Communication system and communication control method

Abstract

A communication system that transmits a signal from a first communication device to a second communication device comprises: an information acquisition unit that acquires, from the first communication device, transmission quality information indicating the communication quality of each traffic flow being transmitted from the first communication device to the second communication device; a monitoring unit that determines whether execution of packet interval adjustment is necessary for each of the traffic flows on the basis of the transmission quality information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction when execution of traffic flow adjustment is determined to be necessary; and a communication control unit that adjusts the packet interval in the first communication device for each traffic flow on the basis of the packet interval adjustment instruction output from the monitoring unit.

Description

Communication system and communication control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system that accommodates wireless terminals and a communication control method.

[0002] In each traffic flow of a mobile communication system, even if packet intervals are uniform and packets are output from the base station or wireless terminal with little jitter before wireless transmission between the base station and the wireless terminal, jitter may occur due to various factors. For example, jitter may occur due to the transmission waiting time of TDD (Time Division Duplex) in wireless transmission between the base station and the wireless terminal, the waiting time for forming a wireless transmission packet (Transport Block), and the waiting time for retransmission data due to retransmission control. This may result in large jitter when the base station or the wireless terminal receives packets.

[0003] For example, in a mobile communication system that performs retransmission control such as Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (Hybrid ARQ), when the order of a successfully received packet and a packet that needs to be retransmitted is reversed, the packets are buffered within a base station in order to maintain the order of the packets.

[0004] However, while packets successfully received from a wireless terminal are immediately output from the base station to an upstream forwarding device, etc., retransmitted packets and packets buffered to maintain order are output from the base station with a delay. This results in irregular intervals at which packets are output from the base station to an upstream forwarding device, etc., which can cause jitter on the upstream side of the base station. Furthermore, when multiple base stations are connected to one forwarding device, when multiple wireless terminals are connected to one base station, or when one wireless terminal has multiple traffic flows, these different types of traffic are mixed and output from the base station to an upstream forwarding device, etc. As a result, the jitter per traffic flow, which should be closely monitored in terms of service quality, can become even larger.

[0005] In contrast, for example, a communication system described in Patent Document 1 transfers packets while performing traffic shaping at a shaping rate determined to mitigate jitter, taking into consideration the priority of each traffic flow, within a range that satisfies predetermined delay requirements. With this configuration, the communication system described in Patent Document 1 can mitigate jitter generated at a base station in a device upstream of the base station.

[0006] International Publication No. 2023 / 013089

[0007] "3GPP TS 38.300 V18.0.0", 3GPP, 2024. "3GPP TS 38.214 V18.1.0", 3GPP, 2024. Ryoko Miyaji et al., "Video Transmission Processing Platform Enabling Ultra-Low Latency, Uninterrupted Transmission, and Ultra-Realistic Experience," NTT DOCOMO Technical Journal, Vol. 31, No. 3, 2023.

[0008] However, although Patent Document 1 discloses a communication control method in a wired network section above a base station after the occurrence of jitter is detected, it does not mention when and under what circumstances the communication control method should be implemented.

[0009] Generally, jitter changes from moment to moment depending on changes in the wireless environment and changes in application operation. As a result, even if efforts are made to reduce jitter in the wired network section upstream of the base station, jitter continues to occur in the wireless network section between the base station and the wireless terminal, which often results in an increase in jitter in the overall E2E (End to End) transmission. Therefore, with conventional technologies, it has been difficult to quickly reduce jitter when jitter increases in each traffic flow due to changes in the wireless environment and changes in application operation.

[0010] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a technology that can quickly reduce jitter even when the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the wireless environment and changes in application operation.

[0011] One aspect of the present invention is a communication system that transfers signals from a first communication device to a second communication device, comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires, from the first communication device, transfer quality information indicating the communication quality for each traffic flow transferred from the first communication device to the second communication device; a monitoring unit that determines, for each traffic flow, whether or not a packet interval adjustment is required based on the transfer quality information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction if it is determined that such adjustment is required; and a communication control unit that adjusts the packet interval in the first communication device for each traffic flow based on the packet interval adjustment instruction output from the monitoring unit.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention is a communication control method by a computer that controls the transfer of signals from a first communication device to a second communication device, the communication control method comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring, from the first communication device, transfer quality information indicating the communication quality for each traffic flow transferred from the first communication device to the second communication device; a monitoring step of determining, for each traffic flow, whether or not a packet interval adjustment is required based on the transfer quality information acquired in the information acquisition step, and outputting a packet interval adjustment instruction if it is determined that such adjustment is required; and a communication control step of adjusting the packet interval in the first communication device for each traffic flow based on the packet interval adjustment instruction output in the monitoring step.

[0013] According to the present invention, even if jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application behavior, it is possible to quickly reduce jitter.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of communication control of the mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1B in a first modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1C in a second modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1D in a third modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1E in a fourth modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1F in the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1G in a first modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1H in a second modified example of the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1I in the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1J in a first modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1K in a second modified example of the third embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1L in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1M in a first modified example of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1N in a modified example 2 of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1O in a modified example 3 of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1P in a fifth embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1Q in a modified example 1 of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1R in a modified example 2 of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a mobile communication system 1S in a modified example 3 of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a mobile communication system according to the prior art.

[0015] A communication system and a communication control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. To make the description easier to understand, an example of the configuration of a conventional communication system will be described first as a comparison with the present invention.

[0016] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a conventional mobile communication system 90. The mobile communication system 90 includes a server 91, one or more transfer devices 92, a transfer device controller 93, one or more base stations 94, and one or more wireless terminals 95. Note that Fig. 21 shows, as an example, a mobile communication system in which there are two transfer devices 92, two base stations 94, and three wireless terminals 95.

[0017] The server 91 is a device that communicates with one or more wireless terminals 95 .

[0018] One or more transfer devices 92 constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between the server 91 and each of one or more wireless terminals 95 .

[0019] The transfer device controller 93 is a device that controls one or more transfer devices 92 by transmitting control signals. The transfer device controller 93 is connected to each of the one or more transfer devices 92 so as to be able to communicate with them.

[0020] The base station 94 is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals 95, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 92 to the wireless terminals 95, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals 95 to the transfer device 92. Each of the one or more wireless terminals 95 has one or more traffic flows.

[0021] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 90, such as a server 91, a transfer device 92, a transfer device controller 93, a base station 94, and a wireless terminal 95, is configured using a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, such as the server 91, the transfer device 92, the transfer device controller 93, the base station 94, and the wireless terminal 95, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0022] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as a server 91, a transfer device 92, a transfer device controller 93, a base station 94, or a wireless terminal 95. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0023] The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device (e.g., an SSD (Solid State Drive)), and storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0024] The transfer device 92 acquires information relating to wireless communication between the base station 94 and the wireless terminal 95 (hereinafter referred to as "wireless communication information"). The transfer device controller 93 collects the wireless communication information acquired by each of the one or more transfer devices 92, and determines a shaping rate for traffic shaping for each traffic flow based on the collected wireless communication information so that delay jitter in the base station 94 is mitigated on the upstream side of the base station 94. The transfer device 92 performs traffic shaping on the upstream side of the base station 94 based on the shaping rate determined by the transfer device controller 93.

[0025] Specifically, for example, one or more transfer devices 92 acquire information on the quality of wireless communication between a base station 94 and a wireless terminal 95 (hereinafter referred to as "wireless quality information") as wireless communication information, and transmit the acquired wireless quality information to the transfer device controller 93. The wireless quality information includes, for example, information on the communication quality for each traffic flow in the wireless communication between the base station 94 and the wireless terminal 95, and information indicating the priority of each traffic flow.

[0026] The transfer device controller 93 collects wireless quality information acquired by each of one or more transfer devices 92, and determines a shaping rate for each traffic flow based on the collected wireless quality information. Here, the transfer device controller 93 determines a traffic shaping rate for each traffic flow, taking into consideration the priority of each traffic flow, within a range that satisfies predetermined delay requirements, so that delay jitter in the base station 94 is mitigated on the upstream side of the base station 94. The transfer device controller 93 notifies the transfer device 92 of the determined shaping rate.

[0027] Then, each of the one or more transfer devices 92 performs traffic shaping for the device itself based on the shaping rate notified by the transfer device controller 93 .

[0028] Here, the wireless quality information acquired as wireless communication information is, for example, a 5QI (5G QoS Indicator) added to the header of an N3 interface signal in 5G (5th Generation) mobile communications, or a PDCP SDU Data Volume for each 5QI.

[0029] For example, the transfer device controller 93 stores in advance a correspondence table (correspondence information) in which 5QI values ​​are associated with appropriate shaping rate candidates determined according to the 5QI values. The transfer device controller 93 refers to this correspondence table, identifies the shaping rate associated with the 5QI value (wireless quality information) acquired from the base station 94, and determines the shaping rate to be applied to the transfer device 92. Note that an appropriate shaping rate is a communication rate that is low enough to maintain at least the minimum required communication rate while narrowing the communication band so that delay jitter in the base station 94 is mitigated on the upstream side of the base station 94.

[0030] Alternatively, examples of the wireless quality information acquired as wireless communication information include a scheduling request, an uplink grant, and a buffer status report that the base station 94 receives from the wireless terminal 95, as well as the wireless packet number, subpacket number, and slot number at which the base station received these scheduling requests, uplink grants, and buffer status reports.

[0031] Generally, a scheduling request is information transmitted by a wireless terminal to a base station to notify the base station of the start of uplink communication. An uplink grant is information transmitted by a base station in downlink communication to notify the wireless terminal of the wireless communication method and frequency resource allocation permitted for uplink communication, and indirectly indicates the amount of data in the uplink communication. A buffer status report is information transmitted by a wireless terminal to notify the base station of the amount of data stored in the buffer.

[0032] The wireless packet number, subpacket number, and slot number are three-level data unit numbers transmitted via wireless communication. A wireless packet is defined as 10 ms, a subpacket as 1 ms, and a slot as a length selectable from multiple values, such as 1 ms or 0.5 ms. The transmission and reception timing of wireless communication can be determined from these numbers.

[0033] The scheduling request, uplink grant, and buffer status report are transmitted in association with a radio packet number, a subpacket number, and a slot number that indicate the transmission timing of the uplink communication. In this case, the transfer device controller 93 collects radio quality information acquired by each of one or more transfer devices 92, and calculates and determines an appropriate shaping rate for each traffic flow based on the collected radio quality information.

[0034] Specifically, the transfer device controller 93 recognizes the amount of data (hereinafter referred to as "buffer data") buffered in the wireless terminal CL from the buffer status report received from the wireless terminal 95, and calculates an appropriate shaping rate that is low enough to narrow the communication band so that delay jitter in the base station 94 is mitigated upstream of the base station 94, while maintaining at least the minimum communication rate required to transmit that amount of buffer data.

[0035] More specifically, for example, the transfer device controller 93 initializes the shaping rate when it acquires a scheduling request from the transfer device 92, and stores the radio packet number, subpacket number, and slot number associated with the acquired scheduling request. After that, the transfer device controller 93 updates the shaping rate every time it acquires a buffer status report from the transfer device 92.

[0036] The shaping rate is updated by, for example, adding the cumulative value of the amount of data for upstream communication calculated from one or more uplink grants acquired by the transfer device controller 93 from the transfer device 92 between the wireless packet number, subpacket number, and slot number associated with the scheduling request and the wireless packet number, subpacket number, and slot number associated with the buffer status report, to the amount of data held by the wireless terminal 95 notified in the buffer status report, and dividing the result by the time interval calculated from the wireless packet number, subpacket number, and slot number associated with the scheduling request and the wireless packet number, subpacket number, and slot number associated with the buffer status report, thereby determining the shaping rate.

[0037] The transfer device controller 93 may be configured to collect information on the state of the transfer device network (hereinafter referred to as "state information") from the transfer device 92, and calculate a shaping rate to be applied to the transfer device 92 based on this state information and wireless quality information acquired from the base station 94. For example, the transfer device controller 93 may calculate the shaping rate by taking into account the congestion state of the transfer device network recognized based on the state information.

[0038] According to the conventional mobile communication system 90 configured in this manner, the transfer device 92 performs shaping at a shaping rate determined based on wireless quality information regarding wireless communication between the wireless terminal 95 and the base station 94, thereby preventing jitter generated at the output of the base station 94 from propagating to the upstream side.

[0039] However, while the conventional mobile communication system 90 described above has a configuration for controlling communication in the wired network section after detecting jitter, it does not have a configuration for determining when and under what circumstances the communication control should be performed. Generally, jitter changes from moment to moment depending on changes in the wireless environment and changes in application operation. Therefore, in the conventional mobile communication system 90 described above, when jitter in each traffic flow increases due to these changes, it is difficult to quickly reduce the jitter.

[0040] In contrast, the mobile communication system in each embodiment of the present invention described below further includes a configuration for determining whether or not the situation is such that the above-described communication control should be executed, and further includes a configuration for starting execution of the above-described communication control when it is determined that the situation is appropriate.

[0041] In the mobile communication systems of the embodiments described below, for example, a transfer device transmits information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device (hereinafter referred to as "transfer quality information") to a device equipped with a monitoring unit, such as a transfer device controller described below. Then, the monitoring unit, such as a transfer device controller, monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the transfer device, and when the data rate, packet interval, and the like exceed thresholds, transmits an instruction to the transfer device to adjust the packet interval (hereinafter referred to as a "packet interval adjustment instruction"). In other words, when jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, the monitoring unit, such as a transfer device controller, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device. Then, the transfer device adjusts the packet interval in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction from the monitoring unit.

[0042] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system in each embodiment of the present invention described below can quickly reduce jitter even when the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0043] The control related to packet interval adjustment in the above-mentioned conventional technology is a static communication control that assumes data transfer in a wired network section where transfer quality does not change. In contrast, the communication control by the mobile communication system in each embodiment of the present invention described below can successively and dynamically reduce increases in jitter caused by changes in the wireless environment and changes in application operation.

[0044] Note that the communication control in the first, second, and fifth embodiments described below is assumed to be performed in uplink communication control, while the communication control in the third and fourth embodiments described below is assumed to be performed in downlink communication control.

[0045] First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

[0046] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment. The mobile communication system 1A is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1A includes one or more transfer devices 10A, a transfer device controller 20A, one or more base stations 30A, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0047] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1A, the server SV, the transfer device 10A, the transfer device controller 20A, the base station 30A, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 10A, the transfer device controller 20A, the base station 30A, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0048] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, transfer device 10A, transfer device controller 20A, base station 30A, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0049] One or more transfer devices 10A constitute a transfer device network and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a server SV and one or more wireless terminals CL. As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device 10A includes an information acquisition unit 101A and a communication control unit 103A.

[0050] The transfer device controller 20A is a device that controls one or more transfer devices 10A by sending control signals. The transfer device controller 20A is communicably connected to each of the one or more transfer devices 10A. As shown in FIG. 1, the transfer device controller 20A includes a monitoring unit 102A.

[0051] The base station 30A is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10A to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10A. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0052] The server SV and the wireless terminal CL are the same devices as the server 91 and the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0053] The configurations of the monitoring unit 102A of the transfer device controller 20A, the information acquisition unit 101A of the transfer device 10A, and the communication control unit 103A will be described in detail below.

[0054] The information acquisition unit 101A of the transfer device 10A transmits information indicating the communication quality for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10A (hereinafter referred to as "transfer quality information") to the monitoring unit 102A of the transfer device controller 20A.

[0055] The transfer quality information is, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10A. The data rate is, for example, a cumulative counter value of the amount of data that can be obtained using technologies such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) and Telemetry, or a value of the amount of data per second expressed in bps (bits per second). The packet interval is, for example, the value of the time difference between the time when the transfer device 10A receives a specific packet and the time when it receives the next packet.

[0056] The monitoring unit 102A of the transfer device controller 20A monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101A of the transfer device 10A. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102A detects that, for example, the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy required conditions, and then transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103A of the transfer device 10A.

[0057] The monitoring unit 102A may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may determine, for example, based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by machine learning or the like.

[0058] The packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow. Note that the shaping rate here is, for example, a shaping rate calculated based on the above-mentioned data rate. Alternatively, the packet interval adjustment instruction may be, for example, an instruction to add delay by buffering each packet so that jitter is reduced within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0059] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the thresholds that satisfy the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases or decreases due to a change in the wireless environment between the base station 30A and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself (e.g., data rate of Full HD, 4K, 8K, etc.) changes due to a change in the operation of an application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 3).

[0060] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102A may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103A at a timing such as the time at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring (supervising) the transfer quality information.

[0061] The communication control unit 103A of the transfer device 10A adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction sent from the monitoring unit 102A of the transfer device controller 20A.

[0062] In the mobile communication system 1A of the first embodiment, the configuration in which the transfer device controller 20A decides to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10A based on transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 30A is replaced with a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) access point (Wi-Fi access point), the transfer device controller 20A can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0063] The transfer device 10A may be configured to be installed between a central station and a distributed station that are obtained by dividing a base station. In this case, the central station and the distributed station are, for example, a CU (Central Unit) and a DU (Distributed Unit) in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10A is installed in a section called an MMH (Mobile Midhaul). Alternatively, the central station and the distributed station may be, for example, a DU and a RU (Radio Unit) in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10A is installed in a section called an MFH (Mobile Fronthaul).

[0064] In this case, the central station and the remote stations may be base stations of a wireless communication system other than a mobile communication system, for example, a Wi-Fi controller and a Wi-Fi access point.

[0065] [Operations Related to Communication Control in Mobile Communication System] An example of operations related to communication control in the mobile communication system 1A will be described below.

[0066] Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication control operation of the mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment. The operation of the mobile communication system 1A shown in the flowchart of Fig. 2 starts, for example, when communication between the server SV and one or more wireless terminals CL is started and the monitoring unit 102A of the transfer device controller 20A starts monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0067] Each of the information acquisition units 101A of the one or more transfer devices 10A transmits transfer quality information to the monitoring unit 102A of the transfer device controller 20A (step S001). The monitoring unit 102A receives the transfer quality information transmitted from each of the information acquisition units 101A of the one or more transfer devices 10A.

[0068] The monitoring unit 102A monitors the acquired transfer quality information (step S002). If the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the thresholds that satisfy the required conditions (step S003, YES), the monitoring unit 102A transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to each of the communication control units 103A of one or more transfer devices 10A (step S004).

[0069] Each communication control unit 103A receives the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the monitoring unit 102A of the transfer device controller 20A. Each communication control unit 103A adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the received packet interval adjustment instruction (step S005).

[0070] When communication between the server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL is terminated and the monitoring unit 102A terminates monitoring (step S006: YES), the operation of the communication control of the mobile communication system 1A shown in the flowchart of FIG. 2 is terminated.

[0071] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101A of the transfer device 10A transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10A to the monitoring unit 102A of the transfer device controller 20A. The monitoring unit 102A monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the transfer device 10A, and when jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103A of the transfer device 10A. The communication control unit 103A adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the transfer device controller 20A.

[0072] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0073] <Variation 1 of First Embodiment> Variation 1 of the first embodiment will be described below. The mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 above was configured to include a transfer device controller 20A that controls a transfer device 10A, and the transfer device 10A was configured to include an information acquisition unit 101A and a communication control unit 103A. In contrast, a mobile communication system 1B in Variation 1 of the first embodiment described below is configured to include a wireless controller 21B that controls a base station 30A instead of the transfer device controller, and the base station 30B is configured to include an information acquisition unit 101B and a communication control unit 103B.

[0074] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1B in Modification 1 of the first embodiment. The mobile communication system 1B is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1B includes one or more transfer devices 10B, a wireless controller 21B, one or more base stations 30B, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0075] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1B, the server SV, the transfer device 10B, the wireless controller 21B, the base station 30B, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 10B, the wireless controller 21B, the base station 30B, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0076] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, transfer device 10B, wireless controller 21B, base station 30B, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0077] One or more transfer devices 10B constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between the server SV and each of one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0078] The wireless controller 21B is a device that controls one or more base stations 30B by transmitting control signals. The wireless controller 21B is communicably connected to each of the one or more base stations 30B. As shown in FIG. 3 , the wireless controller 21B includes a monitoring unit 102B.

[0079] The base station 30B is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10B to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10B. As shown in Fig. 3, the base station 30B includes an information acquisition unit 101B and a communication control unit 103B. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0080] The server SV and the wireless terminal CL are the same devices as the server 91 and the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0081] The configurations of the monitoring section 102B of the wireless controller 21B, the information acquisition section 101B and the communication control section 103B of the base station 30B will be described in detail below.

[0082] The information acquisition unit 101B of the base station 30B transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through one or more transfer devices 10B to the monitoring unit 102B of the wireless controller 21B. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10B.

[0083] The monitoring unit 102B of the wireless controller 21B monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101B of the base station 30B. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102B detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103B of the base station 30B. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0084] The monitoring unit 102B may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0085] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the thresholds that satisfy the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the base station 30B and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0086] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102B may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103B at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0087] The communication control section 103B of the base station 30B adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the monitoring section 102B of the wireless controller 21B.

[0088] In the mobile communication system 1B according to the first modification of the first embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless controller 21B determines whether to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the base station 30B based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 30B is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point), the wireless controller 21B can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0089] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1B according to the first modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101B of the base station 30B transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10B to the monitoring unit 102B of the wireless controller 21B. The monitoring unit 102B monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the base station 30B, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103B of the base station 30B. The communication control unit 103B adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the wireless controller 21B.

[0090] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1B in variant 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0091] <Modification 2 of First Embodiment> Modification 2 of the first embodiment will be described below. A mobile communication system 1C in Modification 2 of the first embodiment described below has a configuration including a wireless controller 21C instead of a transfer device controller, similar to the mobile communication system 1B in Modification 1 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 3 described above. Furthermore, the mobile communication system 1C in Modification 2 of the first embodiment described below has a configuration in which a base station is divided into one or more remote stations 31C and a central station 32C, and a transfer device 10C is installed between the remote stations 31C and the central station 32C.

[0092] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1C in Modification 2 of the first embodiment. The mobile communication system 1C is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1C includes one or more transfer devices 10C, a wireless controller 21C, one or more remote stations 31C, a central station 32C, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The central station 32C and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0093] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1C, the central station 32C, the transfer device 10C, the wireless controller 21C, the remote station 31C, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the central station 32C, the transfer device 10C, the wireless controller 21C, the remote station 31C, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0094] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the central station 32C, transfer device 10C, wireless controller 21C, remote station 31C, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0095] One or more transfer devices 10C constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a central office 32C and one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0096] The wireless controller 21C is a device that controls one or more remote stations 31C by transmitting control signals. The wireless controller 21C is communicably connected to each of the one or more remote stations 31C. As shown in FIG. 4 , the wireless controller 21C includes a monitoring unit 102C.

[0097] The remote station 31C is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10C to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10C. As shown in Fig. 4, the remote station 31C includes an information acquisition unit 101C and a communication control unit 103C. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0098] The wireless terminal CL is a device similar to the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0099] The configurations of the monitoring unit 102C of the wireless controller 21C, the information acquisition unit 101C and the communication control unit 103C of the remote station 31C will be described in detail below.

[0100] The information acquisition unit 101C of the remote station 31C transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through one or more transfer devices 10C to the monitoring unit 102C of the wireless controller 21C. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10C.

[0101] The monitoring unit 102C of the wireless controller 21C monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101C of the remote station 31C. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102C detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and then transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103C of the remote station 31C. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0102] The monitoring unit 102C may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may determine, for example, based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by machine learning or the like.

[0103] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the remote station 31C and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0104] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102C may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103C at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0105] The communication control unit 103C of the remote station 31C adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the monitoring unit 102C of the wireless controller 21C.

[0106] The central station 32C and the remote station 31C may be, for example, a control unit (CU) and a remote unit (DU) in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10C is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station 32C and the remote station 31C may be, for example, a du and a rule (RU) in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10C is installed in a section called an multi-frequency handover (MFH).

[0107] In the mobile communication system 1C in the second modification of the first embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless controller 21C decides to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10C based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the remote station 31C is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point) and the central station 32C is replaced with a wireless LAN controller (Wi-Fi controller), the wireless controller 21C can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless LAN controller, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0108] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1C in the second modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101C of the remote station 31C transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10C to the monitoring unit 102C of the wireless controller 21C. The monitoring unit 102C monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the remote station 31C, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103C of the remote station 31C. The communication control unit 103C adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the wireless controller 21C.

[0109] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1C in variant example 2 of the first embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0110] <Variation 3 of First Embodiment> Variation 3 of the first embodiment will be described below. The mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above has a configuration in which the information acquisition unit 101A and the communication control unit 103A are both provided in the transfer device 10A. In contrast, the mobile communication system 1D in Variation 3 of the first embodiment described below has a configuration in which the information acquisition unit 101D is provided in the base station 30D, and the communication control unit 103D is provided in the transfer device 10D. In this way, the mobile communication system 1D in Variation 3 of the first embodiment described below has a different configuration from the mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment described above.

[0111] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example system configuration of a mobile communication system 1D in Modification 3 of the first embodiment. The mobile communication system 1D is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1D includes one or more transfer devices 10D, a transfer device controller 20D, one or more base stations 30D, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0112] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1D, the server SV, the transfer device 10D, the transfer device controller 20D, the base station 30D, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 10D, the transfer device controller 20D, the base station 30D, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0113] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, transfer device 10D, transfer device controller 20D, base station 30D, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0114] One or more transfer devices 10D constitute a transfer device network and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a server SV and one or more wireless terminals CL. As shown in FIG. 5, the transfer device 10D includes a communication control unit 103D.

[0115] The transfer device controller 20D is a device that controls one or more transfer devices 10D by transmitting control signals. The transfer device controller 20D is communicatively connected to each of the one or more transfer devices 10D. The transfer device controller 20D is also communicatively connected to each of the one or more base stations 30D. As shown in FIG. 5, the transfer device controller 20D includes a monitoring unit 102D.

[0116] The base station 30D is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10D to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10D. As shown in Fig. 5, the base station 30D includes an information acquisition unit 101D. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0117] The server SV and the wireless terminal CL are the same devices as the server 91 and the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0118] The configurations of the monitor unit 102D of the transfer device controller 20D, the information acquisition unit 101D of the base station 30D, and the communication control unit 103D of the transfer device 10D will be described in detail below.

[0119] The information acquisition unit 101D of the base station 30D transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10D to the monitoring unit 102D of the transfer device controller 20D. As described above, the transfer quality information is, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10D.

[0120] The monitoring unit 102D of the transfer device controller 20D monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101D of the base station 30D. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102D detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103D of the transfer device 10D. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0121] The monitoring unit 102D may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may determine, for example, based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by machine learning or the like.

[0122] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the base station 30D and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0123] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102D may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103D at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0124] The communication control unit 103D of the transfer device 10D adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction sent from the monitor unit 102D of the transfer device controller 20D.

[0125] It should be noted that the configuration in which the transfer device controller 20D determines to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10D based on transfer quality information in the mobile communication system 1D of the third modification of the first embodiment is also applicable to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 30D is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point), the transfer device controller 20D can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0126] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1D in the third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101D of the base station 30D transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10D to the monitoring unit 102D of the transfer device controller 20D. The monitoring unit 102D monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the transfer device 10D, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103D of the transfer device 10D. The communication control unit 103D adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the transfer device controller 20D.

[0127] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1D in variant example 3 of the first embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even when the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0128] <Fourth Modification of First Embodiment> Below, a fourth modification of the first embodiment will be described. A mobile communication system 1E in the fourth modification of the first embodiment described below has a configuration in which a base station is divided into one or more remote stations 31E and a central station 32E, and a transfer device 10E is installed between the remote stations 31E and the central station 32E. Furthermore, the mobile communication system 1E in the fourth modification of the first embodiment described below has a configuration in which an information acquisition unit 101E is provided in the remote station 31E, and a communication control unit 103E is provided in the transfer device 10E, similar to the mobile communication system 1D in the third modification of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 5 described above.

[0129] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1E in Modification 4 of the first embodiment. The mobile communication system 1E is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1E includes one or more transfer devices 10E, a transfer device controller 20E, one or more remote stations 31E, a central station 32E, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The central station 32E and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0130] Each of the devices in the mobile communication system 1E, the central station 32E, the transfer device 10E, the transfer device controller 20E, the distributed station 31E, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the central station 32E, the transfer device 10E, the transfer device controller 20E, the distributed station 31E, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0131] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the central station 32E, transfer device 10E, transfer device controller 20E, remote station 31E, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0132] One or more transfer devices 10E constitute a transfer device network and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a central station 32E and one or more wireless terminals CL. As shown in FIG. 6, the transfer device 10E includes a communication control unit 103E.

[0133] The transfer device controller 20E is a device that controls one or more transfer devices 10E by transmitting control signals. The transfer device controller 20E is communicatively connected to each of the one or more transfer devices 10E. The transfer device controller 20E is also communicatively connected to each of the one or more distributed stations 31E. As shown in FIG. 6, the transfer device controller 20E includes a monitoring unit 102E.

[0134] The remote station 31E is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10E to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10E. As shown in Fig. 6, the remote station 31E includes an information acquisition unit 101E. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0135] The wireless terminal CL is a device similar to the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0136] The configurations of the monitor unit 102E of the transfer device controller 20E, the information acquisition unit 101E of the remote station 31E, and the communication control unit 103E of the transfer device 10E will be described in detail below.

[0137] The information acquisition unit 101E of the remote station 31E transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10E to the monitoring unit 102E of the transfer device controller 20E. As described above, the transfer quality information is, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10E.

[0138] The monitoring unit 102E of the transfer device controller 20E monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101E of the remote station 31E. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102E detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103E of the transfer device 10E. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0139] The monitoring unit 102E may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0140] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the remote station 31E and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0141] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102E may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103E at a timing such as the time at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0142] The communication control unit 103E of the transfer device 10E adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction sent from the monitor unit 102E of the transfer device controller 20E.

[0143] The central station 32E and the remote station 31E are, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10E is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station 32E and the remote station 31E may be, for example, a DU and RU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10E is installed in a section called an MFH.

[0144] In the mobile communication system 1E in the fourth modification of the first embodiment, the configuration in which the transfer device controller 20E decides to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10E based on transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the remote station 31E is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point) and the central station 32E is replaced with a wireless LAN controller (Wi-Fi controller), the transfer device controller 20E can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless LAN controller, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0145] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1E in the fourth modification of the first embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101E of the remote station 31E transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10E to the monitoring unit 102E of the transfer device controller 20E. The monitoring unit 102E monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the remote station 31E, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103E of the transfer device 10E. The communication control unit 103E adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the transfer device controller 20E.

[0146] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1E in variant example 4 of the first embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the wireless environment and changes in application operation.

[0147] <Second Embodiment> A second embodiment will be described below. The mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above was configured to use a transfer device controller 20A equipped with a monitoring unit 102A. In contrast, a mobile communication system 1F in the second embodiment described below is configured such that a transfer device 10F is equipped with a monitoring unit 102F. In this way, the mobile communication system 1F in the second embodiment differs in configuration from the mobile communication system 1A in the first embodiment described above in that it does not use a transfer device controller.

[0148] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1F in the second embodiment. The mobile communication system 1F is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1F includes one or more transfer devices 10F, one or more base stations 30F, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0149] Each of the devices in the mobile communication system 1F, the server SV, the transfer device 10F, the base station 30F, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 10F, the base station 30F, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0150] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, the transfer device 10F, the base station 30F, and the wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device, as well as storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0151] One or more transfer devices 10F constitute a transfer device network and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a server SV and one or more wireless terminals CL. As shown in Fig. 7, the transfer device 10F includes an information acquisition unit 101F, a monitoring unit 102F, and a communication control unit 103F.

[0152] The base station 30F is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10F to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10F. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0153] The server SV and the wireless terminal CL are the same devices as the server 91 and the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0154] The configurations of the information acquisition unit 101F, the monitoring unit 102F, and the communication control unit 103F of the transfer device 10F will be described in detail below.

[0155] The information acquisition unit 101F of the transfer device 10F outputs transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10F to the monitoring unit 102F. As described above, the transfer quality information is, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10F.

[0156] The monitoring unit 102F of the transfer device 10F monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101F. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102F detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103F. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0157] The monitoring unit 102F may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0158] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the thresholds that satisfy the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the base station 30F and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0159] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102F may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103F at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0160] The communication control unit 103F of the transfer device 10F adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102F.

[0161] In the mobile communication system 1F of the second embodiment, the configuration in which the transfer device 10F determines to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10F based on transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 30F is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point), the transfer device 10F can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0162] The transfer device 10F may be configured to be installed between a central station and a distributed station that are obtained by dividing a base station. In this case, the central station and the distributed station are, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10F is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station and the distributed station may be, for example, a DU and RU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10F is installed in a section called an MFH.

[0163] In this case, the central station and the remote stations may be base stations of a wireless communication system other than a mobile communication system, for example, a Wi-Fi controller and a Wi-Fi access point.

[0164] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1F according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101F of the transfer device 10F outputs transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10F to the monitoring unit 102F. The monitoring unit 102F monitors the acquired transfer quality information, and when jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, sends a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103F. The communication control unit 103F adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102F.

[0165] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1F in the second embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0166] <Variation 1 of Second Embodiment> Variation 1 of the second embodiment will be described below. The mobile communication system 1F in the second embodiment shown in Fig. 7 above has a configuration in which an information acquisition unit 101F, a monitoring unit 102F, and a communication control unit 103F are provided in a transfer device 10F. In contrast, a mobile communication system 1G in Variation 1 of the second embodiment described below has a configuration in which an information acquisition unit 101G, a monitoring unit 102G, and a communication control unit 103G are provided in a base station 30G.

[0167] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1G in Modification 1 of the second embodiment. The mobile communication system 1G is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1G includes one or more transfer devices 10G, one or more base stations 30G, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0168] Each of the devices in the mobile communication system 1E, the server SV, the transfer device 10G, the base station 30G, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 10G, the base station 30G, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0169] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, transfer device 10G, base station 30G, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0170] One or more transfer devices 10G constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between the server SV and each of one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0171] The base station 30G is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10G to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10G. As shown in Fig. 8, the base station 30G includes an information acquisition unit 101G, a monitoring unit 102G, and a communication control unit 103G. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0172] The server SV and the wireless terminal CL are the same devices as the server 91 and the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0173] The configurations of the information acquisition unit 101G, the monitoring unit 102G, and the communication control unit 103G of the base station 30G will be described in detail below.

[0174] The information acquisition unit 101G of the base station 30G outputs transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10G to the monitoring unit 102G. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10G.

[0175] The monitoring unit 102G of the base station 30G monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101G. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102G outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103G when it detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0176] The monitoring unit 102G may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may determine, for example, based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by machine learning or the like.

[0177] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the thresholds that satisfy the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the base station 30G and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0178] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102G may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103G at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0179] The communication control unit 103G of the base station 30G adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102G.

[0180] In the mobile communication system 1G of the first modification of the second embodiment, the configuration in which the base station 30G decides to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10G based on transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 30G is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point), the transfer device 10G can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0181] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1G according to the first modification of the second embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101G of the base station 30G outputs transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10G to the monitoring unit 102G. The monitoring unit 102G monitors the acquired transfer quality information, and when jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, sends a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103G. The communication control unit 103G adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102G.

[0182] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1G in variant example 1 of the second embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0183] <Modification 2 of Second Embodiment> Modification 2 of the second embodiment will be described below. A mobile communication system 1H in Modification 2 of the first embodiment described below has a configuration in which a base station is divided into one or more remote stations 31H and a central station 32H, and a transfer device 10H is installed between the remote stations 31H and the central station 32H. In addition, the mobile communication system 1H has a configuration in which an information acquisition unit 101H, a monitoring unit 102H, and a communication control unit 103H are provided in the remote station 31H.

[0184] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1H in Modification 2 of the second embodiment. The mobile communication system 1H is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1H includes one or more transfer devices 10H, one or more remote stations 31H, a central station 32H, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The central station 32H and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0185] Each of the central station 32H, the transfer device 10H, the remote station 31H, and the wireless terminal CL included in the mobile communication system 1H is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the central station 32H, the transfer device 10H, the remote station 31H, and the wireless terminal CL functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0186] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the central station 32H, transfer device 10H, remote station 31H, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0187] One or more transfer devices 10H constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between the central office 32H and each of one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0188] The remote station 31H is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10H to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10H. As shown in Fig. 9, the remote station 31H includes an information acquisition unit 101H, a monitoring unit 102H, and a communication control unit 103H. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0189] The wireless terminal CL is a device similar to the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0190] The configurations of the information acquisition unit 101H, the monitoring unit 102H, and the communication control unit 103H of the remote station 31H will be described in detail below.

[0191] The information acquisition unit 101H of the remote station 31H outputs transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10H to the monitoring unit 102H. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10H.

[0192] The monitoring unit 102H of the remote station 31H monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101H. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102H detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103H. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0193] The monitoring unit 102H may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0194] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the remote station 31H and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0195] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102H may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103G at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0196] The communication control unit 103H of the remote station 31H adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction received from the monitoring unit 102H.

[0197] The central station 32H and the remote station 31H are, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10H is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station 32H and the remote station 31H may be, for example, a DU and RU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10H is installed in a section called an MFH.

[0198] In the mobile communication system 1H in the second modification of the second embodiment, the configuration in which the remote station 31H decides to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10H based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the remote station 31H is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point) and the central station 32H is replaced with a wireless LAN controller (Wi-Fi controller), the remote station 31H can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless LAN controller, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0199] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1H in the second modification of the second embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101H of the remote station 31H outputs transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10H to the monitoring unit 102H. The monitoring unit 102H monitors the acquired transfer quality information, and when jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, sends a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103H. The communication control unit 103H adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102H.

[0200] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1H in variant example 2 of the second embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0201] <Third Embodiment> A third embodiment will be described below. In the first and second embodiments described above, the configuration of a mobile communication system that is assumed to perform uplink communication control has been described. On the other hand, in the third and fourth embodiments described below, the configuration of a mobile communication system that is assumed to perform downlink communication control will be described.

[0202] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1I in the third embodiment. The mobile communication system 1I is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1I includes one or more transfer devices 10I, a wireless controller 21I, one or more base stations 30I, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0203] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1I, the server SV, the transfer device 10I, the wireless controller 21I, the base station 30I, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 10I, the wireless controller 21I, the base station 30I, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0204] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, transfer device 10I, wireless controller 21I, base station 30I, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0205] One or more transfer devices 10I constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between the server SV and each of one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0206] The wireless controller 21I is a device that controls one or more base stations 30I by transmitting control signals. The wireless controller 21I is communicably connected to each of the one or more base stations 30I. As shown in FIG. 10 , the wireless controller 21I includes a monitoring unit 102I.

[0207] The base station 30I is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10I to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10I. As shown in Fig. 10 , the base station 30I includes an information acquisition unit 101I and a control notification unit 104I.

[0208] Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows. As shown in Fig. 10, the wireless terminal CL includes a communication control unit 103I and an application function unit 105I.

[0209] The server SV is a device similar to the server 91 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0210] The configurations of the monitoring unit 102I of the wireless controller 21I, the information acquisition unit 101I and control notification unit 104I of the base station 30I, and the communication control unit 103I and application function unit 105I of the wireless terminal CL will be described in detail below.

[0211] The information acquisition unit 101I of the base station 30I transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102I of the wireless controller 21I.

[0212] The transfer quality information is, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL. The data rate is, for example, a cumulative counter value of the amount of data that can be acquired using technologies such as SNMP and Telemetry, or a value of the amount of data per second expressed in bps. The packet interval is, for example, the value of the time difference between the time when the wireless terminal CL receives a specific packet and the time when it receives the next packet.

[0213] The monitoring unit 102I of the wireless controller 21I monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101I of the base station 30I. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102I detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104I of the base station 30I. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0214] The monitoring unit 102I may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0215] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the base station 30I and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0216] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102I may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104I at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0217] The control notification unit 104I of the base station 30I transmits (transfers) the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102I of the wireless controller 21I to the communication control unit 103I of the wireless terminal CL.

[0218] The communication control unit 103I of the wireless terminal CL adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transferred from the control notification unit 104I of the base station 30I before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105I.

[0219] In the mobile communication system 1I of the third embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless controller 21I determines whether to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the wireless terminal CL based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 30I is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point), the wireless controller 21I can obtain transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0220] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1I according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101I of the base station 30I transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102I of the wireless controller 21I. The monitoring unit 102I monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the base station 30I, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104I of the base station 30I. The control notification unit 104I transmits the acquired packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103I of the wireless terminal CL. In accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the wireless controller 21I, the communication control unit 103I adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105I.

[0221] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1I in the third embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0222] <Variation 1 of Third Embodiment> Variation 1 of Third Embodiment will be described below. A mobile communication system 1J of Variation 1 of Third Embodiment described below differs in configuration from the mobile communication system 1I of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 10 described above in that a base station is divided into one or more remote stations 31J and a central station 32J, and a transfer device 10J is installed between the remote station 31J and the central station 32J.

[0223] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1J in Modification 1 of the third embodiment. The mobile communication system 1J is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1J includes one or more transfer devices 10J, a wireless controller 21J, one or more remote stations 31J, a central station 32J, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The central station 32J and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0224] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1J, including the central station 32J, the transfer device 10J, the wireless controller 21J, the remote station 31J, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, including the central station 32J, the transfer device 10J, the wireless controller 21J, the remote station 31J, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0225] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the central station 32J, transfer device 10J, wireless controller 21J, remote station 31J, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0226] One or more transfer devices 10J constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a central office 32J and one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0227] The wireless controller 21J is a device that controls one or more remote stations 31J by transmitting control signals. The wireless controller 21J is communicably connected to each of the one or more remote stations 31J. As shown in Fig. 11 , the wireless controller 21J includes a monitoring unit 102J.

[0228] The remote station 31J is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10J to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10J. As shown in Fig. 11 , the remote station 31J includes an information acquisition unit 101J and a control notification unit 104J.

[0229] Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows. As shown in Fig. 11, the wireless terminal CL includes a communication control unit 103J and an application function unit 105J.

[0230] The configurations of the monitoring unit 102J of the wireless controller 21J, the information acquisition unit 101J and control notification unit 104J of the remote station 31J, and the communication control unit 103J and application function unit 105J of the wireless terminal CL will be described in detail below.

[0231] The information acquisition unit 101J of the remote station 31J transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102J of the wireless controller 21J. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL.

[0232] The monitoring unit 102J of the wireless controller 21J monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101J of the remote station 31J. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102J detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104J of the remote station 31J. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0233] The monitoring unit 102J may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may determine, for example, based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by machine learning or the like.

[0234] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the remote station 31J and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0235] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102J may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104J at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0236] The control notification unit 104J of the remote station 31J transmits (transfers) the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102J of the wireless controller 21J to the communication control unit 103J of the wireless terminal CL.

[0237] The communication control unit 103J of the wireless terminal CL adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transferred from the control notification unit 104J of the remote station 31J before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105J.

[0238] The central station 32J and the remote station 31J are, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10J is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station 32J and the remote station 31J may be, for example, a DU and RU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10J is installed in a section called an MFH.

[0239] In the mobile communication system 1J according to the first modification of the third embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless controller 21J determines whether to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the wireless terminal CL based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the remote station 31J is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point) and the central station 32J is replaced with a wireless LAN controller (Wi-Fi controller), the wireless controller 21J can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless LAN controller, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0240] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1J according to the first modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101J of the remote station 31J transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102J of the wireless controller 21J. The monitoring unit 102J monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the remote station 31J, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104J of the remote station 31J. The control notification unit 104J transmits the acquired packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103J of the wireless terminal CL. In accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the wireless controller 21J, the communication control unit 103J adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105J.

[0241] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1J in variant example 1 of the third embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0242] <Modification 2 of Third Embodiment> Modification 2 of the third embodiment will now be described. The mobile communication system 1J in Modification 1 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 11 described above has a configuration in which the information acquisition unit 101J is provided in the remote station 31J. In contrast, the mobile communication system 1K in Modification 2 of the third embodiment described below has a configuration that is different from that of the mobile communication system 1J in Modification 1 of the third embodiment described above in that the information acquisition unit 101K is provided in the central station 32K. In the mobile communication system 1K in Modification 2 of the third embodiment, the information acquisition unit 101K provided in the central station 32K acquires transfer quality information of the traffic flows of all the remote stations 31K.

[0243] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1K in Modification 2 of the third embodiment. The mobile communication system 1K is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1K includes one or more transfer devices 10K, a wireless controller 21K, one or more remote stations 31K, a central station 32K, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The central station 32K and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other. As shown in Fig. 12, the central station 32K includes an information acquisition unit 101K.

[0244] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1K, including the central station 32K, the transfer device 10K, the wireless controller 21K, the remote station 31K, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. The processor executes a program to allow each of the devices, including the central station 32K, the transfer device 10K, the wireless controller 21K, the remote station 31K, and the wireless terminal CL, to function as a communication device equipped with a control unit.

[0245] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the central station 32K, transfer device 10K, wireless controller 21K, remote station 31K, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0246] One or more transfer devices 10K constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a central office 32K and one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0247] The wireless controller 21K is a device that controls one or more remote stations 31K by transmitting control signals. The wireless controller 21K is communicably connected to each of the one or more remote stations 31K. As shown in Fig. 12, the wireless controller 21K includes a monitoring unit 102K.

[0248] The remote station 31K is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10K to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10K. As shown in Fig. 12, the remote station 31K includes a control notification unit 104K.

[0249] Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows. As shown in Fig. 12, the wireless terminal CL includes a communication control unit 103K and an application function unit 105K.

[0250] The configurations of the monitoring unit 102K of the wireless controller 21K, the information acquisition unit 101K of the central station 32K, the control notification unit 104K of the remote station 31K, the communication control unit 103K of the wireless terminal CL, and the application function unit 105K will be described in detail below.

[0251] The information acquisition unit 101K of the central station 32K acquires transfer quality information of the traffic flows of all remote stations 31K. The information acquisition unit 101K transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102K of the wireless controller 21K. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL.

[0252] The monitoring unit 102K of the wireless controller 21K monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101K of the central station 32K. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102K detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and then transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104K of the remote station 31K. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0253] The monitoring unit 102K may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may determine, for example, based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by machine learning or the like.

[0254] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the remote station 31K and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0255] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102K may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104K at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0256] The control notification unit 104K of the remote station 31K transmits (transfers) the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102K of the wireless controller 21K to the communication control unit 103K of the wireless terminal CL.

[0257] The communication control unit 103K of the wireless terminal CL adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transferred from the control notification unit 104K of the remote station 31K before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105K.

[0258] The central station 32K and the remote station 31K are, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10K is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station 32K and the remote station 31K may be, for example, a DU and RU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10K is installed in a section called an MFH.

[0259] In the mobile communication system 1K according to the second modification of the third embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless controller 21K determines whether to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the wireless terminal CL based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the remote station 31K is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point) and the central station 32K is replaced with a wireless LAN controller (Wi-Fi controller), the wireless controller 21K can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless LAN controller, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0260] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1K according to the second modification of the third embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101K of the central station 32K transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow of all remote stations 31K flowing to the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102K of the wireless controller 21K. The monitoring unit 102K monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the remote station 31K, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104K of the remote station 31K. The control notification unit 104K transmits the acquired packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103K of the wireless terminal CL. In accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the wireless controller 21K, the communication control unit 103K adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105K.

[0261] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1K in variant example 2 of the third embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0262] <Fourth Embodiment> The fourth embodiment will be described below. The mobile communication system 1L in the fourth embodiment described below is a mobile communication system that is intended to perform downlink communication control, similar to the mobile communication system 1I in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10 described above. However, the mobile communication system 1I in the third embodiment described above was configured to use a wireless controller 21I equipped with a monitoring unit 102I. In contrast, the mobile communication system 1L in the fourth embodiment described below is configured such that the monitoring unit 102L is provided in a base station 30L. As such, the mobile communication system 1L in the fourth embodiment differs in configuration from the mobile communication system 1I in the third embodiment described above in that it does not use a wireless controller.

[0263] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1L in the fourth embodiment. The mobile communication system 1L is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1L includes one or more transfer devices 10L, one or more base stations 30L, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0264] Each of the devices in the mobile communication system 1L, the server SV, the transfer device 10L, the base station 30L, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 10L, the base station 30L, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0265] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, the transfer device 10L, the base station 30L, and the wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device, as well as storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0266] One or more transfer devices 10L constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between the server SV and each of one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0267] The base station 30L is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10L to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10L. As shown in Fig. 13, the base station 30L includes an information acquisition unit 101L, a monitoring unit 102L, and a control notification unit 104L.

[0268] Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows. As shown in Fig. 13, the wireless terminal CL includes a communication control unit 103L and an application function unit 105L.

[0269] The server SV is a device similar to the server 91 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0270] The configurations of the information acquisition unit 101L, monitoring unit 102L, and control notification unit 104L of the base station 30I, and the communication control unit 103L and application function unit 105L of the wireless terminal CL will be described in detail below.

[0271] The information acquisition unit 101L of the base station 30L outputs transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102L. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL.

[0272] The monitoring unit 102L of the base station 30L monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101L. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102L detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104L. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0273] The monitoring unit 102L may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0274] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the base station 30L and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0275] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102L may be configured to output a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104L at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0276] The control notification unit 104L of the base station 30L transmits (transfers) the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102L to the communication control unit 103L of the wireless terminal CL.

[0277] The communication control unit 103L of the wireless terminal CL adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transferred from the control notification unit 104L of the base station 30L before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105L.

[0278] In the mobile communication system 1L of the fourth embodiment, the configuration in which the base station 30L determines whether to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the wireless terminal CL based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 30L is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point), the base station 30L can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0279] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1L according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101L of the base station 30L outputs transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102L. The monitoring unit 102L monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101L, and when jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104L. The control notification unit 104L transmits the acquired packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103L of the wireless terminal CL. In accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the base station 30L, the communication control unit 103L adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105L.

[0280] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1L in the fourth embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0281] <Modification 1 of Fourth Embodiment> The following describes Modification 1 of the fourth embodiment. The mobile communication system 1M of Modification 1 of the fourth embodiment described below has a different configuration from the mobile communication system 1L of the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 13 in that the base station is divided into one or more remote stations 31M and a central station 32M, and a transfer device 10M is installed between the remote station 31M and the central station 32M.

[0282] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1M in Modification 1 of the fourth embodiment. The mobile communication system 1M is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1M includes one or more transfer devices 10M, one or more remote stations 31M, a central station 32M, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The central station 32M and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0283] Each of the central station 32M, transfer device 10M, remote station 31M, and wireless terminal CL included in the mobile communication system 1M is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the central station 32M, transfer device 10M, remote station 31M, and wireless terminal CL functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0284] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the central station 32M, transfer device 10M, remote station 31M, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0285] One or more transfer devices 10M constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a central office 32M and one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0286] The remote station 31M is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10M to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10M. As shown in Fig. 14, the remote station 31M includes an information acquisition unit 101M, a monitoring unit 102M, and a control notification unit 104M.

[0287] Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows. As shown in Fig. 14, the wireless terminal CL includes a communication control unit 103M and an application function unit 105M.

[0288] The configurations of the information acquisition unit 101M, monitoring unit 102M and control notification unit 104M of the remote station 31M, and the communication control unit 103M and application function unit 105M of the wireless terminal CL will be described in detail below.

[0289] The information acquisition unit 101M of the remote station 31M outputs, to the monitoring unit 102M, transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL.

[0290] The monitoring unit 102M of the remote station 31M monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101M. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102M detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104M. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0291] The monitoring unit 102M may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0292] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the remote station 31M and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0293] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102M may be configured to output a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104M at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0294] The control notification unit 104M of the remote station 31M transmits (transfers) the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102M to the communication control unit 103M of the wireless terminal CL.

[0295] The communication control unit 103M of the wireless terminal CL adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transferred from the control notification unit 104M of the remote station 31M before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105M.

[0296] The central station 32M and the remote station 31M are, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10M is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station 32M and the remote station 31M may be, for example, a DU and RU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10M is installed in a section called an MFH.

[0297] In the mobile communication system 1M according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment, the configuration in which the remote station 31M determines whether to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the wireless terminal CL based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the remote station 31M is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point) and the central station 32M is replaced with a wireless LAN controller (Wi-Fi controller), the remote station 31M can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless LAN controller, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0298] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1M according to the first modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101M of the remote station 31M outputs transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102M. The monitoring unit 102M monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101M, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104M. The control notification unit 104M transmits the acquired packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103M of the wireless terminal CL. In accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the remote station 31M, the communication control unit 103M adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow before the downstream signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105M.

[0299] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1M in variant example 1 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0300] <Modification 2 of Fourth Embodiment> Modification 2 of the fourth embodiment will now be described. In the mobile communication system 1M in Modification 1 of the fourth embodiment shown in Fig. 14 described above, the information acquisition unit 101M is provided in the remote station 31M. In contrast, the mobile communication system 1N in Modification 2 of the fourth embodiment described below differs in configuration from the mobile communication system 1M in Modification 1 of the fourth embodiment described above in that the information acquisition unit 101N is provided in the central station 32N. In the mobile communication system 1N in Modification 2 of the fourth embodiment, the information acquisition unit 101N provided in the central station 32N acquires transfer quality information of the traffic flows of all of the remote stations 31N.

[0301] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1N in Modification 2 of the fourth embodiment. The mobile communication system 1N is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1N includes one or more transfer devices 10N, one or more remote stations 31N, a central station 32N, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The central station 32N and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other. As shown in Fig. 15, the central station 32N includes an information acquisition unit 101N.

[0302] Each of the central station 32N, transfer device 10N, remote station 31N, and wireless terminal CL included in the mobile communication system 1N is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the central station 32N, transfer device 10N, remote station 31N, and wireless terminal CL functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0303] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the central station 32N, transfer device 10N, remote station 31N, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0304] One or more transfer devices 10N constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a central office 32N and one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0305] The remote station 31N is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10N to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10N. As shown in Fig. 15, the remote station 31N includes a monitoring unit 102N and a control notification unit 104N.

[0306] Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows. As shown in Fig. 15, the wireless terminal CL includes a communication control unit 103N and an application function unit 105N.

[0307] The configurations of the information acquisition unit 101N of the central station 32N, the monitoring unit 102N and control notification unit 104N of the remote station 31N, and the communication control unit 103N and application function unit 105N of the wireless terminal CL will be described in detail below.

[0308] The information acquisition unit 101N of the central station 32N transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102N of the remote station 31N. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL.

[0309] The monitoring unit 102N of the remote station 31N monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101N of the central station 32N. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102N outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104N when it detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0310] The monitoring unit 102N may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0311] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the remote station 31N and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0312] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102N may be configured to output a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104N at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0313] The control notification unit 104N of the remote station 31N transmits (transfers) the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102N to the communication control unit 103N of the wireless terminal CL.

[0314] The communication control unit 103N of the wireless terminal CL adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transferred from the control notification unit 104N of the remote station 31N before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105N.

[0315] The central station 32N and the remote station 31N may be, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10N is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station 32N and the remote station 31N may be, for example, a DU and RU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10N is installed in a section called an MFH.

[0316] In the mobile communication system 1N in the second modification of the fourth embodiment, the configuration in which the remote station 31N determines to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the wireless terminal CL based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the remote station 31N is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point) and the central station 32N is replaced with a wireless LAN controller (Wi-Fi controller), the remote station 31N can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless LAN controller, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0317] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1N according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101N of the central station 32N transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102N of the remote station 31N. The monitoring unit 102N monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101N, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the control notification unit 104N. The control notification unit 104N transmits the acquired packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103N of the wireless terminal CL. In accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the remote station 31N, the communication control unit 103N adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow before the downstream signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105N.

[0318] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1N in variant example 2 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0319] <Variation 3 of Fourth Embodiment> Variation 3 of the fourth embodiment will now be described. The mobile communication system 1L in the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 13 described above has a configuration in which the information acquisition unit 101L and the monitoring unit 102L are provided in the base station 30L. In contrast, the mobile communication system 1O in Variation 3 of the fourth embodiment described below has a configuration different from that of the mobile communication system 1L in the fourth embodiment described above in that the information acquisition unit 101O and the monitoring unit 102O are provided in the wireless terminal CL. Note that in the mobile communication system 1O in Variation 3 of the fourth embodiment, since both the information acquisition unit 101O and the communication control unit 103O are provided in the wireless terminal CL, a control notification unit is not required.

[0320] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1O in Modification 3 of the fourth embodiment. The mobile communication system 1O is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1O includes one or more transfer devices 10O, one or more base stations 30O, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0321] Each of the devices in the mobile communication system 10, the server SV, the transfer device 100, the base station 300, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 100, the base station 300, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0322] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, the transfer device 10O, the base station 30O, and the wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, a PLD, or an FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a semiconductor storage device, as well as storage devices such as a hard disk or semiconductor storage device built into a computer system. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0323] One or more transfer devices 10O constitute a transfer device network, and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between the server SV and each of one or more wireless terminals CL.

[0324] The base station 30O is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10O to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10O.

[0325] 16, each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows. As shown in FIG. 16, the wireless terminal CL includes an information acquisition unit 101O, a monitoring unit 102O, a communication control unit 103O, and an application function unit 105O.

[0326] The server SV is a device similar to the server 91 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0327] The configurations of the information acquisition unit 101O, the monitoring unit 102O, the communication control unit 103O, and the application function unit 105O of ​​the wireless terminal CL will be described in detail below.

[0328] The information acquisition unit 101O of the wireless terminal CL outputs transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102O. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the wireless terminal CL.

[0329] The monitoring unit 102O monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101O. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102O detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103O. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0330] The monitoring unit 102O may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may determine, for example, based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by machine learning or the like.

[0331] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the base station 30O and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0332] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102O may be configured to output a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103O at a timing such as the time at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0333] The communication control unit 103O adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102O before the downstream signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105O.

[0334] In the mobile communication system 10 according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless terminal CL determines whether to transmit a packet interval adjustment instruction to the wireless terminal CL based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 300 is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point), the wireless terminal CL can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0335] As described above, in the mobile communication system 10 according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101O of the wireless terminal CL outputs transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the wireless terminal CL to the monitoring unit 102O. The monitoring unit 102O monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101O, and when jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103O. In accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction acquired from the monitoring unit 102O, the communication control unit 103O adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow before the downlink signal of each traffic flow is input to the application function unit 105O.

[0336] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1O in variant example 2 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0337] Fifth Embodiment A fifth embodiment will be described below. The mobile communication systems 1A to 1O in the above-described embodiments were configured to include either a transfer device controller or a wireless controller, or neither. In contrast, a mobile communication system 1P in the fifth embodiment described below is configured to include both a transfer device controller 20P and a wireless controller 21P, and the two operate in cooperation with each other.

[0338] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example system configuration of a mobile communication system 1P in the fifth embodiment. The mobile communication system 1P is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1P includes one or more transfer devices 10P, a transfer device controller 20P, a wireless controller 21P, one or more base stations 30P, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0339] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1P, the server SV, the transfer device 10P, the transfer device controller 20P, the wireless controller 21P, the base station 30P, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 10P, the transfer device controller 20P, the wireless controller 21P, the base station 30P, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0340] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, transfer device 10P, transfer device controller 20P, wireless controller 21P, base station 30P, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0341] One or more transfer devices 10P constitute a transfer device network and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a server SV and one or more wireless terminals CL. As shown in FIG. 17 , the transfer device 10P includes a communication control unit 103P.

[0342] The transfer device controller 20P is a device that controls one or more transfer devices 10P by sending control signals. The transfer device controller 20P is communicatively connected to each of the one or more transfer devices 10P. The transfer device controller 20P is also communicatively connected to a wireless controller 21P. As shown in FIG. 17 , the transfer device controller 20P includes a monitoring unit 102P.

[0343] The wireless controller 21P is communicatively connected to each of one or more base stations 30P. The wireless controller 21P is also communicatively connected to the transfer device controller 20P. As shown in FIG. 17 , the wireless controller 21P includes an information transfer unit 106P.

[0344] The base station 30P is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10P to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10P. As shown in Fig. 17 , the base station 30P includes an information acquisition unit 101P. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0345] The server SV and the wireless terminal CL are the same devices as the server 91 and the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0346] The configurations of the monitor unit 102P of the transfer device controller 20P, the information transfer unit 106P of the wireless controller 21P, the information acquisition unit 101P of the base station 30P, and the communication control unit 103P of the transfer device 10P will be described in detail below.

[0347] The information acquisition unit 101P of the base station 30P transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10P to the information transfer unit 106P of the wireless controller 21P. As described above, the transfer quality information is, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10P.

[0348] The information transfer unit 106P of the wireless controller 21P transmits (transfers) the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101P of the base station 30P to the monitor unit 102P of the transfer device controller.

[0349] The monitoring unit 102P of the transfer device controller 20P monitors the transfer quality information transferred from the information transfer unit 106P of the wireless controller 21P. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102P detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and then transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103P of the transfer device 10P. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0350] The monitoring unit 102P may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0351] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the thresholds that satisfy the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the base station 30P and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0352] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102P may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103P at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0353] The communication control unit 103P of the transfer device 10P adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction sent from the monitor unit 102P of the transfer device controller 20P.

[0354] It should be noted that in the mobile communication system 1P of the fifth embodiment, the configuration in which the transfer device controller 20P decides to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10P based on transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 30P is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point), the transfer device controller 20P can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0355] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1P in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101P of the base station 30P transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10P to the information transfer unit 106P of the wireless controller 21P. The information transfer unit 106P transfers the transfer quality information acquired from the base station 30P to the monitoring unit 102P of the transfer device controller 20P. The monitoring unit 102P monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the wireless controller 21P, and when jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103P of the transfer device 10P. The communication control unit 103P adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the transfer device controller 20P.

[0356] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1P in the fifth embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the wireless environment and changes in application operation.

[0357] <Variation 1 of Fifth Embodiment> Variation 1 of the fifth embodiment will be described below. A mobile communication system 1Q in Variation 1 of the fifth embodiment described below has a configuration in which a base station is divided into one or more remote stations 31Q and a central station 32Q, and a transfer device 10Q is installed between the remote stations 31Q and the central station 32Q. Furthermore, the mobile communication system 1Q in Variation 1 of the fifth embodiment described below has a configuration in which a monitoring unit 102Q is provided in a transfer device controller 20Q and an information transfer unit 106Q is provided in a wireless controller 21Q, similar to the mobile communication system 1P in the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 17 described above.

[0358] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1Q in Modification 1 of the fifth embodiment. The mobile communication system 1Q is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1Q includes one or more transfer devices 10Q, a transfer device controller 20Q, a wireless controller 21Q, one or more remote stations 31Q, a central station 32Q, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The central station 32Q and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0359] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1Q, the central station 32Q, the transfer device 10Q, the transfer device controller 20Q, the wireless controller 21Q, the remote station 31Q, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the central station 32Q, the transfer device 10Q, the transfer device controller 20Q, the wireless controller 21Q, the remote station 31Q, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0360] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the central station 32Q, transfer device 10Q, transfer device controller 20Q, wireless controller 21Q, remote station 31Q, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0361] One or more transfer devices 10Q constitute a transfer device network and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a central station 32Q and one or more wireless terminals CL. As shown in FIG. 18 , the transfer device 10Q includes a communication control unit 103Q.

[0362] The transfer device controller 20Q is a device that controls one or more transfer devices 10Q by sending control signals. The transfer device controller 20Q is communicatively connected to each of the one or more transfer devices 10Q. The transfer device controller 20Q is also communicatively connected to a wireless controller 21Q. As shown in FIG. 18 , the transfer device controller 20Q includes a monitoring unit 102Q.

[0363] The wireless controller 21Q is communicatively connected to each of the one or more remote stations 31Q. The wireless controller 21Q is also communicatively connected to the transfer device controller 20Q. As shown in FIG. 18 , the wireless controller 21Q includes an information transfer unit 106Q.

[0364] The remote station 31Q is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10Q to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10Q. As shown in Fig. 18 , the remote station 30Q includes an information acquisition unit 101Q. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0365] The wireless terminal CL is a device similar to the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0366] The configurations of the monitor unit 102Q of the transfer device controller 20Q, the information transfer unit 106Q of the wireless controller 21Q, the information acquisition unit 101Q of the remote station 31Q, and the communication control unit 103Q of the transfer device 10Q will be described in detail below.

[0367] The information acquisition unit 101Q of the remote station 31Q transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10Q to the information transfer unit 106Q of the wireless controller 21Q. As described above, the transfer quality information is, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10Q.

[0368] The information transfer unit 106Q of the wireless controller 21Q transmits (transfers) the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101Q of the remote station 31Q to the monitor unit 102P of the transfer device controller.

[0369] The monitoring unit 102Q of the transfer device controller 20Q monitors the transfer quality information transferred from the information transfer unit 106Q of the wireless controller 21Q. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102Q detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103Q of the transfer device 10Q. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0370] The monitoring unit 102Q may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may determine, for example, based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by machine learning or the like.

[0371] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the remote station 31Q and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0372] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102Q may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103Q at a timing such as the time at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0373] The communication control unit 103Q of the transfer device 10Q adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the monitoring unit 102Q of the transfer device controller 20Q.

[0374] The central station 32Q and the remote station 31Q are, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10Q is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station 32Q and the remote station 31Q may be, for example, a DU and RU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10Q is installed in a section called an MFH.

[0375] In the mobile communication system 1Q in the first modification of the fifth embodiment, the configuration in which the transfer device controller 20Q decides to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10Q based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the remote station 31Q is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point) and the central station 32Q is replaced with a wireless LAN controller (Wi-Fi controller), the transfer device controller 20Q can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless LAN controller, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0376] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1Q in the first modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101Q of the remote station 31Q transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10Q to the information transfer unit 106Q of the wireless controller 21Q. The information transfer unit 106Q transfers the transfer quality information acquired from the remote station 31Q to the monitoring unit 102Q of the transfer device controller 20Q. The monitoring unit 102Q monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the wireless controller 21Q, and when jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the communication control unit 103Q of the transfer device 10Q. The communication control unit 103Q adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the transfer device controller 20Q.

[0377] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1Q in variant example 1 of the fifth embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the wireless environment and changes in application operation.

[0378] <Modification 2 of Fifth Embodiment> Modification 2 of the fifth embodiment will be described below. The mobile communication system 1P in the fifth embodiment shown in Fig. 17 described above was configured such that the monitoring unit 102P was provided in the transfer device controller 20P, and the information transfer unit 106P was provided in the wireless controller 21P. In contrast, the mobile communication system 1R in Modification 2 of the fifth embodiment described below has a different configuration from the mobile communication system 1P in the fifth embodiment described above in that the monitoring unit 102R is provided in the wireless controller 21R, and the information transfer unit 106R is provided in the transfer device controller 20R.

[0379] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example system configuration of a mobile communication system 1R in Modification 2 of the fifth embodiment. The mobile communication system 1R is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1R includes one or more transfer devices 10R, a transfer device controller 20R, a wireless controller 21R, one or more base stations 30R, a server SV, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The server SV and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0380] Each of the devices in the mobile communication system 1R, the server SV, the transfer device 10R, the transfer device controller 20R, the wireless controller 21R, the base station 30R, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the server SV, the transfer device 10R, the transfer device controller 20R, the wireless controller 21R, the base station 30R, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0381] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the server SV, transfer device 10R, transfer device controller 20R, wireless controller 21R, base station 30R, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0382] One or more transfer devices 10R constitute a transfer device network and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a server SV and one or more wireless terminals CL. As shown in FIG. 19 , the transfer device 10R includes a communication control unit 103R.

[0383] The transfer device controller 20R is a device that controls one or more transfer devices 10P by sending control signals. The transfer device controller 20R is communicatively connected to each of the one or more transfer devices 10R. The transfer device controller 20R is also communicatively connected to a wireless controller 21R. As shown in FIG. 19 , the transfer device controller 20R includes an information transfer unit 106R.

[0384] The wireless controller 21R is communicatively connected to each of one or more base stations 30R. The wireless controller 21R is also communicatively connected to the transfer device controller 20R. As shown in FIG. 19 , the wireless controller 21R includes a monitor unit 102R.

[0385] The base station 30R is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10R to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10R. As shown in Fig. 19, the base station 30R includes an information acquisition unit 101R. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0386] The server SV and the wireless terminal CL are the same devices as the server 91 and the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0387] The configurations of the information transfer unit 106R of transfer device controller 20R, the monitor unit 102R of wireless controller 21R, the information acquisition unit 101R of base station 30R, and the communication control unit 103R of transfer device 10R will be described in detail below.

[0388] The information acquisition unit 101R of the base station 30R transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10R to the monitoring unit 102R of the wireless controller 21R. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10R.

[0389] The monitoring unit 102R of the wireless controller 21R monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101R of the base station 30R. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102R detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the information transfer unit 106R of the transfer device controller 20R. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0390] The monitoring unit 102R may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may make the determination based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by, for example, machine learning.

[0391] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the base station 30R and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0392] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102R may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the information transfer unit 106R at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0393] Information transfer unit 106R of transfer device controller 20R transmits (transfers) the transfer quality information transferred from monitor unit 102R of wireless controller 21R to communication control unit 103R of transfer device 10R.

[0394] The communication control unit 103R of the transfer device 10R adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the information transfer unit 106R of the transfer device controller 20R.

[0395] In the mobile communication system 1R of the second modification of the fifth embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless controller 21R determines to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10R based on the transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the base station 30R is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point), the wireless controller 21R can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless terminal CL connected to the wireless LAN access point, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0396] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1R in the second modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101R of the base station 30R transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate and packet interval for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10R to the monitoring unit 102R of the wireless controller 21P. The monitoring unit 102R monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the base station 30R, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the information transfer unit 106R of the transfer device controller 20R. The information transfer unit 106R transfers the transfer quality information acquired from the wireless controller 21R to the communication control unit 103R of the transfer device 10R. The communication control unit 103R adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transferred from the transfer device controller 20R.

[0397] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1R in variant example 2 of the fifth embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0398] <Variation 3 of Fifth Embodiment> Variation 3 of the fifth embodiment will be described below. A mobile communication system 1S in Variation 3 of the fifth embodiment described below has a configuration in which a base station is divided into one or more remote stations 31S and a central station 32S, and a transfer device 10S is installed between the remote stations 31S and the central station 32S. Furthermore, the mobile communication system 1S in Variation 3 of the fifth embodiment described below has a configuration in which a monitoring unit 102S is provided in a wireless controller 21S and an information transfer unit 106S is provided in a transfer device controller 20S, similar to the mobile communication system 1R in Variation 2 of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 19 described above.

[0399] [System Configuration of Mobile Communication System] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the system configuration of a mobile communication system 1S in Modification 3 of the fifth embodiment. The mobile communication system 1S is an example of a communication system of the present invention. The mobile communication system 1S includes one or more transfer devices 10S, a transfer device controller 20S, a wireless controller 21S, one or more remote stations 31S, a central station 32, and one or more wireless terminals CL. The central station 32 and each of the one or more wireless terminals CL are devices that communicate with each other.

[0400] Each of the devices included in the mobile communication system 1S, the central station 32S, the transfer device 10S, the transfer device controller 20S, the wireless controller 21S, the remote station 31S, and the wireless terminal CL, is configured using a processor such as a CPU, a memory, and a communication interface. Each of the devices, the central station 32S, the transfer device 10S, the transfer device controller 20S, the wireless controller 21S, the remote station 31S, and the wireless terminal CL, functions as a communication device equipped with a control unit by the processor executing a program.

[0401] The control unit provides functions for operating each device as the central station 32S, transfer device 10S, transfer device controller 20S, wireless controller 21S, remote station 31S, and wireless terminal CL. Note that all or part of the functions provided by the control unit may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC, PLD, or FPGA. The above program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and semiconductor storage devices, as well as storage devices such as hard disks and semiconductor storage devices built into computer systems. The above program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0402] One or more transfer devices 10S constitute a transfer device network and are devices that transfer signals (packets) exchanged between a central station 32 and one or more wireless terminals CL. As shown in Fig. 20, the transfer device 10S includes a communication control unit 103S.

[0403] The transfer device controller 20S is a device that controls one or more transfer devices 10S by sending control signals. The transfer device controller 20S is communicatively connected to each of the one or more transfer devices 10S. The transfer device controller 20S is also communicatively connected to a wireless controller 21S. As shown in FIG. 20 , the transfer device controller 20S includes an information transfer unit 106S.

[0404] The wireless controller 21S is communicatively connected to each of the one or more remote stations 31S. The wireless controller 21S is also communicatively connected to the transfer device controller 20S. As shown in FIG. 20 , the wireless controller 21S includes a monitor unit 102S.

[0405] The remote station 30S is a device that communicates with each of one or more wireless terminals CL, transmits signals transferred from the transfer device 10S to the wireless terminals CL, and transfers signals received from the wireless terminals CL to the transfer device 10S. As shown in Fig. 20 , the remote station 31S includes an information acquisition unit 101S. Each of the one or more wireless terminals CL has one or more traffic flows.

[0406] The wireless terminal CL is the same device as the wireless terminal 95 of the conventional mobile communication system 90 shown in FIG.

[0407] The configurations of the information transfer unit 106S of the transfer device controller 20S, the monitor unit 102S of the wireless controller 21S, the information acquisition unit 101S of the remote station 31S, and the communication control unit 103S of the transfer device 10S will be described in detail below.

[0408] The information acquisition unit 101S of the remote station 31S transmits transfer quality information for each traffic flow currently flowing through the transfer device 10S to the monitoring unit 102S of the wireless controller 21S. As described above, the transfer quality information includes, for example, the data rate and packet interval of the traffic currently flowing through the transfer device 10S.

[0409] The monitoring unit 102S of the wireless controller 21S monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the information acquisition unit 101S of the remote station 31S. By monitoring the transfer quality information, the monitoring unit 102S detects, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below thresholds that satisfy the required conditions, and transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the information transfer unit 106S of the transfer device controller 20S. As described above, the packet interval adjustment instruction is, for example, an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate (a shaping rate calculated based on the aforementioned data rate) that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow.

[0410] The monitoring unit 102S may determine, for example, that the data rate and packet interval have deteriorated below the threshold value that satisfies the required conditions based on the current transfer quality information, or may determine, for example, based on the predicted value of future transfer quality information predicted by machine learning or the like.

[0411] Here, possible situations in which the data rate and packet interval may deteriorate below the threshold value that meets the required conditions include, for example, when the throughput of the wireless network section increases and decreases due to changes in the wireless environment between the remote station 31S and the wireless terminal CL, and when the data rate of the video itself changes due to changes in the operation of the application while the wireless terminal CL is transmitting video data on the uplink.

[0412] In addition, if the timing at which the operation of the application changes is known, the monitoring unit 102S may be configured to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the information transfer unit 106S at the timing at which the operation of the application changes, without monitoring the transfer quality information.

[0413] The information transfer unit 106S of the transfer device controller 20S transmits (transfers) the transfer quality information transferred from the monitoring unit 102S of the wireless controller 21S to the communication control unit 103S of the transfer device 10S.

[0414] The communication control unit 103S of the transfer device 10S adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transmitted from the information transfer unit 106S of the transfer device controller 20S.

[0415] The central station 32S and the remote station 31S are, for example, a CU and DU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10S is installed in a section called an MMH. Alternatively, the central station 32S and the remote station 31S may be, for example, a DU and RU in a mobile communication system. In this case, the transfer device 10S is installed in a section called an MFH.

[0416] In the mobile communication system 1S in the third modification of the fifth embodiment, the configuration in which the wireless controller 21S decides to send a packet interval adjustment instruction to the transfer device 10S based on transfer quality information can also be applied to communication systems other than mobile communication systems. For example, if the remote station 31S is replaced with a wireless LAN access point (Wi-Fi access point) and the central station 32S is replaced with a wireless LAN controller (Wi-Fi controller), the transfer device controller 20S can acquire transfer quality information about wireless communication between the wireless LAN access point and the wireless LAN controller, thereby suppressing jitter in the wireless LAN system.

[0417] As described above, in the mobile communication system 1R in the fourth modification of the fifth embodiment of the present invention, the information acquisition unit 101S of the remote station 31S transmits transfer quality information indicating the data rate, packet interval, and the like for each traffic flow flowing through the transfer device 10S to the monitoring unit 102S of the wireless controller 21S. The monitoring unit 102S monitors the transfer quality information acquired from the remote station 31S, and when the jitter has deteriorated to a level that does not satisfy the required conditions, transmits a packet interval adjustment instruction to the information transfer unit 106S of the transfer device controller 20S. The information transfer unit 106S transfers the transfer quality information acquired from the wireless controller 21S to the communication control unit 103S of the transfer device 10S. The communication control unit 103S adjusts the packet interval for each traffic flow in accordance with the packet interval adjustment instruction transferred from the transfer device controller 20S.

[0418] By having such a configuration, the mobile communication system 1S in variant example 3 of the fifth embodiment of the present invention can quickly reduce jitter even if the jitter in each traffic flow increases due to changes in the radio environment and changes in application operation.

[0419] According to the above-described embodiment, a communication system that transfers a signal from a first communication device to a second communication device includes an information acquisition unit, a monitoring unit, and a communication control unit. For example, the communication system is mobile communication systems 1A to 1S in the embodiment, the information acquisition unit is information acquisition units 101A to 101S in the embodiment, the monitoring unit is monitoring units 102A to 102S in the embodiment, and the communication control unit is communication control units 103A to 103S in the embodiment.

[0420] The information acquisition unit acquires, from the first communication device, transfer quality information indicating the communication quality for each traffic flow transferred from the first communication device to the second communication device. The monitoring unit determines, for each traffic flow, whether or not a packet interval adjustment is required based on the transfer quality information acquired by the information acquisition unit, and outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction if it is determined that a packet interval adjustment is required. The communication control unit adjusts the packet interval in the first communication device for each traffic flow based on the packet interval adjustment instruction output from the monitoring unit.

[0421] In the communication system, the transfer quality information may include information on at least one of the data rate and the packet interval of the traffic flow, and in this case, the monitoring unit outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction when the jitter value in the traffic flow obtained based on the transfer quality information is less than a predetermined threshold.

[0422] In the above communication system, the data rate may be a cumulative counter value of the amount of data in the traffic flow, or a value of the amount of data per second.

[0423] In the above communication system, the packet interval may be the value of the time difference between the time when a device that transfers a traffic flow receives a specific packet and the time when the device receives the next packet.

[0424] In the above-described communication system, the monitoring unit may use machine learning to predict future transfer quality information from the current transfer quality information acquired, and determine whether or not to adjust the packet interval based on the predicted transfer quality information.

[0425] In the above communication system, the packet interval adjustment instruction may be an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate that reduces jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirements for each traffic flow, calculated based on the data rate.

[0426] In the above communication system, the packet interval adjustment instruction may be an instruction to add a delay by buffering each packet so as to reduce jitter within a range that satisfies the delay requirement for each traffic flow.

[0427] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the present invention that do not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0428] The present invention is applicable to a communication system that accommodates wireless terminals and a communication control method.

[0429] 1A to 1S Mobile communication system 10A to 10S Transfer device 20A, 20D to 20E, 20P to 20S Transfer device controller 21B to 21C, 21I to 21K, 21P to 21S Wireless controller 30A to 30B, 30D, 31F to 30G, 30I, 30L, 30O to 30S Base station 31C, 31E, 31H, 31J to 31K, 31M to 31N, 31Q, 31S Remote station 32C, 32E, 32H, 32J to 32K, 32M to 32N, 32Q, 32S Central station 90 Mobile communication system 91 Server 92 Transfer device 93 Transfer device controller 94 Base station 95 Wireless terminal 101A to 101S Information acquisition unit 102A to 102S Monitoring unit 103A to 103S Communication control unit 104I to 104N Control notification unit 105I to 105O Application function unit 106P to 106S Information transfer unit CL Wireless terminal SV Server

Claims

1. A communications system for transferring signals from a first communications device to a second communications device, comprising: an information acquisition unit that acquires, from the first communications device, transfer quality information indicating the communication quality for each traffic flow transferred from the first communications device to the second communications device; a monitoring unit that determines, based on the transfer quality information acquired by the information acquisition unit, whether or not a packet interval adjustment is required for each traffic flow, and outputs a packet interval adjustment instruction if it is determined that such adjustment is required; and a communications control unit that adjusts the packet interval in the first communications device for each traffic flow based on the packet interval adjustment instruction output from the monitoring unit.

2. The communication system described in claim 1, wherein the transfer quality information includes information regarding at least one of the data rate of the traffic flow and the packet interval, and the monitoring unit outputs the packet interval adjustment instruction when the jitter value in the traffic flow obtained based on the transfer quality information does not meet a predetermined threshold.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the data rate is a cumulative counter value of the amount of data in the traffic flow or a value of the amount of data per second.

4. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the packet interval is the value of the time difference between the time when the device that transfers the traffic flow receives a specific packet and the time when the device that transfers the traffic flow receives the next packet.

5. The communication system described in claim 1, wherein the monitoring unit uses machine learning to predict future transfer quality information from the current transfer quality information acquired, and determines whether or not adjustment of the packet interval is necessary based on the predicted transfer quality information.

6. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the packet interval adjustment instruction is an instruction to perform shaping at a shaping rate that reduces the jitter while satisfying the delay requirement for each traffic flow, calculated based on the data rate.

7. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the packet interval adjustment instruction is an instruction to add delay by buffering each packet so that the jitter becomes smaller within a range that satisfies the delay requirement for each traffic flow.

8. A communication control method by a computer that controls the transfer of signals from a first communication device to a second communication device, comprising: an information acquisition step of acquiring, from the first communication device, transfer quality information indicating the communication quality for each traffic flow transferred from the first communication device to the second communication device; a monitoring step of determining, for each traffic flow, whether or not a packet interval adjustment is necessary based on the transfer quality information acquired in the information acquisition step, and outputting a packet interval adjustment instruction if it is determined that such adjustment is necessary; and a communication control step of adjusting the packet interval in the first communication device for each traffic flow based on the packet interval adjustment instruction output in the monitoring step.

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