Wireless devices, base station equipment, network nodes, and programs

Abstract

To continue a service even if a sensing target moves when a BS collects sensing data on the basis of reflection waves from the target.SOLUTION: A WD includes: management means for managing operation states, the operation states including a first state where the WD can communicate with a management device managing a position of the WD over a mobile communication network and a second state where the WD cannot communicate with the management device; and notification means by which, in a case where a transition from the first state to the second state is instructed by the mobile communication network, when it is reported that sensing is being executed, a second BS is notified of movement to a service area of the second BS in the case of moving from a service area of a first BS to the service area of the second BS in the second state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to sensing technology using a mobile communication network.

Background Art

[0002] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses various use cases of sensing services via a mobile communication network. In Non-Patent Document 1, there are Form A in which a base station device transmits a wireless sensing signal and collects sensing data based on the reflected wave thereof, Form B in which a base station device transmits a wireless sensing signal and a wireless device (WD) feeds back the reception result of the sensing signal to the base station device so that the base station device collects sensing data, and Form C in which a WD transmits a sensing signal and the base station device collects sensing data based on the reception result of the sensing signal by the base station device. Further, Non-Patent Document 1 gives, as examples of sensing services, detection of rainfall amount and traffic volume in a predetermined area, detection of the state of a person having a WD, and the like.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0003]

Non-Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, we consider a sensing service that detects the state of a person or object holding a WD (Warning Device) as it moves, and the state of the surroundings of that person or object. In the following explanation, the person or object holding the WD as it moves, and the surrounding environment of that person or object, will be referred to as the "sensing target," and the WD will also be referred to as the WD associated with the sensing target. For example, in the cases of the above forms B and C, the WD provides feedback of sensing signals or transmits sensing signals, so the mobile communication network can determine the base station equipment that performs sensing processing, that is, the base station equipment that provides the service at the location of the WD. Therefore, the mobile communication network can continue the sensing service even when the WD moves by switching the base station equipment that performs sensing processing in accordance with the movement of the WD.

[0005] On the other hand, in the above-described configuration A, if the WD is in the CM-CONNECED state (hereinafter referred to as the connected state), the mobile communication network can determine the base station equipment whose service area is the WD's location. However, if the WD transitions to the CM-IDLE state (hereinafter referred to as the idle state), the mobile communication network will no longer be able to determine the base station equipment whose service area is the WD's location. Therefore, in the above-described configuration A, the mobile communication network cannot switch the base station equipment that performs sensing in response to the movement of the WD, and thus cannot continue the sensing service. In order to continue providing the sensing service even in configuration A, it is conceivable to prohibit the transition to the idle state for WDs associated with the sensing target and keep them in the connected state, but this will increase the power consumption of the WD.

[0006] This disclosure provides a technology that enables base station equipment to continue providing services even when a sensing target moves, when the sensing data is collected based on reflected waves from the sensing target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless device of a mobile communication network including a plurality of base station devices is a management means for managing its operating state, wherein the operating state includes a first state in which the wireless device can communicate with a management device that manages the location of the wireless device in the mobile communication network, and a second state in which the wireless device cannot communicate with the management device, and the transition from the first state to the second state 1st base station device When instructed by, The base station equipment collects sensing data by receiving the reflected wave of the sensing signal transmitted by the base station equipment at the wireless device. Sensing The first base station device It is running From the first base station device Upon notification, in the second state The aforementioned The system includes a notification means for notifying the second base station of the movement to the service area of ​​the second base station when the first base station moves from its service area to the service area of ​​the second base station. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, when a base station device collects sensing data based on reflected waves from a sensing target, it becomes possible to continue the service even if the sensing target moves. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Configuration diagrams of a sensing system according to several embodiments. [Figure 2] Sequence diagrams according to several embodiments. [Figure 3] Sequence diagrams according to several embodiments. [Figure 4] Configuration diagrams of wireless devices according to several embodiments. [Figure 5] Configuration diagrams of base station equipment according to several embodiments. [Figure 6] Network node configuration diagrams according to several embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more of the features described in the embodiments may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, identical or similar configurations will be given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0011] <First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a diagram of the sensing system according to this embodiment. The mobile communication network has a core network 1 and a plurality of base station devices (BS) 2 connected to the core network 1. In Figure 1, two BS are shown, but this is an example, and the number of BS can be any number of two or more. In the following description, when distinguishing between the two BS2, they will be referred to as BS#1 and BS#2. BS2 may be a single device, or it may be divided into multiple devices such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), and a radio unit (RU). The area that BS2 provides service to, i.e., the service area of ​​BS2, is referred to as cell 5. A radio device (WD) 3 communicates with the BS2 that provides cell 5, including its location.

[0012] Server 4 is a device located on an external data network (DN) outside the mobile communication network, such as the Internet, and is operated by a provider of sensing services (hereinafter referred to as the service provider). Core network 1 has various network functions (NFs). One of these is the sensing function (SF) 10. NFs20 in Figure 1 is a collective term for multiple network functions different from the SF10 of core network 1. For example, NFs20 includes an access management function (AMF) that manages the location of WD3. NFs20 also includes a network exposure function (NEF) that enables Server 4, located on the DN, to access the NFs of the core network.

[0013] In the sensing service, BS2 is configured to enable the above-described form A. That is, BS2 is configured to transmit a sensing signal and collect sensing data based on the reflected wave.

[0014] Figures 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams according to this embodiment. In S10, Server 4 sends a sensing request to SF10 that includes information identifying the sensing target. The information identifying the sensing target can be any information based on a prior agreement between the service provider and the mobile communication network operator. In addition, SF10 has information stored in advance that shows the relationship between the information identifying the sensing target and the identifier of the WD3 associated with the sensing target (hereinafter, the WD3 associated with the sensing target will be referred to as Target WD3). In S11, SF10 determines the Target WD3 based on the information identifying the sensing target, and further determines the BS2 whose service area is the current location of the Target WD3. For example, if the Target WD3 is in a connected state, SF10 can obtain information from AMF about the BS2 whose service area is the current location of the Target WD3. Note that "connected state" is, for example, CM-CONNECED, and a CM-CONNECED WD3 is in a state where it can communicate with AMF. Furthermore, for example, if the target WD3 is in an idle state, SF10 causes the AMF to perform paging on the target WD3 to transition it to a connected state. This allows SF10 to obtain information from the AMF about the BS2 whose service area is the current location of the target WD3. Note that "idle state" refers to, for example, a CM-CIDLE, and a CM-IDLE WD3 is in a state where it cannot communicate with the AMF. In the example in Figure 2, it is assumed that the BS2 whose service area is the current location of the target WD3 is BS#1.

[0015] In S12, SF10 instructs BS#1 to start sensing the sensing target. This instruction includes the sensing content and the identifier (ID) of the target WD3. In S13, BS#1 starts sensing the sensing target and collects and stores the sensing data. Note that, due to the process of S11, the target WD3 is in a connected state at the time of the process of S13. When the target WD3 is communicating, the connected state is maintained. However, when the target WD3 is not communicating, in S14 when a predetermined period has elapsed, BS#1 instructs the target WD3 to perform radio resource control (RRC) release. Instructing RRC release means instructing the WD3 to disconnect the radio link with BS2 and transition from the connected state to the idle state. Therefore, the target WD3 that receives the RRC release instruction transitions to the idle state. Here, in the present embodiment, when BS#1 transitions the WD3 associated with the sensing target, that is, the target WD3, to the idle state, in the instruction of RRC release, it notifies the target WD3 that sensing is in progress and the identifier of SF10. As a result, the target WD3 transitions to the second idle state instead of the normal first idle state.

[0016] When the WD3 in the second idle state moves from a cell 5 of a certain BS2 to a cell 5 of another BS2, it sends a movement notification to the other BS2. The movement notification is a message that notifies the BS2 that the WD3 that sent the movement notification is the target WD3 for sensing. Note that the WD3 in the first idle state operates to report the current tracking area to the mobile communication network when the tracking area is switched or when a predetermined period has elapsed.

[0017] In S20, the target WD3 moves from cell 5 of BS#1 to cell 5 of BS#2. Since the target WD3 is in the second idle state, in S21, a movement notification is sent to BS#2. At this time, BS#2 notifies BS#2 of the identifier of SF10 notified in S15. In S22, BS#2 sends a movement notification for SF10 of the identifier notified in S21. That is, in S22, BS#2 notifies that the target WD3 has moved to cell 5 of BS#2. This notification includes the identifier of the target WD3. In S23, SF10 instructs BS#2 to start sensing for the sensing target. This instruction includes the sensing content and the identifier of the target WD3. In S24, BS#2 starts sensing for the sensing target and collects and stores sensing data.

[0018] Also, in S25, SF10 instructs BS#1 to stop sensing for the sensing target. This instruction includes the identifier of the target WD3. BS#1 stops sensing in response to the instruction to stop sensing. Then, in S26, BS#1 transmits the stored sensing data to SF10, and in S27, SF10 transmits the sensing data to server 4.

[0019] As described above, for WD3 associated with the sensing target, during the idle state, instead of the granularity of the tracking area, the position is reported to the mobile communication network at the granularity of cell 5. With this configuration, when BS2 collects sensing data based on the reflected wave from the sensing target, the service can be continued even if the sensing target moves.

[0020] Although not shown in Figures 2 and 3, when sensing is to be terminated, Server 4 instructs SF10 to stop sensing. Upon being instructed to stop sensing, SF10 instructs BS2, which is currently sensing, to stop sensing. Also, although not shown in Figures 2 and 3, the target WD3 is communicating, and therefore, if the target WD3 moves from cell 5 of BS#1 to cell 5 of BS#2 while remaining connected, a handover from BS#1 to BS#2 occurs. In this case, during the handover process, the AMF detects the movement of the target WD3 to cell 5 of BS#2, and the AMF notifies SF10 of the movement of the target WD3. The AMF is configured to notify SF10 when the target WD3 has handed over in the processing of S11. Alternatively, if the target WD3 has handed over from BS#1 to BS#2, BS#1 may notify SF10 of the movement of the target WD3 to cell 5 of BS#2. When SF10 is notified of a handover to BS#2, it begins processing from S23.

[0021] Furthermore, in Figures 2 and 3, BS2, which is performing sensing, stores sensing data and transmits the stored sensing data to SF10 after sensing stops. However, it is also possible to configure it so that sensing data is transmitted to SF10 without being stored. In this case, SF10 can store sensing data and transmit the stored sensing data to Server 4 at predetermined timings, at predetermined intervals, or in response to polling from Server 4. Alternatively, SF10 can transfer the sensing data received from BS2 to Server 4 without storing the sensing data. In other words, it is possible to configure it so that the sensing data collected by BS2 is transferred directly to SF10 without being stored in BS2 or SF10. Also, the notification of the identifier of SF10 in S14 and S21 is intended to consider cases where multiple SF10s are provided in the mobile communication network, etc., and notification of the identifier of SF10 is unnecessary when there is only one SF10 provided in the mobile communication network, etc.

[0022] Figure 4 is a diagram of the WD3 configuration. The management unit 31 manages the operating state of the WD3. The operating state includes a connected state and an idle state. The connected state is a state in which the WD3 can communicate with a management device, such as an AMF, which manages the location of the WD3 in the mobile communication network, and the idle state is a state in which it cannot communicate with the management device. The idle state includes a first idle state and a second idle state, as described above.

[0023] When the notification unit 32 is instructed by the mobile communication network to transition from a connected state to an idle state, and is notified that sensing is in progress, when it moves from a cell 5 of one BS2 to a cell 5 of another BS2 in the idle state, it notifies the other BS2 of the move to its cell 5.

[0024] Figure 5 is a diagram of the BS2 configuration. When the collection unit 21 receives a sensing start instruction from SF10, which includes the identifier of the target WD3, it starts sensing and collects sensing data. The collection unit 21 also stops sensing when it receives a sensing stop instruction from SF10, which includes the identifier of the target WD3 that is currently being sensed. If the wireless link with the target WD3 is disconnected while sensing is in progress, the notification unit 22 notifies the target WD3 that sensing is in progress. Furthermore, when the notification unit 22 receives a notification from the target WD3 that was notified that sensing was in progress at the time of the wireless link disconnection, indicating that it has moved to cell 5 of the BS2, it notifies SF10 of this fact.

[0025] Figure 6 is a configuration diagram of the network node 6 implementing SF10. When the determination unit 61 receives a request from the server 4 to start sensing a sensing target, it determines the WD3 associated with the sensing target and determines the BS2 that provides a service area including the current location of the determined WD3. The notification unit 62 notifies the determined BS2 of the identifier of the determined WD3 to start sensing. Furthermore, when the notification unit 62 is notified that this WD3 has moved to cell 5 of another BS2, it notifies the other BS2 of the identifier of the WD3 to start sensing and also notifies the original BS1 that was performing the sensing of the identifier of the WD3 to stop sensing.

[0026] Furthermore, WD3, BS2, and network node 6 can each be realized by having one or more processors in a device having one or more processors execute an appropriate program. Therefore, a program that causes the device to function as either WD3, BS2, or network node 6, when executed on one or more processors in a device having one or more processors, and a computer-readable storage medium containing the program are provided.

[0027] With the above configuration, when BS2 collects sensing data based on reflected waves from the sensing target, it becomes possible to continue the service even if the sensing target moves. Therefore, it becomes possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0028] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 31: Management Department, 32: Notification Department

Claims

1. A wireless device for a mobile communication network, including multiple base station devices, A management means for managing the operating state, wherein the operating state includes a first state in which the device can communicate with a management device that manages the location of the wireless device in the mobile communication network, and a second state in which the device cannot communicate with the management device. When the transition from the first state to the second state is instructed by the first base station device, and the first base station device notifies that it is performing sensing by receiving the reflected wave of the sensing signal transmitted by the base station device at the wireless device, thereby collecting sensing data, when the device moves from the service area of ​​the first base station device to the service area of ​​the second base station device in the second state, the notification means notifies the second base station device of the movement to the service area of ​​the second base station device, A wireless device equipped with the following features.

2. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the management device is a device that implements access and management functions (AMF).

3. The wireless device according to claim 1, wherein the first state is CM-CONNECED and the second state is CM-IDLE.

4. A program that, when executed on one or more processors of a device having one or more processors, causes the device to function as a wireless device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A base station device for a mobile communications network, A collection means that, upon receiving a sensing start instruction from a network node including the identifier of a first wireless device, transmits a sensing signal and starts sensing data by receiving the reflected wave of the sensing signal at the first wireless device, If the wireless link with the first wireless device is disconnected while the sensing is being performed, a notification means is provided to notify the first wireless device that the sensing is being performed. A base station device equipped with the following features.

6. The base station apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the collection means stops sensing when it receives a sensing stop instruction from the network node, which includes the identifier of the first wireless device.

7. The base station device according to claim 5, wherein the notification means, upon receiving a notification from the second wireless device that has been notified that sensing is being performed, that the second wireless device has moved into the service area of ​​the base station device, notifies the network node that the second wireless device has moved into the service area of ​​the base station device.

8. A program that, when executed on one or more processors of a device having one or more processors, causes the device to function as a base station device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. A network node of a mobile communications network that includes multiple base station devices, When a request to start sensing a sensing target is received from the server, the determination means determines the wireless device associated with the sensing target and determines the first base station equipment whose service area includes the location of the wireless device, Notification means for notifying the first base station device of the identifier of the wireless device, causing the first base station device to start sensing, which involves the base station device receiving the reflected wave of the sensing signal transmitted by the base station device at the wireless device and collecting sensing data; Equipped with, The notification means is a network node that, upon receiving notification that the wireless device has moved into the service area of ​​the second base station device, notifies the second base station device of the identifier of the wireless device to start sensing, and notifies the first base station device of the identifier of the wireless device to stop sensing.

10. The network node according to claim 9, wherein the wireless device moves into the service area of ​​the second base station device, the base station device that had established a wireless link with the wireless device before the wireless device moved into the service area of ​​the second base station device, or the management device that manages the location of the wireless device in the mobile communication network is notified of the wireless device moving into the service area of ​​the second base station device.

11. A program that, when executed on one or more processors of a device having one or more processors, causes the device to function as a network node according to claim 9 or 10.

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