Signal transfer system and signal transfer method

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention is a signal transfer system for transferring a signal from one communication device to another communication device, the signal transfer system comprising: an information acquisition unit for acquiring, with regard to each traffic flow heading from the one communication device to the other communication device, network transfer information that relates to the traffic flow; and a communication control unit for executing an adjustment process for shortening a frame wait time, on the basis of the network transfer information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In signal transmission in conventional mobile communication systems, when signals are exchanged between a base station and a wireless terminal, Time Division Duplex (TDD) is used, which transmits downlink and uplink signals alternately in the time domain, and signals are sent and received in units of wireless transmission frames called Transport Blocks. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.7.0”, 3GPP, 2021. [Non-patent document 2] 3GPP TS 38.214 V16.7.0”, 3GPP, 2021. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, jitter can occur due to the downlink transmission wait time during uplink transmission in TDD, or the wait time for transport block formation when the transport block size is larger than the frame size received from the upper network, even if the frame transmission intervals in the upper network are consistent for each downlink traffic flow and the data is transmitted to the base station with little jitter.

[0005] As a result, there are cases where end-to-end jitter increases due to jitter in the wireless transmission section. Note that this situation is not limited to mobile communication systems, but is common to communications between communication devices.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to suppress an increase in jitter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a signal transfer system that transfers signals from one communication device to another communication device, and includes an information acquisition unit that acquires network transfer information, which is information regarding traffic flows, for each traffic flow from the one communication device to the other communication device, and a communication control unit that executes an adjustment process, which is a process for shortening frame waiting time, based on the network transfer information acquired by the information acquisition unit.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a signal transfer method for transferring a signal from one communication device to another communication device, the signal transfer method including: an information acquisition step for acquiring network transfer information, which is information regarding a traffic flow, for each traffic flow heading from the one communication device to the other communication device; and a communication control step for executing an adjustment process, which is a process for shortening the waiting time of frames, based on the network transfer information acquired in the information acquisition step. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress an increase in jitter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a signal transfer system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a first explanatory diagram illustrating the effect of the adjustment process in the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a second explanatory diagram illustrating the effect of the adjustment process in the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first application example of a signal transfer system according to an embodiment. [Figure 5]10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by a signal transfer system of a first application example in an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second application example of the signal transfer system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by a signal transfer system of a second application example in the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a third application example of the signal transfer system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by a signal transfer system of a third application example in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a fourth application example of the signal transfer system according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by a signal transfer system of a fourth application example in the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a first transfer device according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit included in the first transfer device according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a second transfer device in the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a first transfer device controller in the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit included in a first transfer device controller according to an embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a second transfer device controller in the embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a first base station according to an embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit included in a first base station according to an embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a second base station in the embodiment. [Figure 21]FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit included in a second base station according to the embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a first remote station in the embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit included in a first remote station in the embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a second remote station in the embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit included in a second remote station in the embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a communication device according to an embodiment. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit included in the communication device according to the embodiment. [Figure 28] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a signal transfer system according to a modified example. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a wireless controller according to a modified example. [Figure 30] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit included in a wireless controller according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an overview of a signal transfer system 100 according to an embodiment. The signal transfer system 100 is a system that transfers signals from one communication device to another communication device. The signal transfer system 100 includes, for example, a transfer device, a base station, and a transfer device control device, and transfers signals from a server to a wireless terminal, and from a wireless terminal to a server. The signal transfer system 100 includes, for example, a transfer device, a remote station, and a transfer device control device, and transfers signals from a central station to a wireless terminal, and from a wireless terminal to the central station. Application examples of such a signal transfer system 100 will be described in detail later, but first an overview of the signal transfer system 100 will be described.

[0012] The signal forwarding system 100 includes an information acquisition unit 101 and a communication control unit 102. The information acquisition unit 101 acquires network forwarding information for each traffic flow going from one communication device to another communication device. The network forwarding information is information about the traffic flow. The information about the traffic flow indicates, for example, the frame size and transmission interval. Therefore, the network forwarding information includes, for example, information indicating the frame size and transmission interval. The frame size and transmission interval indicated by the information indicating the frame size and transmission interval are, for example, the downstream frame size and transmission interval.

[0013] The information about the traffic flow may indicate, for example, a transmission rate or a destination address. Therefore, the network forwarding information may include, for example, information indicating a transmission rate or information indicating a destination address.

[0014] One communication device is, for example, the server described above, and in this case, the other communication device is, for example, a wireless terminal. Also, if one communication device is, for example, a wireless terminal, the other communication device is, for example, the server described above. In the case of communication between such a server and a wireless terminal, the downstream frame size indicated by the network forwarding information is, for example, the size of the frame traveling from the server to the wireless terminal. In other words, in this case, "downstream" refers to the signal propagation direction from the server to the wireless terminal.

[0015] One communication device may be, for example, the central station described above, and in this case, the other communication device may be, for example, a wireless terminal. Also, if one communication device is, for example, a wireless terminal, the other communication device may be, for example, the central station described above. In such communications between a central station and a wireless terminal, the downstream frame size indicated by the network forwarding information is, for example, the frame size from the central station to the wireless terminal. In other words, in this case, the downstream refers to the signal propagation direction from the central station to the wireless terminal.

[0016] 1 is an example of one communication device, and wireless terminal 901 in Fig. 1 is an example of the other communication device. Therefore, communication device 900 may be, for example, a server or a central office.

[0017] The communication control unit 102 executes an adjustment process based on the network forwarding information obtained by the information acquisition unit 101. The adjustment process is a process for shortening the waiting time until a frame is transmitted in accordance with a predetermined rule based on the network forwarding information.

[0018] The process of reducing the waiting time until a frame is transmitted is, for example, a process of adjusting frame transmission timing in Time Division Duplex (TDD) according to a predetermined rule (hereinafter referred to as "TDD timing adjustment process"). Frame transmission timing means the timing at which a frame is transmitted. The process of reducing the waiting time until a frame is transmitted may also be, for example, a process of adjusting the Transport Block Size (TBS) according to a predetermined rule (hereinafter referred to as "TBS adjustment process").

[0019] The adjustment process may also be a process of adjusting both the TDD frame transmission timing and the TBS according to a predetermined rule, for example. Therefore, the adjustment process is, for example, a process of performing either or both of a TDD timing adjustment process and a TBS adjustment process.

[0020] The waiting time until a frame is transmitted in the adjustment process is, for example, the waiting time for a downstream transmission frame. A downstream transmission frame is a frame that is propagated in the downstream direction and is transmitted to a destination such as the wireless terminal 901. Therefore, when the destination is the wireless terminal 901, the downstream transmission frame is a frame that is transmitted from one communication device such as a server or a central office to the wireless terminal 901.

[0021] When the waiting time until a frame is transmitted is the waiting time of a downstream transmission frame, the frame transmission timing is, for example, the downstream transmission timing. Also, the downstream transmission timing means the timing at which the downstream transmission frame is transmitted.

[0022] The effects of the adjustment process will be explained using Figures 2 and 3. For simplicity of explanation, the effects of the adjustment process will be explained using an example of traffic flow from a base station to a wireless terminal. Figure 2 is a first explanatory diagram explaining the effects of the adjustment process in the embodiment. More specifically, Figure 2 is a diagram explaining the effects of the TDD timing adjustment process in the embodiment.

[0023] Image G101 in Figure 2 shows an example of a signal transmitted from a base station to a wireless terminal when no adjustment processing is performed. More specifically, image G101 uses five frames, frames F1 to F5, to show an example of a signal transmission when no adjustment processing is performed. In image G101, the period between frames F2 and F3 is the uplink transmission timing in TDD.

[0024] If the adjustment process is not performed, the downstream signal cannot be transmitted at this timing. As a result, as shown in image G101, the time interval between frames F1 and F2, the time interval between frames F2 and F3, and the time interval between frames F3 and F4 are uneven. This unevenness in frame intervals increases jitter.

[0025] Image 102 in Figure 2 shows an example of signal transmission from a base station to a wireless terminal when TDD timing adjustment processing is performed. More specifically, image G102 shows an example of signal transmission when TDD timing adjustment processing is performed using five frames, frames F1 to F5. As described above, TDD timing adjustment processing is a process of making adjustments to shorten frame waiting times.

[0026] Image G102 shows an example of the result of a TDD timing adjustment process in which the TDD downlink and uplink transmission timings are divided into smaller intervals than in image G101 based on the frame size and frame interval. Dividing the transmission timing into smaller intervals means, for example, setting the time interval for TDD downlink transmissions to an interval corresponding to the downlink frame size, and setting the time interval for TDD uplink transmissions to an interval corresponding to the transmission interval of the downlink frames. Therefore, in the example of image G102, the frame intervals are uniform. Therefore, in the example of image G102, jitter is reduced.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a second explanatory diagram illustrating the effect of the adjustment process in the embodiment, more specifically, Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating the effect of the TBS adjustment process in the embodiment.

[0028] Image G103 in Figure 3 shows an example of a signal transmitted from a base station to a wireless terminal when no adjustment processing is performed. More specifically, image G103 uses five frames, frames F1 to F5, to show an example of a signal transmission when no adjustment processing is performed. In the example of image G103, frames 1 and 2 form one Transport Block.

[0029] In the example of image G103, frames 3 to 5 form another transport block that is different from frames 1 and 2. Each transport block contains a different number of frames, and therefore has a different size. In the example of image G103, a transport block is formed by multiple frames, so a buffer is created within the base station until all frames are collected. As shown in image G103, the frame intervals are not uniform in the example of image G103. Therefore, jitter increases in the example of image G103.

[0030] Image G104 in FIG. 3 shows an example of a signal transmitted from a base station to a wireless terminal when TBS adjustment processing is performed. More specifically, image G104 shows an example of a signal transmission when TBS adjustment processing is performed using five frames, F1 to F5. Image G104 shows an example of the result of TBS adjustment processing in which the size of the Transport Block is divided more finely than in image G103 based on the frame size and frame interval. As a result, in the example of image G104, each of frames 1 to 5 forms one Transport Block. Therefore, the frame intervals are uniform in the example of image G104. Therefore, an increase in jitter is suppressed in the example of image G104.

[0031] In this way, the adjustment process is performed to suppress an increase in jitter.

[0032] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a first application example of the signal forwarding system 100 in the embodiment. Hereinafter, the signal forwarding system 100 in the first application example will be referred to as a signal forwarding system 100a. The signal forwarding system 100a forwards signals from a server 902 to a wireless terminal 901, and from the wireless terminal 901 to the server 902. The server 902 is an example of a communication device 900. The signal forwarding system 100a includes one or more forwarding devices 1a, a forwarding device controller 2a, and one or more base stations 3a. The server 902 and the wireless terminal 901 are both devices that transmit and receive signals.

[0033] The transfer device 1a transfers a signal sent from a transfer source device to a transfer destination. The transfer device controller 2a controls the operation of each transfer device 1a included in the signal transfer system 100a. The transfer device controller 2a, for example, determines the destination to which each transfer device 1a will transfer a signal. The base station 3a is a base station that communicates with the wireless terminal 901. By communicating with the wireless terminal 901, the base station 3a transmits a signal transferred from the transfer device 1a to the wireless terminal 901 and transfers a signal received from the wireless terminal 901 to the transfer destination transfer device 1a.

[0034] Each transfer device 1a includes an information acquisition unit 101. The information acquisition unit 101 included in the transfer device 1a acquires network transfer information based on a signal received by the transfer device 1a.

[0035] The transfer device controller 2a includes an information transfer unit 103. The information transfer unit 103 acquires the network transfer information acquired by each information acquisition unit 101. The information transfer unit 103 transfers the acquired network transfer information to a predetermined transfer destination such as the communication control unit 102.

[0036] Each base station 3a includes a communication control unit 102. The communication control unit 102 included in the base station 3a acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information forwarding unit 103. The communication control unit 102 included in the base station 3a performs adjustment processing based on the acquired network forwarding information.

[0037] The base station 3a may be, for example, a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) access point. The signal transfer system 100 does not necessarily have to be applied to a mobile communication system, and may be applied to a wireless communication system other than a mobile communication system.

[0038] Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the signal transfer system 100a in the embodiment. More specifically, it shows an example of the flow of processing executed by the signal transfer system 100a when a signal is transmitted from the server 902 to the wireless terminal 901. In the signal transfer system 100a, the processing shown in Fig. 5 is repeated.

[0039] The transfer device 1a receives a signal transmitted from the server 902 (step S101). The information acquisition unit 101 included in the transfer device 1a acquires network forwarding information based on the received signal (step S102). The information transfer unit 103 acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information acquisition unit 101 (step S103). Next, the communication control unit 102 included in the base station 3a acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information transfer unit 103 (step S104).

[0040] The communication control unit 102 executes the adjustment process based on the network transfer information (step S105). The communication control unit 102 transmits the signal with the adjusted transmission timing or transport block size to the wireless terminal 901 (step S106).

[0041] In the example of FIG. 5, the adjustment process is performed in step S105, so that an increase in jitter is suppressed in the process performed by the base station 3a in step S106.

[0042] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second application example of the signal transfer system 100 in the embodiment. Hereinafter, the signal transfer system 100 in the second application example will be referred to as a signal transfer system 100b. The signal transfer system 100b transfers signals from a central station 903 to a wireless terminal 901 and from the wireless terminal 901 to the central station 903. The central station 903 is an example of a communication device 900. The signal transfer system 100b differs from the signal transfer system 100a in that it includes a remote station 4a instead of the base station 3a. The central station 903 is a central station that transmits and receives signals.

[0043] The distributed station 4a is a distributed station that communicates with the wireless terminal 901. By communicating with the wireless terminal 901, the distributed station 4a transmits a signal transferred from the transfer device 1a to the wireless terminal 901 and transfers a signal received from the wireless terminal 901 to the transfer device 1a, which is the transfer destination.

[0044] Each of the remote stations 4a includes a communication control unit 102. The communication control unit 102 included in the remote station 4a acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information forwarding unit 103. The communication control unit 102 included in the remote station 4a performs adjustment processing based on the acquired network forwarding information.

[0045] The central station and distributed stations in the example of Fig. 6 are, for example, a CU (Central Unit) and a DU (Distributed Unit) in a mobile communication system. The transfer device 1a in the example of Fig. 6 is installed in a section called, for example, an MMH (Mobile Midhaul).

[0046] The central station may be a DU and the remote stations may be RUs (Radio Units). In this case, the transfer device 1a may be installed in a section called a MFH (Mobile Fronthaul).

[0047] Alternatively, the central station may be a Wi-Fi controller and the distributed stations may be Wi-Fi access points. The signal transfer system 100 does not necessarily have to be applied to a mobile communication system, but may be applied to a wireless communication system other than a mobile communication system.

[0048] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the signal transfer system 100b in the embodiment. More specifically, it shows an example of the flow of processing executed by the signal transfer system 100b when a signal is transmitted from the central station 903 to the wireless terminal 901. In the signal transfer system 100b, the processing shown in Fig. 7 is repeated.

[0049] The transfer device 1a receives a signal transmitted from the central station 903 (step S201). The information acquisition unit 101 included in the transfer device 1a acquires network forwarding information based on the received signal (step S202). The information transfer unit 103 acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information acquisition unit 101 (step S203). Next, the communication control unit 102 included in the remote station 4a acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information transfer unit 103 (step S204). The communication control unit 102 executes adjustment processing based on the network forwarding information (step S205).

[0050] The communication control unit 102 transmits the signal whose transmission timing or transport block size has been adjusted to the wireless terminal 901 (step S206).

[0051] In the example of FIG. 7, the adjustment process is performed in step S205, so that an increase in jitter is suppressed in the process performed by the remote station 4a in step S206.

[0052] 8 is a diagram showing a third application example of the signal forwarding system 100 in the embodiment. Hereinafter, the signal forwarding system 100 in the third application example will be referred to as a signal forwarding system 100c. The signal forwarding system 100c forwards signals from a server 902 to a wireless terminal 901, and from the wireless terminal 901 to the server 902. The signal forwarding system 100c includes one or more forwarding devices 1b, a forwarding device controller 2b, and one or more base stations 3b.

[0053] Transfer device 1b differs from transfer device 1a in that transfer device 1b does not include information acquisition unit 101. Transfer device controller 2b differs from transfer device controller 2a in that transfer device controller 2b does not include information transfer unit 103.

[0054] Base station 3b is a base station that communicates with wireless terminal 901. By communicating with wireless terminal 901, base station 3b transmits signals transferred from transfer device 1b to wireless terminal 901 and transfers signals received from wireless terminal 901 to transfer device 1b, which is the transfer destination.

[0055] Each base station 3b includes an information acquisition unit 101 and a communication control unit 102. That is, base station 3b differs from base station 3a in that it includes information acquisition unit 101. Information acquisition unit 101 included in base station 3b acquires network forwarding information based on a signal received by base station 3b.

[0056] The communication control unit 102 included in the base station 3b acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information acquisition unit 101. The communication control unit 102 included in the base station 3b performs adjustment processing based on the acquired network forwarding information.

[0057] The base station 3b may be, for example, a Wi-Fi access point.

[0058] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the signal transfer system 100c in the embodiment. More specifically, it shows an example of the flow of processing executed by the signal transfer system 100c when a signal is transmitted from the server 902 to the wireless terminal 901. In the signal transfer system 100c, the processing shown in Fig. 9 is repeated.

[0059] The transfer device 1b receives the signal transmitted by the server 902 (step S301). The signal acquired by the transfer device 1b in step S301 reaches the base station 3b via zero or more transfer devices 1b. That is, the base station 3b receives the signal (step S302). The information acquisition unit 101 included in the base station 3b acquires network forwarding information based on the received signal (step S303). Next, the communication control unit 102 included in the base station 3b acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information acquisition unit 101 (step S304). The communication control unit 102 performs adjustment processing based on the network forwarding information (step S305). The communication control unit 102 transmits a signal of the adjusted transmission timing or transport block size to the wireless terminal 901 (step S306).

[0060] In the example of FIG. 9, the adjustment process is performed in step S305, so that an increase in jitter is suppressed in the process performed by the base station 3b in step S306.

[0061] 10 is a diagram showing a fourth application example of the signal transfer system 100 in the embodiment. Hereinafter, the signal transfer system 100 in the fourth application example will be referred to as a signal transfer system 100d. The signal transfer system 100d transfers signals from a central station 903 to a wireless terminal 901, and from the wireless terminal 901 to the central station 903. The signal transfer system 100d differs from the signal transfer system 100c in that it includes a remote station 4b instead of the base station 3b.

[0062] The distributed station 4b is a distributed station that communicates with the wireless terminal 901. By communicating with the wireless terminal 901, the distributed station 4b transmits a signal transferred from the transfer device 1b to the wireless terminal 901 and transfers a signal received from the wireless terminal 901 to the transfer destination transfer device 1b.

[0063] Each distributed station 4b includes an information acquisition unit 101 and a communication control unit 102. That is, the distributed station 4b differs from the distributed station 4a in that it includes an information acquisition unit 101. The information acquisition unit 101 included in the distributed station 4b acquires network forwarding information based on a signal received by the distributed station 4b.

[0064] The communication control unit 102 included in the remote station 4b acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information acquisition unit 101. The communication control unit 102 included in the remote station 4b performs adjustment processing based on the acquired network forwarding information.

[0065] The central station and remote stations in the example of Fig. 10 are, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system, similar to the example of Fig. 6. The transfer device 1b in the example of Fig. 10 is installed in a section called MMH, for example.

[0066] In the example of Fig. 10, the central station may be a DU and the remote station may be an RU, as in the example of Fig. 6. In such a case, the transfer device 1b may be installed in a section called an MFH, for example.

[0067] Also, in the example of FIG. 10, similarly to the example of FIG. 6, the central station may be a Wi-Fi controller and the remote stations may be Wi-Fi access points.

[0068] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed by the signal transfer system 100d in the embodiment. More specifically, it shows an example of the flow of processing executed by the signal transfer system 100d when a signal is transmitted from the central station 903 to the wireless terminal 901. In the signal transfer system 100d, the processing shown in Fig. 11 is repeated.

[0069] The transfer device 1b receives a signal transmitted from the central station 903 (step S401). The signal acquired by the transfer device 1b in step S401 reaches the remote station 4b via zero or more transfer devices 1b. That is, the remote station 4b receives the signal (step S402). The information acquisition unit 101 included in the remote station 4b acquires network forwarding information based on the received signal (step S403). Next, the communication control unit 102 included in the remote station 4b acquires the network forwarding information acquired by the information acquisition unit 101 (step S404). The communication control unit 102 performs adjustment processing based on the network forwarding information (step S405). The communication control unit 102 transmits a signal of the adjusted transmission timing or transport block size to the wireless terminal 901 (step S306).

[0070] In the example of FIG. 11, the adjustment process is performed in step S405, so that an increase in jitter is suppressed in the process performed by the base station 3b in step S406.

[0071] The signal transfer system 100 configured in this manner controls communication based on network transfer information, thereby making it possible to suppress an increase in jitter.

[0072] <Example of hardware configuration of each device in the system> <Base station> 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a transfer device 1a (first transfer device) according to an embodiment. The transfer device 1a includes a control unit 11a including a processor 91a such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory 92a connected via a bus, and executes a program. By executing the program, the transfer device 1a functions as a device including the control unit 11a, a user interface 12, a communication unit 13, and a storage unit 14.

[0073] More specifically, in the transfer device 1a, the processor 91a reads a program stored in the storage unit 14 and stores the read program in the memory 92a. The processor 91a executes the program stored in the memory 92a, causing the transfer device 1a to function as a device including the control unit 11a, the user interface 12, the communication unit 13, and the storage unit 14.

[0074] The control unit 11a controls the operation of various functional units included in the transfer device 1a. The user interface 12 includes input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, and touch panel. The user interface 12 may also include an interface that connects these input devices to the transfer device 1a.

[0075] The user interface 12 is configured to include a display device such as a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, etc. The user interface 12 may be configured to include an interface that connects these display devices to the transfer device 1a.

[0076] The communication unit 13 includes an interface for connecting the transfer device 1a to an external device. The communication unit 13 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, a device that transmits a signal. The communication unit 13 receives a signal by communicating with the device that transmits the signal. The external device is, for example, a device that is a destination of the signal. The communication unit 13 transfers the signal to the destination of the signal by communicating with the device that is the destination of the signal. The communication unit 13 transmits, for example, network transfer information to the information transfer unit 103.

[0077] The storage unit 14 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 14 stores various information related to the transfer device 1a. The storage unit 14 stores various information generated as a result of processing executed by the control unit 11a, for example.

[0078] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 11a included in a transfer device 1a according to an embodiment. The control unit 11a includes an information acquisition unit 101, an interface control unit 112, a communication control unit 113, and a storage control unit 114. The interface control unit 112 controls the operation of the user interface 12. The communication control unit 113 controls the operation of the communication unit 13. The storage control unit 114 controls the operation of the storage unit 14.

[0079] 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transfer device 1b (second transfer device) in an embodiment. Hereinafter, components having the same functions as those of the transfer device 1a are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 14 and 15, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Transfer device 1b differs from transfer device 1a in that it includes a control unit 11b instead of control unit 11a.

[0080] Control unit 11b differs from control unit 11a in that control unit 11b includes processor 91b instead of processor 91a and memory 92b instead of memory 92a. Control unit 11b also differs from control unit 11a in that control unit 11b does not include information acquisition unit 101.

[0081] <Transporter Controller> 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a transfer device controller 2a (first transfer device controller) in an embodiment. The transfer device controller 2a includes a control unit 21a including a processor 93a such as a CPU and a memory 94a connected by a bus, and executes a program. By executing the program, the transfer device controller 2a functions as a device including the control unit 21a, a user interface 22, a communication unit 23, and a storage unit 24.

[0082] More specifically, in the transfer device controller 2a, the processor 93a reads a program stored in the storage unit 24 and stores the read program in the memory 94a. The processor 93a executes the program stored in the memory 94a, causing the transfer device controller 2a to function as a device including the control unit 21a, the user interface 22, the communication unit 23, and the storage unit 24.

[0083] The control unit 21a controls the operation of various functional units included in the transfer device controller 2a. The user interface 22 includes input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, and touch panel. The user interface 22 may also include an interface that connects these input devices to the transfer device controller 2a.

[0084] The user interface 22 is configured to include a display device such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The user interface 22 may be configured to include an interface that connects these display devices to the transfer device controller 2a.

[0085] The communication unit 23 includes an interface for connecting the transfer device controller 2a to an external device. The communication unit 23 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the transfer device 1a or 1b. The external device is, for example, the base station 3a or the remote station 4a. The communication unit 23 acquires, for example, network transfer information. The communication unit 23 transfers, for example, the network transfer information to a predetermined transfer destination such as the communication control unit 102.

[0086] The storage unit 24 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 24 stores various information related to the transfer device controller 2a. The storage unit 24 stores various information generated as a result of processing executed by the control unit 21a, for example.

[0087] 16 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 21a included in a transfer device controller 2a in an embodiment. The control unit 21a includes an information transfer unit 103, an interface control unit 212, a communication control unit 213, and a storage control unit 214. The interface control unit 212 controls the operation of the user interface 22. The communication control unit 213 controls the operation of the communication unit 23. The storage control unit 214 controls the operation of the storage unit 24.

[0088] 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transfer device controller 2b (second transfer device controller) in an embodiment. Hereinafter, components having the same functions as those of the transfer device controller 2a are assigned the same reference numerals as those of FIGS. 15 and 16, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The transfer device controller 2b differs from the transfer device controller 2a in that it includes a control unit 21b instead of the control unit 21a.

[0089] Control unit 21b differs from control unit 21a in that it includes processor 93b instead of processor 93a and memory 94b instead of memory 94a. Control unit 21b differs from control unit 21a in that it does not include information transfer unit 103.

[0090] <Base station> 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 3a (first base station) in an embodiment. The base station 3a includes a control unit 31a including a processor 95a such as a CPU and a memory 96a connected by a bus, and executes a program. By executing the program, the base station 3a functions as a device including the control unit 31a, a user interface 32, a communication unit 33, and a storage unit 34.

[0091] More specifically, in the base station 3a, the processor 95a reads a program stored in the storage unit 34 and stores the read program in the memory 96a. The processor 95a executes the program stored in the memory 96a, causing the base station 3a to function as a device including the control unit 31a, the user interface 32, the communication unit 33, and the storage unit 34.

[0092] The control unit 31a controls the operations of various functional units included in the base station 3a. The user interface 32 includes input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, and touch panel. The user interface 32 may also include an interface that connects these input devices to the base station 3a.

[0093] The user interface 32 is configured to include a display device such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The user interface 32 may be configured to include an interface that connects these display devices to the base station 3a.

[0094] The communication unit 33 includes an interface for connecting the base station 3a to an external device. The communication unit 33 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the transfer device 1a. The external device is, for example, the wireless terminal 901. The operation of the communication unit 33 is controlled by the communication control unit 102. The communication unit 33 acquires network transfer information by communicating with, for example, the information transfer unit 103.

[0095] The storage unit 34 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 34 stores various information related to the base station 3a. The storage unit 34 stores various information generated as a result of processing executed by the control unit 31a, for example.

[0096] 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 31a included in a base station 3a according to an embodiment. The control unit 31a includes a communication control unit 102, an interface control unit 312, and a storage control unit 314. The interface control unit 312 controls the operation of the user interface 32. The storage control unit 314 controls the operation of the storage unit 24.

[0097] Figure 20 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of base station 3b (second base station) in the embodiment. Hereinafter, components having the same functions as those of base station 3a are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in Figures 18 and 19, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Base station 3b differs from base station 3a in that it includes a control unit 31b instead of control unit 31a. Control unit 31b differs from control unit 31a in that it includes a processor 95b instead of processor 95a, and a memory 96b instead of memory 96a.

[0098] 21 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 31b included in a base station 3b according to the embodiment. The control unit 31b differs from the control unit 31a in that it further includes an information acquisition unit 101.

[0099] <Distributed station> 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a distributed station 4a (first distributed station) in an embodiment. The distributed station 4a includes a control unit 41a including a processor 97a such as a CPU and a memory 98a connected by a bus, and executes a program. By executing the program, the distributed station 4a functions as a device including the control unit 41a, a user interface 42, a communication unit 43, and a storage unit 44.

[0100] More specifically, in the remote station 4a, the processor 97a reads out a program stored in the storage unit 44 and stores the read program in the memory 98a. The processor 97a executes the program stored in the memory 98a, causing the remote station 4a to function as a device including a control unit 41a, a user interface 42, a communication unit 43, and a storage unit 44.

[0101] The control unit 41a controls the operations of various functional units included in the distributed station 4a. The user interface 42 includes input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The user interface 42 may also include an interface that connects these input devices to the distributed station 4a.

[0102] The user interface 42 is configured to include a display device such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The user interface 42 may be configured to include an interface that connects these display devices to the remote station 4a.

[0103] The communication unit 43 includes an interface for connecting the remote station 4a to an external device. The communication unit 43 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the transfer device 1a. The external device is, for example, the wireless terminal 901. The operation of the communication unit 43 is controlled by the communication control unit 102. The communication unit 43 acquires network transfer information by communicating with, for example, the information transfer unit 103.

[0104] The storage unit 44 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 44 stores various information related to the remote station 4a. The storage unit 44 stores various information generated as a result of processing executed by the control unit 41a, for example.

[0105] 23 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 41a included in the remote station 4a in the embodiment. The control unit 41a includes a communication control unit 102, an interface control unit 412, and a storage control unit 414. The interface control unit 412 controls the operation of the user interface 42. The storage control unit 414 controls the operation of the storage unit 44.

[0106] Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a distributed station 4b (second distributed station) in an embodiment. Hereinafter, components having the same functions as those of the distributed station 4b are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 22 and 23, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The distributed station 4b differs from the distributed station 4b in that it includes a control unit 41b instead of the control unit 41a. The control unit 41b differs from the control unit 41a in that it includes a processor 97b instead of the processor 97a and a memory 98b instead of the memory 98a.

[0107] 25 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 41b included in a remote station 4b according to the embodiment. The control unit 41b differs from the control unit 41a in that it further includes an information acquisition unit 101.

[0108] <Communication devices such as servers or central offices> 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a communication device 900 according to an embodiment. The communication device 900 includes a control unit 910 having a processor 991 such as a CPU and a memory 992 connected via a bus, and executes a program. By executing the program, the communication device 900 functions as a device including the control unit 910, a user interface 920, a communication unit 930, and a storage unit 940.

[0109] More specifically, in the communication device 900, the processor 991 reads a program stored in the storage unit 940 and stores the read program in the memory 992. When the processor 991 executes the program stored in the memory 992, the communication device 900 functions as a device including a control unit 910, a user interface 920, a communication unit 930, and a storage unit 940.

[0110] The control unit 910 controls the operations of various functional units included in the communication device 900. The user interface 920 includes input devices such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch panel. The user interface 920 may also include an interface that connects these input devices to the communication device 900.

[0111] The user interface 920 is configured to include a display device such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The user interface 920 may be configured to include an interface that connects these display devices to the communication device 900.

[0112] The communication unit 930 includes an interface for connecting the communication device 900 to an external device. The communication unit 930 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the transfer device 1a or the transfer device 1b.

[0113] The storage unit 940 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 940 stores various information related to the communication device 900. The storage unit 940 stores various information generated as a result of processing executed by the control unit 910, for example.

[0114] 27 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control unit 910 included in a communication device 900 according to an embodiment. The communication device 900 includes an interface control unit 912, a communication control unit 913, and a storage control unit 914. The interface control unit 912 controls the operation of a user interface 920. The communication control unit 913 controls the operation of a communication unit 930. The storage control unit 914 controls the operation of a storage unit 940.

[0115] (Variation) The communication control unit 102 or the information transfer unit 103 may perform an analysis process (hereinafter referred to as "analysis process") based on the network transfer information acquired from the multiple information acquisition units 101. The analysis process includes, for example, averaging values ​​related to the frame status, such as the frame size and frame transmission interval, received from the multiple information acquisition units 101.

[0116] The analysis process may include, for example, a process of predicting future frame states, such as future frame sizes and frame transmission intervals, based on values ​​relating to frame states, such as frame sizes and frame transmission intervals, received from a plurality of information acquisition units 101. The results of the analysis process are used, for example, in an adjustment process for future communications, which has the effect of shortening the waiting time even for frames for which network transfer information has not been transferred to the communication control unit 102.

[0117] The signal transfer system 100a or 100c may further include a wireless controller 5. The wireless controller 5 controls the operation of base stations such as base station 3a and base station 3b. For ease of explanation, the signal transfer system 100 including the wireless controller 5 will be described below using the signal transfer system 100a as an example. Hereinafter, the signal transfer system 100a including the wireless controller 5 will be referred to as signal transfer system e.

[0118] 28 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a signal transfer system e in a modified example. The signal transfer system e differs from the signal transfer system 100a in that it includes a wireless controller 5. The wireless controller 5 controls the operation of the base station 3a. The wireless controller 5 includes an information transfer unit 103. The information transfer unit 103 included in the wireless controller 5 acquires network transfer information transmitted by the information transfer unit 103 included in the transfer device controller 2a. The information transfer unit 103 included in the wireless controller 5 transfers the received network transfer information to the base station 3a.

[0119] In this way, the base station 3a may obtain the network forwarding information via the information forwarding unit 103 included in the wireless controller 5, rather than directly from the information forwarding unit 103 included in the forwarding device controller 2a.

[0120] <An example of the hardware configuration of a wireless controller> 29 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a wireless controller 5 in a modified example. The wireless controller 5 has a control unit 51 including a processor 993 such as a CPU and a memory 994 connected by a bus, and executes a program. By executing the program, the wireless controller 5 functions as a device including the control unit 51, a user interface 52, a communication unit 53, and a storage unit 54.

[0121] More specifically, in the wireless controller 5, the processor 993 reads a program stored in the storage unit 54 and stores the read program in the memory 994. The processor 993 executes the program stored in the memory 994, causing the wireless controller 5 to function as a device including the control unit 51, the user interface 52, the communication unit 53, and the storage unit 54.

[0122] The control unit 51 controls the operation of various functional units included in the wireless controller 5. The user interface 52 includes input devices such as a mouse, keyboard, and touch panel. The user interface 52 may also include an interface that connects these input devices to the wireless controller 5.

[0123] The user interface 52 is configured to include a display device such as a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc. The user interface 52 may be configured to include an interface that connects these display devices to the wireless controller 5.

[0124] The communication unit 53 includes an interface for connecting the wireless controller 5 to an external device. The communication unit 53 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the transfer device controller 2a. The communication unit 53 acquires network forwarding information through communication with the transfer device controller 2a. The external device is, for example, the base station 3a or the remote station 4a. The communication unit 53 transmits the network forwarding information to, for example, the base station 3a or the remote station 4a.

[0125] The storage unit 54 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device such as a magnetic hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 54 stores various information related to the wireless controller 5. The storage unit 54 stores various information generated as a result of processing executed by the control unit 51, for example.

[0126] 30 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control unit 51 included in the wireless controller 5 in a modified example. The control unit 51 includes an information transfer unit 103, an interface control unit 512, a communication control unit 513, and a memory control unit 514. The interface control unit 512 controls the operation of the user interface 52. The communication control unit 513 controls the operation of the communication unit 53. The memory control unit 514 controls the operation of the memory unit 54.

[0127] Each of the devices included in each of the signal transfer systems 100 to 100e may be implemented using a plurality of information processing devices communicably connected via a network.

[0128] All or part of the functions of each device included in the signal transfer systems 100 to 100e may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. The program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0129] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e...signal transfer system, 101...information acquisition unit, 102...communication control unit, 1a, 1b...transfer device, 2a, 2b...transfer device controller, 3a, 3b...base station, 4a, 4b...remote station, 5...wireless controller, 11a, 11b, 21a, 21b, 31a, 31b, 41a, 41b, 51...control unit, 12, 22, 32, 42, 52...user interface, 13, 23, 33, 43, 53...communication unit, 14, 24, 34, 44, 54...storage unit, 112, 212, 312, 412, 512...interface control unit, 113, 213, 513...communication control unit, 114, 214, 314, 414, 514...storage control unit, 900...communication device, 901...wireless terminal, 902...server, 903...central office, 910...control unit, 920...user interface, 930...communication unit, 940...storage unit, 912...interface control unit, 913...communication control unit, 914...storage control unit, 91a, 91b, 93a, 93b, 95a, 95b, 97a, 97b, 991, 993...processor, 92a, 92b, 94a, 94b, 96a, 96b, 98a, 98b, 992, 994...memory

Claims

1. A signal transfer system for transferring a signal from one communication device to another communication device, an information acquisition unit that acquires network transfer information, which is information related to each traffic flow from the one communication device to the other communication device; a communication control unit that executes a process of dynamically adjusting a Transport Block Size (TBS) according to a traffic flow in accordance with a predetermined rule based on the network transfer information acquired by the information acquisition unit; A signal transfer system comprising:

2. The communication control unit further executes a TDD timing adjustment process for adjusting a frame transmission timing, which is the timing at which a frame is transmitted in Time Division Duplex (TDD) according to a predetermined rule.

2. The signal transfer system according to claim 1.

3. the other communication device is a wireless terminal, the frame transmission timing is a timing at which a downlink transmission frame, which is a frame transmitted from the one communication device to the wireless terminal, is transmitted; 3. The signal transfer system according to claim 2.

4. the communication control unit executes an analysis process based on the network transfer information. A signal transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. an information transfer unit that transfers the network transfer information acquired by the information acquisition unit to the communication control unit; Furthermore, The information transfer unit performs an analysis process based on the network transfer information. A signal transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The analysis process includes averaging values ​​related to the frame states.

6. A signal transfer system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The analyzing step includes predicting a future frame state based on the frame state value. A signal transfer system according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. The information about the traffic flow indicates a size and a transmission interval of a downstream frame. A signal transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The information about the traffic flow indicates a transmission rate. A signal transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. the information about the traffic flow indicates a destination address; A signal transfer system according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. A signal transfer method for transferring a signal from one communication device to another communication device, comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring network forwarding information, which is information about a traffic flow, for each traffic flow from the one communication device to the other communication device; a communication control step of dynamically adjusting a Transport Block Size (TBS) according to a traffic flow in accordance with a predetermined rule based on the network transfer information acquired in the information acquisition step; A signal transfer method comprising:

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