Dynamic communication cell provision in response to insufficient communication quality

Abstract

This communication control device comprises at least one processor that: identifies, using a communication instrument identification unit, a communication instrument that is present in an existing communication cell; estimates, using a communication quality insufficiency estimation unit, any insufficiency in the quality of communication for the communication instrument by the existing communication cell; and, using a dynamic communication cell provision unit, causes a dynamic communication station to provide a dynamic communication cell to the communication instrument present in the existing communication cell. The dynamic communication cell provision unit, in accordance with the estimation of any insufficiency in communication quality by the communication quality insufficiency estimation unit, causes the dynamic communication station to move to a position at which the dynamic communication cell can be provided to the communication instrument. The dynamic communication cell provision unit stops the dynamic communication station from providing the dynamic communication cell to the communication instrument in cases where the insufficiency in communication quality estimated by the communication quality insufficiency estimation unit has been resolved (fig. 3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to providing dynamic communication cells in response to insufficient communication quality.

Background Art

[0002] The number, types, and uses of wireless communication devices (hereinafter also collectively referred to as communication devices), typified by smartphones and IoT (Internet of Things) devices, have been on the rise, and the expansion and improvement of wireless communication standards have continued. For example, the commercial service of the fifth-generation mobile communication system known as "5G" started in 2018, but the standard setting is still underway at 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project). In addition, efforts towards standard setting for "6G" or the sixth-generation mobile communication system as the next-generation wireless communication standard following 5G have also begun.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In conventional mobile communication networks, relatively large communication cells such as terrestrial communication cells provided by terrestrial base stations fixedly installed on the ground and non-terrestrial communication cells provided by non-terrestrial base stations such as communication satellites mainly bear the provision of communication services to communication devices. However, there is a possibility that insufficient communication quality for one or more communication devices may occur locally or temporarily in some of such large communication cells.

[0005] This disclosure is made in light of these circumstances and aims to provide a communication control device, etc., that can effectively compensate for local or temporary deficiencies in communication quality within existing communication cells. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To solve the above problems, a communication control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes at least one processor that performs the following: a communication device identification unit identifies a communication device within an existing communication cell; a communication quality deficiency estimation unit estimates the deficiency of communication quality to the communication device due to the existing communication cell; and a dynamic communication cell provision unit causes the communication device within the existing communication cell to provide a dynamic communication cell to a dynamic communication station.

[0007] According to this embodiment, a dynamic communication station can provide a dynamic communication cell to a communication device in an existing communication cell in response to an estimate of insufficient communication quality for that device. Here, a dynamic communication cell means, for example, a communication cell that can change spatially and / or temporally. For example, a mobile communication station is an example of a dynamic communication station that provides a spatially changing (typically moving) dynamic communication cell. A communication station that can switch between an operational state and a stopped state is an example of a dynamic communication station that provides a temporally changing (typically switched on and off) dynamic communication cell.

[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure is a communication control method. This method comprises identifying a communication device within an existing communication cell, estimating a deficiency in communication quality provided to the communication device by the existing communication cell, and causing the communication device within the existing communication cell to provide a dynamic communication cell to a dynamic communication station.

[0009] Another aspect of this disclosure is a storage medium. This storage medium stores a communication control program that causes a computer to perform the following actions: identify a communication device within an existing communication cell; estimate the lack of communication quality provided by the existing communication cell to the communication device; and cause the communication device within the existing communication cell to provide a dynamic communication cell to a dynamic communication station.

[0010] Furthermore, any combination of the above components, as well as any representations thereof converted into methods, apparatus, systems, recording media, computer programs, etc., are also included in this disclosure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to this disclosure, localized or temporary deficiencies in communication quality within existing communication cells can be effectively compensated for. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram illustrates the wireless communication system to which a communication control device is applied. [Figure 2] A schematic diagram shows the general configuration of a wireless communication system to which a communication control device is applied. [Figure 3] This is a functional block diagram of the communication control device. [Figure 4] This shows an example of the communication control flow by a communication control device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] Figure 1 schematically shows an overview of a wireless communication system 1 to which a communication control device according to an embodiment of this disclosure is applied. The wireless communication system 1 includes a 5G wireless communication system 11 that conforms to the fifth-generation mobile communication system (5G) and uses NR (New Radio) or 5G NR (Fifth Generation New Radio) as the radio access technology (RAT) and 5GC (Fifth Generation Core) as the core network (CN), a 4G wireless communication system 12 that conforms to the fourth-generation mobile communication system (4G) and uses LTE (Long Term Evolution) or LTE-Advanced as the radio access technology and EPC (Evolved Packet Core) as the core network, and a satellite communication system 13 that handles satellite communication via a communication satellite 131. Although not shown in the figures, the wireless communication system 1 may include wireless communication systems of generations prior to 4G, wireless communication systems of generations later than 5G (such as 6G), or any wireless communication system that is not related to a generation, such as Wi-Fi®.

[0014] The 5G wireless communication system 11 includes multiple 5G base stations 111A, 111B, and 111C (hereinafter collectively referred to as 5G base stations 111) that can communicate via 5G NR with communication devices 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D (hereinafter collectively referred to as communication device 2), such as smartphones, which are installed on the ground and also called UE (User Equipment). In 5G, base stations 111 are also called gNodeB (gNB). The communication range or supported range of each 5G base station 111A, 111B, and 111C is called a cell and is illustrated as 112A, 112B, and 112C (hereinafter collectively referred to as 5G cell 112), respectively.

[0015] The size of the 5G cells 112 of each 5G base station 111 is arbitrary, but typically ranges from a few meters to tens of kilometers in radius. Although there is no established definition, cells with a radius of a few meters to 10 meters are sometimes called femtocells, cells with a radius of 10 meters to tens of meters are called picocells, cells with a radius of tens to hundreds of meters are called microcells, and cells with a radius exceeding hundreds of meters are sometimes called macrocells. 5G often uses high-frequency radio waves such as millimeter waves, and due to their high directivity, radio waves are blocked by obstacles, shortening the communication range. For this reason, 5G tends to use smaller cells more frequently than generations prior to 4G.

[0016] Communication device 2 can perform 5G communication if it is located inside at least one of the multiple 5G cells 112A, 112B, and 112C. In the illustrated example, communication device 2B located inside 5G cells 112A and 112B can communicate with either 5G base station 111A or 111B via 5G NR. Similarly, communication device 2C located inside 5G cell 112C can communicate with 5G base station 111C via 5G NR. Communication devices 2A and 2D are outside all 5G cells 112A, 112B, and 112C and are therefore unable to communicate via 5G NR. 5G NR communication between each communication device 2 and each 5G base station 111 is managed by the core network, 5GC. For example, 5GC handles data exchange with each 5G base station 111, data exchange with external networks such as EPC, satellite communication system 13, and the internet, and manages the movement of communication device 2.

[0017] The 4G wireless communication system 12 includes multiple 4G base stations 121 (only one is shown in Figure 1) installed on the ground and capable of communicating with the communication device 2 via LTE or LTE-Advanced. In 4G, base stations 121 are also called eNodeB (eNB). Similar to each 5G base station 111, the communication range or support range of each 4G base station 121 is also called a cell and is illustrated as 122.

[0018] Communication device 2 can perform 4G communication if it is inside the 4G cell 122. In the illustrated example, communication devices 2A and 2B, which are inside the 4G cell 122, can communicate with the 4G base station 121 via LTE or LTE-Advanced. Communication devices 2C and 2D are outside the 4G cell 122 and therefore cannot communicate via LTE or LTE-Advanced. 4G communication via LTE or LTE-Advanced between each communication device 2 and each 4G base station 121 is managed by the core network, the EPC. For example, the EPC handles data exchange with each 4G base station 121, data exchange with external networks such as 5GC, the satellite communication system 13, and the internet, and manages the movement of communication devices 2.

[0019] Focusing on each communication device 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2D, in the illustrated example, communication device 2A is capable of 4G communication with 4G base station 121, communication device 2B is capable of 5G communication with 5G base stations 111A and 111B and 4G communication with 4G base station 121, and communication device 2C is capable of 5G communication with 5G base station 111C. When there are multiple base stations (111A, 111B, 121) that can communicate, as in the case of communication device 2B, one base station deemed optimal in terms of communication quality, etc., is selected under the management of the core network 5GC and / or EPC to communicate with communication device 2B. Furthermore, since communication device 2D is not capable of communicating with any of the 5G base stations 111 and 4G base stations 121, it communicates using the satellite communication system 13 described next.

[0020] The satellite communication system 13 is a wireless communication system that uses a communication satellite 131 as a low-orbit satellite flying in the low-orbit space about 500 km to 700 km above the earth's surface as a non-terrestrial base station. Similar to the 5G base station 111 and the 4G base station 121, the communication range or support range of the communication satellite 131 is also called a cell and is illustrated as 132. Thus, the communication satellite 131 as a non-terrestrial base station provides a satellite communication cell 132 as a non-terrestrial communication cell to the ground. If the communication device 2 on the ground is inside the satellite communication cell 132, satellite communication can be performed. Similar to the 5G base station 111 in the 5G wireless communication system 11 and the 4G base station 121 in the 4G wireless communication system 12, the communication satellite 131 as a base station in the satellite communication system 13 can perform wireless communication directly with the communication device 2 in the satellite communication cell 132 or indirectly via an aircraft or the like. The radio access technology used by the communication satellite 131 for wireless communication with the communication device 2 in the satellite communication cell 132 may be the same 5G NR as the 5G base station 111, or the same LTE or LTE-Advanced as the 4G base station 121, or any other radio access technology that the communication device 2 can use. Therefore, the communication device 2 does not need to be provided with special functions or components for satellite communication.

[0021] The satellite communication system 13 includes a gateway 133 as a ground station installed on the ground and capable of communicating with a communication satellite 131. The gateway 133 includes a satellite antenna for communicating with the communication satellite 131, and is connected to a 5G base station 111 and a 4G base station 121 as ground base stations constituting a terrestrial network (TN: Terrestrial Network). In this way, the gateway 133 interconnects a non-terrestrial network (NTN: Non-Terrestrial Network) constituted by the communication satellite 131 as a non-ground base station or a satellite base station and the TN constituted by the ground base stations 111 and 121 so that they can communicate with each other. When the communication satellite 131 performs 5G communication with a communication device 2 within the satellite communication cell 132 using 5G NR, a 5GC connected via the gateway 133 and the 5G base station 111 (or 5G radio access network) in the TN is used as a core network. When the communication satellite 131 performs 4G communication with the communication device 2 within the satellite communication cell 132 using LTE or LTE-Advanced, an EPC connected via the gateway 133 and the 4G base station 121 (or 4G radio access network) in the TN is used as a core network. In this way, appropriate cooperation is achieved among different wireless communication systems such as 5G communication, 4G communication, and satellite communication via the gateway 133.

[0022] Satellite communication by the communication satellite 131 is mainly used to cover areas where there are no or few ground base stations such as the 5G base station 111 and the 4G base station 121. In the illustrated example, a communication device 2D outside the communication cells of all the ground base stations communicates with the communication satellite 131. On the other hand, although the communication devices 2A, 2B, and 2C, which are in a state where they can communicate well with any of the ground base stations, are also within the satellite communication cell 132 and can communicate with the communication satellite 131, in principle, they communicate with the ground base stations rather than the communication satellite 131 as a satellite base station, so that the limited communication resources (including power) of the communication satellite 131 are saved for the communication device 2D and the like. The communication satellite 131 improves the communication quality with the communication device 2D by directing communication radio waves toward the communication device 2D within the satellite communication cell 132 through beamforming.

[0023] The size of the satellite communication cell 132 of the communication satellite 131 as a satellite base station can be arbitrarily set according to the number of beams emitted by the communication satellite 131. For example, by combining up to 2,800 beams, a satellite communication cell 132 with a diameter of approximately 24 km can be formed. As shown in the figure, the satellite communication cell 132 is typically larger than terrestrial communication cells such as 5G cells 112 and 4G cells 122, and may contain one or more 5G cells 112 and / or 4G cells 122 inside. In the above, the communication satellite 131 flying in low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 500 km to 700 km above the Earth's surface was used as an example of a flying non-terrestrial base station. However, communication satellites flying in higher Earth orbits such as geostationary orbit, or unmanned or manned aircraft or drones flying in the atmosphere at lower altitudes (e.g., approximately 20 km above the Earth's surface), may be used as non-terrestrial base stations in addition to or instead of the communication satellite 131.

[0024] Figure 2 schematically shows the general configuration of a wireless communication system 1 to which the communication control device according to the embodiment of this disclosure is applied. As shown in Figure 1, wireless communication systems 1 were generally constructed by ground communication cells 112 and 122 (hereinafter also referred to as fixed communication cells) provided by ground base stations 111 and 121 (hereinafter also referred to as fixed base stations) that were permanently installed on the ground. However, there was a problem that mobile communication was not possible outside of fixed communication cells, and even within fixed communication cells, the quality of mobile communication deteriorated depending on the time and location. Although wireless communication systems 1 may also include satellite communication systems 13 in which a communication satellite 131 is used as a non-ground base station or mobile base station, it is impractical to supplement the ground network provided by ground base stations 111 and 121 with only the communication satellite 131.

[0025] To solve these problems, it is preferable to introduce dynamic communication stations CS to supplement the fixed communication cells 112 and 122 provided by fixed base stations 111 and 121, as schematically shown in Figure 2. A dynamic communication station CS is, for example, a communication station capable of providing dynamic communication cells that can change spatially and / or temporally. For example, a mobile or flying communication station, as shown in Figure 3 later, is an example of a dynamic communication station CS that provides spatially changing (i.e., moving) dynamic communication cells. A communication station that can switch between an operational state that provides dynamic communication cells and a stopped state that does not provide dynamic communication cells is an example of a dynamic communication station CS that provides temporally changing (i.e., on / off switching) dynamic communication cells.

[0026] A dynamic communication station CS may be, for example, a communication station whose operating hours are limited to specific time periods, or an on-demand communication station that can adaptively switch between a stopped state and an operating state in response to communication demand from communication equipment, etc. Furthermore, as will be described later, an on-demand communication station may be attached to a mobile or flying object such as a drone and move actively or passively to locations with high communication demand or localized insufficient communication quality. Examples of dynamic communication stations CS include a mobile base station such as a communication satellite 131 that functions as a base station itself (it may also be a fixed base station that can switch between an operating state and a stopped state), a repeater-like device that communicates with existing fixed base stations 111 and 121 to extend existing fixed communication cells 112 and 122 (hereinafter also referred to as a repeater station), and an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) node, which will be described later. Furthermore, a dynamic communication station CS is not limited to mobile communication stations that use RATs for mobile communication in the narrow sense, such as 5G NR, LTE, and LTE-Advanced, but may also be a non-mobile communication station that uses other RATs such as Bluetooth® or Wi-Fi®. Thus, when diverse dynamic communication stations (CS) utilize diverse RATs, coordination between different RATs is established in the RAN and / or core network (CN). In the example in Figure 2, the dynamic communication station (CS) is an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) node.

[0027] IAB is a technology developed for 5G that uses wireless backhaul between a base station acting as an IAB donor (parent node) and IAB nodes (child nodes), and / or between parent and child IAB nodes (the IAB node closer to the IAB donor becomes the parent node, and the IAB node further away from the IAB donor becomes the child node) to extend the communication cell by the parent node. Here, "extending the communication cell" includes not only expanding the area covered by existing communication cells, but also improving the communication quality of at least some of the existing communication cells. Furthermore, "extending the area covered by communication cells" includes not only increasing the horizontal area of ​​existing communication cells, but also extending existing communication cells vertically, for example, underground or on upper and / or lower floors of buildings.

[0028] In Figure 2, the dynamic communication station CS as an IAB node comprises a communication device function unit 41 that functions as a communication device for parent nodes (parent base stations) including fixed base stations 111 and 121, and a base station function unit 42 that functions as a child base station for the communication device UE and provides dynamic communication cells. In 5G, the communication device function unit 41 is defined as MT (Mobile Termination) or IAB-MT, and the base station function unit 42 is defined as DU (Distributed Unit) or IAB-DU. It is also conceivable that in other wireless communication systems, including generations after 5G, similar functions to IAB, MT, DU, and CU may be provided under different names, including the CU (Central Unit) described later, but in this embodiment, such similar functions may be used as IAB, MT, DU, and CU.

[0029] Figure 2 illustrates two fixed base stations 111 and 121. The first fixed base station 121, acting as a 4G base station, provides a first fixed communication cell 122 as a 4G cell, and the second fixed base station 111, acting as a 5G base station, provides a second fixed communication cell 112 as a 5G cell. In the example in Figure 2, the baseband functions of each fixed base station 111 and 121 are divided into an aggregation unit (CU) on the core network CN side and a distribution unit (DU) on the communication equipment UE side. The first distribution unit DU1 of the first fixed base station 121 is located near the antenna and other radio equipment of the first fixed base station 121, typically in the same base station facility as the radio equipment. The second distribution unit DU2 of the second fixed base station 111 is located near the antenna and other radio equipment of the second fixed base station 111, typically in the same base station facility as the radio equipment. In the illustrated example, the aggregation unit CU is shared by the first fixed base station 121 (first distributed unit DU1) and the second fixed base station 111 (second distributed unit DU2), but an aggregation unit may be provided individually for each fixed base station 111 and 121. The aggregation unit CU is connected to the core network CN. The connections between wireless equipment such as antennas at each fixed base station 111 and 121 and each distributed unit DU1 and DU2, the connections between each distributed unit DU1 and DU2 and the aggregation unit CU, and the connections between the aggregation unit CU and the core network CN are typically made by wires such as conductors or optical fibers, but some or all of these connections may be made wirelessly.

[0030] The communication unit 41 (IAB-MT) of the dynamic communication station CS can wirelessly connect to the distributed unit DU of either fixed base station 111 or 121, depending on the location of the dynamic communication station CS. In the example in Figure 2, the communication unit 41 is wirelessly connected to the second distributed unit DU2 of the second fixed base station 111. In this case, the dynamic communication station CS functions as a child node with the second fixed base station 111 as the parent node (parent base station) or IAB donor, and extends the second fixed communication cell 112 provided by the second fixed base station 111 as the parent node. The base station unit 42 (IAB-DU) of the dynamic communication station CS then provides the communication device UE with a dynamic communication cell (not shown) or a mobile communication cell as an extended communication cell of the second fixed communication cell 112. In the example in Figure 2, two communication devices 2E and 2F connected to the base station unit 42 of the dynamic communication station CS are schematically shown. The first communication device 2E communicates substantially with the second fixed base station 111 via the dynamic communication station CS while being located within the first fixed communication cell 122 and outside the second fixed communication cell 112. The second communication device 2F communicates substantially with the second fixed base station 111 via the dynamic communication station CS while being located within the overlapping area of ​​the first fixed communication cell 122 and the second fixed communication cell 112. The dynamic communication station CS, acting as an IAB node, may extend mobile communication cells such as satellite communication cell 132, with a mobile base station such as a communication satellite 131 as its parent base station.

[0031] When implemented as a mobile communication station (such as an IAB node), the dynamic communication station CS is attached to a mobile object, except in cases where it can move (fly) autonomously, such as a communication satellite 131. A mobile object is any movable object or person, including any vehicle such as a car, train, motorcycle, bicycle, airplane, drone, or ship. The mobile dynamic communication station CS may also be a communication device 2 carried by a mobile person, for example, a communication device 2 equipped with tethering or personal hotspot functions. Since such a communication device 2 (dynamic communication station CS) typically functions as a wireless LAN access point, the RAT (e.g., 5G NR) used by the source base station (e.g., second fixed base station 111) and the RAT used by the destination dynamic communication station CS may be different.

[0032] Figure 3 is a functional block diagram of the communication control device 3 according to this embodiment. The communication control device 3 includes a communication device identification unit 31, a communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32, a dynamic communication cell provision unit 33, an interference estimation unit 34, and an interference reduction unit 35. Some of these functional blocks can be omitted as long as the communication control device 3 can realize at least some of the operations and / or effects described below. These functional blocks are realized through the cooperation of hardware resources such as the central processing unit, memory, input devices, output devices, and peripheral devices connected to the computer, and software executed using them. Regardless of the type or location of the computer, each of the above functional blocks may be realized with the hardware resources of a single computer, or it may be realized by combining hardware resources distributed across multiple computers. In particular, in this embodiment, some or all of the functional blocks of the communication control device 3 may be realized centrally or distributedly on computers and processors provided in the communication device 2, dynamic communication station CS (including mobile unit V), sensor 43 (described later), base station (distributed unit DU and / or aggregated unit CU), gateway 133, and core network CN.

[0033] Figure 3 illustrates three types of dynamic communication stations CS. The first dynamic communication station CS1 is a flyable aerial communication station (base station, relay station, IAB node, non-mobile communication station, etc.) attached to an aircraft such as a drone. As will be described later, the first dynamic communication station CS1 is spatially and / or temporally controllable by the communication control device 3. Spatially, for example, the position and altitude of the first dynamic communication station CS1 itself (which is a drone), the direction and range of provision of the first dynamic communication cell DC1 from the first dynamic communication station CS1, and the irradiation direction and range of the beam used to provide the first dynamic communication cell DC1 are controlled by the communication control device 3. Temporally, the first dynamic communication station CS1 is controlled by the communication control device 3 between an operational state that provides the first dynamic communication cell DC1 and a stopped state that does not provide the first dynamic communication cell DC1. Furthermore, the first dynamic communication station CS1 may be controlled by the communication control device 3 in any other manner. For example, the intensity and frequency band of the beam (communication radio waves) used to provide the first dynamic communication cell DC1 may be controlled by the communication control device 3.

[0034] In particular, regarding the spatial control of the first dynamic communication station CS1, when the horizontal position of the first dynamic communication station CS1 is changed by the communication control device 3, the position (typically two-dimensional coordinates on the ground) of the first dynamic communication cell DC1, which is typically provided to the ground by the first dynamic communication station CS1, changes. Also, when the altitude (vertical position) of the first dynamic communication station CS1 is changed by the communication control device 3, the size of the first dynamic communication cell DC1, which is typically provided to the ground by the first dynamic communication station CS1, changes. As schematically shown in Figure 3, when the altitude of the first dynamic communication station CS1 is low (illustrated as "Low Altitude"), the size of the first dynamic communication cell DC1 becomes smaller, and the communication resources of the first dynamic communication station CS1 are concentrated over a narrower area. Conversely, when the altitude of the first dynamic communication station CS1 is high (illustrated as "High Altitude"), the size of the first dynamic communication cell DC1 becomes larger, and the communication resources of the first dynamic communication station CS1 are provided over a wider area.

[0035] However, as schematically shown in Figure 3, typically, the first dynamic communication cell DC1 provided by the first dynamic communication station CS1 is smaller than existing communication cells such as 5G cell 112 provided by existing base stations such as 5G base station 111. Thus, the first dynamic communication cell DC1 is typically provided to a small portion of the existing communication cells to compensate for local or temporary deficiencies in the communication quality of the existing communication cells, as will be described later. For example, if the first dynamic communication station CS1, which is a drone, is a communication station such as a relay station or IAB node that requires a parent base station (not shown), and the distance to the parent base station becomes excessive, another drone, a dynamic relay station CS1', ​​may be used to relay communication radio waves between the first dynamic communication station CS1 and the parent base station. For example, if the communication control device 3 moves the first dynamic communication station CS1 to a location far from the parent base station, it may also move the dynamic relay station CS1' to an intermediate location between the first dynamic communication station CS1 and the parent base station. Thus, according to the communication control device 3 of this embodiment, for example, multiple dynamic communication stations and / or dynamic relay stations organized by a group of drones can be deployed at desired locations and provide dynamic communication cells at any location while coordinating or communicating with each other.

[0036] The second dynamic communication station CS2 is an on-demand communication station (base station, relay station, IAB node, non-mobile communication station, etc.) that is fixed or semi-fixed on the ground. The second dynamic communication station CS2 is spatially and / or temporally controllable by the communication control device 3. Spatially, the direction and range of provision of the second dynamic communication cell DC2 from the second dynamic communication station CS2, and the irradiation direction and range of the beam used to provide the second dynamic communication cell DC2 are controlled by the communication control device 3. Temporally, the second dynamic communication station CS2 is controlled by the communication control device 3 between an operational state that provides the second dynamic communication cell DC2 and a stopped state that does not provide the second dynamic communication cell DC2. Furthermore, the second dynamic communication station CS2 may be controlled by the communication control device 3 in any other manner. For example, the intensity and frequency band of the beam (communication radio waves) used to provide the second dynamic communication cell DC2 may be controlled by the communication control device 3. As schematically shown in Figure 3, typically, the second dynamic communication cell DC2 provided by the second dynamic communication station CS2 is smaller than existing communication cells such as 5G cell 112 provided by existing base stations such as 5G base station 111. Thus, the second dynamic communication cell DC2 is typically provided to a small portion of the existing communication cells to compensate for local or temporary deficiencies in the communication quality of the existing communication cells, as will be described later.

[0037] The third dynamic communication station CS3 is a communication station (base station, relay station, IAB node, non-mobile communication station, etc.) attached to a vehicle V as a mobile entity. The third dynamic communication station CS3 is spatially and / or temporally controllable by the communication control device 3. Spatially, the position and motion of the vehicle V to which the third dynamic communication station CS3 is attached, the direction and range of provision of the third dynamic communication cell DC3 from the third dynamic communication station CS3, and the irradiation direction and range of the beam used to provide the third dynamic communication cell DC3 are controlled by the communication control device 3. Temporally, the third dynamic communication station CS3 is controlled by the communication control device 3 between an operational state that provides the third dynamic communication cell DC3 and a stopped state that does not provide the third dynamic communication cell DC3. Furthermore, the third dynamic communication station CS3 may be controlled by the communication control device 3 in any other manner. For example, the intensity and frequency band of the beam (communication radio waves) used to provide the third dynamic communication cell DC3 may be controlled by the communication control device 3. As schematically shown in Figure 3, typically, the third dynamic communication cell DC3 provided by the third dynamic communication station CS3 is smaller than existing communication cells such as 5G cell 112 provided by existing base stations such as 5G base station 111. Thus, the third dynamic communication cell DC3 is typically provided to a small portion of the existing communication cells to compensate for local or temporary deficiencies in the communication quality of the existing communication cells, as will be discussed later.

[0038] The communication device identification unit 31 identifies a communication device 2 within an existing communication cell. In Figure 3, a 5G cell 112 provided by a 5G base station 111 is exemplified as an existing communication cell, but the existing communication cell may also be a 4G cell 122 or satellite communication cell 132 provided by an existing base station such as a 4G base station 121 or a communication satellite 131. The communication device identification unit 31 identifies one or more communication devices 2 that are connected to or communicating with a 5G base station 111, which is an existing base station providing a 5G cell 112, based on connection-related information or communication-related information held by the RAN and / or core network CN. Furthermore, the communication device identification unit 31 may measure the location of each communication device 2 within the 5G cell 112 using a GPS module or the like mounted on each communication device 2 itself, or using a beacon or other positioning module that positions each communication device 2 (for example, this may be implemented by a sensor 43 described later), or it may recognize the location from location information managed by the LMF (Location Management Function) or various location-related information managed by the core network CN, such as TAC (Tracking Area Code). By comparing the location information of each communication device 2 with the arrangement information of existing communication cells 112 that has been previously recognized by the core network CN, the communication device identification unit 31 may identify the communication device 2 within the existing communication cell 112.

[0039] The communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 estimates the deficiency of communication quality provided by the existing communication cell 112 to each communication device 2. Here, a deficiency in communication quality refers to a state in which the existing communication cell 112 cannot achieve the communication quality required for each communication that each communication device 2 attempts to perform. For example, if a specific communication device 2 connected to the existing communication cell 112 attempts to perform high-quality communication such as emergency communication or priority communication, and the communication resources available in the existing communication cell 112 cannot achieve the required high communication quality, a deficiency in communication quality for that specific communication device 2 occurs. In this way, the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 may also detect priority communication by a communication device 2 based on NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) or the like, and estimate the deficiency of communication quality provided by the existing communication cell 112 to that communication device 2. Furthermore, if a sudden increase in communication traffic, deterioration of radio wave conditions, communication failure, etc., occurs in at least a part of the area of ​​the existing communication cell 112, a deficiency in communication quality will occur for each communication device 2 in at least that area.

[0040] The communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 may estimate the deficiency of communication quality provided by the existing communication cell 112 to each communication device 2 based on communication measurement results from the communication device 2, existing base station 111, dynamic communication stations CS1 to CS3, sensor 43, etc. For example, a standard communication device 2 measures the communication quality and interference at its own location and provides this information to the existing base station 111, etc., in the form of channel state information (CSI) or a measurement report. Such communication measurement results from the communication device 2 may include average RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality), CQI (Channel Quality Indicator), average received throughput, etc. The communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 may determine the deficiency of communication quality by applying predetermined judgment thresholds to each of these communication measurement results.

[0041] The communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 may estimate the communication quality of each part in the existing communication cell 112 based on the communication history of each communication device 2, each dynamic communication station CS1 to CS3, each sensor 43, etc., collected by the existing base station 111. The dynamic communication stations CS1 to CS3 may provide the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 with communication measurement results similar to those of a standard communication device 2. In particular, when the dynamic communication stations CS1 to CS3 are configured as IAB nodes (Figure 2), their communication device function unit 41 (IAB-MT) functions as a communication device 2, and can easily provide communication measurement results similar to those of a communication device 2.

[0042] Sensor 43 measures arbitrary information that contributes to estimating the deficiency of communication quality for each communication device 2 by the existing communication cell 112. Basic information such as the position and measurement range of sensor 43 is set or recognized by the core network CN, etc. The shape of the measurement range of sensor 43 is arbitrary, but examples include concentric circles centered on sensor 43, a fan shape centered on sensor 43, a roughly rectangular shape extending from sensor 43 to the other end, an arbitrary convex hull shape encompassing all communication devices 2 and / or all points to be measured by sensor 43, and an arbitrary three-dimensional shape obtained by adding height to these two-dimensional shapes.

[0043] Sensor 43 may directly or indirectly measure communication quality and interference at its own location, similar to a standard communication device 2. Sensor 43 may also measure the number and movement status of communication devices 2 within the measurement range. If the number of measured communication devices 2 is large, the communication resources of the existing communication cell 112 in that measurement range will become strained, making it highly likely that a communication quality shortage will occur. Also, if each measured communication device 2 is moving at high speed, the communication quality from the existing base station 111, which is typically a fixed base station, will deteriorate, making it highly likely that a communication quality shortage will occur for each communication device 2. Furthermore, by having numerous sensors 43 (which may be communication devices 2 or dynamic communication stations CS with the function of sensor 43) located in various parts of the existing communication cell 112 measure the location and movement status of numerous communication devices 2 within the existing communication cell 112, the communication quality shortage estimation unit 32 can estimate the distribution or density of communication devices 2 within the existing communication cell 112 at the present time or future time. In areas where many communication devices 2 are distributed, the communication resources of existing communication cells 112 become strained, making it highly likely that communication quality will be deficient. In order for the communication quality deficient estimation unit 32 to grasp the dynamics of a large number of communication devices 2 within such existing communication cells 112, it may refer to the time each communication device 2 has been in the existing communication cell 112, as known by the core network CN, etc.

[0044] The sensor 43 may be, for example, mounted on a communication device 2 such as a smartphone or an existing base station 111, or it may be an IoT device with minimal communication capabilities that can share measurement results with the RAN and / or core network CN that includes the existing base station 111. Such a sensor 43 may use short-range wireless communication technology such as Bluetooth® to provide communication measurement results to nearby communication devices 2, dynamic communication stations CS1 to CS3, vehicles V, existing base station 111, etc., and from there relay or provide them to the RAN and / or core network CN as needed.

[0045] Sensor 43 may be a passively driven IoT sensor, also known as Ambient IoT or Passive IoT. Such an IoT sensor performs measurement operations in response to a trigger provided from the network side. The power required to perform these measurement operations may be supplied to the IoT sensor by radio waves carrying the trigger from the network side. Furthermore, a method similar to the Minimization of Drive Test (MDT) specified by 3GPP may be used to collect communication measurement results from the communication device 2, existing base station 111, dynamic communication stations CS1-CS3, sensor 43, etc.

[0046] The communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 may estimate the communication quality deficiency of each communication device 2 connected to the existing communication cell 112 by comprehensively considering the various communication measurement results described above, using the activity history information analysis unit 5, which is realized by artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) functions such as NWDAF (Network Data Analytics Function) introduced in 5GC as the core network CN of 5G. The NWDAF is responsible for collecting and analyzing data on the network, including 5G. Specifically, the NWDAF collects and stores activity history information regarding various activities performed on the network by numerous communication devices 2 connected to the network, existing base stations 111, dynamic communication stations CS1~CS3, sensors 43, etc., and utilizes the analysis results for, for example, network traffic control. It is also conceivable that similar functions to NWDAF may be provided under different names in other wireless communication systems, including wireless communication systems of generations later than 5G, but in this embodiment, such similar functions may be used in place of or in addition to NWDAF. Furthermore, in order to enable proper analysis by the Activity History Information Analysis Unit 5, time information such as a timestamp indicating the time of collection is attached to the various communication measurement results collected by the communication device 2, existing base station 111, dynamic communication stations CS1~CS3, sensor 43, etc.

[0047] As described above, the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 can individually estimate whether or not a communication quality deficiency will occur for each communication device 2 within the existing communication cell 112, based on various current and past communication measurement results collected by the communication device 2, existing base station 111, dynamic communication stations CS1 to CS3, sensors 43, etc., and a comprehensive analysis of these vast communication measurement results (which can also be called big data) by the activity history information analysis unit 5. Alternatively, the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 can estimate local and / or temporary communication quality deficiencies in each area and / or time period within the existing communication cell 112. For example, if, based on an analysis of various past communication measurement results collected by the communication device 2, existing base station 111, dynamic communication stations CS1 to CS3, sensors 43, etc., it is found that the frequency of communication quality deficiencies is high in a particular area within the existing communication cell 112 during a particular time period, the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 can estimate that there is a high probability that communication quality deficiencies will occur in that area during that time period in the future. In such cases, the dynamic communication cell provision unit 33, described later, deploys, for example, the first dynamic communication station CS1 (drone) to the area by the relevant time period, effectively deploying the first dynamic communication cell DC1 to compensate for the insufficient communication quality provided by the existing communication cell 112. At this time, the altitude, beam irradiation direction, and irradiation range of the first dynamic communication station CS1 (drone) are adjusted so that the first dynamic communication cell DC1 covers the entire area.

[0048] The dynamic communication cell provision unit 33 causes dynamic communication stations CS1 to CS3 to provide dynamic communication cells DC1 to DC3 to each communication device 2 whose communication quality deficiency due to existing communication cells 112 has been estimated by the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32.

[0049] For mobile dynamic communication stations CS, such as the first dynamic communication station CS1 and the third dynamic communication station CS3, the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit 33 may move the first dynamic communication station CS1 and the third dynamic communication station CS3 to a position where they can provide the first dynamic communication cell DC1 and the third dynamic communication cell DC3 to the communication device 2, in accordance with the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32's estimation of a communication quality deficiency. In particular, for the flyable first dynamic communication station CS1, the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit 33 may change the size of the first dynamic communication cell DC1 by changing the altitude of the first dynamic communication station CS1. In this case, it is preferable that the altitude of the first dynamic communication station CS1 be as low as possible within the range in which the first dynamic communication cell DC1, which includes all of the one or more communication devices 2 for which a communication quality deficiency has been estimated, is formed. This reduces the size of the first dynamic communication cell DC1, and the communication resources of the first dynamic communication station CS1 are concentrated and provided to the one or more communication devices 2 that require them. Furthermore, if a mobile dynamic communication station CS is far from the location where it should provide a dynamic communication cell DC (the location where a communication device 2 with suspected communication quality deficiency exists), the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit 33 may issue a movement command to the dynamic communication station CS only if the dynamic communication station CS can realistically move to that location by the time when it should begin providing the dynamic communication cell DC (the time when the occurrence of communication quality deficiency is expected).

[0050] For dynamic communication stations CS that are substantially immobile, such as the second dynamic communication station CS2 and the third dynamic communication station CS3 (in cases where smooth movement is not possible due to road congestion, etc.), the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit 33 may adjust the provisioning direction and range of each dynamic communication cell DC, as well as the irradiation direction and range of the beam used to provide each dynamic communication cell DC, so that the second dynamic communication cell DC2 and the third dynamic communication cell DC3 are provided to the communication device 2, in accordance with the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32. Furthermore, a substantially immobile dynamic communication station CS may be kept in a stopped state without providing dynamic communication cell DC if there is no communication device 2 nearby that is estimated to have a communication quality deficiency due to an existing communication cell 112. On the other hand, if a communication device 2 that is estimated to have a communication quality deficiency due to an existing communication cell 112 appears near the dynamic communication station CS, the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit 33 switches the dynamic communication station CS to an operational state and causes it to provide dynamic communication cell DC to the communication device 2.

[0051] The dynamic communication cell provisioning unit 33 stops providing dynamic communication cells DC to each communication device 2 by the dynamic communication station CS when the communication quality deficiency estimated by the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 is resolved. Typically, the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit 33 switches the dynamic communication station CS from an operational state to a stopped state. For movable dynamic communication station CS, such as the first dynamic communication station CS1 and the third dynamic communication station CS3, the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit 33 may move the dynamic communication station CS from the position where it was providing dynamic communication cells DC to each communication device 2 when the communication quality deficiency estimated by the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 is resolved. Note that when multiple dynamic communication station CS are involved in providing dynamic communication cells DC1, such as the first dynamic communication station CS1 and dynamic relay station CS1' (also known as multi-hop), delays occur in communication between each dynamic communication station CS. Therefore, when the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit 33 switches these dynamic communication station CS between an operational state and a stopped state, it is preferable to perform the switching process in advance at a timing that takes into account the communication delay between each dynamic communication station CS.

[0052] The interference estimation unit 34 estimates the interference between the dynamic communication cell DC provided by the dynamic communication station CS and the existing communication cells 112 surrounding the dynamic communication station CS. For example, when an operational dynamic communication station CS approaches an existing communication cell 112, the communication radio waves of the dynamic communication cell DC being deployed by the dynamic communication station CS may interfere with the communication radio waves of the existing communication cell 112. Also, when the dynamic communication station CS switches from a stopped state to an operational state inside the existing communication cell 112, the communication radio waves of the newly deployed dynamic communication cell DC may interfere with the communication radio waves of the existing communication cell 112. The interference estimation unit 34 may also detect the traffic volume or communication power of at least one of the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112, and if these are significantly low, it may determine that the possibility of interference in actual communication is low even if the two communication cells overlap.

[0053] Thus, if a dynamic communication cell DC provided by a dynamic communication station CS interferes with an existing communication cell 112, the communication quality deteriorates in the interference area or overlap area with the existing communication cell 112, even though additional dynamic communication cell DCs are being provided. To avoid such a situation, the interference estimation unit 34 estimates at least one of the following: interference occurring at the present time between the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112; interference that may occur at a future time as the deployed dynamic communication cell DC approaches the existing communication cell 112; and interference that may occur at a future time between the dynamic communication cell DC newly deployed by the dynamic communication station CS switching from a stopped state to an operational state and the existing communication cell 112.

[0054] The interference estimation unit 34 may estimate interference between the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112 based primarily on the communication measurement results at the current time by the dynamic communication station CS. In this case, the dynamic communication station CS can be interpreted as having (built in) the aforementioned sensor 43 capable of directly or indirectly measuring communication quality and interference. In particular, as described above with respect to Figure 2, when the dynamic communication station CS is configured as an IAB node, a communication device function unit 41 (IAB-MT) equipped with communication measurement functions similar to those of a general communication device 2 such as a smartphone can be used as the sensor 43 and / or interference estimation unit 34. Specifically, the communication device function unit 41 (IAB-MT), like a general communication device 2, measures the communication quality and interference at its own (dynamic communication station CS) location and provides it to the parent base station in the form of channel state information (CSI). If there is interference between the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112, the CSI etc. measured and provided to the parent base station by the communication device function unit 41 (IAB-MT) will include indications such as "(due to interference) communication quality is low" or "there is interference."

[0055] The interference estimation unit 34 may estimate interference between the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112 based primarily on the communication measurement results at the current time obtained by sensors 43 around the dynamic communication station CS. In this case, the sensors 43 can directly or indirectly measure communication quality and interference. As described above, the sensors 43, such as IoT devices with minimal communication capabilities, provide the communication measurement results to the RAN and / or core network CN.

[0056] The interference estimation unit 34 may estimate or predict interference that may occur between the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112 at a future time, based on the activity history information analyzed by the activity history information analysis unit 5. Specifically, the activity history information analysis unit 5 collects and analyzes past communication measurement results from at least one of the dynamic communication station CS targeted for interference estimation, other dynamic communication station CS, or one or more sensors 43 as activity history information.

[0057] For example, communication measurement results collected by the activity history information analysis unit 5 when the interference target or other dynamic communication station CS has previously deployed a dynamic communication cell DC in a specific area within an existing communication cell 112 are extremely useful for estimating interference that may occur in the future. Specifically, if the interference target or other dynamic communication station CS has previously deployed a dynamic communication cell DC of a certain type in a specific area within an existing communication cell 112 and obtained a communication measurement result indicating "interference," then if the dynamic communication station CS of the interference target deploys a dynamic communication cell DC of a similar type under similar circumstances, there is a high probability that interference will occur between it and the existing communication cell 112. Therefore, the interference reduction unit 35, described later, can prevent interference between the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112 by implementing interference reduction measures such as preventing the dynamic communication station CS from deploying a dynamic communication cell DC of that type, having the dynamic communication station CS deploy a dynamic communication cell DC of a different type, or changing the deployment pattern of the existing communication cell 112.

[0058] The interference reduction unit 35 performs interference reduction measures in at least one of the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112 to reduce interference between the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112 at the current time and / or future time estimated by the interference estimation unit 34.

[0059] Interference reduction measures may include at least one of the following: changing the direction of provision in at least one of the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112 (for example, adjusting the direction and range of provision of the dynamic communication cell DC so as to reduce interference with the existing communication cell 112); changing the beam used (for example, adjusting the direction, range, intensity, etc., of at least one of the beams so as not to irradiate the same position and / or area with the high-intensity beams of both communication cells); changing the antenna used (for example, switching at least a portion of the antennas responsible for beam irradiation into the interference area to a stopped state); changing the frequency band used (for example, having both communication cells primarily use different frequency bands, at least in the interference area); and applying various known inter-cell interference control methods, also known as ICIC (Inter-Cell Interference Coordination).

[0060] Furthermore, the interference reduction unit 35 may perform at least one of the following measures to reduce interference: disconnecting at least a portion of the communication devices 2 connected to at least one of the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112; switching at least a portion of one of the communication cells of the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112 to a stopped state (this reduces the interference area of ​​both communication cells and / or reduces the amount of interference in the interference area); or transferring at least a portion of the communication devices connected to one of the communication cells of the dynamic communication cell DC and the existing communication cell 112 to the other communication cell by handover or redirection (in addition, it is preferable to reduce the signal strength provided by one of the communication cells to reduce interference from that one communication cell to the other).

[0061] As described above, the interference reduction measures by the interference reduction unit 35 may be performed in either the dynamic communication cell DC (dynamic communication station CS) or the existing communication cell 112 (existing base station 111), but it is preferable to perform them in the dynamic communication cell DC, which is generally smaller than the existing communication cell 112 and allows for more localized or flexible responses (in other words, it is more agile). As shown in Figure 2, when the dynamic communication station CS is configured as an IAB node, the base station function unit 42 (IAB-DU), which functions as a (child) base station and provides the dynamic communication cell DC, performs the main part of the interference reduction measures.

[0062] Figure 4 shows an example of the communication control flow by the communication control device 3 according to this embodiment. In this figure, "S" means a step or process. In S1, the communication device 2 and sensor 43, etc., which are responsible for part of the processing of the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32, perform various communication measurements. The communication measurement results obtained in S1 may be used in real time for the subsequent processing of S2 to S6, or they may be analyzed by the activity history information analysis unit 5 for future processing of S2 to S6. In S2, the communication device 2 and sensor 43, etc., transmit the communication measurement results collected in S1 to a network such as the core network CN. The communication measurement results transmitted in S2 may include at least a part of the current or future communication quality and congestion forecast in each area within the existing communication cell 112, which are to be estimated in the subsequent S3. Here, the congestion forecast may be, for example, the expected or predicted number of communication devices 2 that will send a report to the network indicating that the communication quality requirement is not met. If the expected number of such communication devices 2 is above a predetermined threshold, and this condition is expected to continue for a predetermined time or longer, a communication quality deficiency may be estimated in the subsequent S3.

[0063] In S3, the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32 estimates the deficiency of communication quality for each communication device 2 by the existing communication cell 112 based on the various communication measurement results collected in S1 and provided in S2. In S4, the dynamic communication cell provision unit 33 causes the dynamic communication station CS to provide a dynamic communication cell DC to each communication device 2 for which a communication quality deficiency was estimated in S3. In S5, the dynamic communication cell provision unit 33 moves a movable dynamic communication station CS, such as a drone (for example, the first dynamic communication station CS1 in Figure 3), to the location of the communication device 2 for which it was determined in S4 that a dynamic communication cell DC should be provided. If a congested area with a congestion forecast of a certain level or higher is identified in S3, the dynamic communication station CS may be moved to the airspace above the center of the congested area, or to the airspace above any end of the congested area (the dynamic communication station CS emits a beam from that end to the other end). If it is difficult to adequately cover a congested area with a single dynamic communication station CS, multiple dynamic communication stations CS may be used to cover different parts of the congested area. In S6, the dynamic communication station CS, such as a drone that moved to a predetermined position and altitude in S5, provides a dynamic communication cell DC to the communication device 2 whose communication quality was estimated to be insufficient in S3.

[0064] According to this embodiment, in response to the estimate of insufficient communication quality for a communication device 2 within an existing communication cell 112 by the communication quality deficiency estimation unit 32, the dynamic communication cell provision unit 33 can provide a dynamic communication cell DC to the communication device 2 via the dynamic communication station CS.

[0065] The present disclosure has been described above based on embodiments. Various modifications are possible for each component and each combination of processes in the exemplary embodiments, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such modifications are included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0066] The configuration, operation, and function of each device and method described in the embodiments can be realized by hardware resources or software resources, or by the cooperation of hardware resources and software resources. Hardware resources include, for example, processors, ROMs, RAMs, and various integrated circuits. Software resources include, for example, operating systems and application programs.

[0067] This disclosure may be expressed as follows:

[0068] Item 1: The communication device identification unit identifies the communication devices within the existing communication cell, The communication quality deficiency estimation unit estimates the deficiency in communication quality from the existing communication cell to the communication device, The dynamic communication cell provision unit causes the communication equipment within the existing communication cell to provide a dynamic communication cell to the dynamic communication station, A communication control device comprising at least one processor that performs the following. Item 2: The communication control device according to item 1, wherein the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit moves the dynamic communication station to a position where it can provide the dynamic communication cell to the communication device in response to the estimate of insufficient communication quality by the communication quality insufficiency estimation unit. Item 3: The communication control device according to item 1 or 2, wherein the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit stops providing the dynamic communication cell to the communication device by the dynamic communication station when the communication quality deficiency estimated by the communication quality deficiency estimation unit is resolved. Item 4: The communication control device according to item 3, wherein the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit moves the dynamic communication station from a position where it can provide the dynamic communication cell to the communication device when the communication quality deficiency estimated by the communication quality deficiency estimation unit is resolved. Item 5: The communication control device according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the dynamic communication station is switchable between an operational state that provides the dynamic communication cell and a stopped state that does not provide the dynamic communication cell. Item 6: The aforementioned dynamic communication station is a mobile communication station, The aforementioned dynamic communication cell is a mobile communication cell. A communication control device as described in any of items 1 through 5. Item 7: The aforementioned dynamic communication station is an airborne communication station, The communication control device according to item 6, wherein the dynamic communication cell providing unit changes the size of the dynamic communication cell by changing the altitude of the flight communication station. Item 8: The communication control device according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the dynamic communication station is at least one of a base station, an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) node, a relay station, or a non-mobile communication station. Item 9: The communication quality deficiency estimation unit estimates the deficiency of communication quality to the communication device by the existing communication cell based on the communication measurement results from sensors around the communication device, according to any one of items 1 to 8. Item 10: The communication quality deficiency estimation unit estimates the deficiency of the communication quality of the existing communication cell to the communication device based on the communication measurement results of the communication device, as described in any of items 1 to 9. Item 11: The communication quality deficiency estimation unit estimates the deficiency of communication quality from the existing communication cell to the communication device based on the detection of priority communication by the communication device, according to any one of items 1 to 10. Item 12: The at least one processor is The interference estimation unit estimates the interference between the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell, The interference reduction unit performs interference reduction measures to reduce interference between the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell in at least one of the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell. A communication control device described in any of items 1 to 11 that performs the following actions. Item 13: The communication control device according to item 12, wherein the interference estimation unit estimates the interference between the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell based on the communication measurement results from the dynamic communication station. Item 14: The communication control device according to item 12 or 13, wherein the interference estimation unit estimates the interference between the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell based on the communication measurement results from sensors around the dynamic communication station. Item 15: The communication control device according to any one of items 12 to 14, wherein the interference reduction measures include at least one of the following in either the dynamic communication cell or the existing communication cell: changing the direction of provision, changing the beam used, changing the antenna used, changing the frequency band used, or applying Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC). Item 16: The interference reduction unit is a communication control device according to any one of items 12 to 15, which performs the interference reduction measures in the dynamic communication cell. Item 17: Identifying communication devices within existing communication cells, To estimate the deficiency in communication quality from the existing communication cell to the communication device, To cause the communication equipment in the existing communication cell to provide a dynamic communication cell to the dynamic communication station, A communication control method comprising the following: Item 18: Identifying communication devices within existing communication cells, To estimate the deficiency in communication quality from the existing communication cell to the communication device, To cause the communication equipment in the existing communication cell to provide a dynamic communication cell to the dynamic communication station, A storage medium that stores a communication control program that causes a computer to execute a command. [Industrial applicability]

[0069] This disclosure relates to the provision of dynamic communication cells in response to insufficient communication quality. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1 Wireless communication system, 2 Communication device, 3 Communication control device, 11 5G wireless communication system, 12 4G wireless communication system, 13 Satellite communication system, 31 Communication device identification unit, 32 Communication quality deficiency estimation unit, 33 Dynamic communication cell provision unit, 34 Interference estimation unit, 35 Interference reduction unit, 41 Communication device function unit, 42 Base station function unit, 43 Sensor, 111 5G base station, 112 5G cell, 121 4G base station, 122 4G cell, 131 Communication satellite, 132 Satellite communication cell, 133 Gateway.

Claims

1. The communication device identification unit identifies the communication devices within the existing communication cell, The communication quality deficiency estimation unit estimates the deficiency in communication quality provided by the existing communication cell to the communication device, individually for that communication device. The dynamic communication cell provisioning unit causes the dynamic communication station to provide a dynamic communication cell to the communication equipment in the existing communication cell where the lack of communication quality has been individually estimated by the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit. It has at least one processor that performs the following: The aforementioned dynamic communication station is a mobile communication station, The aforementioned dynamic communication cell is a mobile communication cell, The dynamic communication cell provisioning unit moves the dynamic communication station to a position where it can provide the dynamic communication cell to the communication device, in response to the estimate of insufficient communication quality by the insufficient communication quality estimation unit. The aforementioned dynamic communication station is an airborne communication station, The dynamic communication cell provisioning unit is a communication control device that changes the size of the dynamic communication cell for the communication device by changing the altitude of the aerial communication station in accordance with the communication quality deficiency estimated by the communication quality deficiency estimation unit.

2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit stops providing the dynamic communication cell to the communication device by the dynamic communication station when the communication quality deficiency estimated by the communication quality deficiency estimation unit is resolved.

3. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit moves the dynamic communication station from a position where it can provide the dynamic communication cell to the communication device when the communication quality deficiency estimated by the communication quality deficiency estimation unit is resolved.

4. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the dynamic communication station is switchable between an operational state that provides the dynamic communication cell and a stopped state that does not provide the dynamic communication cell.

5. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the dynamic communication station is at least one of a base station, an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) node, a relay station, and a non-mobile communication station.

6. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication quality deficiency estimation unit estimates the deficiency of communication quality to the communication device by the existing communication cell based on the communication measurement results from sensors around the communication device.

7. The communication device identification unit identifies the communication device within the existing communication cell, The communication quality deficiency estimation unit estimates the deficiency in communication quality provided by the existing communication cell to the communication device, individually for that communication device. The dynamic communication cell provisioning unit causes the dynamic communication station to provide a dynamic communication cell to the communication equipment in the existing communication cell where the lack of communication quality has been individually estimated by the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit. It has at least one processor that performs the following: The communication quality deficiency estimation unit is a communication control device that estimates the deficiency of the communication quality provided by the existing communication cell to the communication device based on the communication measurement results from the communication device.

8. The communication device identification unit identifies the communication device within the existing communication cell, The communication quality deficiency estimation unit estimates the deficiency in communication quality provided by the existing communication cell to the communication device, individually for that communication device. The dynamic communication cell provisioning unit causes the dynamic communication station to provide a dynamic communication cell to the communication equipment in the existing communication cell where the lack of communication quality has been individually estimated by the dynamic communication cell provisioning unit. It has at least one processor that performs the following: The communication quality deficiency estimation unit is a communication control device that estimates the deficiency of communication quality from the existing communication cell to the communication device based on the detection of priority communication by the communication device.

9. The at least one processor is The interference estimation unit estimates the interference between the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell, The interference reduction unit performs interference reduction measures to reduce interference between the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell in at least one of the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell. A communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which performs the following:

10. The communication control device according to claim 9, wherein the interference estimation unit estimates the interference between the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell based on the communication measurement results from the dynamic communication station.

11. The communication control device according to claim 9, wherein the interference estimation unit estimates the interference between the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell based on the communication measurement results from sensors around the dynamic communication station.

12. The communication control device according to claim 9, wherein the interference reduction measures include at least one of the following: changing the direction of provision, changing the beam used, changing the antenna used, changing the frequency band used, or applying inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC) in at least one of the dynamic communication cell and the existing communication cell.

13. The communication control device according to claim 9, wherein the interference reduction unit performs the interference reduction measure in the dynamic communication cell.

14. Identifying communication devices within existing communication cells, To individually estimate the deficiency in communication quality from the existing communication cell to the communication device, To provide a dynamic communication cell to the communication equipment in the existing communication cell where the aforementioned lack of communication quality was individually estimated, Equipped with, The aforementioned dynamic communication station is a mobile communication station, The aforementioned dynamic communication cell is a mobile communication cell, In response to the estimation of the insufficient communication quality, the dynamic communication station is moved to a position where it can provide the dynamic communication cell to the communication device. The aforementioned dynamic communication station is an airborne communication station, A communication control method that changes the size of the dynamic communication cell for the communication device by changing the altitude of the aerial communication station in accordance with the estimated deficiency of the communication quality.

15. Identifying communication devices within existing communication cells, To individually estimate the deficiency in communication quality from the existing communication cell to the communication device, To provide a dynamic communication cell to the communication equipment in the existing communication cell where the aforementioned lack of communication quality was individually estimated, Have the computer run it, The aforementioned dynamic communication station is a mobile communication station, The aforementioned dynamic communication cell is a mobile communication cell, In response to the estimation of the insufficient communication quality, the dynamic communication station is moved to a position where it can provide the dynamic communication cell to the communication device. The aforementioned dynamic communication station is an airborne communication station, A storage medium storing a communication control program that changes the size of the dynamic communication cell for the communication device by changing the altitude of the aerial communication station in accordance with the estimated deficiency of the communication quality.

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