Communication system

Abstract

This communication system includes UEs 100a-100d that are used by users. A representative UE is determined from among the UEs 100a-100d. The representative UE performs 5G communication or Beyond 5G communication as a representative of the UEs 100a-100d.

Description

communication systems

[0001] The present disclosure relates to communication systems.

[0002] A fifth generation mobile communication system (5G: 5th Generation Mobile Communication System) is known. In 5G, when a terminal used by a user (UE: User Equipment) communicates via a network, a PDU session is established, a QoS (QFI: QoS Flow Identifier) ​​is set according to the content of the traffic, and a slice type (NSSAI: Network Slice Selection Identifier) ​​is set. For example, these contents are described in Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] 3GPP TS 23.501 V18.0.0, 2022 3GPP TS 23.502 V18.0.0, 2022

[0004] When a user uses a service such as the metaverse, each of the UEs used by the user connects to the network individually, which increases the network load.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to reduce the network load.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a communication system. The communication system includes a plurality of terminals used by users. A representative terminal is determined from among the plurality of terminals. The representative terminal performs 5G or beyond 5G communication as a representative of the plurality of terminals.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the network load.

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing a communication system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing hardware included in a UE according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of a UE according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by a plurality of UEs according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an example of a process of determining a representative UE candidate according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (part 2) showing an example of a process of determining a representative UE according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an example of a process of determining a representative UE according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart (part 2) showing an example of a process of determining a representative UE according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing performed by a representative UE according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of processing performed by a plurality of UEs according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing performed by a representative UE according to the second embodiment.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0010] First Embodiment. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a communication system according to a first embodiment. In the communication system, 5G or beyond 5G communication can be performed. For example, beyond 5G is 6G. In the following description, it is assumed that 5G communication is performed in the communication system.

[0011] The communication system includes a plurality of UEs. In Fig. 1, the plurality of UEs are UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d. Fig. 1 shows four UEs. The number of UEs is not limited to four.

[0012] The UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d are terminals used by a single user. For example, the UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d are goggle-type devices, glove-type devices, or the like. For example, the user can receive services in the metaverse using the UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d.

[0013] The communication system may include a base station 10, a 5G core network 20, and an application server 30. The 5G core network 20 includes a 5G user plane.

[0014] A first embodiment will be briefly described. In the first embodiment, a representative UE is determined from among UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d. FIG. 1 shows, as an example, that UE 100d is the representative UE. The representative UE performs 5G communication as a representative of multiple UEs. In detail, the representative UE communicates with the application server 30 via the base station 10 and the 5G core network 20. In this way, the representative UE communicates as a representative of multiple UEs, thereby reducing the network load.

[0015] Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described in detail. The UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d are collectively referred to as UE 100. Furthermore, UE is also referred to as terminal.

[0016] Next, a description will be given of hardware included in the UE 100. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing hardware included in the UE according to the first embodiment. The UE 100 includes a processor 101, a volatile storage device 102, and a non-volatile storage device 103.

[0017] The processor 101 controls the entire UE 100. For example, the processor 101 is a central processing unit (CPU), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. The processor 101 may be a multiprocessor. The UE 100 may also include a processing circuit.

[0018] The volatile storage device 102 is a main storage device of the UE 100. For example, the volatile storage device 102 is a random access memory (RAM). The non-volatile storage device 103 is an auxiliary storage device of the UE 100. For example, the non-volatile storage device 103 is a solid state drive (SSD). The UE 100 may also include a battery.

[0019] Next, a description will be given of functions of the UE 100. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing functions of the UE according to the first embodiment. The UE 100 includes a storage unit 110, a communication unit 120, an acquisition unit 130, a determination unit 140, a determination unit 150, and a calculation unit 160.

[0020] The storage unit 110 may be realized as a storage area secured in the volatile storage device 102 or the non-volatile storage device 103 .

[0021] The communication unit 120, the acquisition unit 130, the determination unit 140, the decision unit 150, and the calculation unit 160 may be partly or entirely implemented by a processing circuit. Alternatively, the communication unit 120, the acquisition unit 130, the determination unit 140, the decision unit 150, and the calculation unit 160 may be partly or entirely implemented as program modules executed by the processor 101.

[0022] The storage unit 110 stores various information. The functions of the communication unit 120, the acquisition unit 130, the determination unit 140, the decision unit 150, and the calculation unit 160 will be described in detail later.

[0023] Next, a brief description will be given of the processing performed by the plurality of UEs. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the flow of the processing performed by the plurality of UEs according to the first embodiment. (Step ST101) The UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d perform local communication processing. Specifically, the UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d establish a P2P (Peer to Peer) connection via a side link.

[0024] The communication units of the UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d transmit and receive power supply information and processor information to and from each other. The power supply information is information indicating a power supply method. Specifically, the power supply information indicates external power supply or battery power supply. When the power supply information indicates battery power supply, the communication units of the UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d receive remaining battery capacity information indicating remaining battery capacity. The processor information is information related to the processor. For example, the processor information may be a CPU operating frequency, the number of cores, a CPU usage rate, etc.

[0025] (Step ST102) The UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d execute a process of determining representative UE candidates. (Step ST103) The UEs 100a, 100b, 100c, and 100d execute a process of determining representative UE candidates.

[0026] Next, the process of determining a representative UE candidate will be described using a flowchart. FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 1) illustrating an example of the process of determining a representative UE candidate according to the first embodiment. (Step S11) The acquisition unit 130 acquires its own power supply information and its own processor information. For example, the acquisition unit 130 acquires the power supply information and the processor information from the storage unit 110. Also, for example, the acquisition unit 130 acquires the power supply information and the processor information from an external device. Note that the external device is a device that exists outside the UE 100. For example, the external device is a cloud server. The external device is not illustrated.

[0027] (Step S12) The determination unit 140 determines whether the power supply method of the device itself is external power supply based on the device's power supply information. If the power supply method is external power supply, the process proceeds to step S13. If the power supply method is battery power supply, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0028] (Step S13) The determination unit 140 determines whether its own processor has sufficient processing power based on its own processor information. For example, the determination unit 140 determines that its own processor has sufficient processing power if the CPU operating frequency is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Also, for example, the determination unit 140 determines that its own processor has sufficient processing power if the number of cores is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If its own processor has sufficient processing power, the process proceeds to step S14. If its own processor does not have sufficient processing power, the process proceeds to step S27.

[0029] (Step S14) Based on the processor information received from the UE operating on external power feeding, the determining unit 140 determines whether or not there is a UE having a processing capability higher than the processing capability of its own processor.

[0030] First, in step ST101, the power supply information transmitted from the other UE is received. Therefore, the determination unit 140 can identify the UE operating with external power supply based on the power supply information received from the other UE.

[0031] Next, a specific example of the determination process will be described. For example, the determination unit 140 determines whether or not there is a UE having a CPU with a higher CPU operating frequency than the CPU operating frequency of the UE itself. Also, for example, the determination unit 140 determines whether or not there is a UE having more cores than the number of cores of the UE itself.

[0032] If there is no UE with a processing capability higher than the processing capability of the own processor, the process proceeds to step S15. If there is a UE with a processing capability higher than the processing capability of the own processor, the process proceeds to step S27.

[0033] (Step S15) The determination unit 150 determines its own UE as a representative UE candidate. (Step S16) The calculation unit 160 calculates a random number. (Step S17) The communication unit 120 transmits information indicating that the UE is a representative UE candidate (hereinafter, representative UE candidate information) and the random number to the other UEs.

[0034] 6 is a flowchart (part 2) illustrating an example of a process for determining a representative UE candidate according to the first embodiment. (Step S21) The acquisition unit 130 acquires remaining battery capacity information indicating the remaining battery capacity of its own battery. For example, the acquisition unit 130 acquires the remaining battery capacity information from the storage unit 110. For example, the acquisition unit 130 acquires the remaining battery capacity information from a sensor that measures the remaining battery capacity of the battery.

[0035] (Step S22) The determination unit 140 determines whether the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold based on the remaining battery charge information. If the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S23. If the remaining battery charge is less than the threshold, the process proceeds to step S27.

[0036] (Step S23) The determination unit 140 determines whether its own processor has sufficient processing power based on its own processor information. For example, the determination unit 140 determines that its own processor has sufficient processing power if the CPU operating frequency is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Also, for example, the determination unit 140 determines that its own processor has sufficient processing power if the number of cores is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. If its own processor has sufficient processing power, the process proceeds to step S24. If its own processor does not have sufficient processing power, the process proceeds to step S27.

[0037] (Step S24) The determination unit 140 determines whether there is a UE having the same processing capacity as the processing capacity of its own processor based on the processor information received from the UE operating on external power supply. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S27. If the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S25.

[0038] (Step S25) The determination unit 140 determines whether or not a UE with a higher processing capacity than the processing capacity of its own processor exists based on the processor information received from the UE operating on external power supply. If a UE with a higher processing capacity than the processing capacity of its own processor does not exist, the process proceeds to step S26. If a UE with a higher processing capacity than the processing capacity of its own processor exists, the process proceeds to step S27.

[0039] (Step S26) Based on the processor information received from a UE that has a remaining battery charge equal to or greater than the threshold and is operating on battery power, the determination unit 140 determines whether or not there is a UE with a processing capacity higher than the processing capacity of its own processor. The determination unit 140 can identify a UE that is operating on battery power based on the power supply information received from another UE. The determination unit 140 can also determine whether or not the remaining battery charge is equal to or greater than the threshold based on the remaining battery charge information received from the other UE. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S27. If the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S15.

[0040] (Step S27) The determination unit 150 determines that its own UE will not become the representative UE.

[0041] When another UE is determined as a representative UE candidate, the representative UE candidate information and the random number are received. For example, when the UEs 100a and 100b are determined as representative UE candidates, the UE 100a receives the representative UE candidate information and the random number from the UE 100b. Also, the UE 100b receives the representative UE candidate information and the random number from the UE 100a.

[0042] In this way, each of the plurality of UEs determines whether or not it is a representative UE candidate based on the power supply method and the processing capacity of its processor. Also, when the power supply method is battery power supply, each of the plurality of UEs determines whether or not it is a representative UE candidate based on the remaining battery capacity and the processing capacity of its processor.

[0043] Next, the process of determining a representative UE will be described using a flowchart. Fig. 7 is a flowchart (part 1) showing an example of the process of determining a representative UE according to the first embodiment. (Step S31) The determination unit 140 determines whether or not its own UE is a representative UE candidate. If its own UE is a representative UE candidate, the process proceeds to step S32. If its own UE is not a representative UE candidate, the process proceeds to step S34.

[0044] (Step S32) The determination unit 140 determines whether or not there are other representative UE candidates. Specifically, when the determination unit 140 receives representative UE candidate information, it determines that there are other representative UE candidates. If there are other representative UE candidates, the process proceeds to step S41. If there are no other representative UE candidates, the process proceeds to step S33.

[0045] (Step S33) The determination unit 150 determines its own UE as the representative UE. (Step S34) The determination unit 150 determines that its own UE will not become the representative UE.

[0046] 8 is a flowchart (part 2) showing an example of the process of determining a representative UE according to the first embodiment. (Step S41) When step S41 is executed after step S32, the determination unit 140 determines whether the random number transmitted in step S17 is greater than the random number received from another UE. When step S41 is executed after step S45, the determination unit 140 determines whether the random number calculated in step S43 is greater than the random number received in step S45. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S33. If the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S42.

[0047] (Step S42) When step S41 is executed after step S32, the determination unit 140 determines whether the random number transmitted in step S17 is the same as the random number received from another UE. When step S41 is executed after step S45, the determination unit 140 determines whether the random number calculated in step S43 is the same as the random number received in step S45. If the condition is met, the process proceeds to step S43. If the condition is not met, the process proceeds to step S34.

[0048] (Step S43) The calculation unit 160 calculates a new random number. (Step S44) The communication unit 120 transmits the new random number to the UEs among the representative UE candidates that transmitted the random number of the same value. The UEs then receive the new random number. Upon receiving the new random number, the UEs calculate a new random number. Then, the UEs transmit the calculated random number.

[0049] (Step S45) The communication unit 120 receives a random number from the UE. Then, the process proceeds to step S41. When the representative UE determination process is completed, the representative UE is determined in the communication system. In this way, the representative UE is determined from among the representative UE candidates. When there are multiple representative UE candidates, the representative UE is determined using a random number.

[0050] Next, the processing performed by the representative UE will be explained using a sequence. The representative UE is assumed to be UE 100d. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing performed by the representative UE according to the first embodiment. (Step ST111) UE 100d collects the IP addresses and traffic types of UEs 100a, 100b, and 100c. (Step ST112) UE 100d sets QoS and NSSAI. (Step ST113) UE 100d establishes a connection with application server 30. (Step ST114) UE 100d performs NAT (Network Address Transformation) processing. In the NAT processing, traffic integration and traffic allocation are performed.

[0051] According to the first embodiment, in the communication system, a representative UE is determined from among a plurality of UEs. Then, the representative UE performs communication as a representative of the plurality of UEs. Therefore, the communication system can reduce the network load.

[0052] In steps S13 and S23, it is determined whether the processor of the device itself has sufficient processing power. In steps S13 and S23, the determination unit 140 may determine whether the CPU utilization rate of the device itself is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

[0053] Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, descriptions of the commonalities between the first embodiment and the second embodiment will be omitted.

[0054] In the first embodiment, a case where a representative UE is determined from among a plurality of UEs owned by one user has been described. In the second embodiment, a case where a representative UE is determined from among a plurality of UEs owned by a plurality of users will be described.

[0055] 10 is a diagram illustrating a communication system according to a second embodiment. The communication system includes UEs 100a to 100f. The UEs 100a to 100d belong to a user U1. The UEs 100e and 100f belong to a user U2. For example, the users U1 and U2 are in the same room.

[0056] 11 is a diagram showing a flow of processing executed by a plurality of UEs according to the second embodiment. (Step ST121) The UEs 100a to 100f execute local communication processing. The communication units of the UEs 100a to 100f transmit and receive power supply information and processor information to each other. If the power supply information indicates battery power supply, the communication units of the UEs 100a to 100f receive remaining battery capacity information.

[0057] (Step ST122) The UEs 100a to 100f execute a process to determine representative UE candidates. The process to determine representative UE candidates is the same as that in step ST102, so a description thereof will be omitted. (Step ST123) The UEs 100a to 100f execute a process to determine a representative UE. The process to determine a representative UE is the same as that in step ST103, so a description thereof will be omitted. When the process to determine a representative UE is completed, a representative UE is determined in the communication system. The representative UE is set to UE 100d.

[0058] 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of processing performed by a representative UE according to the second embodiment. (Step ST131) The UE 100d collects the IP addresses and traffic types of the UEs 100a to 100c, 100e, and 100f. (Step ST132) The UE 100d sets QoS and NSSAI. (Step ST133) The UE 100d establishes a connection with the application server 30. (Step ST134) The UE 100d performs NAT processing.

[0059] According to the second embodiment, in the communication system, a representative UE is determined from among a plurality of UEs owned by a plurality of users. Then, the representative UE performs communication as a representative of the plurality of UEs. Therefore, the communication system can reduce the network load.

[0060] Next, a case will be described in which, after a representative UE has been determined, a new UE is connected to the representative UE. Fig. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example in which a UE according to the second embodiment is added. Note that the base station 10 is omitted. It is assumed that UE 100d is determined to be the representative UE from among UEs 100a to 100d. It is assumed that UEs 100e and 100f are added.

[0061] (Step ST141) The UE 100d establishes connections with the UEs 100e and 100f. This enables local communication between the UE 100d and the UEs 100e and 100f. (Step ST142) The UE 100d collects the IP addresses and traffic types of the UEs 100e and 100f. (Step ST143) The UE 100d sets QoS and NSSAI for the UEs 100e and 100f. (Step ST144) The UE 100d performs NAT processing.

[0062] In the above description, the case where the UEs 100e and 100f owned by the user U2 are added has been described. The above content can be applied to the case where a UE owned by the user U2 is added. In other words, the above content can be applied to the case where a different user adds a UE.

[0063] In this way, when a new UE is added after the representative UE is determined, the representative UE performs 5G communication as a representative of multiple UEs including multiple UEs (e.g., UEs 100a to 100c) and the new UE (e.g., UEs 100e and 100f). Since the new UE does not establish a connection individually, the network load is reduced.

[0064] The features of the above-described embodiments can be combined with each other as appropriate.

[0065] 10 Base station, 20 5G core network, 30 Application server, 100, 100a to 100f UE, 101 Processor, 102 Volatile storage device, 103 Non-volatile storage device, 110 Storage unit, 120 Communication unit, 130 Acquisition unit, 140 Determination unit, 150 Decision unit, 160 Calculation unit.

Claims

1. including a plurality of terminals used by a user, when the power supply method of each of the plurality of terminals is external power supply or battery power supply, each terminal determines whether it is a representative terminal candidate based on the remaining battery level and the processing capacity of the processor, the representative terminal is determined from among the representative terminal candidates, when there are a plurality of the representative terminal candidates, the representative terminal is determined using a random number, the representative terminal performs 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication System) or beyond 5G communication as the representative of the plurality of terminals, a communication system.

2. the plurality of terminals are terminals owned by a plurality of users, the communication system according to Claim 1.

3. when a new terminal is added after the representative terminal is determined, the representative terminal performs 5G or beyond 5G communication as the representative of the plurality of terminals including the plurality of terminals and the new terminal, the communication system according to Claim 1 or 2.