Control device, control method, communication system, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique to effectively use frequency resources based on the actual transmission output of a base station between local networks using dynamic frequency sharing.SOLUTION: A control device controls a base station for a local network. A management device manages allocation of frequency resources to a plurality of local networks for dynamic frequency sharing between the plurality of local networks. The control device sets a transmission output value of the base station to be controlled based on an indicated value received from the management device. When a set setting value is below the indicated value received from the management device or a preset transmission output value, the control device notifies the management device of the setting value to allow the management device to adjust the use of the frequency resources between the plurality of local networks based on the setting value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In recent years, efforts have been made to institutionalize local 5G (5G) and regional BWA (Broadband Wireless Access) to enable operators other than telecommunications carriers to build and operate cellular communication networks. Furthermore, dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) is being studied and institutionalized to effectively utilize limited frequency resources. DSS involves spatially and temporally sharing the same frequency band among multiple different wireless standards. In DSS, a management device allocates frequency resources to shared wireless communication systems (secondary users) and adjusts interference between secondary users based on the availability of frequency resources (radio resources) in existing wireless communication systems (primary users). The management device allocates frequency resources preferentially to primary users (primary usage networks) over secondary users (secondary usage networks).

[0003] The frequency band of 4.6 to 4.8 GHz used by local 5G networks in Japan is also used for public service radio in some areas. In such frequency bands in areas, the public service radio network is designated as the primary user and the local 5G network is designated as the secondary user. Patent Document 1 proposes a method for notifying a management device of communication parameter information of a secondary user in order to coordinate usage between the primary and secondary users. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-509693 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the dynamic spectrum sharing described above, the management device may instruct the control device (network control device) of the secondary usage network to limit the output level (transmission power) of the base station under its control in order to prioritize use by the primary usage network. In this case, the control device limits the output level of the base station to an output level (upper limit value) or less instructed by the management device. In addition, the management device adjusts interference between the secondary usage networks based on the output level instructed to the network control device of the secondary usage network.

[0006] When a management device instructs a control device of a secondary usage network to set an output level of a base station, the control device may set an output level of the base station lower than the instructed output level, for example, to operate the base station in a power-saving mode. Meanwhile, the management device does not know that the control device of the secondary usage network has set such an output level. In this case, even if surplus output (power) is generated by lowering the output level in a base station of a secondary usage network, the surplus power cannot be used in other secondary usage networks.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables effective use of frequency resources based on the actual transmission output of base stations between local networks that perform dynamic frequency sharing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A control device according to one embodiment of the present invention is a control device that controls a base station for a local network, and is characterized in that it comprises: a setting means for setting a transmission output value of the base station based on an instruction value received from a management device that manages the allocation of frequency resources to a plurality of local networks for dynamic frequency sharing among the plurality of local networks; and a notification means for notifying the management device of the setting value if the setting value set by the setting means is lower than the instruction value received from the management device or a predetermined transmission output value so that the management device can adjust the usage of frequency resources between the plurality of local networks based on the setting value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to effectively use frequency resources based on the actual transmission output of base stations between local networks that perform dynamic frequency sharing. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Diagram showing an example of a network configuration [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of a control device. [Figure 3] 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for transitioning a base station to a low power mode. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the relationship between low-power modes and output values ​​in a base station. [Figure 5] A sequence diagram showing the processing by systems A and B and the management device [Figure 6] A sequence diagram showing the processing by systems A and B and the management device [Figure 7] 1 is a flowchart showing the procedure for returning a base station from a low power mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] <Network configuration> 1 shows an example of a network configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the wireless communication system of the primary user (primary use network) is a wireless communication system for public services, and the wireless communication system of the secondary user (secondary use network) is a local 5G wireless communication system. Furthermore, systems A and B, both of which are local 5G wireless communication systems, are deployed as secondary use networks.

[0013] In the network configuration shown in FIG. 1, management device 100 is a management device for dynamic frequency sharing between managed systems (networks), and manages a primary usage network (system A) and a secondary usage network (system B). Management device 100 allocates and manages frequency resources (radio resources) for the primary usage network and the secondary usage network. Management device 100 also performs interference adjustment to prevent radio wave interference between the secondary usage networks. Management device 100 is communicably connected to control device 110, which is a network control device for the primary usage network, and control devices 120a and 120b, which are network control devices for the secondary usage networks.

[0014] In this embodiment, the management device 100 is an example of a management device that manages allocation of frequency resources to multiple local networks (secondary usage networks) for dynamic spectrum sharing between the multiple local networks. Note that the management device 100 supports a sensor method or a database method as a method for dynamic spectrum sharing. The sensor method is a method for detecting the usage status of a primary usage network and allocating frequency resources for dynamic spectrum sharing. The database method is a method for allocating frequency resources for dynamic spectrum sharing using a database in which the usage status of a primary usage network is registered in advance.

[0015] The control device 110 controls a base station 111 of a primary usage network. The base station 111 is a communication device (base station device) having a radio base station function for public service radio. The control device 120a controls a base station 121a of system A. The control device 120b controls a base station 121b of system B. The base stations 120a and 120b are communication devices (base station devices) having a radio base station function for local 5G. In the example of FIG. 1, systems A and B are operated within premises 122a and 122b, respectively, for a local 5G license application. In this embodiment, the control devices 120a and 120b are an example of a control device that controls a base station for a local network. Furthermore, the base stations 120a and 120b are an example of a base station for a local network.

[0016] The control devices 120a and 120b perform wireless communication settings for the base stations 121a and 121b to be controlled, respectively. For example, the control device 120a controls the transmission output (transmission power) of the base station 121a in accordance with instructions from the management device 100. Specifically, the control devices 120a and 120b set the transmission output values ​​of the base stations 121a and 121b to values ​​equal to or less than the transmission output value (instruction value) instructed by the management device 100, or to values ​​equal to or less than a predetermined value corresponding to a license application value. The license application value corresponds to a preset transmission output value, and is the application value for a license related to the corresponding local network.

[0017] <Network control device> 2(A) is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 120 (120a, 120b) according to this embodiment. The control device 120 includes a control unit 201, a RAM 202, a storage unit 203, and a communication unit 204. The control unit 201 may be configured with one or more processors (CPUs, processing circuits, etc.). The RAM 202 may be configured with a volatile storage medium. The storage unit 203 may be configured with one or more non-volatile storage media.

[0018] The control unit 201 controls the entire device by reading out a control program stored in the storage unit 203 into the RAM 202 and executing the program. The storage unit 203 stores various programs such as the control program executed by the control unit 201 and various data used by the control unit 201. The processing and operations described below in the control device 120 can be realized by the control unit 201 executing the control program stored in the storage unit 203. The communication unit 204 is a communication device (communication interface) that communicates with the management device 100 and external devices such as the base stations 121 (121a, 121b) to be controlled.

[0019] 2(B) is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control device 120 (120a, 120b) according to this embodiment. The control device 120 includes a communication control unit 211, a base station control unit 212, a connection control unit 213, and a data storage unit 214. The functions of each block shown in FIG. 2(B) can be realized by the control unit 201 executing a control program stored in the storage unit 203.

[0020] The communication control unit 211 controls communication with external devices via the communication unit 204. The base station control unit 212 controls the base station 121 (121a, 121b) to be controlled. The connection control unit 213 performs processing related to connection and disconnection of terminal devices wirelessly connected to the base station 121.

[0021] The data storage unit 214 stores various programs and various data (various information) by storing them in the storage unit 203. For example, the data storage unit 214 stores, with respect to the transmission output (transmission power) of the base station 121, one or more of the current output value of the base station 121, an instruction value from the management device 100, and a license application value. The data storage unit 214 can further store communication data transmitted and received between external devices, setting data and control data of the base station 121, terminal data (terminal information) related to terminal devices, and the like.

[0022] <Transition to low power mode> 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a process executed by the control device 120 (control devices 120a and 120b of systems A and B) of this embodiment to transition the base station 121 under control to a low output mode. The low output mode is an operation mode in which the transmission output (transmission power) of the base station 121 is reduced. Note that both the control devices 120a and 120b may be capable of executing similar processes.

[0023] First, in S301, the control unit 201 determines whether or not a transition condition for transitioning to the low power mode (a condition for reducing the transmission output of the base station 121) for the base station 121 to be controlled is satisfied. The transition condition is, for example, conditions 1 to 3 described below. If the transition condition is satisfied (for example, any one of conditions 1 to 3 is satisfied), the control unit 201 proceeds to the process of S302, and if the transition condition is not satisfied, the control unit 201 repeats the determination process of S301. In this way, the control unit 201 executes the processes from S302 onwards in response to the fact that the transition condition for the base station 121 to the low power mode is satisfied.

[0024] The above transition conditions may include, for example, the following three conditions 1 to 3. Condition 1: At least one of the control device 120 and the base station 121 to be controlled by it is battery-powered, and the remaining battery power of either the control device 120 or the base station 121 has fallen below a predetermined value. Condition 2: The power mode of at least one of the control device 120 and the base station 121 controlled by it is set to the power saving mode. Condition 3: The security mode of at least one of the control device 120 and the base station 121 under its control is set to a mode with a higher security level (high security mode).

[0025] For example, when condition 1 is satisfied in the base station 121, the base station 121 is shifted to the low power mode in order to operate the base station 121 for a longer period of time with the remaining battery power. When condition 2 is satisfied in the base station 121, the base station 121 is shifted to the low power mode in order to reduce the power consumption of the base station 121. Furthermore, when condition 3 is satisfied in the base station 121, the base station 121 is shifted to the low power mode in order to increase the security level by shortening the reach of radio waves transmitted from the base station 121 when transmitting highly confidential data. Note that the conditions for shifting to the low power mode are not limited to the above-mentioned conditions 1 to 3.

[0026] In S302, the control unit 201 sets the transmission output (transmission power) of the base station 121 to be controlled. The control unit 201 can set the transmission output value of the base station 121 using the instruction value received from the management device 100 and the license application value as an upper limit value. In the control device 120, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B), one or more low output modes for reducing the transmission output of the base station 121 to be controlled, each low output mode being associated with a transmission output value, are predefined. In S302, the control unit 201 sets the transmission output value of the base station 121 to a value predefined corresponding to the low output mode of the base station 121. In this way, the control unit 201 sets the transmission output value of the base station 121 based on the instruction value received from the management device 100.

[0027] In the example of FIG. 4(A), (upper limit value -5) [dBm] is defined as the transmission output value corresponding to the low output mode of the base station 121. Also, in the example of FIG. 4(B), low output modes 1 to 4 of the base station 121 are defined according to the power saving level and security level, and the transmission output value of the base station 121 is defined in advance for each low output mode. The transmission output values ​​corresponding to each low output mode shown in FIG. 4 may be stored in advance in the storage unit 203. Note that the control unit 201 may set the transmission output value (transmission power) to 0 (i.e., set so that radio waves are not output). In this case, the low output mode in which the transmission output value is set to 0 may be included in one or more of the low output modes described above.

[0028] Next, in S303, the control unit 201 determines whether or not the set value of the transmission output of the base station 121 is below the instruction value or the license application value received from the management device 100 as a result of the setting in S302. In S303, if the set value of the transmission output of the base station 121 is not below the instruction value or the license application value from the management device 100, the control unit 201 returns the process to S301. On the other hand, if the set value of the transmission output of the base station 121 is below the instruction value or the license application value from the management device 100, the control unit 201 proceeds to S304.

[0029] In S304, the control unit 201 notifies the management device 100 of the setting value of the transmission power of the base station 121 to be controlled so that the management device 100 can adjust the use of frequency resources between multiple local networks (between systems A and B) based on the setting value. Thereafter, the control unit 201 ends the process.

[0030] <Example of control sequence> Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing by systems A and B corresponding to the secondary use network and the management device 100. Fig. 5 shows an example of a control sequence in which the base station 121a of system A is battery-powered and the control device 120a transitions the base station 121a to a low-power mode in response to the base station 121a satisfying the above-mentioned condition 1.

[0031] The base station 121a checks the remaining battery power (S501), and when the remaining battery power falls below a predetermined value, transmits a notification indicating that the remaining battery power is below the predetermined value to the control device 120a (S502). Upon receiving the notification from the base station 121a, the control device 120a determines that the above-mentioned condition 1 is satisfied ("YES" in S301) and performs transmission power setting for the base station 121a (S503, S302). The transmission power setting may be performed using, for example, a transmission power value corresponding to the low-power mode shown in FIG. 4 above. When the transmission power setting value of the base station 121a is lower than the instruction value from the management device 100 or the license application value ("YES" in S303), the control device 120a transmits a notification (setting value notification) including the transmission power setting value of the base station 121a to the management device 100 (S504, S304).

[0032] When the management device 100 receives the setting value notification from the control device 120a, it performs an adjustment process to adjust the use of frequency resources between multiple local networks (secondary use networks) under its management based on the notified setting value (S505). In this adjustment process, the management device 100 adjusts the secondary use network based on information such as the locations of the base stations 121a and 121b of the secondary use network and the setting value of the transmission output of each base station. For example, the management device 100 performs interference adjustment to prevent radio wave interference between the secondary use networks (between system A and system B in this example). In addition, the management device 100 makes the surplus output power generated by reducing the transmission output power (transmission power) of a base station in one secondary use network available to a base station in another secondary use network (system B).

[0033] In this example, the management device 100 reduces the transmission output (transmission power) at the base station 121a of system A, which makes it possible to increase the upper limit of the transmission output at the base station 121b of system B within a range where radio wave interference does not occur between systems A and B. In this case, the management device 100 adjusts the secondary use network by updating the upper limit of the transmission output at the base station 121b of system B to a higher value. By making such adjustments to the secondary use networks under management, it becomes possible to effectively use frequency resources (radio resources) between the secondary use networks.

[0034] Specifically, the management device 100 updates the upper limit (instruction value) of the transmission output of the base station 121b of system B, and transmits a notification indicating the updated upper limit to the control device 120b of system B (S506). In this way, the management device 100 instructs the control device 120b of the second local network (system B) to increase the transmission output of the base station 121b of the second local network (system B) based on the setting value notified by the control device 120a of the first local network (system A) of the multiple local networks (systems A and B).

[0035] When the control device 120b receives the above notification from the management device 100, it can set the transmission output value of the base station 121b to a range equal to or less than the upper limit value indicated in the notification (S507).

[0036] Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing another example of processing by systems A and B corresponding to the secondary use network and the management device 100. Fig. 6 shows an example of a control sequence in which the control device 120a transitions the base station 121a to the low output mode in response to the base station 121a satisfying the above-mentioned condition 2 or condition 3.

[0037] The control device 120a receives a notification indicating that the power saving mode or the high security mode has been set from, for example, a sensor, a terminal device, or the control unit 201 of the control device 120a (S601). In response to this notification, the control device 120a executes the processes from S503 onwards in the same manner as in Fig. 5. Note that the notification in S601 may be received from the base station 121a.

[0038] <Recovery process from low power mode> 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a process executed by the control device 120 (control devices 120a and 120b of systems A and B) of this embodiment to restore the base station 121 to be controlled from the low output mode. The process of FIG. 7 is performed to restore the transmission output value of the base station 121, which was reduced by the process of FIG. 3, to the normal value. Note that both the control devices 120a and 120b may be capable of executing similar processes.

[0039] First, in S701, the control unit 201 determines whether or not a return condition for returning from the low power mode (to the normal mode) to the base station 121 to be controlled is satisfied (whether or not to return the base station 121 from the low power mode). The return condition is determined, for example, as follows, corresponding to the transition condition described above. Condition 1: The remaining battery power level in at least one of the control device 120 and the base station 121 under its control has reached a predetermined value or more. Condition 2: The power mode of at least one of the control device 120 and the base station 121 under its control is set to the normal power mode (the power saving mode is cancelled). Condition 3: The security mode of at least one of the control device 120 and the base station 121 under its control is set to the normal security mode (high security mode is cancelled).

[0040] If the return condition is satisfied (for example, any one of conditions 1 to 3 is satisfied), the control unit 201 proceeds to the process of S702, and if the return condition is not satisfied, the control unit 201 repeats the determination process of S701. In this way, the control unit 201 executes the processes from S702 onwards in response to the base station 121 satisfying the return condition from the low power mode.

[0041] In S702, the control unit 201 transmits a request (a return request for returning from the low output mode to the normal mode) to the management device 100, requesting that the transmission output (transmission power) of the base station 121 to be controlled be returned to the output before transition to the low output mode. Upon receiving the return request from the control device 120, the management device 100 determines whether or not to permit return from the low output mode, and returns a response including the determination result to the control device 120.

[0042] Thereafter, in S703, the control unit 201 determines whether or not a return from the low power mode is permitted based on the response received from the management device 100. If a return is not permitted, the control unit 201 returns the process to S701, and if a return is permitted, the control unit 201 proceeds to S704.

[0043] In S704, the control unit 201 sets the transmission output of the base station 121 to return the transmission output (transmission power) of the base station 121 to the output before the transition to the low output mode. That is, the control unit 201 sets the transmission output value of the base station 121 to the value before the transition to the low output mode (normal value). Finally, in S705, the control unit 201 notifies the management device 100 of the set value of the transmission output of the base station 121 to be controlled, and ends the process.

[0044] As described above, the control devices 120 (120a, 120b) control the base stations 121 (121a, 121b) for the local networks. The management device 100 manages the allocation of frequency resources to multiple local networks for dynamic frequency sharing among the multiple local networks. The control device 120 sets the transmission output value of the base station 121 to be controlled based on an instruction value received from the management device 100. If the set setting value is lower than the instruction value received from the management device 100 or a preset transmission output value (license application value), the control device 120 notifies the management device 100 of the set value so that the management device 100 can adjust the use of frequency resources among the multiple local networks based on the set value.

[0045] The management device 100 adjusts the use of frequency resources between local networks (secondary usage networks) performing dynamic frequency sharing based on the set value of the transmission power of the base station 121 notified by the control device 120. Specifically, the management device 100 makes the surplus power generated by the reduction in the transmission power available to base stations of other secondary usage networks (system B). In this way, according to this embodiment, it becomes possible to effectively use frequency resources between local networks performing dynamic frequency sharing based on the actual transmission power of the base station 121.

[0046] [Other embodiments] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0047] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 100: management device, 110: control device, 120 (120a, 120b): control device, 121 (121a, 121b): base station, 201: control unit, 202: RAM, 203: storage unit, 204: communication unit

Claims

1. A control device for controlling a base station for a local network, comprising: a setting means for setting a transmission output value of the base station based on an instruction value received from a management device that manages allocation of frequency resources to a plurality of local networks for dynamic frequency sharing among the plurality of local networks; a notification means for notifying the management device of the setting value set by the setting means if the setting value is lower than the instruction value received from the management device or a preset transmission output value, so that the management device can adjust the use of frequency resources among the plurality of local networks based on the setting value; A control device comprising:

2. The setting means sets the transmission output value of the base station when a condition for reducing the transmission output of the base station is satisfied.

2. The control device according to claim 1.

3. one or more low output modes for reducing the transmission output of the base station, each of which is associated with a transmission output value, are determined in advance; When the condition is satisfied, the setting means sets the transmission output value of the base station to a predetermined value corresponding to the low output mode to be used among the one or more low output modes.

3. The control device according to claim 2.

4. The one or more low power modes include a low power mode that sets the transmit power value to 0.

4. The control device according to claim 3.

5. the base station is battery-powered; The condition includes that the remaining battery power of the base station is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

5. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is a control unit for controlling a vehicle.

6. The condition includes that the base station is set to a power saving mode.

6. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is a control unit for controlling a vehicle.

7. The condition includes that the security mode of the base station is set to a mode with a higher security level.

7. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the control device is a control unit for controlling a vehicle.

8. The preset transmission output value is a value applied for in a license for the local network.

8. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is a control unit for controlling a vehicle.

9. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8; A management device that manages allocation of frequency resources to a plurality of local networks to be managed for dynamic frequency sharing among the plurality of local networks, The management device and an adjusting unit that adjusts the use of frequency resources among the plurality of local networks based on the setting value when the setting value is notified from the control device. A communication system comprising:

10. The adjusting means instructs the control device of a first local network among the plurality of local networks to increase the transmission output of a base station of the second local network based on the setting value notified from the control device of the first local network.

10. The communication system according to claim 9.

11. the management device manages the plurality of local networks that are secondary usage networks and a primary usage network that has priority in allocation of frequency resources over the secondary usage network; The management device is compatible with a sensor method of detecting a usage status of the primary usage network and allocating frequency resources for the dynamic spectrum sharing, or a database method of allocating frequency resources for the dynamic spectrum sharing using a database in which the usage status of the primary usage network is registered in advance.

11. A communication system according to claim 9 or 10.

12. 1. A control method in a control device for controlling a base station for a local network, comprising: a setting step of setting a transmission output value of the base station based on an instruction value received from a management device that manages allocation of frequency resources to a plurality of local networks for dynamic frequency sharing among the plurality of local networks; a notification step of notifying the management device of the setting value set in the setting step, if the setting value is lower than the instruction value received from the management device or a preset transmission output value, so that the management device can adjust the use of frequency resources among the plurality of local networks based on the setting value; A control method comprising: Control method.

13. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 12.

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