Processing device, control device, control method, and program for efficient communication

Abstract

To perform efficient communication control in environments where a plurality of schedulers share a plurality of radio units.SOLUTION: In a wireless communication system in which one Radio Unit (RU) is shared by a plurality of Distributed Units (DUs), a processing device acting as a DU informs a control device of first information about the amount of traffic and radio quality to be transmitted or received by a terminal device to which the processing device provides communication services via the one RU, receives from the control device, for the one RU, second information indicating allocation of radio resources to the processing device with respect to at least one of frequency and time, and allocates at least part of the radio resources indicated by the second information to the terminal device to communicate with the terminal device via the one RU.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for improving the efficiency of wireless communication. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless communication systems are required to efficiently provide radio access network (RAN) configurations suited to the characteristics of various services. To this end, a network using a controller that determines allocation of radio resources for each service and a functional unit with a scheduler function corresponding to each service and allocating the radio resources allocated by the controller to terminal devices is being considered. Such a controller corresponds to a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) in an Open-Radio Access Network (O-RAN), and the scheduler corresponds to a Distributed Unit (DU). The DU is connected to a Radio Unit (RU) and allocates radio resources for the communication services it manages to terminal devices via the RU, thereby providing communication services to the terminal devices. The RU is a functional unit that performs, for example, baseband processing and radio frequency processing, and serves as an interface for communicating with terminal devices using radio resources. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] Cloud Architecture and Deployment Scenarios for O-RAN Virtualized RAN, 2022 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional network configurations, it is assumed that one RU is used by one DU. Further development of this network configuration has led to the study of a configuration in which one RU is shared by multiple DUs (see Non-Patent Document 1). In such a configuration, for example, multiple DUs do not know the radio resources used by other DUs, and therefore multiple DUs may attempt to use the same radio resources available in one RU. Under such conditions, at least one of the DUs may be unable to use the radio resources, which may result in a deterioration in communication efficiency. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The present invention provides a technique that enables efficient communication control in an environment in which multiple schedulers share multiple wireless units.

[0006] A processing device according to one aspect of the present invention functions as a Radio Unit (DU) in a wireless communication system in which one RU is shared by multiple Distributed Units (DUs), and includes: a notification means for notifying a control device of first information regarding the amount and radio quality of traffic to be transmitted or received by a terminal device to which the processing device provides communication services via the one RU; a receiving means for receiving from the control device second information indicating allocation of radio resources related to at least one of frequency and time to the processing device for the one RU; and a communication means for allocating at least a portion of the radio resources indicated by the second information to the terminal device and communicating with the terminal device via the one RU. The second information indicates, when the processing device uses another RU in addition to the one RU, allocation of radio resources for each of the one RU and the other RU, and the allocation of radio resources includes, in a distinguishable format, a first radio resource that the processing device can allocate to a terminal device located in an area where cells formed by the one RU and the other RU overlap, and a second radio resource that the processing device can allocate to a terminal device located in an area where cells do not overlap, and the first radio resource for the one RU and the first radio resource for the other RU are common. do.

[0007] A control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device that allocates radio resources to a plurality of processing devices in a wireless communication system in which one Radio Unit (RU) is shared by the plurality of processing devices, each of which functions as a Distributed Unit (DU), and includes: a receiving means that receives, from each of the plurality of processing devices, first information regarding the amount and radio quality of traffic to be transmitted or received by a terminal device to which the processing device provides communication service via the one RU; a determining means that determines, for the one RU, radio resources related to at least one of frequency and time for each of the plurality of processing devices; and a notifying means that notifies each of the plurality of processing devices of second information indicating the determined radio resources. The second information indicates, when the processing device uses another RU in addition to the one RU, allocation of radio resources for each of the one RU and the other RU, and the allocation of radio resources includes, in a distinguishable format, a first radio resource that the processing device can allocate to a terminal device located in an area where cells formed by the one RU and the other RU overlap, and a second radio resource that the processing device can allocate to a terminal device located in an area where cells do not overlap, and the first radio resource for the one RU and the first radio resource for the other RU are common. do. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present invention enables efficient communication control in an environment in which multiple schedulers share multiple wireless units. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of the apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a DU. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a RIC. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed in the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention as claimed, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined in any desired manner. Furthermore, the same reference numerals are used to designate identical or similar components, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] (System Configuration) FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to this embodiment. This wireless communication system has a configuration based on, for example, an Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) and includes a RIC 101, DUs 111 to 113, and an RU 121. The RIC 101 is an O-RAN RAN Intelligent Controller and includes an RT RIC that performs near-real-time (Near-RT) control and a non-real-time (Non-RT) RIC that performs long-term policy control. Note that the Near-RT RIC function is used to instruct each DU on the radio resources (frequency and time resources) to be used. The DUs 111 to 113 are O-RAN distributed units and have a scheduling function for allocating radio resources allocated by the RIC 101 to terminal devices via the RUs used by the respective devices. The RU 121 is an O-RAN radio unit that performs radio communication with terminal devices (User Equipment, UE) under the control of the DUs. 1 shows an example in which DUs 111 to 113 share one RU 121 and communicate with UE groups 131 to 133, respectively. The O-RAN configuration includes a Central Unit (CU) and other components in addition to these functional units, but for simplicity of explanation, FIG. 1 shows only the functional units relevant to this embodiment. These configurations are merely examples, and the following discussion may also be applied to a network that uses a similar configuration based on a different standard from O-RAN. Naturally, the relationship between a DU and the RU used by that DU, the number of DUs and RUs, and the like are not limited to the example in FIG. 1. In other words, various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the discussion described below.

[0012] In this wireless communication system, for example, information about each UE is notified to the RIC 101 via a DU that communicates with the UE. The UE information may include, for example, information indicating the amount of traffic communicated by each UE and wireless quality. The UE information may also include, for example, information about the network slice used by the UE. The RIC 101 then identifies the amount of radio resources to be allocated to each UE and notifies the DU to use an amount of radio resources corresponding to the total amount of radio resources for the UEs communicating with each DU. The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)) standard specifies that the RIC notifies the DU of information indicating how much resource should be allocated or is allowed to be allocated for each network slice. Conventionally, because one RU is used by only one DU, even if only such resource amount information is notified, the DU can appropriately communicate by allocating the notified amount of resources for each network slice so that they do not overlap in the frequency and time domains. However, in this embodiment, since one RU is shared by multiple DUs, if only the amount of resources to be used by that DU is specified, it is possible that multiple DUs will attempt to use at least a portion of the frequency and time resources available through that RU. In such a case, at least one of the multiple DUs may be unable to communicate, which may significantly degrade communication efficiency.

[0013] In this embodiment, in consideration of such circumstances, the RIC 101 notifies the DUs 111 to 113 of information indicating which frequency and time resources should be used, rather than the amount of radio resources. The RIC 101 may specify the frequency resources to be allocated to each DU, for example, by using the index of a physical resource block (PRB). For example, the position of the frequency resources to be allocated may be specified by using a list of PRBs. The RIC 101 may notify the DUs that PRBs with indexes 0, 3, 5, 7, and 8 will be allocated, for example, by using information such as AllocRB=[0, 3, 5, 7, 8]. The RIC 101 may also notify the DUs of the range of frequencies to be allocated, for example, in units of PRBs. For example, the RIC 101 may notify the DUs of the index N of a PRB indicating the lower end of the frequency range. start and the PRB index N that indicates the upper end of the range. end The RIC 101 can notify the DU of the start =3, N end =6, the RIC 101 can notify the DU that PRBs with indexes 3 to 6 will be assigned. In addition, the RIC 101 can notify the DU of the information indicating the position of the PRB corresponding to the upper or lower end of the range and the number N of PRBs indicating the size of the range. width The RIC 101 may notify the DU of the range of PRBs to be allocated using, for example, N start =3, N width Information such as =4 may inform the DU that PRBs with indexes 3 to 6 will be assigned.

[0014] Furthermore, the RIC 101 may notify the DU of information indicating the frequency range to be allocated without using the unit of PRB. For example, the RIC 101 may notify the DU of information indicating the upper limit of the frequency range, such as a value f start and the value f indicating the lower limit end In this case, f start ~f end The RIC 101 assigns a frequency range of, for example, a value indicating the upper or lower end of the frequency range and a value f width In this case, f start ~fstart +f width frequency range or f end -f width ~f end The frequency ranges are allocated to the DUs. When the allocation of radio resources is indicated by frequency ranges, multiple pieces of information may be prepared to indicate multiple discontinuous frequency ranges.

[0015] These notifications may be sent at regular time intervals. In this case, the frequency resource allocation described above may be maintained for a period corresponding to the regular time interval, starting from the time of receipt of the notification or a predetermined offset value after receipt of the notification. For example, if the time interval corresponds to 5 PRBs, the DU may communicate with the UE in accordance with the frequency resource allocation for 5 PRBs, starting from the PRB next to the time of receipt of the notification of the frequency resource allocation, and may use the frequency resource allocation received within the 5 PRB period for the next 5 PRB period. Note that this time interval may also be expressed in time units other than PRBs.

[0016] Furthermore, although the above example shows an example of frequency resource allocation, similar allocation can also be performed for time resources. For example, the RIC 101 can notify each DU of information indicating the time resources to be allocated to that DU in units of subframes. The RIC 101 can notify, for example, information indicating which subframes to allocate to a DU in a format such as [hyper system frame number (H-SFN), system frame number (SFN), subframe number]. For example, the RIC 101 can notify, using information such as [10, 845, 1, 3], that the first and third subframes in the frame with H-SFN=10 and SFN=845 are allocated to the DU. The RIC 101 can also notify the time resources to be allocated using information indicating a continuous time range. For example, the RIC 101 can notify information S indicating the position of the first subframe corresponding to the start timing of the time range. startand information S indicating the position of the last subframe corresponding to the end timing of the time range. end In this case, S start = [10, 845, 1] ​​and S end = [10, 845, 3], it can be notified that the first to third subframes in the frame with H-SFN = 10 and SFN = 845 are allocated to the DU. Note that when it is clear that the H-SFN and SFN are the same, such as when allocation is notified by the RIC 101 on a frame-by-frame basis, S end = [3], the H-SFN and SFN of the last subframe may be omitted. Note that the H-SFN and SFN may be notified in the information indicating the last subframe, and the H-SFN and SFN may be omitted in the information indicating the first subframe. In other words, it is sufficient if the position of the subframe can be uniquely identified in at least one of the information indicating the first subframe and the information indicating the last subframe, and overlapping information may be omitted. Also, the information indicating the start or end of the time range as described above and the information S indicating the time width may be omitted. size The time range allocated to the DU may be notified by, for example, S start = [10, 845, 1] ​​and S size =3 may indicate that the first to third subframes in the frame with H-SFN=10 and SFN=845 are allocated to the DU.

[0017] Furthermore, the RIC 101 may notify the DU of information indicating the allocated time range without using the unit of subframe. For example, the RIC 101 may notify the DU of information indicating the start timing of the time range by using a value t start and the value t indicating the timing of the end end In this case, t start ~t end The RIC 101 assigns a time range to the DU. The RIC 101 also assigns a value indicating the start timing or end timing of the time range and a value t size In this case, t start ~tstart +t size Time range or t end -t size ~t end The time ranges are allocated to the DUs. When the allocation of radio resources is indicated by time ranges, multiple pieces of information may be prepared to indicate multiple discontinuous time ranges.

[0018] Furthermore, the above-mentioned information specifying the frequency resource and information specifying the time resource may be combined and notified to the DU. For example, one PRB may be specified using information such as [PRB index (in the frequency direction), H-SFN, SFN, subframe number]. Multiple PRBs to be allocated to a DU may be notified to the DU using multiple pieces of such information. Also, for example, [N start , N end , S start , S end ][f start , f end , t start , t end ] may be used. Here, as described above, information indicating a frequency width or a time width may be used. Also, for example, a combination of information indicating a frequency range and information indicating individual subframe numbers may be used, and similarly, a combination of information indicating individual PRB indexes and information indicating a time range may be used.

[0019] Note that the above-described information may include identification information that can uniquely identify a DU in order to indicate which DU the resource allocation information relates to. That is, the identification information and the resource allocation information may be associated with each other and notified to the DU from the RIC 101. However, if it is clear which DU the radio resource allocation information is addressed to, such as when resource allocation information is notified to each DU individually, the allocation information may not include the identification information of the DU.

[0020] Here, for example, it is assumed that a DU can use multiple RUs. In this case, in communication between a UE located in an area where cells formed by the multiple RUs overlap, a radio signal transmitted and received in one cell may interfere with a radio signal transmitted and received in another cell. Therefore, to prevent interference in communication between UEs located in such an area, the multiple RUs can use the same resources to perform Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) communication. In this embodiment, the RIC 101 distinguishes CoMP radio resources from non-CoMP radio resources and notifies the DU. In one example, the RIC 101 can notify the DU of information including a format that allows distinguishing between CoMP radio resources and non-CoMP radio resources. This can prevent a DU from allocating resources commonly allocated to multiple RUs for CoMP communication for non-CoMP communication, thereby preventing a shortage of radio resources available for CoMP communication.

[0021] Radio resources for such CoMP communication can be secured individually for each combination of overlapping cells. For example, if there are three cells, radio resources for CoMP are allocated separately to each of the following four regions: (1) a region where the first cell and the second cell overlap but do not overlap with the third cell; (2) a region where the first cell and the third cell overlap but do not overlap with the second cell; (3) a region where the second cell and the third cell overlap but do not overlap with the first cell; and (4) a region where all of the first cell to the third cell overlap. Then, information specifying the radio resources to be allocated as described above is provided for each combination of cells. Note that a list of cells and identification information are associated with each of the above-described combinations of cells (1) to (4), and information associating the identification information with the radio resources to be allocated in the radio resource allocation information can be notified from the RIC 101 to the DU. For example, if the number of UEs residing in each of the above-mentioned areas (1) to (4) differs significantly, the amount of radio resources required may differ significantly depending on the number of UEs. In such a case, as described above, the RIC 101 notifies the DU of information associating cell combinations with CoMP radio resources, thereby enabling the DU to allocate an appropriate amount of radio resources to the communication of UEs in each area. Note that the RIC 101 may determine the allocation of radio resources for non-CoMP communication of UEs residing in areas that do not overlap with other cells so as not to overlap with the radio resources allocated for CoMP communication, and notify the DU of the allocation.

[0022] The DU notifies the RIC 101 of information indicating the status of each UE, and the RIC 101 determines the allocation of radio resources for communication between the UEs in each area. For example, the DU transmits to the RIC 101 information about the UEs for which it provides communication services, such as the traffic volume of each UE, the network slice, whether the UEs are subject to CoMP communication, and, if so, a list of overlapping cells in the area where the UEs are located. The RIC 101 then determines the amount of radio resources to be allocated to each DU based on the information received from each DU, and allocates the radio resources to each DU so as not to cause interference. Here, the RIC 101, for example, determines the radio resources to be allocated for each cell combination for the UEs that are subject to CoMP communication, and determines the time or frequency location of the radio resources to be used for each cell combination. The RIC 101 then notifies the DU of the determined radio resources. The RIC 101 can also determine the location of the radio resources to be used for each cell for UEs that are not subject to CoMP communication, and notify the DU of the location of the radio resources. This ensures that the DU uses radio resources that are different from those used by other DUs, making it possible to provide communication services to the UE efficiently.

[0023] (Device configuration) An example of the hardware configuration of the DU and RIC will be described using FIG. 2. In one example, the DU and RIC are configured to include a processor 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a storage device 204, and a communication circuit 205. The processor 201 is a computer configured to include one or more processing circuits, such as a general-purpose CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and executes the overall processing of the device and each of the above-mentioned processes by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202 or the storage device 204. The ROM 202 is a read-only memory that stores information such as programs and various parameters related to the processing executed by the DU and RIC. The RAM 203 functions as a workspace when the processor 201 executes a program, and is a random access memory that stores temporary information. The storage device 204 is configured, for example, by a removable external storage device. The communication circuit 205 is configured, for example, by a circuit for communication, such as signaling according to the O-RAN or 3GPP standards.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a DU. The DU includes, for example, an information notification unit 301, an allocation information receiving unit 302, and a resource allocation unit 303. Note that FIG. 3 illustrates only functions particularly related to this embodiment, and does not illustrate various other functions that the DU may have. For example, the DU naturally has other functions that an O-RAN DU generally has. The functional blocks in FIG. 3 are illustrated schematically, and each functional block may be realized as an integrated unit or may be further subdivided. Each function in FIG. 3 may be realized, for example, by the processor 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 or the storage device 204, or by dedicated hardware. The details of the processes performed by each functional unit will not be described here, and only their general functions will be outlined.

[0025] The information notification unit 301, for example, notifies the RIC 101 of information about UEs present in a cell to which the DU provides communication services via an RU. The information notification unit 301 may, for example, collect information indicating the wireless communication quality of each UE and information specifying the amount of traffic to be communicated by the UE, and notify the RIC 101 of the information. The information notification unit 301 may also notify the RIC 101 of information in a format that enables distinction between UEs that are subject to CoMP and UEs that are not subject to CoMP. Note that, for example, if UEs that are subject to CoMP are present in an area where different combinations of cells overlap, the information notification unit 301 may further notify the RIC 101 of information that enables identification of the cell combination. For example, when a DU communicates using three or more cells, there are multiple overlapping areas, and therefore the DU may notify the RIC 101 of information indicating in which of multiple overlapping areas different combinations of cells the UE is present, as well as information indicating the amount of traffic and wireless communication quality. Furthermore, the information notification unit 301 may notify the RIC 101 of the above-mentioned information in a format that allows, for example, information about UEs that perform communication using a predetermined network slice to be distinguished from information about other UEs. Similarly, the information notification unit 301 may notify the RIC 101 of the above-mentioned information in a format that allows, for example, information about UEs that perform communication corresponding to a predetermined 5QI (5G QoS Identifier) ​​to be distinguished from information about other UEs.

[0026] The allocation information receiving unit 302 receives information indicating radio resources allocated to its own device from the RIC 101 based on the information notified by the information notifying unit 301. As described above, this information may be information that uniquely identifies the locations of frequency and / or time resources that the DU can use via the RU. Furthermore, the information may be information that specifies different frequency and / or time resource locations for radio resources to be allocated to communication of UEs that are targets of CoMP communication and radio resources to be allocated to communication of UEs that are not targets of CoMP communication. Furthermore, the radio resources to be allocated to communication of UEs that are targets of CoMP communication may include the locations of frequency and / or time resources of radio resources for each combination of cells. Note that the radio resources here do not indicate information that specifies radio resources to be allocated to individual UEs, but indicate radio resources allocated to the DU.

[0027] The resource allocating unit 303 allocates at least a part of the radio resources allocated to its own device for communication with a UE of a communication partner based on the information received by the allocation information receiving unit 302. When the resource allocating unit 303 is notified of a first radio resource for communication with a UE that is a target of CoMP communication and a second radio resource for communication with a UE that is not a target of CoMP communication, the resource allocating unit 303 allocates the first radio resource to the UE that is a target of CoMP communication and the second radio resource to the UE that is not a target of CoMP communication. When radio resources are allocated to each combination of cells, for example, the resource allocating unit 303 allocates the radio resource for CoMP communication of a UE that is located in an area where cells included in the combination overlap. Based on the information received by the allocation information receiving unit 302, the resource allocating unit 303 allocates the radio resources allocated to individual cells for non-CoMP communication of a UE that is located in an area that does not overlap with any of the cells.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a RIC. The RIC includes, for example, an information receiving unit 401, an allocation determining unit 402, and an allocation information notifying unit 403. Note that FIG. 4 illustrates only functions particularly related to this embodiment, and does not illustrate various other functions that the RIC may have. For example, the RIC naturally has other functions that an O-RAN RIC generally has. The functional blocks in FIG. 4 are illustrated schematically, and each functional block may be realized by being integrated, or may be further subdivided. Each function in FIG. 4 may be realized, for example, by the processor 201 executing a program stored in the ROM 202 or the storage device 204, or by dedicated hardware. The details of the processes performed by each functional unit will not be described here, and only their general functions will be outlined.

[0029] The information receiving unit 401 receives, from the DU, information about a UE with which the DU communicates. This information includes, for example, information about the UE's radio quality and the amount of traffic transmitted and received. This information may also include information indicating whether the UE is a target of CoMP. If the CoMP target is indicated, the information receiving unit 401 may further receive information indicating a combination of cells that will perform CoMP communication. The allocation determining unit 402 determines radio resources to be allocated to each DU based on the received information. For example, based on information from multiple DUs, the allocation determining unit 402 may determine frequency and / or time resources to be allocated to each DU so that these resources do not overlap with each other. Furthermore, when information about a UE that is a target of CoMP is received, the allocation determining unit 402 may identify a combination of cells in which CoMP communication will be performed, and may determine to allocate the same frequency / time resources for CoMP communication to cells included in that combination. Note that, when there are multiple combinations of cells that will perform CoMP communication, the allocation determining unit 402 may determine different frequency and / or time resources for each different combination of cells. The allocation determination unit 402 may further classify UEs based on other criteria such as network slices or 5QI, and allocate different radio resources to each classification. The allocation information notification unit 403 notifies the DU of the allocation of radio resources determined by the allocation determination unit 402.

[0030] (Processing flow) Next, an example of the flow of processing executed in the RIC and DU according to this embodiment will be outlined with reference to FIG.

[0031] First, a DU collects information about UEs located within the range of a cell for which the DU is to perform scheduling (S501). The DU acquires, for example, information about the amount of traffic transmitted to or from UEs connected to a RU serving the cell for which scheduling is to be performed, and information about the radio quality of the UEs. The DU then notifies the RIC of the information (S502). The RIC receives information from each of the multiple DUs and determines the amount of radio resources to allocate to each DU based on the notified information. Furthermore, based on the amount of radio resources, the RIC individually determines the location of frequency and / or time resources to allocate to each DU (S503). Here, the RIC determines the radio resources corresponding to at least one RU so that the radio resources allocated to each of the multiple DUs do not overlap with each other. The RIC then notifies each DU of information indicating the determined radio resource allocation (S504). Here, the information notified to each DU specifies at least one of frequency and time radio resources that the DU, the destination of the information, can use to provide communication services to terminal devices. As described above, the RIC can allocate separate resources to UEs that are subject to CoMP and to other UEs. Furthermore, if the UEs that are subject to CoMP are located in areas where different combinations of cells overlap, separate resources are allocated to each combination of cells. Based on the received allocation information, the DU can identify radio resources that can be used by the DU when providing communication services to terminal devices. The DU then allocates at least a portion of the radio resources allocated to the UEs that are the targets of scheduling by the DU (S505). The DU allocates the radio resources allocated to the UEs that are subject to CoMP for communication with UEs that are located in areas where multiple cells overlap, and allocates the radio resources allocated to the UEs that are not subject to CoMP for communication with UEs that are located in areas where cells do not overlap.

[0032] As described above, in this embodiment, in an environment where multiple DUs share one RU, the RIC clearly specifies the radio resources to be used by each DU in the frequency and / or time domain. This prevents contention for the radio resources used by multiple DUs, enabling communication that makes efficient use of radio resources in such an environment. This makes it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is to "build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0033] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention.

Claims

1. A processing device that functions as a Distributed Unit (DU) in a wireless communication system in which one Radio Unit (RU) is shared by a plurality of Distributed Units (DUs), comprising: a notification means for notifying the control device of first information relating to the amount and wireless quality of traffic to be transmitted or received by a terminal device to which the processing device provides communication services via the one RU; receiving means for receiving, from the control device, second information indicating allocation of radio resources related to at least one of frequency and time to the processing device for the one RU; a communication means for allocating at least a part of the radio resources indicated by the second information to the terminal device and communicating with the terminal device via the one RU; and the second information indicates allocation of radio resources for each of the one RU and the other RU when the processing device uses another RU in addition to the one RU; The allocation of the radio resources includes, in a distinguishable form, a first radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells formed by the one RU and the other RU overlap, and a second radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells do not overlap; The processing device, wherein the first radio resource for the one RU and the first radio resource for the other RU are common to each other.

2. 2. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second information indicates allocation of the radio resources related to frequencies to the processing device by specifying the positions of physical resource blocks (PRBs) that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying the positions of the PRBs corresponding to the upper and lower ends of a range of frequencies that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying the positions of the PRBs corresponding to the upper or lower end of the frequency range and the number of PRBs corresponding to a width of the frequency range.

3. 2. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second information indicates allocation of the radio resource in terms of frequency to the processing device by specifying an upper end and a lower end of a range of frequencies that the processing device can use, or by specifying an upper end or a lower end of the range of frequencies and a width of the range of frequencies.

4. 2. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second information indicates allocation of the radio resources to the processing device in terms of time by specifying the positions of subframes that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying the positions of the subframes that correspond to the start and end timings of a range of time that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying the position of the subframe that corresponds to the start or end timing of the time range and the number of subframes that corresponds to the width of the time range.

5. 2. The processing device according to claim 1, wherein the second information indicates allocation of the radio resources to the processing device by specifying a start timing and an end timing of a time range that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying a start timing or an end timing of the frequency range and a width of the time range.

6. A control device that allocates radio resources to a plurality of processing devices in a wireless communication system in which one Radio Unit (RU) is shared by the plurality of processing devices, each of which functions as a Distributed Unit (DU), comprising: a receiving means for receiving, from each of the plurality of processing devices, first information relating to the amount and wireless quality of traffic to be transmitted or received by a terminal device to which the processing device provides communication services via the one RU; a determining means for determining radio resources relating to at least one of frequency and time for each of the plurality of processing devices individually for the one RU; a notification means for notifying each of the plurality of processing devices of second information indicating the determined wireless resource; and the second information indicates allocation of radio resources for each of the one RU and the other RU when the processing device uses another RU in addition to the one RU; The allocation of the radio resources includes, in a distinguishable form, a first radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells formed by the one RU and the other RU overlap, and a second radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells do not overlap; The control device, wherein the first radio resource for the one RU and the first radio resource for the other RU are common to each other.

7. 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the second information indicates allocation of the radio resources related to frequencies to the processing device by specifying the positions of physical resource blocks (PRBs) that can be used by the processing device to which the second information is addressed, or by specifying the positions of the PRBs corresponding to the upper and lower ends of a range of frequencies that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying the positions of the PRBs corresponding to the upper or lower end of the frequency range and the number of the PRBs corresponding to a width of the frequency range.

8. 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the second information indicates allocation of the radio resources in terms of frequencies to the processing device by specifying an upper end and a lower end of a range of frequencies that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying an upper end or a lower end of the range of frequencies and a width of the range of frequencies.

9. 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the second information indicates allocation of the radio resources to the processing device in terms of time by specifying the positions of subframes that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying the positions of the subframes that correspond to the start timing and end timing of a range of time that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying the position of the subframe that corresponds to the start timing or end timing of the time range and the number of subframes that corresponds to the width of the time range.

10. 7. The control device according to claim 6, wherein the second information indicates allocation of the radio resources to the processing device by specifying a start timing and an end timing of a time range that can be used by the processing device, or by specifying a start timing or an end timing of the frequency range and a width of the time range.

11. A control method executed by a processing device functioning as a Distributed Unit (DU) in a wireless communication system in which one Radio Unit (RU) is shared by a plurality of Distributed Units (DU), comprising: notifying a control device of first information relating to the amount and wireless quality of traffic to be transmitted or received by a terminal device to which the processing device provides communication service via the one RU; receiving, from the control device, second information indicating allocation of radio resources, related to at least one of frequency and time, to the processing device for the one RU; Allocating at least a portion of the radio resources indicated by the second information to the terminal device and communicating with the terminal device via the one RU; Including, the second information indicates allocation of radio resources for each of the one RU and the other RU when the processing device uses another RU in addition to the one RU; The allocation of the radio resources includes, in a distinguishable form, a first radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells formed by the one RU and the other RU overlap, and a second radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells do not overlap; The control method, wherein the first radio resource for the one RU and the first radio resource for the other RU are common.

12. A control method executed by a control device that allocates radio resources to a plurality of processing devices in a wireless communication system in which one Radio Unit (RU) is shared by the plurality of processing devices, each of which functions as a Distributed Unit (DU), comprising: receiving, from each of the plurality of processing devices, first information regarding the amount and wireless quality of traffic to be transmitted or received by a terminal device to which the processing device provides communication service via the one RU; determining radio resources relating to at least one of frequency and time for each of the plurality of processing devices individually for the one RU; notifying each of the plurality of processing devices of second information indicating the determined radio resource; Including, the second information indicates allocation of radio resources for each of the one RU and the other RU when the processing device uses another RU in addition to the one RU; The allocation of the radio resources includes, in a distinguishable form, a first radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells formed by the one RU and the other RU overlap, and a second radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells do not overlap; The control method, wherein the first radio resource for the one RU and the first radio resource for the other RU are common.

13. In a wireless communication system in which one Radio Unit (RU) is shared by a plurality of Distributed Units (DUs), a computer provided in a processing device functioning as the DU, notifying a control device of first information relating to the amount and wireless quality of traffic to be transmitted or received by a terminal device to which the processing device provides communication service via the one RU; receiving, from the control device, second information indicating allocation of radio resources related to at least one of frequency and time to the processing device for the one RU; allocating at least a portion of the radio resources indicated by the second information to the terminal device, and communicating with the terminal device via the one RU; A program for: the second information indicates allocation of radio resources for each of the one RU and the other RU when the processing device uses another RU in addition to the one RU; The allocation of the radio resources includes, in a distinguishable form, a first radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells formed by the one RU and the other RU overlap, and a second radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells do not overlap; The program, wherein the first radio resource for the one RU and the first radio resource for the other RU are common to each other.

14. In a wireless communication system in which one Radio Unit (RU) is shared by a plurality of processing devices each functioning as a Distributed Unit (DU), a computer provided in a control device that allocates radio resources to the plurality of processing devices, receiving, from each of the plurality of processing devices via the one RU, first information regarding the amount of traffic and wireless quality to be transmitted or received by a terminal device to which the processing device provides communication service; causing each of the plurality of processing devices to individually determine radio resources related to at least one of frequency and time for the one RU; notifying each of the plurality of processing devices of second information indicating the determined wireless resource; A program for: the second information indicates allocation of radio resources for each of the one RU and the other RU when the processing device uses another RU in addition to the one RU; The allocation of the radio resources includes, in a distinguishable form, a first radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells formed by the one RU and the other RU overlap, and a second radio resource that can be allocated by the processing device to a terminal device that exists in an area where cells do not overlap; The program, wherein the first radio resource for the one RU and the first radio resource for the other RU are common to each other.

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