Radio resource allocation method, base station, base station program, radio communication terminal, and terminal program

Abstract

A leader UE (200) reports a leader radio identifier allocated to the leader UE by a base station (300). A member UE (200) transmits a request message including the reported leader radio identifier to the base station. The base station receives the request message from the member UE, determines a leader radio resource allocated to the leader UE on the basis of the leader radio identifier included in the request message from the member UE, allocates, as a member radio resource, a radio resource at a timing close to the timing of the leader radio resource to the member UE, and transmits a response message indicating the member radio resource to the member UE.

Description

Radio resource allocation method, base station, base station program, radio communication terminal, and terminal program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to radio resource allocation.

[0002] There are cases where it is necessary to collect and process sensing data with low latency. For example, when sensing data is used to control production equipment on a manufacturing line or to detect player movements in a game, it is necessary to collect and process sensing data with low latency.

[0003] Consider a system for collecting multiple pieces of sensing data in real time. This system includes multiple sensors, multiple 5G terminals (hereinafter referred to as UEs), a base station, and a server. The multiple UEs are connected to the same base station. Each sensor transmits sensing data to the server via the UE.

[0004] The server is installed in a 5G system and performs processing using all of the sensing data at the target sensing time. Specifically, the server processes a group of sensing data acquired by sensing at approximately the same time. Therefore, the reception time of the sensing data that is received by the server latest among the group of sensing data determines the start time of processing of the group of sensing data. Here, the processing delay time is defined as the time from when the UE transmits sensing data to the server to when the server completes processing of the received sensing data. In this case, the processing delay time of the sensing data is affected by variations in the reception time at the server that occur between multiple sensing data transmitted from multiple sensors at approximately the same time.

[0005] The configured grant is defined as a mechanism of the 5G system for realizing low-latency communication in the uplink. In the configured grant, radio resources used by a UE for uplink transmission are allocated in advance by a base station, without the UE requesting them each time transmission data is generated. By using the configured grant, it is possible to realize low-latency communication for data transmitted in the uplink from a single UE. However, if multiple UEs are separately allocated uplink radio resources using the configured grant, there is a possibility that the timing of the radio resources between the multiple UEs will differ by more than the radio frame time of the 5G system. For example, there is a possibility that a difference of 10 milliseconds or more will occur.

[0006] Even when the QoS function of the 5G system is used to control the communication delay time between each UE and the server so that it is the same, if such a discrepancy in the allocation timing of uplink radio resources occurs, the following possibility arises. That is, among data acquired by multiple sensors at approximately the same time, a difference of at least a radio frame time (10 milliseconds) will occur between the reception time of the earliest data received by the server and the reception time of the latest data received by the server. This difference will delay the time at which the server starts processing the sensed data. As a result, the processing delay time of the sensed data will increase by the difference.

[0007] Configured grants are defined in 3GPP TS 38.300, 3GPP TS 38.321 and 3GPP TS 38.331. 3GPP is a registered trademark.

[0008] Patent Literature 1 discloses a configuration of a base station. The base station schedules transmission timing within a predetermined time range for each user equipment (UE) in the same group that receives uplink radio resource allocation using a configured grant. The UE receives scheduling information from the base station and transmits at a timing based on the received scheduling information.

[0009] Patent Literature 1 shows an example of using a UE management table managed by a control device in a core network, and an example of a UE specifying its own group identification information in a message transmitted to a base station. The UE management table indicates a correspondence between a UE ID and identification information (group identification information) of a group to which the UE belongs. However, Patent Literature 1 does not show a method of determining the group identification information or a method of determining the group identification information to be included in a message transmitted from a UE to a base station.

[0010] The invention described in Patent Document 1 requires a means for determining identification information of a group to which a UE belongs. Furthermore, in order to identify multiple UE groups connected to the same base station, the identification information of the group to which the UE belongs must be determined so as to be unique within at least one base station. However, Patent Document 1 does not disclose a method for achieving this.

[0011] JP 2018-191110 A

[0012] An object of the present disclosure is to enable allocation of uplink radio resources to multiple UEs belonging to a UE group at timings as close as possible.

[0013] The wireless resource allocation method of the present disclosure is a wireless resource allocation method between a base station and a terminal group, wherein the terminal group is composed of a wireless communication terminal that serves as a leader terminal and one or more wireless communication terminals that serve as member terminals other than the leader terminal, wherein the leader terminal notifies the leader terminal of a leader wireless identifier assigned to the leader terminal by the base station, and each member terminal other than the leader terminal transmits a request message including the notified leader wireless identifier to the base station, wherein the base station receives the request message from the member terminal for each member terminal other than the leader terminal, determines the leader wireless resource assigned to the leader terminal based on the leader wireless identifier included in the request message from the member terminal, assigns a wireless resource with a timing close to the timing of the leader wireless resource to the member terminal as a member wireless resource, and transmits a response message indicating the member wireless resource to the member terminal, and each member terminal other than the leader terminal receives the response message to the member terminal.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to allocate uplink radio resources to multiple UEs belonging to a UE group at timings as close as possible.

[0015] 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system 100 according to a first embodiment. A block diagram of a UE 200 according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of a base station 300 according to the first embodiment. A flowchart of a radio resource allocation method according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of a group setting screen 221 according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of a leader selection screen 222 according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of a radio resource management table 391 according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of an identifier management table 392 according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of a group information table 393 according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of an allocated resource management table 394 according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of an identifier notification screen 223 according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of an identifier input screen 224 according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of an RRCSetupRequest message according to the first embodiment. A block diagram of an example of allocation of uplink radio resource timing in the related art. A block diagram of a UE 200 according to a second embodiment. A flowchart of a radio resource allocation method according to the second embodiment. A block diagram of an RRCSetupRequest message according to the second embodiment. A block diagram of a hardware configuration of a UE 200 according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of a base station 300 according to the embodiment.

[0016] In the embodiments and drawings, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description of elements denoted by the same reference numerals as those already described will be omitted or simplified as appropriate. Arrows in the drawings primarily indicate the flow of data or the flow of processing.

[0017] First Embodiment A mode in which radio resources with similar timings are allocated to a plurality of radio communication terminals will be described with reference to Figs.

[0018] ***Description of Configuration*** The configuration of a wireless communication system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The wireless communication system 100 includes a base station 300 and a plurality of UEs 200 that form a UE group. The UEs 200 are wireless communication terminals. In FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 100 includes the base station 300 and three UEs 200. Furthermore, the wireless communication system 100 includes a sensor 110 for each UE 200. The wireless communication system 100 also includes a 5G system 130 that has a server 120. Sensing data obtained by the sensor 110 is transmitted by the UEs 200 to the server 120 via the base station 300.

[0019] The configuration of UE 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. UE 200 is a computer including hardware such as a processor 201, a memory 202, an auxiliary storage device 203, a communication device 204, and an input / output interface 205. These pieces of hardware are connected to each other via signal lines.

[0020] The processor 201 is an IC that performs arithmetic processing and controls other hardware. For example, the processor 201 is a CPU. IC is an abbreviation for Integrated Circuit. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit.

[0021] The memory 202 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device. The memory 202 is also called a primary storage device or a main memory. For example, the memory 202 is a RAM. Data stored in the memory 202 is saved in the secondary storage device 203 as needed. RAM is an abbreviation for Random Access Memory.

[0022] The auxiliary storage device 203 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the auxiliary storage device 203 is a ROM, a HDD, a flash memory, or a combination of these. Data stored in the auxiliary storage device 203 is loaded into the memory 202 as needed. ROM is an abbreviation for Read Only Memory. HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive.

[0023] The communication device 204 is a receiver and a transmitter. For example, the communication device 204 is a communication chip or NIC. The communication of the UE 200 is performed using the communication device 204. NIC is an abbreviation for Network Interface Card.

[0024] The input / output interface 205 is a port to which an input / output device or an input device and an output device are connected. For example, the input / output device is a display with a touch panel. Input and output of the UE 200 are performed using the input / output interface 205.

[0025] The UE 200 includes elements such as a request control unit 211, a radio communication unit 212, and a user interface unit 213. These elements are realized by software. The user interface unit 213 functions as a group setting unit and an allocation acquisition unit.

[0026] The auxiliary storage device 203 stores a terminal program for causing the computer to function as a request control unit 211, a wireless communication unit 212, and a user interface unit 213. The terminal program is loaded into the memory 202 and executed by the processor 201. The auxiliary storage device 203 also stores an OS. At least a portion of the OS is loaded into the memory 202 and executed by the processor 201. The processor 201 executes the terminal program while executing the OS. OS is an abbreviation for Operating System.

[0027] Input and output data for the terminal program is stored in the storage unit 290. The memory 202 functions as the storage unit 290. However, a storage device such as the auxiliary storage device 203, a register in the processor 201, or a cache memory in the processor 201 may function as the storage unit 290 instead of or together with the memory 202.

[0028] The terminal program can be recorded (stored) in a computer-readable manner on a non-volatile recording medium such as an optical disk or flash memory.

[0029] The configuration of the base station 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The base station 300 is a computer equipped with hardware such as a processor 301, a memory 302, an auxiliary storage device 303, a communication device 304, and an input / output interface 305. These pieces of hardware are connected to each other via signal lines.

[0030] The processor 301 is an IC that performs arithmetic processing and controls other hardware. For example, the processor 301 is a CPU. The memory 302 is a volatile or non-volatile storage device. The memory 302 is also called a primary storage device or a main memory. For example, the memory 302 is a RAM. Data stored in the memory 302 is saved in the secondary storage device 303 as needed. The secondary storage device 303 is a non-volatile storage device. For example, the secondary storage device 303 is a ROM, a HDD, a flash memory, or a combination thereof. Data stored in the secondary storage device 303 is loaded into the memory 302 as needed. The communication device 304 is a receiver and a transmitter. For example, the communication device 304 is a communication chip or a NIC. Communication of the base station 300 is performed using the communication device 304. The input / output interface 305 is a port to which an input / output device or an input device and an output device are connected. Input and output of the base station 300 is performed using the input / output interface 305.

[0031] The base station 300 includes elements such as an allocation unit 311 and a base station communication unit 312. These elements are realized by software.

[0032] Auxiliary storage device 303 stores a base station program for causing a computer to function as allocation unit 311 and base station communication unit 312. The base station program is loaded into memory 302 and executed by processor 301. Auxiliary storage device 303 also stores an OS. At least a portion of the OS is loaded into memory 302 and executed by processor 301. Processor 301 executes the base station program while running the OS.

[0033] Input and output data for the base station program is stored in storage unit 390. Memory 302 functions as storage unit 390. However, a storage device such as auxiliary storage device 303, a register in processor 301, or a cache memory in processor 301 may function as storage unit 390 instead of memory 302 or together with memory 302.

[0034] The base station program can be recorded (stored) in a computer-readable manner on a non-volatile recording medium such as an optical disk or flash memory.

[0035] ***Description of Operation*** The operation procedures of the base station 300 and the multiple UEs 200 correspond to a radio resource allocation method. The operation procedures of the base station 300 correspond to processing procedures by a base station program, and the operation procedures of the UEs 200 correspond to processing procedures by a terminal program.

[0036] The radio resource allocation method will be described with reference to Fig. 4. In step S110, a plurality of UEs 200 are grouped into a UE group. The UE group is made up of a plurality of UEs 200 to which it is desired to allocate uplink radio resources as close as possible to each other.

[0037] The UEs 200 that belong to the UE group are called member UEs.

[0038] Details of step S110 will be described. The following process is executed for each UE 200. First, the request control unit 211 instructs the user interface unit 213 to display the request control unit 211. Then, the user interface unit 213 displays a group setting screen 221 on the display. The group setting screen 221 is a screen for setting a UE group for the UE 200, and includes a user interface for setting the UE group.

[0039] 5 shows an example of the group setting screen 221. The group setting screen 221 includes a button for selecting whether or not the UE 200 should belong to a UE group.

[0040] Next, the user inputs the UE group settings into the UE 200 using the user interface of the group setting screen 221. For example, assume that the group setting screen 221 of Fig. 5 is displayed on the display of the UE 200. If the UE 200 belongs to the UE group, the user presses the "Yes" button. If the UE 200 does not belong to the UE group, the user presses the "No" button.

[0041] After the UE group settings are input, the user interface unit 213 closes the group setting screen 221 .

[0042] Then, the request control unit 211 records the input terminal group setting. For example, when the "Yes" button is pressed on the group setting screen 221 of Fig. 5, the request control unit 211 records information indicating that the UE 200 belongs to the UE group. Also, when the "No" button is pressed on the group setting screen 221 of Fig. 5, the request control unit 211 records information indicating that the UE 200 does not belong to the UE group.

[0043] 4, the description will continue from step S120. In step S120, the UE group selects a leader UE. The leader UE is one UE 200 selected as the leader from within the UE group.

[0044] Details of step S120 will be described. The following process is executed for each UE 200 belonging to the UE group. First, the request control unit 211 instructs the user interface unit 213 to display a leader selection screen 222. Then, the user interface unit 213 displays the leader selection screen 222 on a display. The leader selection screen 222 is a screen for setting a leader UE, and includes a user interface for setting the leader UE.

[0045] 6 shows an example of the leader selection screen 222. The leader selection screen 222 includes a button for selecting whether or not to select the UE 200 as the leader UE.

[0046] Next, the user inputs the selection of the leader UE into the UE 200 using the user interface of the leader selection screen 222. For example, assume that the leader selection screen 222 of Fig. 6 is displayed on the display of the UE 200. If the user selects the UE 200 as the leader UE, the user presses the "Yes" button. If the user does not select the UE 200 as the leader UE, the user presses the "No" button.

[0047] After the selection of the leader UE is input, the user interface unit 213 closes the leader selection screen 222 .

[0048] Then, the request control unit 211 records the input selection of the leader UE. For example, when the "Yes" button is pressed on the leader selection screen 222 of Fig. 6, the request control unit 211 records information indicating that the UE 200 is the leader UE. Also, when the "No" button is pressed on the leader selection screen 222 of Fig. 6, the request control unit 211 records information indicating that the UE 200 is not the leader UE.

[0049] 4, the description will continue from step S130. In step S130, the leader UE transmits an allocation request message to the base station 300. The allocation request message is a message requesting allocation of a UE radio identifier and uplink radio resources.

[0050] Details of step S130 will be described. The following process is executed in the leader UE. The request control unit 211 instructs the radio communication unit 212 to transmit an RRCSetupRequest message. The radio communication unit 212 transmits the RRCSetupRequest message to the base station 300 via the communication device 204. The RRCSetupRequest message is a message for receiving uplink radio resource allocation from the base station 300 by Configured grant. This RRCSetupRequest message does not include CS-RNTI among its parameters. The RRCSetupRequest message corresponds to an allocation request message. The CS-RNTI corresponds to a UE radio identifier. CS-RNTI is an abbreviation for Configured Scheduling Radio Network Temporary Identifier.

[0051] In step S140, the base station 300 receives an allocation request message from the leader UE. Next, the base station 300 allocates a UE radio identifier and uplink radio resources to the leader UE. The UE radio identifier allocated to the leader UE is referred to as a leader radio identifier. The uplink radio resources allocated to the leader UE are referred to as leader radio resources. The leader radio identifier and the leader radio resources are referred to as a leader allocation. Then, the base station 300 transmits an allocation response message indicating the leader allocation to the leader UE. The allocation response message is a response message corresponding to the allocation request message.

[0052] Details of step S140 will be described. The base station 300 executes the following process. First, the base station communication unit 312 receives an RRCSetupRequest message from the leader UE via the communication device 304. Next, the base station communication unit 312 determines whether allocation of uplink radio resources is necessary based on the Configured grant. If allocation of uplink radio resources is necessary, the base station communication unit 312 notifies the allocation unit 311 of the received RRCSetupRequest message. When the RRCSetupRequest message is notified, the allocation unit 311 allocates a CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources to the leader UE. Furthermore, the allocation unit 311 notifies the base station communication unit 312 of the CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources allocated to the leader UE. Then, the base station communication unit 312 transmits an RRCSetup message notifying the successful allocation to the leader UE via the communication device 304. This RRCSetup message indicates the CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources allocated to the leader UE. The RRCSetup message corresponds to an allocation response message.

[0053] Details of the allocation of the CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources to the leader UE will be described. First, since the CS-RNTI is not included in the RRCSetupRequest message, the allocation unit 311 determines that this RRCSetupRequest message is an RRCSetupRequest message from the leader UE. Next, the allocation unit 311 refers to the radio resource management table 391 and determines an uplink radio resource to allocate to the leader UE from among the unallocated uplink radio resources. Furthermore, the allocation unit 311 refers to the identifier management table 392 and determines a CS-RNTI to allocate to the leader UE from among the unallocated CS-RNTIs. Furthermore, the allocation unit 311 records the determined CS-RNTI as "allocated" in the identifier management table 392. Next, the allocation unit 311 records the CS-RNTI to be allocated to the leader UE in the group information table 393. Next, the allocation unit 311 notifies the base station communication unit 312 of the CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources allocated to the leader UE. Then, the base station communication unit 312 records the notified allocation of the uplink radio resources in the radio resource management table 391. Furthermore, the base station communication unit 312 records the notified CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources in the allocation resource management table 394.

[0054] 7 shows an example of the radio resource management table 391. The radio resource management table 391 has an "Allocated" column for each pair of "subcarrier" and "transmission timing" associated with the pair of "subcarrier" and "transmission timing." The pair of subcarrier and transmission timing is an uplink radio resource. The base station communication unit 312 sets "Yes" in the "Allocated" column associated with the uplink radio resource allocated to the leader UE. "Yes" means that the resource has been allocated.

[0055] 8 shows an example of the identifier management table 392. The identifier management table 392 has an "Allocated" column for each "CS-RNTI" associated with the "CS-RNTI." The allocation unit 311 sets "Yes" in the "Allocated" column associated with the CS-RNTI allocated to the leader UE. "Yes" means that the CS-RNTI has been allocated.

[0056] 9 shows an example of the group information table 393. The group information table 393 has a column of "CS-RNTI of leader UE" in association with the column of "CS-RNTI of member UE". The allocation unit 311 records the CS-RNTI allocated to the leader UE in the column of "CS-RNTI of member UE" and the column of "CS-RNTI of leader UE".

[0057] 10 shows an example of the allocation resource management table 394. The allocation resource management table 394 has a column of "uplink radio resources" in association with the column of "CS-RNTI." The base station communication unit 312 records the CS-RNTI allocated to the leader UE in the column of "CS-RNTI," and records the uplink radio resources allocated to the leader UE in the column of "uplink radio resources."

[0058] 4, the description continues from step S150. In step S150, the leader UE receives an allocation response message from the base station 300. Then, the leader UE records the leader allocation (leader radio identifier, leader radio resource) indicated in the allocation response message.

[0059] Step S150 will be described in detail. The following process is executed in the leader UE. First, the radio communication unit 212 receives an allocation response message from the base station 300 via the communication device 204. Next, the radio communication unit 212 records the CS-RNTI indicated in the received allocation response message as the CS-RNTI of its own UE 200. Furthermore, the radio communication unit 212 records the uplink radio resources indicated in the received allocation response message as the uplink radio resources of its own UE 200. Next, the radio communication unit 212 notifies the request control unit 211 of the CS-RNTI indicated in the received allocation response message. Then, the request control unit 211 records the notified CS-RNTI as the CS-RNTI of the leader UE.

[0060] In step S160, the leader UE notifies the member UE of the leader wireless identifier, and the member UEs (except the leader UE) record the notified leader wireless identifier.

[0061] Details of step S160 for the leader UE will be described. First, the request control unit 211 notifies the CS-RNTI of the leader UE and instructs the user interface unit 213 to display the identifier notification screen 223. Then, the user interface unit 213 displays the identifier notification screen 223 on the display. The identifier notification screen 223 is a screen for notifying the user of the leader wireless identifier.

[0062] 11 shows an example of the identifier notification screen 223. The identifier notification screen 223 displays the CS-RNTI value, which is the leader wireless identifier, and includes a button for closing the screen.

[0063] The user checks the leader wireless identifier displayed on the identifier notification screen 223 and presses the “close” button. When the “close” button is pressed, the user interface unit 213 closes the identifier notification screen 223.

[0064] Details of step S160 will be described for member UEs other than the leader UE. After step S120, the request control unit 211 instructs the user interface unit 213 to display an identifier input screen 224. Then, the user interface unit 213 displays the identifier input screen 224 on the display. Specifically, after the "No" button is pressed on the leader selection screen 222 of FIG. 6, the user interface unit 213 displays the identifier input screen 224. The identifier input screen 224 is a screen for accepting input of a leader wireless identifier, and includes a user interface for accepting input of the leader wireless identifier.

[0065] 12 shows an example of the identifier input screen 224. The identifier input screen 224 includes a text box in which a CS-RNTI value, which is a leader wireless identifier, is input.

[0066] The user inputs the CS-RNTI of the leader UE into the member UE using the identifier input screen 224. For example, the user inputs the CS-RNTI notified on the identifier notification screen 223 into the text box on the identifier input screen 224 and presses the "OK" button. When the "OK" button is pressed, the user interface unit 213 closes the identifier notification screen 223.

[0067] Next, the user interface unit 213 notifies the input CS-RNTI to the request control unit 211. Then, the request control unit 211 records the notified CS-RNTI as the CS-RNTI of the leader UE.

[0068] 4, the description continues from step S170. In step S170, the member UEs (excluding the leader UE) transmit an allocation request message to the base station 300. This allocation request message includes the leader wireless identifier as a parameter.

[0069] Details of step S170 will be described. The following process is executed for each member UE other than the leader UE. First, the request control unit 211 notifies the wireless communication unit 212 of the CS-RNTI of the leader UE. Then, the wireless communication unit 212 transmits an RRCSetupRequest message to the base station 300 via the communication device 204. This RRCSetupRequest message includes the CS-RNTI of the leader UE among its parameters.

[0070] An example of an ASN.1 definition of the RRCSetupRequest message is shown in Fig. 13. The RRCSetupRequest message includes the CS-RNTI as a parameter in the area enclosed by a bold frame.

[0071] Returning to FIG. 4 , the description continues from step S180. In step S180, the base station 300 receives an allocation response message from the member UE. Next, the base station 300 assigns a UE radio identifier to the member UE. Furthermore, the base station 300 determines a leader radio resource based on the leader radio identifier included in the allocation response message, and assigns an uplink radio resource having a timing close to the timing of the leader radio resource to the member UE. The UE radio identifier assigned to the member UE is referred to as a member radio identifier. The uplink radio resource assigned to the member UE is referred to as a member radio resource. The member radio identifier and the member radio resource are referred to as a member assignment. Then, the base station 300 transmits an allocation response message indicating the member assignment to the member UE.

[0072] Details of step S180 will be described. The base station 300 executes the following process. First, the base station communication unit 312 receives an RRCSetupRequest message from the member UE via the communication device 304. Next, the base station communication unit 312 determines whether allocation of uplink radio resources is necessary based on the configured grant. If allocation of uplink radio resources is necessary, the base station communication unit 312 notifies the allocation unit 311 of the received RRCSetupRequest message. When the RRCSetupRequest message is notified, the allocation unit 311 allocates a CS-RNTI to the member UE. Furthermore, the member allocation unit 313 allocates to the member UE uplink radio resources with timing as close as possible to the timing of the leader radio resources. Next, the allocation unit 311 notifies the base station communication unit 312 of the CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources allocated to the member UE. Then, the base station communication unit 312 transmits an RRCSetup message to the member UE to notify the successful allocation. This RRCSetup message indicates the CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources allocated to the member UE.

[0073] Details of the allocation of CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources to member UEs will be described. First, because the CS-RNTI is included in the RRCSetupRequest message, the allocation unit 311 determines that this RRCSetupRequest message is an RRCSetupRequest message from a member UE other than the leader UE. Next, the allocation unit 311 searches the allocation resource management table 394 using the CS-RNTI included in the RRCSetupRequest message as a search key to find the leader radio resource. Next, the allocation unit 311 refers to the radio resource management table 391 and determines the uplink radio resource to be allocated to the member UE from among the unallocated uplink radio resources. At this time, the allocation unit 311 finds the uplink radio resource with a timing as close as possible to the timing of the leader radio resource as the uplink radio resource to be allocated to the member UE. Furthermore, the allocation unit 311 refers to the identifier management table 392 and determines a CS-RNTI to allocate to the member UE from among the unallocated CS-RNTIs. Furthermore, the allocation unit 311 records the determined CS-RNTI as "allocated" in the identifier management table 392. Specifically, in the identifier management table 392 of Fig. 8, the allocation unit 311 sets "Yes" in the "allocated" column associated with the CS-RNTI to be allocated to the member UE. Next, the allocation unit 311 records the CS-RNTI to be allocated to the member UE in the group information table 393 in association with the CS-RNTI included in the RRCSetupRequest message. Specifically, in the group information table 393 of Fig. 9 , the allocation unit 311 records the CS-RNTI to be allocated to the member UE in the "CS-RNTI of member UE" column, and records the CS-RNTI included in the RRCSetupRequest message in the "CS-RNTI of leader UE" column. Next, the allocation unit 311 notifies the base station communication unit 312 of the CS-RNTI and uplink radio resources allocated to the member UE. Then, the base station communication unit 312 records the notified allocation of the uplink radio resources in the radio resource management table 391.Specifically, in the radio resource management table 391 of Fig. 7, the base station communication unit 312 sets "Yes" in the "Allocated" column associated with the notified uplink radio resource. Furthermore, the base station communication unit 312 records the notified CS-RNTI and uplink radio resource in the allocation resource management table 394. Specifically, in the allocation resource management table 394 of Fig. 10, the base station communication unit 312 records the notified CS-RNTI in the "CS-RNTI" column and records the notified uplink radio resource in the "Uplink Radio Resource" column.

[0074] 4, step S190 will be described. In step S190, the member UE receives the allocation response message from base station 300. Then, the member UE records the member allocation (member radio identifier, member radio resource) indicated in the allocation response message.

[0075] The details of step S190 will be described. The following process is executed for each member UE other than the leader UE. First, the wireless communication unit 212 receives an RRCSetup message from the base station 300 via the communication device 204. Next, the wireless communication unit 212 records the CS-RNTI indicated in the received RRCSetup message as the CS-RNTI of its own UE 200. Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 212 records the uplink radio resources indicated in the received RRCSetup message as the uplink radio resources of its own UE 200. Next, the wireless communication unit 212 notifies the request control unit 211 of the CS-RNTI indicated in the received RRCSetup message. Then, the request control unit 211 determines that the allocation of the uplink radio resources has been successful.

[0076] After step S190, the processing of the radio resource allocation method ends.

[0077] After step S190, the leader UE uses the leader allocation to perform wireless communication via the base station 300. Also, each member UE other than the leader UE uses the member allocation to perform wireless communication via the base station 300. For example, each UE 200 transmits sensing data obtained by the sensor 110 to the server 120 via the base station 300 using its own uplink wireless resource.

[0078] ***Effects of First Embodiment*** According to the first embodiment, it becomes possible to determine the identification information of the group to which the UE 200 belongs so that the identification information is unique to one base station 300 .

[0079] When multiple UEs are assigned uplink radio resources separately using the Configured Grant, the timing of the radio resources among the multiple UEs may differ by more than the radio frame time of the 5G system. For example, a difference of 10 milliseconds or more may occur. Figure 14 shows an example of the timing assignment of uplink radio resources to three UEs.

[0080] Combining the processing of the base station described in the first embodiment and Patent Document 1 provides the following advantages. Multiple UEs 200 can receive uplink radio resource allocation through the Configured Grant. At this time, the uplink radio resources of the multiple UEs 200 can be allocated so that the times are as close as possible. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the delay time in processing the sensing data caused by the difference between the reception time of the earliest data received by the server 120 and the reception time of the latest data received by the server 120.

[0081] Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 15 to 18, in which radio resources are allocated to a plurality of radio communication terminals such that the timing difference between the radio resources is equal to or less than the allowable difference.

[0082] ***Description of Configuration*** The configuration of UE 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. UE 200 includes inter-terminal communication unit 214 instead of user interface unit 213. Inter-terminal communication unit 214 functions as a group setting unit and an allocation acquisition unit. A terminal program causes a computer to function as inter-terminal communication unit 214 instead of user interface unit 213.

[0083] The configuration of the base station 300 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0084] ***Description of Operation*** The radio resource allocation method will be described with reference to Fig. 16. Steps S210 to S290 correspond to steps S110 to S190 in the first embodiment.

[0085] In step S210, a plurality of UEs 200 form a terminal group.

[0086] Step S210 will be described in detail. The following process is executed for each UE 200. First, the request control unit 211 instructs the inter-terminal communication unit 214 to create a UE group. Next, the inter-terminal communication unit 214 transmits a join request message together with the terminal identifier of its own UE 200 to other UEs 200 via the communication device 204. The join request message is a message requesting participation in the UE group. For example, the join request message is repeatedly transmitted by broadcast communication at time intervals for a time T1. The time T1 is preset in the parameters of the UE 200. The terminal identifier is the identifier of the own UE 200 in communication with the other UE 200. For example, a MAC address in a wireless LAN is used as the terminal identifier. LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. MAC is an abbreviation for Media Access Control. Next, inter-terminal communication unit 214 receives a join request message from another UE 200 via communication device 204 and records the terminal identifier of the sender of the received join request message. Then, inter-terminal communication unit 214 records the set of recorded communication identifiers as a set of communication identifiers of member UEs. For example, inter-terminal communication unit 214 records the set of communication identifiers of member UEs when time T1 has elapsed since the first transmission of the join request message.

[0087] In step S220, the terminal group selects a leader UE.

[0088] Step S220 will be described in detail. The following process is performed for each UE 200 belonging to the terminal group. First, the inter-terminal communication unit 214 determines whether its own UE 200 will be selected as the leader UE based on the terminal identifier of its own UE 200 and the terminal identifiers of each of the other member UEs. Specifically, the bit string of the terminal identifier of each member UE is treated as an unsigned binary integer. Then, the inter-terminal communication unit 214 compares the terminal identifier of its own UE 200 with the terminal identifiers of each of the other member UEs. If the terminal identifier of its own UE 200 is greater than the terminal identifier of any of the other member UEs, the inter-terminal communication unit 214 determines that its own UE 200 will become the leader UE. If the terminal identifier of its own UE 200 is less than the terminal identifier of at least one of the other member UEs, the inter-terminal communication unit 214 determines that its own UE 200 will not become the leader UE. Next, the inter-terminal communication unit 214 notifies the request control unit 211 of the determination result. Then, the request control unit 211 records the determination result.

[0089] In step S230, the leader UE transmits an allocation request message to the base station 300.

[0090] Step S230 is the same as step S130 in the first embodiment.

[0091] In step S240, the base station 300 receives the allocation request message from the leader UE. Next, the base station 300 allocates a UE radio identifier and uplink radio resources to the leader UE. Then, the base station 300 transmits an allocation response message indicating the leader allocation to the leader UE.

[0092] Step S240 is the same as step S140 in the first embodiment.

[0093] In step S250, the leader UE receives the allocation response message from the base station 300. Then, the leader UE records the leader allocation (leader radio identifier, leader radio resource) indicated in the allocation response message.

[0094] Step S250 is the same as step S150 in the first embodiment.

[0095] In step S260, the leader UE notifies the leader wireless identifier, and the member UEs (except the leader UE) record the notified leader wireless identifier.

[0096] Details of step S260 will be described for the leader UE. First, the request control unit 211 instructs the inter-terminal communication unit 214 to notify the CS-RNTI of the leader UE. Then, the inter-terminal communication unit 214 transmits an identifier notification message to the other member UEs via the communication device 204. The identifier notification message is a message that notifies the leader wireless identifier and includes the leader wireless identifier. The identifier notification message is transmitted by broadcast communication.

[0097] Details of step S260 will be described for member UEs other than the leader UE. First, the inter-terminal communication unit 214 receives an identifier notification message from the leader UE via the communication device 204. Next, the inter-terminal communication unit 214 notifies the request control unit 211 of the CS-RNTI included in the received identifier notification message. Then, the request control unit 211 records the notified CS-RNTI as the CS-RNTI of the leader UE.

[0098] In step S270, each member UE (excluding the leader UE) transmits an allocation request message to the base station 300. This allocation request message includes a leader radio identifier and a tolerance Td as parameters. The tolerance Td indicates the maximum time allowed as a time difference between the timing of the leader radio resource and the timing of the member radio resource. The tolerance Td is set in advance in the parameters of each UE 200.

[0099] Details of step S270 will be explained. The following process is executed for each member UE other than the leader UE. First, the request control unit 211 notifies the CS-RNTI and tolerance Td of the leader UE and requests an allocation request from the wireless communication unit 212. Then, the wireless communication unit 212 transmits an RRCSetupRequest message to the base station 300 via the communication device 204. This RRCSetupRequest message includes the CS-RNTI and tolerance Td of the leader UE among its parameters.

[0100] An example of the ASN.1 definition of the RRCSetupRequest message is shown in Fig. 17. The RRCSetupRequest message includes the CS-RNTI and the tolerance Td as parameters in the area enclosed by a bold frame.

[0101] Returning to FIG. 16 , the description continues from step S280. In step S280, the base station 300 receives an allocation response message from the member UE. Next, the base station 300 assigns a UE radio identifier to the member UE. The base station 300 also determines a leader radio resource based on the leader radio identifier included in the allocation request message, and assigns to the member UE an uplink radio resource whose timing difference from the timing of the leader radio resource is equal to or less than the tolerance Td. The base station 300 then transmits an allocation response message to the member UE. At this time, if the allocation of the member radio resource is successful, an allocation response message indicating the successful allocation and the member allocation is transmitted. If the allocation of the member radio resource is unsuccessful, an allocation response message indicating the unsuccessful allocation is transmitted.

[0102] Details of step S280 will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from step S180 in the first embodiment. The allocation unit 311 allocates to the member UE uplink radio resources whose timing has a time difference from the timing of the leader radio resources that is equal to or less than the tolerance Td. When the uplink radio resources are allocated to the member UE, the base station communication unit 312 transmits an RRCSetup message indicating successful allocation to the member UE via the communication device 304. This RRCSetup message indicates the CS-RNTI and the uplink radio resources. When the uplink radio resources cannot be allocated to the member UE, the base station communication unit 312 transmits an RRCReject message indicating a failure of allocation to the member UE. The RRCSetup message and the RRCReject message correspond to allocation response messages.

[0103] Details of the allocation of uplink radio resources to member UEs will be described below, focusing mainly on the differences from step S180 in the first embodiment. The allocation unit 311 refers to the radio resource management table 391 and determines the uplink radio resources to allocate to the member UEs from among the unallocated uplink radio resources. At this time, the allocation unit 311 finds uplink radio resources whose timing difference from the timing of the leader radio resource is equal to or less than the tolerance Td as the uplink radio resources to allocate to the member UEs. When the uplink radio resources to be allocated to the member UEs are found, the base station 300 records the CS-RNTI and the uplink radio resources to be allocated to the member UEs, as in step S180 in the first embodiment.

[0104] 16, step S290 will be described. In step S290, the member UE receives the allocation response message from the base station 300. Then, the member UE records the member allocation (member radio identifier, member radio resource) indicated in the allocation response message.

[0105] The details of step S290 will be described. The following process is executed for each member UE other than the leader UE. The wireless communication unit 212 receives an RRCSetup message or an RRCReject message via the communication device 204. When an RRCSetup message is received, the wireless communication unit 212 records the CS-RNTI indicated in the received RRCSetup message as the CS-RNTI of its own UE 200. Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 212 records the uplink radio resources indicated in the received RRCSetup message as the uplink radio resources of its own UE 200. Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 212 notifies the request control unit 211 of the CS-RNTI indicated in the received RRCSetup message. The request control unit 211 then determines that the allocation of the uplink radio resources has been successful. When an RRCReject message is received, the wireless communication unit 212 notifies the request control unit 211 of a failure in the allocation. Then, the request control unit 211 determines that the allocation of the uplink radio resource has failed.

[0106] After step S290, the processing of the radio resource allocation method ends.

[0107] ***Effects of the Second Embodiment*** According to the second embodiment, it is possible to determine the identification information of the group to which the UE 200 belongs so that it is unique for one base station 300. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress the time difference between the uplink transmission timings allocated by the Configured grant to the UEs 200 belonging to the group to a specified value (Td) or less. By combining the first embodiment with the processing of the base station described in Patent Document 1, the following effects can be obtained. Multiple UEs 200 can receive uplink radio resource allocation by the Configured grant. At that time, the uplink radio resources of the multiple UEs 200 can be allocated as close as possible to each other. This makes it possible to suppress an increase in the processing delay time of the sensed data caused by the difference between the reception time of the earliest data received by the server 120 and the reception time of the latest data received by the server 120.

[0108] *** Supplementary Notes on the Embodiments *** The first and second embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other. For example, in the first embodiment, the leader radio identifier may be notified by wireless communication between the plurality of UEs 200 as in the second embodiment. Also, in the second embodiment, the leader radio identifier may be notified by a screen display as in the first embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, the UE group may be configured by wireless communication between the plurality of UEs 200 as in the second embodiment. Also, in the second embodiment, the UE group may be set via a user interface as in the first embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, the leader UE may be selected by wireless communication between the plurality of UEs 200 as in the second embodiment. In this case, the leader UE may be selected based on the terminal identifier of each UE 200 as in the second embodiment. Also, in the second embodiment, the leader UE may be selected via a user interface as in the first embodiment.

[0109] The hardware configuration of UE 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 18. UE 200 includes processing circuitry 209. Processing circuitry 209 is hardware that implements request control unit 211, wireless communication unit 212, user interface unit 213, and inter-terminal communication unit 214. Processing circuitry 209 may be dedicated hardware, or may be processor 201 that executes a program stored in memory 202.

[0110] When the processing circuit 209 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 209 may be, for example, a single circuit, a multiple circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. ASIC is an abbreviation for Application Specific Integrated Circuit. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array.

[0111] In the processing circuit 209, some functions may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining functions may be realized by software or firmware.

[0112] Thus, the functionality of UE 200 can be realized in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0113] The hardware configuration of base station 300 will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Base station 300 includes processing circuitry 309. Processing circuitry 309 is hardware that implements allocation section 311 and base station communication section 312. Processing circuitry 309 may be dedicated hardware, or may be processor 301 that executes a program stored in memory 302.

[0114] When processing circuitry 309 is dedicated hardware, processing circuitry 309 may be, for example, a single circuit, multiple circuits, a programmed processor, parallel programmed processors, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0115] In the processing circuit 309, some functions may be realized by dedicated hardware, and the remaining functions may be realized by software or firmware.

[0116] Thus, the functionality of base station 300 can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0117] Each embodiment is an example of a preferred embodiment and is not intended to limit the technical scope of the present disclosure. Each embodiment may be implemented in part or in combination with other embodiments. Procedures described using flowcharts, etc. may be modified as appropriate.

[0118] The "part" of each element of UE 200 and base station 300 may be read as "processing," "step," "circuit," or "circuitry."

[0119] 100 Wireless communication system, 110 Sensor, 120 Server, 130 5G system, 200 UE, 201 Processor, 202 Memory, 203 Auxiliary storage device, 204 Communication device, 205 Input / output interface, 209 Processing circuit, 211 Request control unit, 212 Wireless communication unit, 213 User interface unit, 214 Terminal-to-terminal communication unit, 221 Group setting screen, 222 Leader selection screen, 223 Identifier notification screen, 224 Identifier input screen, 290 Memory unit, 300 Base station, 301 Processor, 302 Memory, 303 Auxiliary storage device, 304 Communication device, 305 Input / output interface, 309 Processing circuit, 311 Allocation unit, 312 Base station communication unit, 390 Memory unit, 391 Radio resource management table, 392 Identifier management table, 393 Group information table, 394 Allocation resource management table.

Claims

1. A wireless resource allocation method between a base station and a terminal group, the terminal group being composed of a wireless communication terminal which serves as a leader terminal and one or more wireless communication terminals which serve as member terminals other than the leader terminal, the leader terminal notifying the leader terminal of a leader wireless identifier allocated to the leader terminal by the base station, each member terminal other than the leader terminal transmitting a request message including the notified leader wireless identifier to the base station, the base station receiving the request message from the member terminal for each member terminal other than the leader terminal, determining a leader wireless resource allocated to the leader terminal based on the leader wireless identifier included in the request message from the member terminal, allocating a wireless resource having a timing close to that of the leader wireless resource to the member terminal as a member wireless resource, and transmitting a response message indicating the member wireless resource to the member terminal, and each member terminal other than the leader terminal receiving the response message to the member terminal.

2. The wireless resource allocation method according to claim 1, wherein the leader terminal transmits a request message not including the leader wireless identifier to the base station, the base station receives the request message from the leader terminal, assigns the leader wireless identifier and the leader wireless resources to the leader terminal, and transmits a response message indicating the leader wireless identifier and the leader wireless resources to the leader terminal, and the leader terminal receives the response message addressed to the leader terminal, and notifies the leader wireless identifier included in the received response message.

3. The wireless resource allocation method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the base station assigns a member wireless identifier to each of the member terminals other than the leader terminal, and transmits a message indicating the member wireless identifier and the member wireless resource as the response message to the member terminal.

4. The radio resource allocation method according to claim 3, wherein the request message is an RRCSetupRequest message, each of the leader radio identifier and the member radio identifier is a CS-RNTI, and each of the leader radio resources and the member radio resources is allocated by a Configured Grant.

5. A wireless resource allocation method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each member terminal other than the leader terminal transmits a message including the notified leader wireless identifier and a tolerance to the base station as the request message, and the base station allocates to the member terminal as the member wireless resource a wireless resource having a timing whose time difference from the timing of the leader wireless resource is equal to or less than the tolerance.

6. The wireless resource allocation method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the leader terminal notifies the leader wireless identifier by displaying a screen indicating the leader wireless identifier on a display, and the notified leader wireless identifier is set by a user in each member terminal other than the leader terminal.

7. The wireless resource allocation method according to claim 1, wherein the leader terminal notifies each member terminal other than the leader terminal of the leader wireless identifier by wireless communication.

8. The wireless resource allocation method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein each wireless communication terminal belongs to the terminal group by a setting via a user interface.

9. The wireless resource allocation method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a plurality of the wireless communication terminals configure the terminal group through wireless communication.

10. The method of allocating wireless resources according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein one of the wireless communication terminals is selected as the leader terminal by setting via a user interface.

11. The wireless resource allocation method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a plurality of the wireless communication terminals select the leader terminal by wireless communication.

12. The wireless resource allocation method according to claim 11, wherein a plurality of the wireless communication terminals communicate with each other terminal identifiers set thereto, and determine whether or not the terminal itself will be selected as the leader terminal based on its own terminal identifier and the identifiers of the other terminals.

13. A base station implementing a radio resource allocation method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 with said group of terminals.

14. A base station program for causing a computer to function as the base station according to claim 13.

15. A wireless communication terminal which, together with the base station, implements the wireless resource allocation method according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

16. A terminal program for causing a computer to function as the wireless communication terminal according to claim 15.

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