Communication control device, communication control method, and program

Abstract

To reduce inter-network interference while controlling the increase in delay time.SOLUTION: A communication controlling device includes means for acquiring radio interference-related information related to radio interference in a frequency band within a licensed band on the basis of the operational status of the frequency band within the licensed band, and management means for managing a frequency band to be used for operation on the basis of the radio interference-related information acquired by the acquisition means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control device, a communication control method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known a technique for operating a communication system based on 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) specifications in an unlicensed band that does not require permission from national authorities (Patent Document 1). In this unlicensed band, in order to coexist with other communication systems, carrier sense may be required to confirm before transmission that no other radio is using the same frequency. In addition, it has been considered to construct a communication system based on 3GPP specifications as a private network only within a limited area such as within the site owned by the landowner, using a licensed band that requires permission from national authorities. This private network is called Private LTE (Long Term Evolution) or Local 5G (5th Generation) depending on the 3GPP technology used.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the case of a licensed band for a public wireless network, a frequency band is allocated to each public wireless network operator. For this reason, the cause of interference within the same licensed band is usually another base station of the operator itself, and the operator can resolve inter-network interference. On the other hand, in the above-mentioned local 5G, when an adjacent landowner who is not a public wireless network operator obtains permission to use the same license band, if network interference occurs at the land boundary or the like, it cannot be solved by itself, and there is concern about a deterioration in communication quality due to the network interference. In order to avoid the above-mentioned network interference, if local 5G is operated in an unlicensed band, carrier sensing is required, and a delay time based on the requirement of carrier sensing occurs.

[0005] In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to reduce network interference while suppressing an increase in delay time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A communication control device according to one aspect of the present invention A communication control device for controlling a connected base station, Based on the operation status of the frequency band within the license band while the base station is operating in a frequency band within an unlicensed band An acquisition means for acquiring radio interference related information related to the interference of radio waves in the frequency band within the license band, and based on the radio interference related information acquired by the acquisition means changing the operating frequency band within the unlicensed band to a frequency band within the licensed band And a changing means.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce network interference while suppressing an increase in delay time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the present invention. The configuration of the embodiments can be appropriately modified or changed according to the specifications of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions (usage conditions, usage environments, etc.). The technical scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the claims and is not limited by the following individual embodiments.

[0010] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a network configuration according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a communication system based on 3GPP specifications is constructed in this network. This network can include a private network constructed only within a limited area such as within the site owned by the landowner, using a license band that requires permission from national authorities. This private network can operate local 5G in an unlicensed band in response to network interference.

[0011] Since the license band is only permitted to be used by specific public wireless operators and is assumed to be designed so that interference between networks does not occur, carrier sense is not essential. On the one hand, since an unlicensed band is used by an unspecified number of communication devices and there is a risk of interference between networks, carrier sensing is required.

[0012] This communication system includes a communication control device 11 and a terminal 13. The communication control device 11 controls local 5G communication. The communication control device 11 is connected to its own local 5G base stations 12 and 16. The terminal 13 is a local 5G terminal. The terminal 13 can scan base stations in different frequency bands / different RATs (Radio Access Technologies) for (Intra-RAT or Inter-RAT) handover. The terminal 13 can scan all PCIs (Physical Cell IDs) to discover neighbor cells. The base station notifies the terminal 13 of the frequencies to be searched in order to discover neighbors on other frequencies.

[0013] The base station 16 is not connected to the terminal 13 but is a local 5G base station where a notification signal can be detected at the terminal 13. The base stations 14 and 15 are base stations of a local 5G communication network adjacent to its own local 5G (also referred to as adjacent base stations). The base stations 14 and 15 are sources of interference for inter-network interference between their own local 5G and others.

[0014] The communication control device 11 acquires radio interference-related information of the frequency band within the licensed band based on the operation status of the frequency band within the licensed band. The radio interference-related information is information related to the interference of radio waves in the frequency band within the licensed band. Then, the communication control device 11 manages the frequency band used for operation in its own network based on the acquired radio interference-related information.

[0015] For example, in order to avoid interference generated in the licensed band, when operating in the unlicensed band, the communication control device 11 acquires radio wave interference-related information of the licensed band. Then, when the radio wave interference in the licensed band is eliminated, the communication control device 11 changes the frequency band used for operation in its own network to the licensed band, and when the interference has not been eliminated, it continues to use the unlicensed band. Also, when the communication control device 11 is operating in the licensed band, it acquires radio wave interference-related information of the licensed band. Then, when there is radio wave interference in the licensed band, the communication control device 11 changes the frequency band used for operation in its own network to the unlicensed band, and when there is no interference, it continues to use the licensed band.

[0016] Thereby, based on the interference situation of the frequency band within the licensed band, it is possible to determine whether to operate in the licensed band or the unlicensed band. At this time, in order to avoid interference generated in the licensed band, even when performing local 5G communication in the unlicensed band, when the interference generated in the licensed band is eliminated, it is possible to return to the licensed band. For this reason, even when network interference occurs at the land boundary or the like when the owners of adjacent lands have obtained permission to use the same licensed band, it is possible to reduce network interference while suppressing an increase in communication delay time.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the communication control device according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the communication control device 11 includes a control unit 22, a storage unit 23, a communication unit 24, an output unit 25, and an input unit 26.

[0018] The control unit 22 controls the entire communication control device 11 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 23. The control unit 22 may include a processor. The processor may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processor may be a single-core processor or a multi-core processor. The processor may operate as a neural network.

[0019] The storage unit 23 stores the control program executed by the control unit 22 and various types of information such as communication parameters and data. For example, it can be composed of a semiconductor memory such as SRAM or DRAM. The storage unit 23 may include an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk drive or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The operation processes of the license bands in FIGS. 4, 8, and 9 are performed by the control unit 22 executing the control program stored in the storage unit 23.

[0020] The communication unit 24 communicates with the base station 12. The output unit 25 performs various types of displays. The output unit 25 may output information that can be recognized visually or by sound. For example, it is a screen display device (liquid crystal monitor, organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, graphics card, etc.), a voice output device (speaker, etc.), a printing device, etc. The input unit 26 is used by the user to perform various types of inputs. The input unit 26 is, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a card reader, a voice input device, etc.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the communication control device according to the first embodiment. Of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3, for the functions realized by software, a program for providing the functions of each functional block is stored in a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory). Then, the program is read into a RAM (Random Access Memory) and executed by a processor to be realized. For the functions realized by hardware, for example, by using a predetermined compiler, a dedicated circuit may be automatically generated on an FPGA from a program for realizing the functions of each functional block. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array. Also, a gate array circuit may be formed in the same manner as the FPGA and realized as hardware. Further, it may be realized by an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit). Note that the configuration of the functional blocks shown in FIG. 3 is an example, and a plurality of functional blocks may constitute one functional block, or any one functional block may be divided into blocks that perform a plurality of functions.

[0022] In FIG. 3, the communication control unit 31 includes a signal reception unit 32, a signal transmission unit 33, a data storage unit 34, a connection control unit 35, and a display control unit 36. Further, the communication control unit 31 includes an operating frequency band management unit 37, a radio interference related information acquisition unit 38, a radio interference report frequency band management unit 39, and a base station information management unit 40.

[0023] The signal reception unit 32 and the signal transmission unit 33 perform local 5G communication compliant with the 3GPP standard with the local 5G base station 12. The data storage unit 34 stores information such as software and authentication information. The connection control unit 35 performs processing related to the connection with the local 5G base station 12. The display control unit 36 performs control processing of a screen to be displayed on the output unit 25.

[0024] The operating frequency band management unit 37 manages the operating frequency band of the local 5G communication network. At this time, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can manage the frequency band used for operation based on the radio interference related information related to the interference of radio waves in the frequency band within the license band. For example, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine the interference situation between the operating frequency band within the unlicensed band and the frequency band within the license band based on the radio interference related information of the frequency band within the license band. Then, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can change the operating frequency band within the unlicensed band to the frequency band within the license band based on the determination result of the determined interference situation. In addition, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine the interference situation between the operating frequency band within the license band and the frequency band within the license band based on the radio interference related information of the frequency band within the license band. Then, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can change the operating frequency band within the license band to the frequency band within the unlicensed band based on the determination result of the determined interference situation.

[0025] The radio interference related information acquisition unit 38 acquires the radio interference related information reported by a local 5G terminal or the like. The radio interference related information is, for example, information such as the frequency and RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) of the base station. The radio interference related information may also be the communication error rate of the base station. The radio interference report frequency band management unit 39 manages the frequency band to be reported for the radio interference related information reported by a local 5G terminal or the like. The base station information management unit 40 manages base station information such as the base station ID and communication frequency of the base stations in its local 5G communication network. In this embodiment, the number of base stations is illustrated as the minimum of two required for explanation, but the number of base stations in the local 5G communication network may be more than two. At this time, the base station information management unit 40 manages the base station information of those multiple base stations.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation process of the license band according to the first embodiment. Each step in FIG. 4 is realized by the control unit 23 reading and executing the program stored in the storage unit 23. Also, at least a part of the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 may be realized by hardware. When realized by hardware, for example, a dedicated circuit may be automatically generated on the FPGA from the program for realizing each step by using a predetermined compiler. Also, a Gate Array circuit may be formed in the same manner as the FPGA and realized as hardware. Also, it may be realized by an ASIC. In this case, each block in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 can be regarded as a hardware block. Note that a plurality of blocks may be combined and configured as one hardware block, or one block may be configured as a plurality of hardware blocks.

[0027] The process in FIG. 4 is periodically started by the control unit 22 after the operation of the local 5G communication network is started. At this time, the operating frequency band management unit 37 determines whether the local 5G communication network is currently operating in a licensed band (step S41). In this determination, the information on the operating frequency bands managed by the operating frequency band management unit 37 is used. In this embodiment, as the operating frequency band, the 4.6 GHz band is used for the licensed frequency band, and the 5.6 GHz band is used for the unlicensed band. Therefore, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine that the local 5G communication network is in the licensed band when it is operating in the 4.6 GHz band, and in the unlicensed band when it is operating in the 5.6 GHz band.

[0028] When currently operating in the licensed band (Yes in step S41), the radio interference related information acquisition unit 38 acquires, as radio interference related information, a list of the frequencies and RSSIs of the base stations in the currently operating licensed band (step S42). In this acquisition, the peripheral base station information reporting function provided in the terminal 13 compliant with the 3GPP specification can be used. At this time, the radio interference related information acquisition unit 38 acquires the frequency·RSSI information for each peripheral base station ID reported by the terminal 13 via the base station 12.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of radio interference related information during licensed band operation. Note that in FIG. 5, the frequency·RSSI information is shown as the radio interference related information during licensed band operation. In FIG. 5, the radio interference related information includes entries of a reporting terminal ID, a base station ID, a base station frequency, and a base station RSSI. The reporting terminal ID identifies the terminal that reported the frequency·RSSI information. For example, the terminal 13 in FIG. 1 is assigned 103 as the reporting terminal ID. The base station ID indicates the ID for identifying the base station. The base station ID includes information indicating the presence or absence of the currently connected base station (also referred to as the connected base station). For example, the base stations 12, 14, 15, and 16 in FIG. 1 are assigned 102, 104, 105, and 106 as the base station IDs, respectively. The base station frequency indicates the communication frequency of the radio wave used by the base station. The base station RSSI indicates the RSSI of the base station.

[0030] In addition, in this embodiment, the number of terminals 13 is illustrated as the minimum of one required for explanation, but the number of terminals in the self-local 5G communication network may be plural. At this time, the radio interference related information acquisition unit 38 acquires the information reported by those plural terminals via the base station of the self-local 5G communication network to which the terminal is connected.

[0031] Next, the operating frequency band management unit 37 determines whether there is an unknown base station (also referred to as an unknown base station) that does not exist in the self-network in the list of frequencies and RSSIs acquired in step S42 (step S43). In this determination, the base station ID list of the self-local 5G communication network managed by the base station information management unit 40 is used.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the base station ID list according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 6, the base station ID list indicates the IDs for identifying the base stations of the self-local 5G communication network. In this embodiment, since the number of base stations 12 is the minimum of one required for explanation, the number of entries in the ID list in FIG. 6 is 1, but the number of base stations in the self-local 5G communication network may be plural. In this case, the number of items in the base station ID list is also plural.

[0033] The operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine whether there is an unknown base station that does not exist in the self-network by comparing the content of the base station ID list in FIG. 6 with the content of the base station ID in FIG. 5. For example, the base station ID list in FIG. 6 does not have base station IDs 104 and 105, and the radio interference related information in FIG. 5 has base station IDs 104 and 105. Therefore, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine that the base stations 14 and 15 to which the base station IDs 104 and 105 are assigned are unknown base stations.

[0034] If there is no unknown base station that does not exist in the self-network in the list of frequencies and RSSIs (No in step S43), the operating frequency band management unit 37 ends the process and continues the operation in the license band. On the other hand, assume that there is an unknown base station not in its own network in the list of frequency and RSSI (Yes in step S43). In this case, the operating frequency band management unit 37 determines whether there is an unknown base station whose frequency matches that of the connected base station in the terminal that reported the unknown base station (step S44). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the frequency of the connected base station 12 is 4650 MHz. On the other hand, the frequency of the unknown base station 14 is 4750 MHz. Therefore, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine that the frequency of the unknown base station 14 does not match the frequency of the connected base station 12. Also, the frequency of the unknown base station 15 is 4650 MHz. Therefore, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine that the frequency of the unknown base station 15 matches the frequency of the connected base station 12.

[0035] If there is no unknown base station whose frequency matches that of the connected base station (No in step S44), the operating frequency band management unit 37 ends the process and continues the operation in the license band. On the other hand, assume that there is an unknown base station whose frequency matches that of the connected base station (Yes in step S44). In this case, the operating frequency band management unit 37 determines whether there is an unknown frequency-matching base station for which (connected base station RSSI) - (unknown base station RSSI) < 0 (step S45). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the RSSI of the connected base station 12 is -80 dBm. The RSSI of the unknown frequency-matching base station 15 is -75 dBm. As a result, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine that (connected base station RSSI) - (unknown base station RSSI) = -80 - (-75) = -5 < 0.

[0036] If there is no unknown frequency-matching base station for which (connected base station RSSI) - (unknown base station RSSI) < 0 (No in step S45), the operating frequency band management unit 37 ends the process and continues the operation in the license band. On the other hand, when there is an unknown frequency-matching base station where (connected base station RSSI) - (unknown base station RSSI) < 0 (Yes in step S45), the operating frequency band management unit 37 changes the operation from the licensed band to the unlicensed band (step S46).

[0037] Next, the radio interference report frequency band management unit 39 sets all terminals in its own local 5G communication network to report not only the radio interference-related information of the unlicensed band where the operation has been changed but also the radio interference-related information of the licensed band (step S47).

[0038] On the other hand, when not currently operating in the licensed band (No in step S41), a list of frequencies and RSSIs of the base stations in the licensed band scheduled for operation is acquired (step S48). For this acquisition, similar to step S42, the peripheral base station information reporting function provided in the terminal compliant with the 3GPP specification is used.

[0039] At this time, the base station to which the terminal 13 is connected is a base station operating in an unlicensed band not shown in the figure. When step S41 is No, it is currently operating in the unlicensed band, but even in that case, since the radio interference-related information of the licensed band is also reported in step S47, the process of step S48 becomes possible. Then, the radio interference-related information acquisition unit 38 in the communication control unit 31 acquires the frequency and RSSI information for each peripheral base station ID reported by the terminal 13 via a base station operating in an unlicensed band not shown in the figure.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of radio interference-related information during unlicensed band operation. Note that in FIG. 7, frequency and RSSI information is shown as the radio interference-related information during unlicensed band operation. In FIG. 7, the radio interference related information includes entries of a report terminal ID, a base station ID, a base station frequency, and a base station RSSI. The report terminal ID identifies the terminal that reported the frequency·RSSI information. The base station ID indicates the ID that identifies the base station. The base station frequency indicates the communication frequency of the radio wave used by the base station. The base station RSSI indicates the RSSI of the base station.

[0041] Next, the operating frequency band management unit 37 determines whether there is an unknown base station not in its own network in the list of frequencies·RSSIs acquired in step S48 (step S49). In this determination, the list of frequencies·RSSIs in FIG. 7 and the base station ID list of its own local 5G communication network in FIG. 6 are used. The operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine whether there is an unknown base station not in its own network by comparing the content of the base station ID list in FIG. 6 with the content of the base station ID in FIG. 7. For example, in the base station ID list in FIG. 7, there are no base station IDs 104 and 105, and in the radio interference related information in FIG. 5, there are base station IDs 104 and 105. Therefore, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine that base stations 14 and 15 to which base station IDs 104 and 105 are assigned are unknown base stations.

[0042] Assume that there is no unknown base station not in its own network in the list of frequencies·RSSIs (No in step S49). In this case, the operating frequency band management unit 37 changes the operation from the unlicensed band to the licensed band (S50). On the other hand, assume that there is an unknown base station not in its own network in the list of frequencies·RSSIs (Yes in step S49). In this case, the operating frequency band management unit 37 determines whether there is an unknown base station whose frequency matches that of the known base station with the best RSSI (also referred to as a known base station) in the terminal that reported the unknown base station (S51).

[0043] In determining the known base station with the best RSSI, the frequency-RSSI list in FIG. 7 and the base station ID list of the self-local 5G communication network in FIG. 6 are used. Specifically, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can detect the known base stations in its own network by comparing the content of the base station ID list in FIG. 6 with the content of the base station ID in FIG. 7. Then, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine the known base station with the best RSSI by comparing the base station RSSIs in the list of FIG. 7 among the known base stations in its own network.

[0044] For example, base station IDs 102 and 106 are shown in the base station ID list of the self-local 5G communication network in FIG. 6 and also in the list of base station IDs in FIG. 7. Therefore, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can detect that base stations 12 and 16 to which base station IDs 102 and 106 are assigned are known base stations. Then, the operating frequency band management unit 37 refers to the list in FIG. 7 and compares the RSSIs of base stations 12 and 16 to which base station IDs 102 and 106 are assigned. As a result, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine that the known base station with the best RSSI is base station 12 to which base station ID 102 is assigned. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the frequency of the known base station 12 is 4650 MHz. Also, the frequencies of the unknown base stations 14 and 15 are 4750 MHz and 4650 MHz, respectively. Therefore, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can determine that the frequency of the unknown base station 14 does not match the frequency of the known base station 12, and the frequency of the unknown base station 15 matches the frequency of the known base station 12.

[0045] Here, assume that in the terminal that reported the unknown base station, there is no unknown base station whose frequency matches that of the known base station with the best RSSI (No in step S51). In this case, the operating frequency band management unit 37 changes the operation from the unlicensed band to the licensed band (S50).

[0046] On one hand, in the terminal that reported an unknown base station, assume that there is an unknown base station whose frequency matches that of the known base station with the best RSSI (Yes in step S51). In this case, the operating frequency band management unit 37 determines whether there is an unknown frequency-matching base station such that (known base station RSSI) - (unknown base station RSSI) < 20 (step S52).

[0047] For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the RSSI of the known base station 12 is -80 dBm. The RSSI of the unknown frequency-matching base station 15 is -90 dBm. Therefore, (known base station RSSI) - (unknown base station RSSI) = -80 - (-90) = 10 < 20.

[0048] Here, assume that there is no unknown frequency-matching base station such that (known base station RSSI) - (unknown base station RSSI) < 20 (No in step S52). In this case, the operating frequency band management unit 37 changes the operation from the unlicensed band to the licensed band (step S50). Thereby, the operating frequency band management unit 37 can change the operation from the unlicensed band to the licensed band only when the RSSI of the known base station is sufficiently larger than the RSSI of the unknown frequency-matching base station by 20 dB or more. Therefore, even when the operation is changed from the unlicensed band to the licensed band, inter-network interference can be suppressed.

[0049] On the other hand, when there is an unknown frequency-matching base station such that (known base station RSSI) - (unknown base station RSSI) < 20 (Yes in step S52), the process ends and the operation in the unlicensed band continues.

[0050] As described above, according to the first embodiment described above, when the interference between networks is reduced or eliminated, it is possible to quickly return from the unlicensed band to the licensed band, and it is possible to suppress an increase in the delay time that occurs during the operation of the unlicensed band. Further, when the interference between networks occurs or increases, it is possible to shift from the licensed band to the unlicensed band, and it is possible to suppress the deterioration of the packet error rate due to the interference between networks.

[0051] In the flowchart of FIG. 4, 0 is used as the predetermined value on the right side of the determination formula in step S45, and 20 is used as the predetermined value on the right side of the determination formula in step S52. This embodiment is not necessarily limited to these predetermined values, and a predetermined value optimal for the local 5G communication network to be operated may be adopted.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, it has been described that there is one base station to which the terminal 13 is connected. However, in 3GPP, there is a specification called C / U separation that separates the frequency band for processing control plane data and the frequency for processing user plane data. This embodiment is also applicable to this C / U separation system. Specifically, the processing of FIG. 4 may be applied to the frequency band base station that processes the user plane data, and the frequency band that processes the control plane data may exist separately.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, as the radio interference related information, the frequency·RSSI for each peripheral base station ID reported by the terminal 13 is adopted. However, the radio interference related information is not limited to the frequency·RSSI. For example, the radio interference related information may be the connection history of the terminal 13. At this time, when a disconnection or interruption occurs at a predetermined rate during the connection history, the terminal 13 can report the disconnection or interruption of the wireless communication to the communication control device 11. Then, the communication control device 11 may determine the presence or absence of radio interference based on the frequency of disconnection or interruption of the wireless communication and determine the frequency band.

[0054] <Second Embodiment> In the first embodiment, the form in which the terminal reports radio interference related information was described. In the following second embodiment, the form in which the base station reports radio interference related information will be described. Note that the hardware configuration of the communication control device 11 in this embodiment is the same as the configuration in FIG. 2, and the functional configuration of the communication control device 11 can be the same as the configuration in FIG. 3.

[0055] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation process of the license band according to the second embodiment. In the following description, for the same content as the flowchart in FIG. 4, the same symbols as in FIG. 4 are used for notation, and the description is omitted. In FIG. 8, when the local 5G communication network is not currently operating in the license band (No in step S41), the operating frequency band management unit 37 executes the same process as the process in FIG. 4.

[0056] When it is currently operating in the license band (Yes in step S41), the radio interference related information acquisition unit 38 acquires a list of communication error rates of the base stations in the currently operating license band from the base stations (step S81). Next, the radio interference related information acquisition unit 38 determines whether there is a base station with a communication error rate of 10% or more (step S82). Note that the communication error rate used as the threshold in the determination in step S82 is not necessarily limited to 10%, and an optimal value for the local 5G communication network to be operated may be adopted. When there is no base station with a communication error rate of 10% or more (No in step S82), the operating frequency band management unit 37 ends the process and continues the operation in the license band.

[0057] On the other hand, when there is a base station with a communication error rate of 10% or more (Yes in step S82), the operating frequency band management unit 37 determines whether it is currently between 8:00 and 17:00 on a weekday (step S83). Note that the operating frequency band management unit 37 may skip step S83, or may make the determination based on any date and time set by the network administrator.

[0058] If it is not between 8:00 and 17:00 on a weekday (No in step S83), the operating frequency band management unit 37 ends the process and continues the operation in the license band. On the other hand, assume that it is between 8:00 and 17:00 on a weekday (Yes in step S83). In this case, the operating frequency band management unit 37 changes the operation from the license band to the unlicensed band (step S46). As a result, when the error rate is as large as 10% or more and during weekday business hours, the operation can be changed from the license band to the unlicensed band, suppressing the increase in delay time outside weekday business hours and improving the efficiency of business during weekday business hours.

[0059] Next, the operating frequency band management unit 37 changes the base station setting value and ends the process (step S84). This base station setting value is the transmission power of the base station and the handover threshold value included in the notification signal of the base station. Also, the operating frequency band management unit 37 may optimize the base station setting value according to information such as the communication frequency of the base station adjacent to the base station to be changed. Further, after changing the base station setting value, the operating frequency band management unit 37 may correct it to a more appropriate base station setting value by executing the process of FIG. 8 again.

[0060] As described above, according to the above-described second embodiment, since the operating frequency band management unit 37 can also obtain radio interference-related information from the base station, it is possible to improve the determination accuracy. Also, since the operating frequency band management unit 37 can change the base station setting value according to the change of the frequency band, it is possible to optimize the network construction.

[0061] Note that the report of radio interference-related information is not limited to only the terminal or only the base station, and the operating frequency band management unit 37 may determine the presence or absence of radio interference-related information using reports from both the terminal and the base station. Also, the operating frequency band management unit 37 may change the frequency band only for the base station determined to have radio interference. Also, when the process in FIG. 4 is the first mode and the process in FIG. 8 is the second mode, the same device may be capable of executing the first mode and the second mode. At this time, based on an instruction from the user or an instruction from an application, etc., it may be possible to select which of the first mode and the second mode to execute.

[0062] <Third Embodiment> In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a form of automatically changing the operating frequency band was described. In the following third embodiment, a form of changing the operating frequency band after confirmation by the network administrator will be described. Note that the hardware configuration of the communication control device 11 in this embodiment may be the same as the configuration in FIG. 2, and the functional configuration of the communication control device 11 may be the same as the configuration in FIG. 3.

[0063] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation process of the license band according to the third embodiment. In the following description, for the same content as the flowchart in FIG. 8, the same symbols as in FIG. 8 are used for notation, and the description is omitted. In FIG. 9, when the local 5G communication network is not currently operating in the license band (No in step S41), the operating frequency band management unit 37 executes the same process as the process in FIG. 8. Also, when the local 5G communication network is currently operating in the license band (Yes in step S41), the operating frequency band management unit 37 executes the same process as the process in FIG. 8 until step S82.

[0064] In step S82, when there is a base station with an error rate of 10% or more currently operating in the license band (Yes in step S82), the control unit 22 notifies the administrator to that effect via the output unit 25 (step S91).

[0065] Next, the input unit 26 determines whether there is an input from the administrator (step S92). If there is no input from the administrator (No in step S92), the input unit 26 waits until there is an input from the administrator. When there is an input from the administrator (Yes in step S92), the operating frequency band management unit 37 determines whether the input from the administrator is an instruction to change the operation to the unlicensed band (step S93).

[0066] If the input from the administrator is not an instruction to change the operation to the unlicensed band (No in step S93), the operating frequency band management unit 37 ends the process and continues the operation in the licensed band. On the other hand, if the input from the administrator is an instruction to change the operation to the unlicensed band (Yes in step S93), the operating frequency band management unit 37 changes the operation from the licensed band to the unlicensed band (step S46) and ends the process.

[0067] As described above, according to the third embodiment described above, after confirming with the network administrator, the operating frequency band can be changed, and it is possible to manage the operating frequency band according to the situation of the administrator or the like.

[0068] <Other Embodiments> The present invention may supply a recording medium recording a program code of software for realizing the above-described functions to a system or an apparatus, and the computer (CPU, MPU) of the system or the apparatus may read and execute the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

[0069] As the storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, a DVD, or the like can be used. In addition, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the above-described functions are realized, but also based on the instructions of the program code, the OS running on the computer may perform part or all of the actual processing to realize the above-described functions. The OS is an abbreviation for Operating System.

[0070] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium is written into the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer. Then, based on the instructions of the program code, the CPU provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit may perform part or all of the actual processing to realize the above-described functions.

[0071] Also, a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiment may be supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium. Then, one or more functions of the above-described embodiment can also be realized by a process in which one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in order to determine whether to select an unlicensed band or a licensed band as the frequency band used for operation, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the presence or absence of an unknown base station, the determination of whether the frequency of the connected base station matches the frequency of the unknown base station, and the comparison between the RSSI of the connected base station and the RSSI of the unknown base station are performed. The present invention may be a determination based on such a rule base, or may be a determination based on machine learning. For example, when the presence or absence of an unknown base station, the frequency of the connected base station, the frequency of the unknown base station, the RSSI of the connected base station, the RSSI of the unknown base station, and the communication error rate of the base station are given, the determination result of the selection of the unlicensed band or the licensed band is used as correct data to train a neural network. Then, by using this trained model, it may be possible to determine whether to select an unlicensed band or a licensed band as the frequency band used for operation.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0073] 11 Control device, 12, 14 to 16 Base stations, 13 Communication terminal, 31 Communication control section, 32 Signal reception section, 33 Signal transmission section, 34 Data storage section, 35 Connection control section, 36 Display control section, 37 Operating frequency band management section, 38 Radio interference related information acquisition section, 39 Radio interference report frequency band management section, 40 Base station information management section

Claims

1. A communication control device for controlling a connected base station, comprising: an acquisition means for acquiring radio interference related information related to interference of radio waves in a frequency band within a license band, based on an operation status of a frequency band within the license band, during operation of a frequency band within an unlicensed band; and a change means for changing a frequency band in operation within the unlicensed band to a frequency band within the license band, based on the radio interference related information acquired by the acquisition means. The communication control device is characterized by comprising the above.

2. A communication control device for controlling a connected base station, comprising: 、 an acquisition means for acquiring radio interference related information related to interference of radio waves in a frequency band within a license band, based on an operation status of a frequency band within the license band, during operation of a frequency band within the license band; and a change means for changing a frequency band in operation within the license band to a frequency band within an unlicensed band, based on the radio interference related information acquired by the acquisition means. The communication control device is characterized by comprising the above.

3. The communication control device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a determination means for determining whether a frequency band used by the base station is a license band.

4. The acquisition means according to any one of claims 1 to 3, acquires the radio interference related information from a terminal or a base station in a local 5G communication network. The communication control device is characterized by the above.

5. The acquisition means according to any one of claims 1 to 4, acquires radio interference related information of a frequency band of user plane data to which a frequency band different from a frequency band of control plane data is assigned. The communication control device is characterized by the above.

6. The radio interference related information includes a communication frequency, a received electric field strength, and a base station ID of the base station, and a communication frequency, a received electric field strength, and a base station ID of an adjacent base station adjacent to the base station. The change means: when an unknown base station not existing in its own network exists among the adjacent base stations, and a communication frequency of the unknown base station matches a communication frequency of the base station, and a difference between the received electric field strength of the unknown base station and the received electric field strength of the base station is equal to or less than a predetermined value, changes a frequency band within a license band in operation at the base station to a frequency band within an unlicensed band. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 、 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ The communication according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it is changed to the frequency band Control device.

7. The radio interference related information is the connection history of the local 5G terminal, When a momentary disconnection or interruption occurs at a predetermined rate in the connection history, the changing means The operating frequency band within the license band is changed to the frequency band within the unlicensed band The communication control device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that

8. The changing means changes the operating frequency band within the license band to the frequency band within the unlicensed band at a preset date and time, characterized in that The communication control device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that

9. Based on the change of the frequency band, the set value of the base station is changed, characterized in that The communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that

10. The set value of the base station is the transmission power of the base station or the handover threshold value included in the notification signal of the base station, characterized in that The communication control device according to claim 9, characterized in that

11. Based on the base station information of another base station adjacent to the base station, the base station set value of the base station The communication control device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that it is changed

12. The base station information is the communication frequency of the other base station, characterized in that The communication control device according to claim 11, characterized in that

13. The communication control device according to any one of claims 2 to 12, further comprising notification means for notifying that the frequency band is to be changed, characterized in that

14. The communication control device further comprises input means for inputting an instruction to change the operating frequency band, Based on the input to the input means, it is determined whether to change the operating frequency band within the license band to The communication control device according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the frequency band within the unlicensed band

15. A control method for controlling a connected base station, comprising Based on the operating status of the frequency band within the license band, the base station operates in the frequency band within the unlicensed band and the radio wave of the frequency band within the license band Step of obtaining radio interference related information related to interference, Based on the obtained radio interference related information, the operating frequency within the unlicensed band ​ a step of changing the wave number band to a frequency band within the license band; A control method characterized by comprising the above.

16. A control method for controlling a connected base station, Based on the operation status of the frequency band within the license band, when the base station is operating in the frequency band within the license band, for interference of radio waves in the frequency band within the license band A step of obtaining radio interference related information related to; Based on the obtained radio interference related information, a step of changing the frequency band in operation within the license band to a frequency band within the unlicensed band; A control method characterized by comprising the above.

17. The control method according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising a determination step of determining whether the frequency band used by the base station is a license band.

18. A program for operating a computer as the communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. ​ ​ ​ ​

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