase.

[0125] This enables, for example, periodic communication with excellent time determinism between the server 101 and the UE.

[0126] The data transmission phase determination process in the UE is the same as that in FIG. 8, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0127] Then, after the data transmission phase of the UE is determined, a data transmission phase determination process may be performed in the terminal device 201, and the data transmission phase of the terminal device 201 may be determined.

[0128] In this way, the second embodiment also improves the determinism of data transmission between the two end devices, i.e. makes it possible to keep the end-to-end delay in periodic communication constant and minimal.

[0129] Third embodiment In the above example, the transmission phase change control unit 115 or the transmission phase change control unit 215 changes the phase at which the APP layer of each device sends data to the IP / Ether layer in a data transmission period into eight different phases, causes the delay measurement unit 214 to measure a total delay time corresponding to each phase, and stores each phase in association with the total delay time. Also, it has been explained that the transmission phase change control unit 115 or the transmission phase change control unit 215 specifies the smallest total delay time among the total delay times T1 to T7, and determines the phase corresponding to the total delay time as the transmission phase.

[0130] However, the transmission phase change control unit 115 or the transmission phase change control unit 215 may be configured to determine, for example, when a total delay time smaller than a preset threshold is measured, the phase corresponding to the total delay time as the transmission phase. In other words, the transmission phase change control unit 115 or the transmission phase change control unit 215 does not necessarily need to set all possible phases, and when a total delay time smaller than the threshold is measured, the transmission phase change control unit 115 or the transmission phase change control unit 215 may stop the process of changing the phase at which the APP layer of each device sends data to the IP / Ether layer during the data transmission period at that point.

[0131] In this way, it is possible to determine the transmission phase earlier than in the above-described embodiment.

[0132] (Example of software implementation) The above-mentioned server 101, terminal device 201, and UE are programs for causing a computer to function, and can be realized by programs for causing a computer to function as the server 101, terminal device 201, and UE. In this case, the server 101, terminal device 201, and UE are provided with a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the above-mentioned programs. An example of such a computer is shown in FIG. 11.

[0133] The computer 500 includes at least one processor 501 and at least one memory 502. The memory 502 stores a program 520 for causing the computer 500 to operate as the server 101, the terminal device 201, and the UE. In the computer 500, the processor 501 reads and executes the program 520 from the memory 502, thereby realizing the functions of the server 101, the terminal device 201, and the UE.

[0134] The processor 501 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), an FPU (Floating point number Processing Unit), a PPU (Physics Processing Unit), a microcontroller, or a combination of these.

[0135] As the memory 502, for example, a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a combination of these can be used.

[0136] The computer 500 may further include a RAM (Random Access Memory) for expanding the program 520 during execution and for temporarily storing various data. The computer 500 may further include a communication interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from other devices. The computer 500 may further include an input / output interface for connecting input / output devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, a display, and a printer.

[0137] Furthermore, the program 520 for causing the computer 500 to operate as the server 101, the terminal device 201, and the UE can be recorded on a non-transitory tangible recording medium 530 that is readable by the computer 500. For example, a tape, a disk, a card, a semiconductor memory, or a programmable logic circuit can be used as the recording medium 530. The computer 500 can obtain the program 520 via the recording medium 530.

[0138] In addition, the program 520 for operating the computer 500 as the server 101, the terminal device 201, and the UE can be transmitted via a transmission medium. For example, a communication network or a broadcast wave can be used as such a transmission medium. The computer 500 can also obtain the program 520 via such a transmission medium.

[0139] In addition, some or all of the functions of the server 101, the terminal device 201, and the UE can be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the above control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of each of the above control blocks can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0140] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, examples of applying the present invention to a 5G communication system have been described, but the present invention can also be similarly applied to communication systems from 6G onwards.

[0141] According to each aspect of the present invention described above, by achieving the above-mentioned effects, it is possible to contribute to the achievement of Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and innovation."

[0142] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0143] 〔summary〕 An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an information processing device that is connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicates with a terminal device synchronized to the time of the mobile communication network, and includes a time synchronization control unit that performs time synchronization processing with the mobile communication network, a communication resource information acquisition unit that acquires communication resource information related to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the terminal device from a core network of the mobile communication network, a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the terminal device, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit, a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the information processing device to be received by the terminal device, based on information contained in a packet received from the terminal device, and a transmission phase change control unit that changes the phase of transmitting data to the terminal device within the data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit.

[0144] In an information processing device according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1 above, the total delay time measurement unit transmits a first packet with a timestamp to the terminal device, receives a second packet transmitted by the terminal device after recording the reception time of the packet, and calculates the total delay time based on information contained in the second packet.

[0145] In an information processing device according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in aspect 2 above, the transmission phase change control unit stores the multiple phases at which the first packet was transmitted in correspondence with the total delay time, and determines the phase corresponding to the smallest total delay time as the transmission phase, which is the phase at which data should be transmitted to the terminal device.

[0146] In an information processing device according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 3 above, a base station of the mobile communication network transmits the data to a device to which the terminal device is connected using downlink radio resources at a period allocated by SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling).

[0147] In an information processing device according to aspect 5 of the present invention, in the above aspect 4, the communication resource information acquisition unit acquires, as the communication resource information, information indicating a period for the downlink radio resources allocated by the SPS from a network exposure function (NEF) or a policy control function (PCF), which is a network function unit of the core network.

[0148] A communication method according to aspect 6 of the present invention is a communication method for an information processing device connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicating with a terminal device synchronized to the time of the mobile communication network, and includes the steps of: executing a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; acquiring communication resource information relating to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the terminal device from a core network of the mobile communication network; setting a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the terminal device based on the acquired communication resource information; measuring a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the information processing device to be received by the terminal device, based on information contained in a packet received from the terminal device; and changing the phase for transmitting data to the terminal device within the data transmission period so as to reduce the measured total delay time.

[0149] A program according to aspect 7 of the present invention causes a computer to function as an information processing device connected to a time-synchronized mobile communications network and communicating with a terminal device synchronized to the time of the mobile communications network, the information processing device comprising: a time synchronization control unit that performs time synchronization processing with the mobile communications network; a communications resource information acquisition unit that acquires communications resource information relating to communications resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communications network and the terminal device from a core network of the mobile communications network; a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the terminal device, based on the communications resource information acquired by the communications resource information acquisition unit; a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the information processing device to be received by the terminal device, based on information contained in a packet received from the terminal device; and a transmission phase change control unit that changes the phase of transmitting data to the terminal device within the data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit.

[0150] A terminal device according to aspect 8 of the present invention is a terminal device connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicating with an information processing device synchronized to the time of the mobile communication network, and comprises a time synchronization control unit that performs time synchronization processing with the mobile communication network, a communication resource information acquisition unit that acquires communication resource information relating to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the information processing device from a core network of the mobile communication network, a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the information processing device, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit, a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the terminal device to be received by the information processing device, based on information contained in the packet received from the information processing device, and a transmission phase change control unit that changes the phase of transmitting data to the information processing device within the data transmission period so that the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit is reduced.

[0151] In a terminal device according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned eighth aspect, the total delay time measurement unit transmits a third packet with a timestamp to the information processing device, receives a fourth packet transmitted by the information processing device after recording the reception time of the packet, and calculates the total delay time based on information contained in the fourth packet.

[0152] In the terminal device of aspect 10 of the present invention, in the above aspect 9, the transmission phase change control unit stores the multiple phases at which the third packet was transmitted in correspondence with the total delay time, and determines the phase corresponding to the smallest total delay time as the transmission phase, which is the phase in which data should be transmitted to the information processing device.

[0153] In a terminal device according to aspect 11 of the present invention, in any of aspects 8 to 10 above, a base station of the mobile communication network transmits the data to a core network using uplink radio resources at a period assigned by Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2.

[0154] In a terminal device according to aspect 12 of the present invention, in the above-mentioned aspect 11, the communication resource information acquisition unit acquires, as the communication resource information, information indicating a period for the uplink radio resources allocated by the Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2 from a NEF (Network Exposure Function) or a PCF (Policy Control Function), which is a network function unit of the core network.

[0155] A communication method according to aspect 13 of the present invention is a communication method for a terminal device connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicating with an information processing device synchronized to the time of the mobile communication network, and includes the steps of: executing a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; acquiring communication resource information relating to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the information processing device from a core network of the mobile communication network; setting a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the information processing device based on the acquired communication resource information; measuring a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the terminal device to be received by the information processing device, based on information contained in a packet received from the information processing device; and changing the phase for transmitting data to the information processing device within the data transmission period so as to reduce the measured total delay time.

[0156] A program according to aspect 14 of the present invention causes a computer to function as a terminal device connected to a time-synchronized mobile communications network and communicating with an information processing device synchronized to the time of the mobile communications network, the terminal device comprising: a time synchronization control unit that performs time synchronization processing with the mobile communications network; a communications resource information acquisition unit that acquires communications resource information relating to communications resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communications network and the information processing device from a core network of the mobile communications network; a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the information processing device, based on the communications resource information acquired by the communications resource information acquisition unit; a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is the time it takes for a packet transmitted from the terminal device to be received by the information processing device, based on information contained in the packet received from the information processing device; and a transmission phase change control unit that changes the phase of transmitting data to the information processing device within the data transmission period so that the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit is reduced. [Explanation of symbols]

[0157] 11 Mobile communication networks 21 TSN System 22 TSN System 31 Core Network 101 Server 111 Time synchronization control unit 112 Communication resource information acquisition unit 113 Transmission period setting section 114 Delay measurement unit 115 Transmission phase change control section 201 Terminal Equipment 211 Time Synchronization Control Unit 212 Communication resource information acquisition unit 213 Transmission period setting unit 214 Delay Measurement Unit 215 Transmission phase change control section

Claims

1. An information processing device that is connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicates with a time-synchronized terminal device of the mobile communication network, A time synchronization control unit that executes a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; a communication resource information acquisition unit that acquires communication resource information related to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the terminal device from a core network of the mobile communication network; a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the terminal device, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit; a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is a time taken for a packet transmitted from the information processing device to be received by the terminal device, based on information included in the packet received from the terminal device; a transmission phase change control unit that changes a phase of transmitting data to the terminal device within a data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit; Equipped with A base station of the mobile communication network transmits the data to a device to which the terminal device is connected using radio resources of a down link at a period assigned by SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling); The communication resource information acquisition unit acquires, as the communication resource information, information indicating a period related to a down link radio resource allocated by the SPS from a network exposure function (NEF) or a policy control function (PCF), which is a network function unit of the core network; The transmission period setting unit sets a data transmission period having the same time length as a time length of a period related to the radio resource of the down link allocated by the SPS. Information processing device.

2. The overall delay time measurement unit is Transmitting a first packet with a time stamp to the terminal device; receiving a second packet transmitted by the terminal device with the reception time of the packet recorded; Calculating the total delay time based on information included in the second packet The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The transmission phase change control unit includes: storing a plurality of phases at which the first packet is transmitted and the total delay time in association with each other; The phase corresponding to the smallest total delay time is determined as a transmission phase in which data should be transmitted to the terminal device. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. A communication method for an information processing device that is connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicates with a terminal device that is synchronized with the time of the mobile communication network, comprising: performing a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; acquiring, from a core network of the mobile communication network, communication resource information relating to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the terminal device; setting a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the terminal device, based on the acquired communication resource information; measuring an overall delay time, which is a time taken for a packet transmitted from the information processing device to be received by the terminal device, based on information included in the packet received from the terminal device; changing a phase of transmitting data to the terminal device within a data transmission period so as to reduce the measured total delay time; A base station of the mobile communication network transmits the data to a device to which the terminal device is connected using radio resources of a down link at a period assigned by SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling); In the step of acquiring the communication resource information, information indicating a period related to a radio resource of a down link allocated by the SPS is acquired as the communication resource information from a network exposure function (NEF) or a policy control function (PCF) which is a network function unit of the core network; In the step of setting the data transmission period, a data transmission period having the same time length as a time length of a period related to the down link radio resource allocated by the SPS is set. Communication methods.

5. Computer, An information processing device that is connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicates with a terminal device that is synchronized with the time of the mobile communication network, A time synchronization control unit that executes a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; a communication resource information acquisition unit that acquires communication resource information related to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the terminal device from a core network of the mobile communication network; a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the terminal device, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit; a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is a time taken for a packet transmitted from the information processing device to be received by the terminal device, based on information included in the packet received from the terminal device; a transmission phase change control unit that changes a phase of transmitting data to the terminal device within a data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit; Equipped with A base station of the mobile communication network transmits the data to a device to which the terminal device is connected using radio resources of a down link at a period assigned by SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling); The communication resource information acquisition unit acquires, as the communication resource information, information indicating a period related to a down link radio resource allocated by the SPS from a network exposure function (NEF) or a policy control function (PCF), which is a network function unit of the core network; The transmission period setting unit sets a data transmission period having the same time length as a time length of a period related to the radio resource of the down link allocated by the SPS. Functioning as an information processing device program.

6. A terminal device connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicating with an information processing device synchronized with the time of the mobile communication network, A time synchronization control unit that executes a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; a communication resource information acquisition unit that acquires communication resource information related to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the information processing device from a core network of the mobile communication network; a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the information processing device, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit; a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is a time taken for a packet transmitted from the terminal device to be received by the information processing device, based on information included in the packet received from the information processing device; a transmission phase change control unit that changes a phase in which data is transmitted to the information processing device within a data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit; and Equipped with a base station of the mobile communication network transmits the data to a core network using radio resources of an up link at a period allocated by Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2; the communication resource information acquisition unit acquires, as the communication resource information, information indicating a period related to radio resources of an Up Link allocated by the Configured Grant Type 1 or the Configured Grant Type 2 from a Network Exposure Function (NEF) or a Policy Control Function (PCF) which is a network function unit of the core network; The transmission cycle setting unit sets a data transmission cycle having the same time length as a time length of a cycle related to the radio resources of the up link allocated by the Configured Grant Type 1 or the Configured Grant Type 2. Terminal device.

7. The overall delay time measurement unit is Transmitting a third packet with a time stamp to the information processing device; The information processing device records the reception time of the packet and receives the fourth packet transmitted. death, Calculating the total delay time based on information included in the fourth packet The terminal device according to claim 6.

8. The transmission phase change control unit includes: storing a plurality of the phases at which the third packet is transmitted and the total delay time in association with each other; The phase corresponding to the smallest total delay time is determined as a transmission phase in which data should be transmitted to the information processing device. The terminal device according to claim 7.

9. A communication method for a terminal device that is connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicates with an information processing device that is synchronized with the time of the mobile communication network, comprising: performing a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; acquiring, from a core network of the mobile communication network, communication resource information relating to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the information processing device; setting a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the information processing device, based on the acquired communication resource information; measuring a total delay time, which is a time required for a packet transmitted from the terminal device to be received by the information processing device, based on information included in the packet received from the information processing device; changing a phase of transmitting data to the information processing device within a data transmission period so as to reduce the measured total delay time; Including, a base station of the mobile communication network transmits the data to a core network using radio resources of an up link at a period allocated by Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2; In the step of acquiring communication resource information, information indicating a period related to radio resources of an up link allocated by the Configured Grant Type 1 or the Configured Grant Type 2 is acquired as the communication resource information from a network exposure function (NEF) or a policy control function (PCF) that is a network function unit of the core network; In the step of setting the data transmission period, a data transmission period having the same time length as a time length of a period related to the radio resource of the up link allocated by the Configured Grant Type 1 or the Configured Grant Type 2 is set. Communication methods.

10. Computer, A terminal device connected to a time-synchronized mobile communication network and communicating with an information processing device synchronized with the time of the mobile communication network, A time synchronization control unit that executes a time synchronization process with the mobile communication network; a communication resource information acquisition unit that acquires communication resource information related to communication resources secured in wireless communication between a base station of the mobile communication network and the information processing device from a core network of the mobile communication network; a transmission period setting unit that sets a data transmission period, which is a period for transmitting data to the information processing device, based on the communication resource information acquired by the communication resource information acquisition unit; a total delay time measurement unit that measures a total delay time, which is a time taken for a packet transmitted from the terminal device to be received by the information processing device, based on information included in the packet received from the information processing device; a transmission phase change control unit that changes a phase of transmitting data to the information processing device within a data transmission period so as to reduce the total delay time measured by the total delay time measurement unit; Equipped with a base station of the mobile communication network transmits the data to a core network using radio resources of an up link at a period allocated by Configured Grant Type 1 or Configured Grant Type 2; the communication resource information acquisition unit acquires, as the communication resource information, information indicating a period related to radio resources of an Up Link allocated by the Configured Grant Type 1 or the Configured Grant Type 2 from a Network Exposure Function (NEF) or a Policy Control Function (PCF) which is a network function unit of the core network; The transmission cycle setting unit functions as a terminal device that sets a data transmission cycle having the same time length as a time length of a cycle related to the radio resource of the up link allocated by the Configured Grant Type 1 or the Configured Grant Type 2. program.

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