Terminal, analysis method, and analysis system

Abstract

The terminal (400-N) according to the present disclosure includes: an acquisition unit (401) for acquiring the reception interval of a plurality of packets that have been received via a communication path; and a specification unit for specifying, on the basis of the distribution of reception intervals, the delay characteristic of a delay that has occurred in the communication path.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a terminal, an analysis method, and an analysis system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the need for delay-sensitive applications has increased. Examples of delay-sensitive applications include applications used for AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles), autonomous driving, and remote control of robots.

[0003] On the other hand, with the development and commercialization of wireless communication technology, communication paths selectable by users are becoming more diverse. Examples of communication paths selectable by users include wireless networks such as commercial networks (e.g., 4G (Generation) / LTE (Long Term Evolution) and 5G provided by MNOs (Mobile Network Operators) and MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators)), and private networks (e.g., private LTE (Long Term Evolution) and local 5G).

[0004] However, communication characteristics vary depending on the communication path, and therefore carriers and users would like to easily grasp the communication characteristics of the communication paths.

[0005] One method for measuring communication characteristics of a communication path is to measure a delay time associated with network processing (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). According to the method described in Patent Document 1, the time when a packet passes through the start and end points of a specified section in the system is recorded, and the delay time in the specified section is calculated by comparing the time at the start and end points.

[0006] According to the method described in Patent Document 2, a plurality of first delay times occurring in a round trip of a packet between a firewall (FW) device and a first communication device, and a plurality of second delay times occurring in a round trip of a packet between the FW device and a second communication device are acquired. Then, the first delay times and the second delay times are sorted, and the delay time occurring in the FW device is calculated by finding the difference between the first delay times and the second delay times that are in the same order after sorting. Then, if the calculated delay time is equal to or greater than a threshold, it is determined that the FW device is in an overloaded state. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-076780 A [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-016133 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, both of the methods described in the above Patent Documents 1 and 2 measure the resulting delay time, but do not capture the delay characteristics of the delay. Therefore, there is a demand from carriers and users to confirm the delay characteristics of the delay occurring in the communication path.

[0009] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal, an analysis method, and an analysis system that can solve the above-mentioned problems and check the delay characteristics of the delay occurring in a communication path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to one aspect, a terminal includes: an acquisition unit that acquires reception intervals of a plurality of packets received via a communication path; and a determination unit that determines a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals.

[0011] An analytical method according to one embodiment includes: receiving a plurality of packets over a communication path; acquiring a reception interval of the plurality of received packets; and a determination step of determining delay characteristics of the delay occurring in the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals.

[0012] An analytical system according to one aspect includes: receiving means for receiving a plurality of packets via a communication path; an acquisition means for acquiring a reception interval of the plurality of received packets; and a determination means for determining a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the above-described aspects, it is possible to provide a terminal, an analysis method, and an analysis system that are capable of checking the delay characteristics of a delay occurring in a communication path. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an analysis system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 4 is a diagram for explaining a schematic operation example of a reception interval calculation unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the distribution of delay jitter when no scheduler is involved. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the distribution of delay jitter when a scheduler is involved. [Diagram 5] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the distribution of delay jitter when a scheduler ConstSched, a scheduler ProbSched1, and a scheduler ProbSched2 are interposed between a transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal. FIG. [Figure 6]6 is a diagram showing an example of packet transmission timing in the transmitting terminal, packet transmission timing in the scheduler ConstSched, and packet transmission timing in the scheduler ProbSched1 in the case of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is a diagram illustrating a schematic operation example of a clustering unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a schematic operation flow of a clustering unit according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a result obtained in the course of an operation of a clustering unit according to the first embodiment; FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a diagram for explaining a schematic operation example of a processing content identification unit and a delay processing DB according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an analysis system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a diagram illustrating a schematic operation example of a clustering unit and a state transition probability calculation unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state transition probability calculated by a state transition probability calculation unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state transition probability calculated by a state transition probability calculation unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state transition probability calculated by a state transition probability calculation unit according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 16] 13 is a diagram for explaining a schematic operation example of a processing content identification unit and a delay processing DB according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an analysis system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution of the probability of delay jitter when no scheduler is involved, expressed as a mixed Laplace distribution. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution of the probability of delay jitter when a scheduler is involved, expressed as a mixed Laplace distribution. [Figure 20] 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a schematic operation flow of a delay processing inclusion determination unit according to the third embodiment. FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an analysis system according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of delay characteristics of a communication path displayed by a display unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of delay characteristics of a communication path displayed by a display unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a table used for classifying delay characteristics of communication paths into levels in a display unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Diagram 25] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display of delay characteristics of a communication path and processing contents of delay processing displayed by a display unit according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an analysis system according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an analysis system according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in an application DB according to the sixth embodiment. [Figure 29] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating a schematic operation example of an application control unit according to the sixth embodiment. [Diagram 30] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a list of communication paths and their delay characteristics displayed by a display unit according to the sixth embodiment. [Diagram 31] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a display of a list of communication paths and their delay characteristics displayed by a display unit according to the sixth embodiment. [Diagram 32] FIG. 23 is a block diagram showing a modified configuration example of the analysis system according to the sixth embodiment. [Diagram 33] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of selecting a communication path according to the priority of a terminal in an analysis system according to another embodiment. [Diagram 34] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an analysis system according to another embodiment. [Diagram 35] 35 is a diagram showing an example of delay characteristics of each communication path and processing contents of delay processing in the analysis system shown in FIG. 34. [Diagram 36] FIG. 35 is a diagram showing an example of priorities of vehicle types in the analysis system shown in FIG. 34. [Figure 37] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration of an analysis system according to another embodiment. [Figure 38] 1 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a configuration example of an analysis system according to an embodiment. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a schematic operation flow of the analysis system shown in FIG. 38. [Diagram 40] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a transmitting terminal, a receiving terminal, and a computer that realizes the terminal according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate for clarity of explanation. In addition, in each of the following drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations are omitted as necessary. In addition, the specific numerical values ​​shown below are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the present disclosure, and are not limited thereto.

[0016] <Embodiment 1> First, with reference to FIG. 1, a configuration example of an analysis system 1 according to the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the analysis system 1 according to the first embodiment includes a transmitting terminal 100 and a receiving terminal 200.

[0017] The transmitting terminal 100 includes a packet transmitting unit 101 . The packet transmitting unit 101 transmits fixed-size packets at regular intervals to the receiving terminal 200 via a communication path. The communication path is a wireless network such as a commercial network such as 4G / LTE or 5G provided by an MNO or MVNO, or a private network such as private LTE, local 5G, or Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity).

[0018] Receiving terminal 200 includes packet receiving section 201, receiving interval calculation section 202, clustering section 203, processing content identification section 204, and delay processing DB (Data Base) 205. However, without being limited to this, receiving interval calculation section 202, clustering section 203, processing content identification section 204, and delay processing DB 205 may be provided in a device separate from receiving terminal 200 or on the cloud. Moreover, delay processing DB 205 may be provided on the cloud and shared with a plurality of devices. The packet receiving unit 201 receives packets from the packet transmitting unit 101 of the transmitting terminal 100 via a communication path. The reception interval calculation unit 202 calculates the reception interval of packets received by the packet receiving unit 201 as shown in FIG.

[0019] Clustering unit 203 analyzes the pattern of fluctuation in packet reception intervals (hereinafter referred to as "delay jitter" as appropriate) to identify the type and amount of delay of the delay process of the scheduler intervening between transmitting terminal 100 and receiving terminal 200. In the following explanation, an example of analyzing the distribution of delay jitter as a pattern of delay jitter will be described. Here, the delay jitter differs depending on whether or not a device that performs delay processing (hereinafter, referred to as a "scheduler") is present between transmitting terminal 100 and receiving terminal 200.

[0020] Fig. 3 shows an example of the distribution of delay jitter when no scheduler is involved, and Fig. 4 shows an example of the distribution of delay jitter when a scheduler is involved. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the horizontal axis indicates the packet number, and the vertical axis indicates the delay jitter (reception interval) of the packet with that packet number. Here, packet transmission unit 101 of transmitting terminal 100 increases the packet number every time it transmits a packet. Therefore, the packet with the largest packet number is the most recently received packet.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the distribution of delay jitter when a scheduler is involved (Figure 4) is characterized by a hierarchical striped pattern compared to the distribution of delay jitter when a scheduler is not involved (Figure 3). Furthermore, the distribution of delay jitter when a scheduler is involved will exhibit different characteristics depending on the type and amount of delay of the scheduler's delay processing, as will be described later.

[0022] The type of delay processing is classified according to the state of delay caused by going through a scheduler, for example, there is processing that causes a fixed delay (Constant scheduler, hereinafter also referred to as ConstSched) and processing that causes a probabilistic delay (Probability scheduler, hereinafter also referred to as ProbSched). The amount of delay is the magnitude of the delay caused by going through a scheduler. More specifically, the amount of delay is the magnitude of the difference between the arrival times (or reception times) of consecutive packets caused by going through a scheduler.

[0023] Here, with reference to Figs. 5 and 6, it will be explained that the distribution of delay jitter differs depending on the type and amount of delay of the delay process of the scheduler interposed between the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200.

[0024] 5 and 6, it is assumed that packet transmitting unit 101 transmits packets of 100 bytes at intervals of 33 ms. 5 and 6, it is assumed that a scheduler ConstSched (Constant scheduler), a scheduler ProbSched (Probability scheduler) 1, and a scheduler ProbSched 2 are interposed between the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200 in this order.

[0025] 5 and 6, a packet transmitted from the packet transmitting unit 101 passes through the scheduler ConstSched, the scheduler ProbSched1, and the scheduler ProbSched2 in this order, and is then received by the packet receiving unit 201. Fig. 5 shows an example of the distribution of delay jitter, which represents the fluctuation of the packets thus received by the packet receiving unit 201.

[0026] Here, the scheduler ConstSched is a scheduler that transmits packets at intervals of 20 ms. In contrast, the packet transmitting unit 101 provided in front of the scheduler ConstSched transmits packets at intervals of 33 ms. Therefore, a fixed delay process occurs in the scheduler ConstSched, as described later.

[0027] On the other hand, scheduler ProbSched1 is a scheduler in which 8 ms of processing occurs with a certain probability. Scheduler ProbSched2 is a scheduler in which 1 ms of processing occurs with a certain probability. Therefore, in schedulers ProbSched1 and ProbSched2, as described below, probabilistic delays occur in processing.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows an example of packet transmission timing in the packet transmitting unit 101, packet transmission timing in the scheduler ConstSched, and packet transmission timing in the scheduler ProbSched1.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 6, the packet transmitting unit 101 transmits packets at intervals of 33 ms. Therefore, packets are input to the scheduler ConstSched provided after the packet transmitting unit 101 at intervals of 33 ms.

[0030] However, the scheduler ConstSched transmits packets at intervals of 20 ms. Therefore, a situation may occur in which no packets are input to the scheduler ConstSched. In this situation, the scheduler ConstSched postpones the transmission of packets. As a result, the scheduler ConstSched transmits packets at intervals of 20 ms or 40 ms.

[0031] Therefore, as packets pass through the scheduler ConstSched, the distribution of delay jitter is divided into two clusters that sandwich the interval at which packets are input to the scheduler ConstSched.

[0032] In detail, as shown in FIG. 5, the distribution of delay jitter is divided into two clusters, one centered around 20 ms and the other centered around 40 ms, with the packet input interval of 33 ms in between.

[0033] Returning to FIG. 6, packets are input to the scheduler ProbSched1 provided after the scheduler ConstSched at intervals of 20 ms or 40 ms. However, in the scheduler ProbSched1, the 8 ms process occurs with a certain probability, and as a result, the transmission of the packet is delayed by 8 ms. Therefore, for example, if a packet preceding a certain packet is delayed, the interval between packets becomes shorter by 8 ms, and if a packet following a certain packet is delayed, the interval between packets becomes longer by 8 ms. As a result, the scheduler ProbSched1 transmits packets at intervals of 12 (= 20 - 8) ms, 20 ms, 28 (= 20 + 8) ms, 32 (= 40 - 8) ms, 40 ms, or 48 (= 40 + 8) ms. In the example of FIG. 6, the scheduler ProbSched1 transmits packets at intervals of 12 ms, 40 ms, and 28 ms.

[0034] Therefore, as packets pass through scheduler ProbSched1, the distribution of delay jitter is divided into three clusters: one centered around the interval at which the packets are input to scheduler ProbSched1, and two clusters centered above and below that interval.

[0035] In detail, as shown in FIG. 5, in the vicinity of 20 ms, the distribution of delay jitter is divided into three clusters: a cluster centered around 20 ms, a cluster centered around 12 ms, and a cluster centered around 28 ms.

[0036] In addition, in the vicinity of 40 ms, the distribution of delay jitter is divided into three clusters: a cluster having a center around 40 ms, a cluster having a center around 32 ms, and a cluster having a center around 48 ms.

[0037] Although not shown in FIG. 6, packets are input to scheduler ProbSched2 provided after scheduler ProbSched1 at intervals of 12 ms, 20 ms, 28 ms, 32 ms, 40 ms, or 48 ms.

[0038] Therefore, even when packets pass through scheduler ProbSched2, the distribution of delay jitter is divided into three clusters: one centered around the interval at which the packets are input to scheduler ProbSched2, and another centered above and below that interval.

[0039] As described above, the distribution of delay jitter is divided into two when a scheduler ConstSched that generates fixed delay processing is interposed between the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200. Also, when a scheduler ProbSched that generates probabilistic delay processing is interposed between the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200, the distribution of delay jitter is divided into three.

[0040] Using this, clustering section 203 estimates the type and amount of delay of the delay process of the scheduler interposed between transmitting terminal 100 and receiving terminal 200 by performing hierarchical clustering on the distribution of delay jitter.

[0041] The operation of clustering section 203 will now be described in detail. First, a schematic example of the operation of clustering section 203 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0042] Step S101: As shown in FIG. 7, the clustering unit 203 performs clustering on the assumption that a scheduler ConstSched that generates a fixed delay process is involved. Specifically, the clustering unit 203 calculates the mean absolute error (MAE) by the following formula 1 while changing the scheduler interval δ. Note that, for example, it is possible to determine δ to be searched in advance and calculate the MAE for all the predetermined δ.

number

[0043] 7, k is a constant for placing the pre-division cluster center c0 between kδ and (k+1)δ. By default, the pre-division cluster center c0 can be set to the packet transmission interval by the packet transmitting unit 101.

[0044] In addition, in Equation 1, the number of observed data (N) indicates the total number of packets, the i-th observed value indicates the delay jitter (reception interval) of the i-th packet, and the nearest cluster center indicates the cluster center nearest to the i-th packet among the cluster center candidates after division. Here, the cluster center candidates after division are kδ and (k+1)δ.

[0045] The clustering unit 203 adopts δ for which the MAE is the smallest value, and determines the cluster center candidates c1 and c2 using the adopted δ. Here, the cluster center candidates c1 and c2 are kδ and (k+1)δ.

[0046] Step S102: On the other hand, the clustering unit 203 performs clustering assuming that a scheduler ProbSched that generates a probabilistic delay process is involved. Specifically, clustering section 203 calculates the MAE by using Equation 1 above while changing the amount of delay δ. In Equation 1, the number of observation data (N), the i-th observation value, and the nearest cluster center are the same as those in the clustering related to the scheduler ConstSched. However, in this case, the cluster center candidates after division are the cluster center c before division and the cluster center c±δ before division.

[0047] The clustering unit 203 adopts δ for which the MAE is the smallest value, and determines cluster center candidates c1, c2, and c3 using the adopted δ. Here, the cluster center candidates c1, c2, and c3 are the cluster center c-δ before division, the cluster center c before division, and the cluster center c+δ before division.

[0048] Step S103: Next, the clustering unit 203 compares the minimum MAE calculated in the clustering related to the scheduler ConstSched in step S101 with the minimum MAE calculated in the clustering related to the scheduler ProbSched in step S102, and adopts the scheduler with the smaller MAE from among the scheduler ConstSched and the scheduler ProbSched.

[0049] Step S104: Next, the clustering unit 203 sequentially sets the cluster center candidates of the scheduler adopted in step S103 as new cluster centers c0 before division, and repeats the above-mentioned steps S101 to S103 for the newly set cluster centers before division.

[0050] Next, an example of a schematic operation flow of clustering section 203 will be described with reference to FIG. 8, first, the clustering unit 203 sets the center of the cluster before division (step S201). By default, the center of the cluster before division can be set to the transmission interval of packets by the packet transmitting unit 101.

[0051] Next, the clustering unit 203 performs clustering assuming that a scheduler ConstSched that generates a fixed delay process is involved. Specifically, the clustering unit 203 sets a scheduler interval δ (step S202), calculates cluster center candidates using δ (step S203), and calculates the MAE using the cluster center candidates (step S204). These steps S202 to S204 are performed for all δ determined in advance.

[0052] Next, the clustering unit 203 adopts δ that minimizes the MAE (step S205).The clustering unit 203 also uses the adopted δ to determine cluster center candidates.

[0053] On the other hand, the clustering unit 203 performs clustering assuming that a scheduler ProbSched that generates a probabilistic delay process is involved. Specifically, the clustering unit 203 sets a delay amount δ (step S206), calculates cluster center candidates using δ (step S207), and calculates the MAE using the cluster center candidates (step S208). These steps S206 to S208 are performed for all δ determined in advance.

[0054] Next, the clustering unit 203 adopts δ that minimizes the MAE (step S209).The clustering unit 203 also uses the adopted δ to determine cluster center candidates.

[0055] Next, the clustering unit 203 compares the minimum MAE calculated in the clustering related to the scheduler ConstSched with the minimum MAE calculated in the clustering related to the scheduler ProbSched (step S210), and adopts the scheduler with the smaller MAE from among the scheduler ConstSched and the scheduler ProbSched (step S211).

[0056] Next, the clustering unit 203 determines whether or not a termination condition is satisfied (step S212). The termination condition is, for example, whether the difference between the cluster centers of the schedulers adopted in step S211 is less than a threshold value.

[0057] In step S212, if the termination condition is not satisfied (No in step S212), the process returns to step S201, and the clustering unit 203 sequentially sets the cluster center candidates of the scheduler adopted in step S211 as new cluster centers before division, and repeats the subsequent processes for the newly set cluster centers before division. On the other hand, if the termination condition is satisfied in step S212 (Yes in step S212), clustering unit 203 terminates the process.

[0058] Next, an example of a result obtained in the course of the operation of clustering section 203 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, first, the clustering unit 203 performs hierarchical clustering on observed data 2031 of the distribution of delay jitter, and obtains a clustering result 2032. Here, the horizontal and vertical axes of observed data 2031 of the distribution of delay jitter are the same as those in Figures 3 and 4. The horizontal axis of the clustering result 2032 indicates the layer of clustering. The vertical axis of the clustering result 2032 indicates the cluster center of each cluster after division by the scheduler adopted in the clustering of each layer.

[0059] The clustering result 2032 shows the following: In the first-layer clustering, we use the scheduler ConstSched with a delay of 20 ms to split the distribution of delay jitter into two parts. · In the second-layer clustering, we adopt the scheduler ProbSched1 with a delay of 8.1 ms, and divide the distribution of delay jitter into three parts. In the third-layer clustering, we use the scheduler ProbSched2 with a delay of 0.9 ms, and divide the distribution of delay jitter into three parts.

[0060] Next, the clustering unit 203 obtains each cluster probability 2033 . The horizontal axis of each cluster probability 2033 indicates the cluster number of each cluster after division by scheduler ProbSched2 with a delay of 0.9 ms adopted in the third layer clustering. In the clustering result 2032, the cluster number of the lowest cluster is 1, and the cluster number increases in the positive direction. The vertical axis of each cluster probability 2033 indicates the probability obtained by dividing the number of packets belonging to the cluster with that cluster number by the total number of packets.

[0061] Thereafter, the clustering unit 203 estimates the type of delay processing (ConstSched or ProbSched) and the amount of delay of the scheduler interposed between the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200 based on the clustering result 2032 and each cluster probability 2033, and obtains an estimation result 2034.

[0062] The estimation result 2034 shows the following: In the first-layer clustering, we estimate that a scheduler called ConstSched with a delay of 20 ms is involved. In the second-layer clustering, the scheduler ProbSched1 with a delay of 8.1 ms is involved, and the probability that processing with a delay of 8.1 ms occurs is estimated to be 11.62%. This probability is obtained by dividing the number of packets belonging to the 20 ms ±8.1 ms cluster and the 40 ms ±8.1 ms cluster by the total number of packets. In the third-layer clustering, the scheduler ProbSched2 with a delay of 0.9 ms is involved, and the probability that processing with a delay of 0.9 ms occurs is estimated to be 25.94%. This probability can be calculated using a method similar to that used for the second-layer clustering.

[0063] As described above, it can be seen that clustering section 203 is able to estimate the type of delay processing (ConstSched or ProbSched) and amount of delay of the scheduler interposed between transmitting terminal 100 and receiving terminal 200 from observed data 2031 of the distribution of delay jitter.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, the delay process DB 205 is a database in which information on the type of delay process and the amount of delay is stored for each process content of the delay process of the scheduler. As shown in FIG. 10, the processing content identification unit 204 inputs the type and amount of delay of the scheduler delay processing estimated by the clustering unit 203, and queries the delay processing DB 205 about the specific processing content of the delay processing.

[0065] Then, as a response to the inquiry, the delay processing DB 205 returns specific processing contents of the delay processing to the processing content identification unit 204. In the example of Fig. 10, the processing content identification unit 204 makes an inquiry inputting a scheduler ProbSched1 with a delay amount of 8.1 ms, and the delay processing DB 205 returns HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest) as a candidate processing content of the delay processing.

[0066] Although not shown in Fig. 10, the processing content identification unit 204 also makes an inquiry inputting the scheduler ConstSched with a delay amount of 20 ms and an inquiry inputting the scheduler ProbSched2 with a delay amount of 0.9 ms, and obtains candidates for the processing content of the delay processing of each scheduler. Also, the processing content is not limited to the HARQ and access processing shown in Fig. 10.

[0067] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the clustering unit 203 estimates the type of delay processing (ConstSched or ProbSched) and the amount of delay of the scheduler intervening between the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200 by analyzing the distribution of the reception interval (delay jitter) of packets received via the communication path. Therefore, it is possible to confirm delay characteristics such as the type and amount of delay processing performed on the communication path as delay characteristics occurring on the communication path.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, the processing content identification unit 204 obtains specific processing content of the delay processing from the delay processing DB 205 based on the type and amount of delay of the scheduler delay processing estimated by the clustering unit 203. Therefore, not only the delay characteristics such as the type and amount of delay processing but also the specific processing content of the delay processing can be confirmed.

[0069] Although the number of communication paths is not mentioned in the first embodiment, the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200 may transmit and receive packets via multiple communication paths. In this case, the clustering unit 203 estimates the delay characteristics (type and amount of delay processing) for each of the multiple communication paths, and the processing content identification unit 204 identifies the processing content of the delay processing for each of the multiple communication paths.

[0070] <Embodiment 2> In the second embodiment, when multiple delay processes are involved between the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200 (when multiple schedulers are involved), the processing contents of the multiple delay processes are identified by using state transition probability.

[0071] First, with reference to FIG. 11, a configuration example of an analysis system 1A according to the second embodiment will be described. 11, the analysis system 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a reception interval DB 206 and a state transition probability calculation unit 207 are added to the receiving terminal 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reception interval DB 206 and the state transition probability calculation unit 207 may be provided in a device separate from the receiving terminal 200 or on the cloud. Furthermore, the reception interval DB 206 may be provided on the cloud and shared with a plurality of devices.

[0072] The reception interval DB 206 is a database that stores information on the reception intervals of packets calculated by the reception interval calculation unit 202. The clustering unit 203 acquires the reception intervals of packets from the reception interval DB 206. However, the clustering unit 203 may acquire the packet reception intervals directly from the reception interval calculation unit 202. In this case, there is no need to provide the reception interval DB 206.

[0073] The state transition probability calculation unit 207 calculates a state transition probability indicating the transition probability between clusters after division by clustering in the clustering unit 203. In detail, the state transition probability calculated by the state transition probability calculation unit 207 indicates the transition probability between the cluster to which the packet with packet number i belongs and the cluster to which the packet with packet number i+1 belongs.

[0074] 12, in the first-layer clustering by the clustering unit 203, the distribution of delay jitter is divided into two clusters C1 and C2. Here, we further consider a cluster C0 below the cluster C1 and a cluster C3 above the cluster C2. Cluster C0 is a cluster to which packets that are received at approximately the same time as the previous packet belong, and cluster C3 is a cluster to which packets whose reception interval is an outlier (for example, a value larger than a threshold value set to twice the transmission interval by the packet transmitting unit 101) belong.

[0075] In this case, the state transition probability calculation unit 207 calculates state transition probability 2071 indicating the transition probability between clusters C0, C1, C2, and C3 after division by the first layer of clustering. An example of the state transition probability 2071 is shown in Fig. 13. For example, when a packet with packet number i belongs to cluster C0, the probability that a packet with packet number i+1 belongs to cluster C0 is 0.11765.

[0076] In the second-layer clustering by clustering section 203, cluster C1 is divided into three, that is, clusters C1-0, C1-1, and C1-2, and cluster C2 is divided into three, that is, clusters C2-0, C2-1, and C2-2.

[0077] In this case, the state transition probability calculation unit 207 calculates state transition probabilities 2072 indicating transition probabilities between the clusters C0, C1-0, C1-1, C1-2, C2-0, C2-1, C2-2, and C3 after division by the second-layer clustering. An example of the state transition probabilities 2072 is shown in FIG.

[0078] Furthermore, in the third-layer clustering by clustering unit 203, cluster C1-0 is divided into three, clusters C1-0-0, C1-0-1, and C1-0-2. Similarly, clusters C1-1, C1-2, C2-0, C2-1, and C2-2 are also divided into three.

[0079] In this case, the state transition probability calculation unit 207 calculates state transition probabilities 2073 indicating transition probabilities between clusters C0, C1-0-0, C1-0-1, C1-0-2, C1-1-0, C1-1-1, C1-1-2, C1-2-0, C1-2-1, C1-2-2, C2-0-0, C2-0-1, C2-0-2, C2-1-0, C2-1-1, C2-1-2, C2-2-0, C2-2-1, C2-2-2, and C3 after division by the third-layer clustering. An example of the state transition probability 2073 is shown in FIG. 15. Note that some values ​​of the state transition probabilities are omitted in FIG. 15.

[0080] In the above example, the state transition probability calculation unit 207 calculates the state transition probability every time clustering for one layer is performed, but this is not limited to this. As described later, the processing content identification unit 204 uses the state transition probability 2073 after the third layer of clustering is performed. Therefore, the state transition probability calculation unit 207 may calculate only the state transition probability 2073 after the third layer of clustering is performed, without calculating the state transition probabilities 2071, 2072 after the first and second layers of clustering are performed.

[0081] Here, the delay process DB 205 according to the second embodiment includes a learning device 2051 as shown in Fig. 16. The learning device 2051 is trained by machine learning so that when a type of delay process and a delay amount are input, the learning device 2051 outputs the mixing probability of each candidate process content. However, the learning device 2051 is not limited to being provided in the delay process DB 205, and the delay process DB 205 and the learning device 2051 may be provided separately.

[0082] Therefore, when the clustering unit 203 performs clustering as shown in FIG. 12 , the processing content identification unit 204 inputs the scheduler ConstSched with a delay of 20 ms, the scheduler ProbSched with a delay of 8 ms, and the scheduler ProbSched with a delay of 1 ms estimated by the clustering of each layer, as well as the state transition probability 2073 after the clustering of the third layer, and queries the delay processing DB 205 about the specific processing content of the delay processing.

[0083] Then, the delay processing DB 205 returns specific processing contents of the delay processing to the processing content identification unit 204 as a response to the inquiry. At this time, the learning device 2051 outputs the mixing probability of each candidate processing content. The delay processing DB 205 selects processing contents in descending order of mixing probability for the number of types of delay processing input. In the example of FIG. 16, since three types of delay processing are input, three processing contents A+B+C are returned as candidates for the processing content of the delay processing.

[0084] In the example of Fig. 16, the processing content identification unit 204 inquires about three types of delay processing at once, but if it is desired to identify the processing contents of two specific types of delay processing, it is sufficient to input the state transition probabilities of the two specific types of delay processing. In this case, the processing content identification unit 204 may calculate marginal probabilities from the state transition probabilities using the three types of delay processing to obtain the state transition probabilities of the two specific types of delay processing. For example, in Fig. 12, if it is desired to identify the processing contents of the scheduler ConstSched with a delay amount of 20 ms and the scheduler ProbSched with a delay amount of 8 ms, the processing content identification unit 204 calculates marginal probabilities from the state transition probability 2073 to obtain the state transition probability 2072.

[0085] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the state transition probability calculation unit 207 calculates the state transition probability indicating the transition probability between clusters after division by the clustering unit 203. Therefore, when multiple delay processes are mixed (when multiple schedulers are involved), the process contents of the multiple delay processes can be collectively identified by using the state transition probability. The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0086] <Embodiment 3> In the third embodiment, it is determined in advance whether or not a delay process is introduced between the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200 (whether or not a scheduler is involved).

[0087] First, with reference to FIG. 17, a configuration example of an analysis system 1B according to the third embodiment will be described. 17, the analysis system 1B according to the third embodiment differs from the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a reception interval DB 206 and a delay processing inclusion determination unit 208 are added to the receiving terminal 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the reception interval DB 206 and the delay processing inclusion determination unit 208 may be provided in a device separate from the receiving terminal 200 or on the cloud. Furthermore, the reception interval DB 206 may be provided on the cloud and shared with a plurality of devices.

[0088] The distribution of the probability of delay jitter can be obtained from the distribution of delay jitter. The distribution of the probability of delay jitter can be expressed as a mixed Laplace distribution, which is a mixture of multiple Laplace distributions. Furthermore, the probability distribution of delay jitter differs depending on whether or not delay processing is involved between transmitting terminal 100 and receiving terminal 200 (whether or not a scheduler is involved).

[0089] Fig. 18 shows an example of the probability distribution of delay jitter when no scheduler is involved, and Fig. 19 shows an example of the probability distribution of delay jitter when a scheduler is involved. In Fig. 18 and Fig. 19, the left side shows observed data of the distribution of the probability of delay jitter, and the right side shows data in which the observed data is expressed by a mixed Laplace distribution. In each data of Fig. 18 and Fig. 19, the horizontal axis shows the delay jitter (reception interval), and the vertical axis shows the probability density function (PDF) that indicates the probability that the delay jitter occurs.

[0090] As shown in Fig. 18, when a scheduler is not involved, the distribution of the probability of delay jitter can be expressed as a mixed Laplace distribution that mixes three Laplace distributions, that is, a mixed Laplace distribution with a mixture number of 3. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 19, when a scheduler is involved, the mixed Laplace distribution that expresses the distribution of the probability of delay jitter has a mixture number of 15, which is a large increase.

[0091] Therefore, the delay processing mixing determination unit 208 compares the mixture number of the mixed Laplace distribution, which expresses the distribution of the probability of delay jitter, with a threshold, and if the mixture number exceeds the threshold, determines that delay processing is mixed in (a scheduler is intervening) between the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200. The mixture number threshold may be set to, for example, 3.

[0092] When the delay processing presence determination unit 208 determines that delay processing has been present, the clustering unit 203 and the processing content identification unit 204 provided at the subsequent stage perform the above-mentioned processing. That is, the clustering unit 203 performs processing to estimate the type and amount of delay processing, and the processing content identification unit 204 performs processing to identify the processing content of the delay processing.

[0093] The reception interval DB 206 is a database similar to that shown in Fig. 11 of the above-mentioned second embodiment. The clustering unit 203 and the delay processing interference determination unit 208 acquire the packet reception interval from the reception interval DB 206. However, the clustering unit 203 and the delay processing interference determination unit 208 may acquire the packet reception interval directly from the reception interval calculation unit 202. In this case, it is not necessary to provide the reception interval DB 206.

[0094] Next, with reference to FIG. 20, an example of a schematic operation flow of the delay processing insertion determining unit 208 will be described. As shown in FIG. 20, first, the delay processing interference determination unit 208 derives a probability distribution of delay jitter based on the packet reception interval (step S301). Next, the delay processing interference determination unit 208 estimates the number of mixtures of the Laplace distribution when the distribution of the probability of the delay jitter is expressed as a mixture of Laplace distributions (step S302). Next, the delay processing interference determination unit 208 determines whether the mixture number exceeds a threshold value (step S303).

[0095] In step S303, if the mixed number does not exceed the threshold value (No in step S303), the delay processing presence determination unit 208 determines that no delay processing has been mixed in (no scheduler intervention), and ends the process.

[0096] On the other hand, in step S303, if the number of mixtures exceeds the threshold (Yes in step S303), the delay processing inclusion determination unit 208 determines that a delay processing is included (the scheduler is involved), and instructs the clustering unit 203 and the processing content identification unit 204 to perform the above-mentioned processing (step S304). Then, the processing ends.

[0097] As described above, according to the third embodiment, delay processing inclusion determination unit 208 determines in advance whether or not delay processing is included (whether or not a scheduler is involved) between transmitting terminal 100 and receiving terminal 200. Therefore, only when it is determined that delay processing is included, clustering unit 203 and processing content identification unit 204 need to perform the above-mentioned processing. As a result, the processing load of clustering unit 203 and processing content identification unit 204 can be reduced. The other effects are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0098] <Fourth embodiment> For example, carriers may want to narrow down the cause of degradation in communication quality in order to improve it. Also, the allowable delay jitter for an application that communicates at a 10 ms cycle is stricter than that for an application that communicates at a 1 s cycle. Therefore, when using an application that communicates at a 10 ms cycle, users may want to select a communication path with smaller delay jitter. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the receiving terminal 200 displays the analysis results of the delay occurring in the communication path. An example of the configuration of an analysis system 1C according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 21, analysis system 1C according to the fourth embodiment differs from the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that a display unit 209 is added to receiving terminal 200. However, this is not limiting, and display unit 209 may be provided in a device separate from receiving terminal 200.

[0099] The display unit 209 displays the analysis result of the delay occurring in the communication path (at least one of the delay characteristics (type and amount of delay) estimated by the clustering unit 203 and the processing contents of the delay processing identified by the processing content identification unit 204). At this time, the display unit 209 may display the processing contents as a cause of the delay occurring in the communication path.

[0100] For example, when displaying the delay characteristics of a communication path, the display unit 209 may perform a display as shown in FIG. 22 or FIG. In the example of Fig. 22, the display unit 209 displays specific delay characteristics of the communication path. In detail, in the case of fixed delay processing (ConstSched), the delay amount is displayed, and in the case of probabilistic delay processing (ProbSched), the probability and the delay amount are displayed. In the example of Fig. 22, communication path A shows that processing that generates a fixed delay of 3 ms and processing that generates a delay of 5 ms with a probability of 7% are performed.

[0101] In the example of Fig. 23, the display unit 209 displays the delay characteristics of the communication path by dividing them into levels. In particular, in the case of fixed delay processing, the level of the delay amount is displayed, and in the case of probabilistic delay processing, the level of risk is displayed. Note that a method of dividing the delay characteristics of the communication path into levels may involve storing a table as shown in Fig. 24 in advance and dividing the levels according to this table.

[0102] Furthermore, when display unit 209 displays both the delay characteristics of the communication paths and the processing contents of the delay processing, it may display them as shown in Fig. 25. Note that in the example of Fig. 25, the specific delay characteristics of the communication paths are displayed as the delay characteristics of the communication paths as in Fig. 22, but the delay characteristics of the communication paths may be displayed divided into levels as in Fig. 23.

[0103] As described above, the transmitting terminal 100 and the receiving terminal 200 can transmit and receive packets via multiple communication paths. In this case, the clustering unit 203 estimates delay characteristics (type and amount of delay processing) for each of the multiple communication paths, and the processing content identification unit 204 identifies the processing content of the delay processing for each of the multiple communication paths.

[0104] Therefore, the display unit 209 can display the delay characteristics and the processing contents of the delay processing for each of the multiple communication paths. Therefore, the display unit 209 may display a list of all delay characteristics of a plurality of communication paths and processing contents of delay processing.

[0105] Or, the display unit 209 、 It is also possible to display only the delay characteristics and delay processing details of a communication path selected by a user or a carrier from among a plurality of communication paths. Here, when a delay occurs in a communication path, it is considered that the user needs to know the approximate delay characteristics. Therefore, when the receiving terminal 200 is a user terminal and the user inputs a communication path name, the display unit 209 may display the delay characteristics of the communication path as shown in Figs. 22 and 23.

[0106] On the other hand, when a delay occurs in a communication path, the carrier may want to know not only the general delay characteristics but also the specific processing content of the delay processing for maintenance, etc. Therefore, when the receiving terminal 200 is a carrier terminal and a carrier maintenance person or the like inputs a communication path name, it is considered that the display unit 209 displays not only the delay characteristics of the communication path but also the processing content of the delay processing, as shown in FIG.

[0107] Furthermore, when a user or a carrier inputs an area name, the display unit 209 may display a list of communication paths available in that area, as well as the delay characteristics of those delay paths and the processing details of delay processing.

[0108] As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, at least one of the delay characteristics and the processing content of the delay processing is displayed as an analysis result of the delay occurring in the communication path on the receiving terminal 200 side. At this time, the communication path to be displayed can be selected by the user or the carrier.

[0109] Therefore, for example, when the receiving terminal 200 is a terminal of a user who uses an application, the user can know the delay characteristics of each of a plurality of communication paths, and can select an appropriate communication path to stably obtain application data.

[0110] Furthermore, if the receiving terminal 200 is a terminal of a carrier that performs maintenance of the communication path, the carrier can know the specific processing contents of the delay processing performed on the communication path, and therefore the carrier can take measures according to the processing contents of the delay processing.

[0111] <Embodiment 5> In the fifth embodiment, the transmitting terminal 100 displays the analysis results of the delay occurring in the communication path. An example of the configuration of an analysis system 1D according to the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 26, analysis system 1D according to the fifth embodiment differs from the configuration of FIG. 1 of the first embodiment in that analysis result receiving unit 102 and display unit 103 are added to transmitting terminal 100, and analysis result transmitting unit 210 is added to receiving terminal 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and analysis result receiving unit 102 and display unit 103 may be provided in a device separate from transmitting terminal 100 or on the cloud. Furthermore, analysis result transmitting unit 210 may be provided in a device separate from receiving terminal 200 or on the cloud.

[0112] The analysis result transmission unit 210 transmits the analysis result of the delay occurring in the communication path (at least one of the delay characteristics (type and amount of delay) estimated by the clustering unit 203 and the processing content of the delay processing identified by the processing content identification unit 204) via the communication path. The analysis result receiving unit 102 receives the analysis result of the delay occurring in the communication path from the analysis result transmitting unit 210 of the receiving terminal 200 via the communication path.

[0113] The display unit 103 displays the analysis results of the delay occurring in the communication path received by the analysis result receiving unit 102 . For example, when displaying the estimated result of the delay characteristic of the communication path, the display unit 103 may perform the display as shown in Fig. 22 or Fig. 23. When displaying both the delay characteristic of the communication path and the processing content of the delay processing, the display unit 103 may perform the display as shown in Fig. 25. A user or a carrier may select the communication paths to be displayed by the display unit 103. When a user or a carrier inputs an area name, the display unit 103 may display a list of communication paths available in the area, as well as the delay characteristics of those delay paths and the processing contents of delay processing.

[0114] As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, at least one of the delay characteristics and the processing content of the delay processing is displayed as an analysis result of the delay occurring in the communication path on the transmitting terminal 100 side. At this time, the communication path to be displayed can be selected by the user or the carrier.

[0115] Therefore, for example, when the transmitting terminal 100 is a server that provides an application, the server can know the delay characteristics of each of a plurality of communication paths, and can select an appropriate communication path to stably provide application data.

[0116] Furthermore, if the transmitting terminal 100 is a terminal of a carrier that performs maintenance of the communication path, the carrier can know the specific processing contents of the delay processing performed on the communication path, and therefore the carrier can take measures according to the processing contents of the delay processing.

[0117] <Sixth embodiment> In the sixth embodiment, the receiving terminal 200 uses the analysis results of the delay occurring in the communication path for controlling the application. An example of the configuration of an analysis system 1E according to the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 27, an analysis system 1E according to the sixth embodiment is similar to the analysis system shown in FIG. 2127 and the following drawings, the difference is that an application control unit 211 and an application DB 212 are added to the receiving terminal 200. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the application control unit 211 and the application DB 212 may be provided in a device separate from the receiving terminal 200 or in the cloud. The application DB 212 may be provided in the cloud and shared with multiple devices. In addition, in FIG. 27 and the following drawings, "application" is appropriately abbreviated to "appli".

[0118] The application DB 212 is a database that stores information on applications that transmit or receive packets via at least one of a plurality of communication paths among applications that can be used by the receiving terminal 200. Specifically, the application DB 212 stores information on a communication cycle and a tolerable delay characteristic for each application, as shown in Fig. 28. In Fig. 28, for example, for application X, the communication cycle is 10 ms, and in the case of fixed delay processing (ConstSched), a delay of up to 3 ms is permitted, and in the case of probabilistic delay processing (ProbSched), a delay of up to 10% is permitted and a delay of up to 5 ms is permitted. Note that, although the application DB 212 shown in Fig. 28 stores information on the tolerable delay characteristic for each application, information on the processing content of the tolerable delay processing may be stored instead of or in addition to this.

[0119] The application control unit 211 controls an application. For example, the application control unit 211 selects a communication path to be used by the application from among a plurality of communication paths based on the delay characteristics (type and amount of delay processing) of each of the plurality of communication paths or the processing content of the delay processing.

[0120] The following describes a schematic operation example of the application control unit 211. Note that in the operation examples 1 to 3 described below, the description will be given assuming that processing is performed using the delay characteristic of the communication path and the processing content of the delay processing.

[0121] (1) Example 1 First, an operation example 1 of the application control unit 211 will be described with reference to Fig. 29. Note that Fig. 29 illustrates only the clustering unit 203, the application control unit 211, and the application DB 212 among the components of the receiving terminal 200 shown in Fig. 27.

[0122] 29, it is assumed that the user first inputs the application name "Application X" of the application that the user wants to use (step S401). "Application X" is acquired by the application control unit 211 (step S402).

[0123] Next, the application control unit 211 acquires the delay characteristics (type of delay processing and amount of delay) of each of the multiple communication paths from the clustering unit 203 (step S403), and also acquires the delay processing conditions allowed for "application X" from the application DB 212 (step S404).

[0124] Next, the application control unit 211 selects one communication path that satisfies the condition of the delay characteristic allowed for "application X" from among the multiple communication paths. Here, it is assumed that the communication path with the communication path name "communication path a" is selected. Therefore, the application control unit 211 causes the display unit 209 to display "communication path a" (step S405).

[0125] (2) Example 2 Next, a second operation example of the application control unit 211 will be described. In this operation example 2, the operations from steps S401 to S404 are similar to those in the above-mentioned operation example 1, but the subsequent operations are different.

[0126] That is, in this operation example 2, the application control unit 211 selects all communication paths that satisfy the conditions of delay characteristics allowed for "application X" from among multiple communication paths. Then, the application control unit 211 displays a list of all selected communication paths and their delay characteristics as options on the display unit 209 as shown in Fig. 30, and allows the user to select a communication path from the options. Note that Fig. 30 displays specific delay characteristics as the delay characteristics of the communication paths.

[0127] (3) Example 3 This operation example 3 is substantially the same as the above-mentioned operation example 2, but the display mode of the delay characteristics of the communication paths displayed on the display unit 209 is different. That is, in this operation example 3, the application control unit 211 causes the display unit 209 to display the delay characteristics of the communication paths divided into levels as shown in FIG.

[0128] As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, the application control unit 211 selects a communication path to be used by an application from among a plurality of communication paths, based on, for example, the delay characteristics (type and amount of delay) of each of the plurality of communication paths or the processing contents of the delay processing. Therefore, when using an application, the user can use a communication path appropriate for the application.

[0129] In the sixth embodiment, the receiving terminal 200 side has been described as using the analysis result of the delay occurring in the communication path for controlling the application, but the transmitting terminal 100 side may use the analysis result of the delay occurring in the communication path for controlling the application. In this case, as shown in Fig. 32, the analysis system may have the same configuration as that shown in Fig. 26 of the fifth embodiment described above, and further, an application control unit 104 and an application DB 105 corresponding to the application control unit 211 and the application DB 212 may be added to the transmitting terminal 100 side.

[0130] <Other embodiments> An appropriate communication path may be selected appropriately on the terminal (terminal having a function corresponding to the above-mentioned receiving terminal 200) side. For example, the terminal may use communication path x in the morning, but since the characteristics of communication path x have changed, the terminal may switch to communication path y in the afternoon. Also, for example, when the terminal moves from area A to area B, the terminal may use communication path x in area A, but switch to communication path y in the destination area B. This allows the user to use an appropriate communication path without being aware of it.

[0131] Furthermore, in communications within a building or within the same company, terminals (transmitting terminal 100 or receiving terminal 200) may cooperate with each other, taking into consideration their respective priorities, and select a communications path. For example, in the example of FIG. 33, if terminal A is considered alone, it is best to connect to communications path a, which has the best delay characteristics. However, if terminal B, which has the highest priority, is considered, it is necessary to give priority to connecting terminal B to communications path a. Therefore, terminal A connects to communications path b. Note that, although terminals cooperate with each other in the example of FIG. 33, similar cooperation may also be adopted between applications within the same terminal.

[0132] Moreover, the analysis system according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments may be applied to control vehicles at an intersection. For example, as shown in FIG. 34, this analysis system includes MEC (Multi-access Edge Computing) servers 301 and 302 and a carrier communication management device 303. The MEC server 302 includes a function corresponding to the above-mentioned receiving terminal 200. The MEC server 302 periodically checks the delay characteristics and the processing contents of the delay processing (FIG. 35) of each communication path at the intersection (step S501), and reports to the MEC server 301 and the carrier communication management device 303 (step S502). The carrier communication management device 303 improves the communication quality of each communication path at the intersection based on the report from the MEC server 302 (step S503). Meanwhile, the MEC server 301 identifies the type of vehicle entering the intersection (step S504), and selects a communication path to be connected according to the priority of the identified vehicle type (FIG. 36) (step S505). After that, the MEC server 301 instructs the vehicle of the communication path to be connected (step S506).

[0133] The analysis system shown in Fig. 34 is not limited to being applied to intersections, but may also be applied to places with poor communication conditions, such as dead spots (shadows of buildings, under elevated tracks, etc.), event venues, tourist spots, areas where installation of base stations is restricted, etc. Furthermore, the analysis system shown in Fig. 34 is not limited to controlling vehicles, but may also control equipment, terminals of staff at event venues, etc. Furthermore, the analysis system shown in Fig. 34 reports delay characteristics and the like of communication paths to carriers, but is not limited to this, and the report destination may be a department that manages communication paths, a department that manages the area where the communication paths are deployed (police, local government, city, town, village, etc.), etc.

[0134] Furthermore, the analysis system according to each of the above-mentioned embodiments may be applied to control an AGV. For example, as shown in FIG. 37, this analysis system includes an AGV 306, an edge 307, and an aggregation device 308. The AGV 306 includes a function corresponding to the above-mentioned receiving terminal 200. The AGV 306 may select a communication path between the AGV 306 and the edge 307 according to the position of the AGV 306. Furthermore, the AGV 306 may select not only the communication path between the AGV 306 and the edge 307, but also the communication path between the edge 307 and the aggregation device 308.

[0135] <Concept of embodiment> Next, with reference to FIG. 38, a configuration example of an analysis system 1X conceptually illustrating the analysis systems 1, 1A to 1E according to the above-mentioned first to sixth embodiments will be described.

[0136] 38 includes N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) terminals 400-1 to 400-N. At least one of the terminals 400-1 to 400-N (here, terminal 400-N) includes an acquisition unit 401 and an identification unit 402.

[0137] Here, terminals 400-1 to 400-N include a transmitting terminal and a receiving terminal that transmit and receive a plurality of packets to and from each other via a communication path. Terminal 400-N may be a receiving terminal, or may be a terminal (including a transmitting terminal) different from the receiving terminal.

[0138] The acquisition unit 401 acquires the reception intervals of a plurality of packets received at a receiving terminal via a communication path. If the terminal 400-N is a receiving terminal, the acquisition unit 401 corresponds to the reception interval calculation unit 202 described above. The identifying unit 402 identifies the delay characteristics of the delay occurring in the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals. The identifying unit 402 corresponds to the clustering unit 203 described above.

[0139] Next, with reference to FIG. 39, an example of a schematic operation flow of the analysis system 1X shown in FIG. 38 will be described.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 39, first, the acquiring unit 401 acquires the reception intervals of a plurality of packets received at the receiving terminal via a communication path (step S601). After that, the identifying unit 402 identifies the delay characteristics of the delay occurring in the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals (step S602).

[0141] As described above, according to the analysis system 1X shown in Fig. 38, the acquisition unit 401 acquires reception intervals of a plurality of packets received at a receiving terminal via a communication path. The identification unit 402 identifies the delay characteristics of the delay occurring in the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals. This makes it possible to confirm the delay characteristics occurring in the communication path.

[0142] The identifying unit 402 may identify the type and amount of delay of the delay processing performed on the communication path as the delay characteristics of the delay occurring on the communication path. The terminal 400-N may further include an identifying unit that identifies the processing content of the delay processing based on the delay characteristics of the delay occurring on the communication path. This identifying unit corresponds to the above-mentioned processing content identifying unit 204. This identifying unit may identify the processing content of the delay processing based on the type and amount of delay of the delay processing performed on the communication path.

[0143] Furthermore, the identification unit 402 may perform clustering to divide the distribution of the reception intervals into a plurality of clusters, identify the type of delay processing performed on the communication path based on the number of divisions by the clustering, and identify the amount of delay of the delay processing performed on the communication path based on the distance between the clusters after division by the clustering. Furthermore, the identifying unit 402 may identify the type and amount of delay of each of a plurality of delay processes performed on a communication path by performing clustering a plurality of times.

[0144] Moreover, the terminal 400-N may further include a calculation unit that calculates a state transition probability indicating a transition probability between clusters after division by multiple clustering. This calculation unit corresponds to the above-mentioned state transition probability calculation unit 207. Moreover, the above-mentioned identification unit may identify the processing contents of each of the multiple delay processes performed on the communication path based on the type and delay amount of each of the multiple delay processes performed on the communication path and the state transition probability.

[0145] Furthermore, the terminal 400-N may further include a determination unit that determines whether or not a delay process has been performed on the communication path based on the number of mixtures of the Laplace distribution when the distribution of the probability of the reception interval is expressed as a mixture Laplace distribution in which a plurality of Laplace distributions are mixed. This determination unit corresponds to the above-mentioned delay process mixing determination unit 208. When this determination unit determines that a delay process has been performed on the communication path, the identification unit 402 may identify the type and amount of delay of the delay process performed on the communication path, and the above-mentioned identification unit may identify the processing content of the delay process.

[0146] The terminal 400-N may further include a control unit that controls an application that transmits or receives a packet via at least one of the multiple communication paths. This control unit corresponds to the above-mentioned application control unit 211. The identification unit 402 may identify the delay characteristics of the delay occurring in each of the multiple communication paths, and the above-mentioned control unit may select the communication path to be used by the application based on the delay characteristics of each of the multiple communication paths. Alternatively, the identification unit 402 may identify the type and amount of delay processing performed on each of the multiple communication paths, and the above-mentioned identification unit may identify the processing content of the delay processing performed on each of the multiple communication paths, and the above-mentioned control unit may select the communication path to be used by the application based on the type and amount of delay processing performed on each of the multiple communication paths, or based on the processing content of the delay processing performed on each of the multiple communication paths.

[0147] <Hardware configuration of the terminal according to the embodiment> Next, with reference to FIG. 40, an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 900 that realizes transmitting terminal 100 and receiving terminal 200 according to the above-mentioned embodiments 1 to 6, and terminals 400-1 to 400-N according to the concept of the above-mentioned embodiments will be described.

[0148] 40, a computer 900 includes a processor 901, a memory 902, a storage 903, an input / output interface (input / output I / F) 904, and a communication interface (communication I / F) 905. The processor 901, the memory 902, the storage 903, the input / output interface 904, and the communication interface 905 are connected by a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other.

[0149] The processor 901 is, for example, a processing device such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a graphics processing unit (GPU). The memory 902 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The storage 903 is, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a memory card. The storage 903 may also be a memory such as a RAM or a ROM.

[0150] Storage 903 stores programs for implementing the functions of the components included in transmitting terminal 100, receiving terminal 200, and terminals 400-1 to 400-N. Processor 901 implements each of these programs to implement the functions of the components included in transmitting terminal 100, receiving terminal 200, and terminals 400-1 to 400-N. Here, when processor 901 executes each of the above programs, it may read these programs onto memory 902 before executing them, or it may execute them without reading them onto memory 902. Memory 902 and storage 903 also serve to store information and data held by the components included in transmitting terminal 100, receiving terminal 200, and terminals 400-1 to 400-N.

[0151] Moreover, the above-mentioned program includes a set of instructions (or software code) for making the computer perform one or more functions described in the above-mentioned embodiments when the program is loaded into the computer. The program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or the tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, compact disc (CD)-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, the transitory computer-readable medium or the communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagating signals.

[0152] The input / output interface 904 is connected to a display device 9041, an input device 9042, a sound output device 9043, and the like. The display device 9041 is a device that displays a screen corresponding to drawing data processed by the processor 901, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, or a monitor. The input device 9042 is a device that accepts an operation input by an operator, and is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch sensor. The display device 9041 and the input device 9042 may be integrated and realized as a touch panel. The sound output device 9043 is a device that acoustically outputs a sound corresponding to the sound data processed by the processor 901, such as a speaker.

[0153] The communication interface 905 transmits and receives data to and from an external device. For example, the communication interface 905 communicates with the external device via a wired communication path or a wireless communication path.

[0154] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the above-described embodiments may be used in combination with one another in part or in whole.

[0155] Furthermore, some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1) an acquisition unit that acquires reception intervals of a plurality of packets received via a communication path; and a determination unit that determines a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals. Terminal. (Appendix 2) The terminal includes: and an identification unit for identifying a processing content of a delay processing performed on the communication path based on a delay characteristic of a delay occurring on the communication path. A device as described in Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The identification unit identifies a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on the communication path as a delay characteristic of the delay occurring on the communication path. The device described in Appendix 2. (Appendix 4) The identification unit is performing clustering to divide the distribution of the reception intervals into a plurality of clusters; Identifying a type of delay process performed on the communication path based on the number of divisions by the clustering; determining an amount of delay due to a delay process performed on the communication path based on a distance between the clusters after the division by the clustering; The device described in Appendix 3. (Appendix 5) The identification unit identifies a type and an amount of delay of each of a plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path by performing the clustering a plurality of times. The device described in Appendix 4. (Appendix 6) A calculation unit for calculating a state transition probability indicating a transition probability between clusters after division by multiple clustering operations, The identification unit identifies the process contents of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path based on the type and delay amount of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path and the state transition probability. The device described in Appendix 5. (Appendix 7) A determination unit that determines whether a delay process has been performed on the communication path based on a mixture number of Laplace distributions in a case where a distribution of the probability of the reception interval is expressed as a mixture Laplace distribution in which a plurality of Laplace distributions are mixed, When the determination unit determines that a delay process has been performed on the communication path, the specification unit estimates a type and an amount of delay of the delay process performed on the communication path, and the identification unit identifies the processing content of the delay process. 7. A terminal according to any one of claims 3 to 6. (Appendix 8) The terminal includes: A control unit that controls an application that transmits or receives packets via at least one of the plurality of communication paths, The identification unit identifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in the communication path; The control unit selects the communication path to be used by the application based on delay characteristics of each of the plurality of communication paths. 8. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 7. (Appendix 9) A control unit that controls an application that transmits or receives packets via at least one of the plurality of communication paths, The identification unit estimates, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on the communication path; The identification unit identifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a process content of a delay process performed on the communication path, and the control unit selects the communication path to be used by the application based on a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on each of the plurality of communication paths, or based on a processing content of a delay process performed on each of the plurality of communication paths. 8. A terminal according to any one of supplements 3 to 7. (Appendix 10) receiving a plurality of packets over a communication path; acquiring a reception interval of the plurality of received packets; and identifying a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals. Analysis method. (Appendix 11) Further comprising an identification step of identifying a processing content of a delay processing performed on the communication path based on a delay characteristic of a delay occurring on the communication path. Analytical method described in Appendix 10. (Appendix 12) In the identifying step, a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on the communication path are identified as delay characteristics of the delay occurring on the communication path. Analytical method described in Appendix 11. (Appendix 13) In the identifying step, performing clustering to divide the distribution of the reception intervals into a plurality of clusters; Identifying a type of delay process performed on the communication path based on the number of divisions by the clustering; determining an amount of delay due to a delay process performed on the communication path based on a distance between the clusters after the division by the clustering; Analytical method described in Appendix 12. (Appendix 14) In the identifying step, the clustering is performed a plurality of times to identify the types and amounts of delay of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path. Analytical method described in Appendix 13. (Appendix 15) A calculation step of calculating a state transition probability indicating a transition probability between clusters after division by multiple clustering, In the identification step, processing contents of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path are identified based on the type and delay amount of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path and the state transition probability. Analytical method described in Appendix 14. (Appendix 16) The method further includes a determination step of determining whether or not a delay process has been performed on the communication path based on a mixture number of Laplace distributions in a case where a distribution of the probability of the reception interval is expressed as a mixture Laplace distribution in which a plurality of Laplace distributions are mixed, When it is determined in the determination step that a delay process has been performed on the communication path, the estimation step estimates a type and an amount of delay of the delay process performed on the communication path, and the identification step identifies the processing content of the delay process. 16. The analytical method according to any one of appendix 12 to 15. (Appendix 17) The method further includes a control step of controlling an application that transmits or receives packets via at least one of the plurality of communication paths; In the identifying step, a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in each of the plurality of communication paths is identified; In the control step, the communication path to be used by the application is selected based on delay characteristics of each of the plurality of communication paths. 17. The analytical method according to any one of claims 10 to 16. (Appendix 18) The method further includes a control step of controlling an application that transmits or receives packets via at least one of the plurality of communication paths; In the identifying step, a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on each of the plurality of communication paths are estimated, In the identification step, a process content of a delay process performed on each of the plurality of communication paths is identified, In the control step, the communication path to be used by the application is selected based on a type and an amount of delay of the delay process performed on each of the plurality of communication paths, or based on a processing content of the delay process performed on each of the plurality of communication paths. 17. The analytical method according to any one of appendix 12 to 16. (Appendix 19) receiving means for receiving a plurality of packets via a communication path; an acquisition means for acquiring a reception interval of the plurality of received packets; and a determination means for determining a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals. Analysis system. (Appendix 20) and further comprising an identification unit for identifying a processing content of a delay processing performed on the communication path based on a delay characteristic of a delay occurring on the communication path. 20. The analytical system of claim 19. (Appendix 21) The identifying means identifies a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on the communication path as a delay characteristic of the delay occurring on the communication path. 21. The analytical system of claim 20. (Appendix 22) The identification means is performing clustering to divide the distribution of the reception intervals into a plurality of clusters; Identifying a type of delay process performed on the communication path based on the number of divisions by the clustering; determining an amount of delay due to a delay process performed on the communication path based on a distance between the clusters after the division by the clustering; 22. The analytical system of claim 21. (Appendix 23) The identification means identifies the types and amounts of delay of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path by performing the clustering a plurality of times. 23. The analytical system of claim 22. (Appendix 24) A calculation means for calculating a state transition probability indicating a transition probability between clusters after division by multiple clustering operations, the identification means identifies the process contents of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path based on the type and delay amount of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path and the state transition probability. 24. The analytical system of claim 23. (Appendix 25) The method further includes a determination means for determining whether a delay process has been performed on the communication path based on a mixture number of Laplace distributions in a case where a distribution of the probability of the reception interval is expressed as a mixture Laplace distribution in which a plurality of Laplace distributions are mixed, When the determining means determines that a delay process has been performed on the communication path, the identifying means estimates a type and an amount of delay of the delay process performed on the communication path, and the identifying means identifies the processing content of the delay process. 25. The analysis system according to any one of claims 21 to 24. (Appendix 26) Further comprising a control means for controlling an application that transmits or receives packets via at least one of the plurality of communication paths; The identifying means identifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in the communication path; The control means selects the communication path to be used by the application based on delay characteristics of each of the plurality of communication paths. 26. The analysis system according to any one of claims 19 to 25. (Appendix 27) Further comprising a control means for controlling an application that transmits or receives packets via at least one of the plurality of communication paths; The identification means estimates, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on the communication path; The identification means identifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a processing content of a delay processing performed on the communication path, the control means selects the communication path to be used by the application based on a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on each of the plurality of communication paths, or based on a processing content of a delay process performed on each of the plurality of communication paths. 26. The analysis system according to any one of claims 21 to 25. [Explanation of symbols]

[0156] 1,1A~1E,1X Analysis System 100 Sending terminal 101 Packet transmitter 102 Analysis Results Reception Department 103 Display section 104 Application control unit 105 Application DB 200 Receiving terminal 201 Packet receiver 202 Reception interval calculation unit 203 Clustering Department 204 Processing content identification unit 205 Delay Processing DB 2051 Learning Machine 206 Reception Interval DB 207 State Transition Probability Calculation Unit 208 Delay processing mixing judgment unit 209 Display section 210 Analysis Results Transmission Unit 211 Application control unit 212 Application Database 301,302 MEC Server 303 Carrier communication management device 306 AGV 307 Edge 308 Aggregation Device 400-1~400-N Terminals 401 Acquisition Department 402 Specific part 900 Computers 901 Processor 902 Memory 903 Storage 904 Input / Output Interface 9041 Display device 9042 Input Device 9043 Sound output device 905 Communication Interface

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires reception intervals of a plurality of packets received via a communication path; an identification unit that identifies a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on the communication path as a delay characteristic of a delay occurring on the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals; an identification unit that identifies a processing content of a delay processing performed on the communication path based on a delay characteristic of a delay occurring on the communication path, The identification unit is performing clustering to divide the distribution of the reception intervals into a plurality of clusters; Identifying a type of delay process performed on the communication path based on the number of divisions by the clustering; determining an amount of delay due to a delay process performed on the communication path based on a distance between the clusters after the division by the clustering; Terminal.

2. The identification unit identifies a type and an amount of delay of each of a plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path by performing the clustering a plurality of times. The terminal according to claim 1.

3. A calculation unit for calculating a state transition probability indicating a transition probability between clusters after division by multiple clustering operations, The identification unit identifies the process contents of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path based on the type and delay amount of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path and the state transition probability. The terminal according to claim 2.

4. The terminal includes: A control unit that controls an application that transmits or receives packets via at least one of the plurality of communication paths, The identification unit identifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in the communication path; The control unit selects the communication path to be used by the application based on delay characteristics of each of the plurality of communication paths. A terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. An analytical method performed by an analytical system, comprising: receiving a plurality of packets over a communication path; acquiring a reception interval of the plurality of received packets; a step of identifying a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on the communication path as a delay characteristic of the delay occurring on the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals; and an identification step of identifying a processing content of a delay processing performed on the communication path based on a delay characteristic of a delay occurring on the communication path, In the identifying step, performing clustering to divide the distribution of the reception intervals into a plurality of clusters; Identifying a type of delay process performed on the communication path based on the number of divisions by the clustering; determining an amount of delay due to a delay process performed on the communication path based on a distance between the clusters after the division by the clustering; Analysis method.

6. In the identifying step, the clustering is performed a plurality of times to identify types and amounts of delay of each of a plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path. The analytical method according to claim 5.

7. A calculation step of calculating a state transition probability indicating a transition probability between clusters after division by multiple clustering, In the identification step, processing contents of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path are identified based on the type and delay amount of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path and the state transition probability. The analytical method according to claim 6.

8. The method further includes a control step of controlling an application that transmits or receives packets via at least one of the plurality of communication paths; In the identifying step, a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in each of the plurality of communication paths is identified; In the control step, the communication path to be used by the application is selected based on delay characteristics of each of the plurality of communication paths. The method of analysis according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. receiving means for receiving a plurality of packets via a communication path; an acquisition means for acquiring reception intervals of the plurality of received packets; a determination means for determining a type and an amount of delay of a delay process performed on the communication path as a delay characteristic of a delay occurring on the communication path based on the distribution of the reception intervals; and an identification means for identifying a processing content of a delay processing performed on the communication path based on a delay characteristic of a delay occurring on the communication path, The identification means is performing clustering to divide the distribution of the reception intervals into a plurality of clusters; Identifying a type of delay process performed on the communication path based on the number of divisions by the clustering; determining an amount of delay due to a delay process performed on the communication path based on a distance between the clusters after the division by the clustering; Analysis system.

10. The identification means identifies the types and amounts of delay of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path by performing the clustering a plurality of times. The analytical system according to claim 9.

11. A calculation means for calculating a state transition probability indicating a transition probability between clusters after division by multiple clustering operations, the identification means identifies the process contents of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path based on the type and delay amount of each of the plurality of delay processes performed on the communication path and the state transition probability. The analytical system according to claim 10.

12. A control means for controlling an application that transmits or receives packets via at least one of the plurality of communication paths, The identifying means identifies, for each of the plurality of communication paths, a delay characteristic of a delay occurring in the communication path; The control means selects the communication path to be used by the application based on delay characteristics of each of the plurality of communication paths. The analysis system according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

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