Communication relay system, communication relay method, and program

Abstract

A communication relay system according to an embodiment of the present invention is for relaying communication between a base station and a communication terminal, the communication relay system comprising: a master station device that receives a wireless downlink signal from the base station; and a plurality of slave station devices that are connected to the master station device and receive a wireless uplink signal from the communication terminal. The master station device is provided with: a parameter setting unit which sets a reference value that serves as a reference for parameters corresponding to channels, and setting values for the parameters of each channel; a first processing unit that compares the reference value with the setting values or compares the setting values with each other; and a second processing unit that performs processing pertaining to the setting values in accordance with the result of comparison.

Description

Communication relay system, communication relay method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication relay system, a communication relay method, and a program.

[0002] Known wireless transmission methods used in communication terminals such as mobile phones and smartphones include the FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) method, which uses two different frequency bands as a pair, one for a downlink signal and one for an uplink signal, and the TDD (Time Division Duplex) method, which uses the same frequency band in a time-division manner for both the downlink and uplink signals.

[0003] Also, a method is known in which a communication relay system (repeater system) is shared by a plurality of businesses (carriers: communication service providers) to enable wireless communication terminals to be used in blind areas such as indoors.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-006163 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-502393 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2023-162092

[0005] O-RAN,WG4:Open Fronthaul Interfaces Workgroup,“O-RAN Management Plane Specification 15.0-MP.0-R003-v15.00”, 6.4.3 User account provisioning, 6.4.3.1 General,p.36-37, (2024.6).<URL: https: / / specifications.o-ran.org / specifications>

[0006] When a communication relay system is shared by multiple operators, the resources of one communication relay system must be allocated to multiple operators, and depending on the allocation, there is a possibility that the channels of each operator may interfere with each other, so care must be taken when allocating them.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a communication relay system, a communication relay method, and a program that can reduce interference between channels.

[0008] The communication relay system of an embodiment is a communication relay system that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal, and includes a parent station device that receives a downlink signal of a radio signal from the base station, and a plurality of child station devices that are connected to the parent station device and receive an uplink signal of a radio signal from the communication terminal, and the parent station device includes a parameter setting unit that sets a reference value that serves as a reference for a parameter corresponding to a channel and a setting value of a parameter for each channel, a first processing unit that compares the reference value with the setting value or compares the setting values ​​with each other, and a second processing unit that performs processing related to the setting value depending on the comparison result.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication relay system etc. of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication relay system etc. of the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a master station device of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing by the master station device of the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing by a first processing unit of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a master station device of the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing by the master station device of the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing by a first processing unit of the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a first specific example of processing by the master station device of the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second specific example of processing by the master station device of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a third specific example of processing by the master station device of the first embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of interference between channels. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing fourth and fifth specific examples of processing by the master station device of the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of output timing of a downlink signal. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a sixth specific example of processing by the master station device of the first embodiment. Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a seventh specific example of processing by the master station device of the first embodiment. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a first specific example of processing by the master station device of the second embodiment. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a second specific example of processing by the master station device of the second embodiment. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of output timing of a downlink signal. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a third specific example of processing by the master station device of the second embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, a communication relay system, a communication relay method, a program, etc. according to an embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, to facilitate understanding of the embodiment, a detailed description will be given including the prior art.

[0011] In recent years, the demand for mobile communications has increased dramatically due to the spread of smartphones and the development of corporate DX (Digital Transformation). As a result, in addition to the conventional LTE (Long Term Evolution), the deployment of 5G (5th Generation: 5th generation mobile communications system), which has higher throughput than LTE, is progressing.

[0012] There is also a known communication relay system (optical repeater system) that enables communication terminals to be used in blind areas such as indoors. For example, an optical repeater system is a shared repeater system that retransmits radio waves from multiple communication carriers to communication terminals in public closed spaces such as underground malls and event venues, enabling mobile communications from multiple communication carriers.

[0013] A sharing repeater system can accommodate the mobile communication radio waves of multiple telecommunications carriers in a single optical repeater system, which has the advantage of reducing the space required to install the optical repeater system and reducing the cost of the optical repeater system.

[0014] However, careful consideration is required when allocating the resources of a single optical repeater system to multiple telecommunications carriers. For example, the power amplifiers that amplify radio waves must be allocated to each telecommunications carrier within a certain range of output power and power gain to ensure the quality of the output radio waves and avoid saturation of the power amplifiers.

[0015] Furthermore, for example, in order to handle TDD as a duplexing method in an optical repeater system, it is necessary to match the configuration patterns of the TDD uplink (UL) signals and downlink (DL) signals between channels used between operators.

[0016] Furthermore, with the recent advancement of software-based mobile systems, efforts are underway to open up systems so that they can be provided by multiple vendors.

[0017] In the Open RAN (O-RAN) Alliance, conventional base stations are divided into an O-CU, which handles functions above the physical layer, an O-DU, which handles functions above the physical layer, and an O-RU, which handles functions below the physical layer, for the RAN (Radio Access Network) FH (Front haul).

[0018] By placing the O-CU and O-DU in the operator's office and the O-RU in the local area where mobile communications services are provided, the equipment installed in the local area can be made more compact and costs reduced. Furthermore, when accommodating the O-RU function in a conventional sharing repeater system, there is no need to set up a separate O-RU installation location, which is expected to reduce the space required for equipment installation in the local area.

[0019] The O-RAN FH allows remote operation and monitoring of the O-RU. It also allows various parameters, such as input / output gain settings, bandwidth and center frequency settings, duplex settings, and parameters related to propagation delay between the O-RU and O-DU, to be acquired and set or monitored from the O-DU or monitoring device.

[0020] In a sharing repeater system, it is necessary to restrict the setting of these parameters in areas where resources are shared. One method is for the administrator of the sharing repeater system to set these parameters for each operator. However, the administrator needs to understand the resources of the optical repeater system and set them up, which requires advanced knowledge of optical repeater systems and O-RU functions. Furthermore, if the administrator does this alone, there is a risk of human error.

[0021] In addition, there are items that must be adjusted individually for each operator. For example, the propagation delay between the O-DU and O-RU depends on the distance between the O-DU installation location and the sharing repeater system installation location. To set the parameters related to this propagation delay, the parameters related to the O-RU propagation delay must be set on the O-DU side.

[0022] This parameter setting is done by performing actual test transmissions, checking whether or not there are any packet arrival failures within a specified time range (window), and then making adjustments. To make this adjustment, it is desirable for the operator to be able to obtain and set information remotely.

[0023] However, for example, if the duplexing method of the adjacent channel is the TDD method, and the configuration of the UL period and DL period of the TDD method is the same for each operator, and the DL / UL switching timing does not match, interference will occur between operators.

[0024] Therefore, the settings of the O-RU from each operator must be common to all operators, and it is desirable to set them in a way that does not cause interference between operators.

[0025] The O-RAN FH specifications allow for logical separation of access between operators using the NETCONF protocol and access control by the device's operating system (OS).

[0026] However, there is no defined method for restricting the setting values ​​in detail. Therefore, it is possible to restrict the setting values ​​by setting a range of limit values ​​in the YANG data model used in the NETCONF protocol.

[0027] However, since the same limit value is applied to all users (operators) who access the service, it is effective for items that are set commonly to all operators, but it is not possible to set a range of limit values ​​for individual accesses.

[0028] In addition, a sharing repeater system may provide multiple different bands. In this case, for example, the duplexing method for 2 GHz LTE is FDD, and the duplexing method for 4 GHz NR (New Radio) is TDD, etc., and settings are required for each operator and channel.

[0029] In addition, some operators may use conventional base stations without migrating to the O-RAN FH specification. In this case, for the conventional base stations, it is necessary to consider both resource usage for the sharing repeater system and resource usage for the O-RAN FH specification.

[0030] For example, the administrator of the sharing repeater system needs to obtain in advance the resource contention parameters for the sharing repeater system from the base station and check whether there is a resource contention between these parameters and the parameters of the O-RAN FH specification.

[0031] In addition, there is a conventional method in which resources within a communication relay system (optical repeater system) are virtualized and the administrator of the optical repeater system allocates virtual resources to each operator. However, this method allows operators to change resources only within the allocated range, but does not allow access to resources allocated to other operators.

[0032] For example, if a setting value of one of the operators is different from the value of the reference channel, there is a possibility that interference between the channels of the operators may occur.

[0033] The administrator who allocates resources to each operator must allocate resources appropriately, which requires advanced skills. This increases the administrator's workload and may lead to human error.

[0034] Furthermore, if resources compete with each other, the operator that allocated them first will occupy the resources, and other operators will not be able to allocate resources. For example, if a frequency is set to a frequency used by another operator instead of the frequency used by the operator, the other operator will not be able to set its own frequency.

[0035] To summarize the above, if each operator configures an O-RU-equipped repeater system for sharing, there is a possibility that resource contention will occur in the system, and that normal operation may be hindered.

[0036] Furthermore, if only the administrator were to configure the repeater system for sharing, the burden on the operator would be large due to the large number of configuration items. Also, it is necessary to configure resource allocation in a way that does not allow for human error.

[0037] Furthermore, setting resource allocation for a sharing repeater system equipped with an O-RU requires extensive knowledge of O-RAN, repeater systems, etc. This creates a burden in terms of training personnel and acquiring skilled personnel.

[0038] In a sharing repeater system that is compatible with both conventional base station devices and O-RAN FH specifications, it is necessary to acquire parameters related to resource contention from the base station device in advance, determine whether or not there is resource contention, including parameters related to O-RAN FH, and, if necessary, request the operator to make adjustments such as changing the parameters, which is a complex process.

[0039] The communication relay system, communication relay method, and program of this embodiment will be described below.

[0040] Fig. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication relay system etc. according to the first embodiment. Fig. 1 takes the O-RAN FH specification as an example. Fig. 1 shows a communication relay system 1000 that relays communication between a higher-level function 630 of a base station device owned by a telecommunications carrier (a higher-level function of the physical layer of the base station device) and a communication terminal 500 (UE: User Equipment: wireless communication terminal) of a user or the like.

[0041] The communication relay system 1000 includes a master station device 100 (MU: Main Unit) connected to a base station device's upper function 630 (630-0 to 630-n), slave station devices 200, 210, 220 (RU: Remote Unit) that directly transmit and receive radio waves to and from a communication terminal 500 (UE: User Equipment: wireless communication terminal), and antennas 300, 320 (ANT).

[0042] The master station device 100 includes a lower function (not shown) of a base station device, and is communicably connected to a higher function 630 of a base station device on the telecommunications carrier side. As a specific example, the connection is made using a transmission path 3100. The higher function 630 of the base station device sends a signal to the master station device 100 via the transmission path 3100.

[0043] The master station device 100 receives a signal from the upper function 630 of the base station device and performs processing. Then, it sends the signal to the slave station devices 200, 210, and 220. It also receives a signal from the communication terminal 500 from the slave station devices 210 and 220. Then, the master station device 100 sends the received signal to the upper function 630 of the base station device.

[0044] The slave station devices include a first slave station device 200 , a second slave station device 210 , and a third slave station device 220 .

[0045] The first slave station device 200 is communicably connected to the second slave station device 210 via a transmission path 1210. The first slave station device 200 receives a signal from the second slave station device 210 and transmits the signal to the communication terminal 500 via the antenna 300. The first slave station device 200 also receives a radio signal from the communication terminal 500 via the antenna 300. The first slave station device 200 then transmits the radio signal to the second slave station device 210.

[0046] The second slave station equipment 210 has a relay function for relaying between the master station equipment 100 and the first slave station equipment 200. The second slave station equipment 210 is connected to the master station equipment 100 via a transmission path 1200 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0047] The second slave station device 210 transmits a signal from the master station device 100 to the first slave station device 200. Alternatively, the second slave station device 210 may receive a signal from the master station device 100 and transmit the signal to the communication terminal 500 via the antenna 300 instead of transmitting it to the first slave station device 200. Alternatively, the second slave station device 210 receives a wireless signal from the communication terminal 500 via the antenna 300.

[0048] The third slave station device 220 is communicably connected to the master station device 100 via a transmission path 1200. The third slave station device 220 receives a signal from the master station device 100 and sends it to the communication terminal 500 via an antenna 320. The third slave station device 220 also receives a wireless signal from the communication terminal 500 via the antenna 320.

[0049] The communication terminal 500 is used by a user in service areas 510 and 520 provided by the slave station devices 200, 210, and 220 of the communication relay system 1000 corresponding to the antennas 300 and 320. The communication terminal 500 also transmits radio signals to the first slave station device 200 and the second slave station device 210 via the antennas 300 and 320.

[0050] 1 shows an example in which the communication relay system 1000 is equipped with a lower function of the physical layer of a base station (lower function of the base station), and communication is performed between a higher function 630 of a base station device on the telecommunications carrier side and the lower function of the base station of the communication relay system 1000. The lower function of the base station is, for example, an O-RU function of the O-RAN FH.

[0051] Fig. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a communication relay system 1000 etc. according to the second embodiment. In addition to the configuration example shown in Fig. 1, there is also a case where communication is performed using a conventional base station device 620 and an RF interface of a master station device 100. Fig. 2 shows an example in which a conventional telecommunications carrier uses a base station and an example in which a system in which the physical layer of a base station is separated into upper and lower functions is used.

[0052] The master station device 100 of the communication relay system 1000 is connected to the base station devices 620 (620-0 to 620-m) via a transmission path 3200. Specifically, an RF interface (not shown) of the master station device 100 is connected to the base station devices 620.

[0053] The base station device 620 is installed in the same equipment installation area 1100 as the master station device 100. The base station device 620 is connected to the core networks 610 (610-0 to 610-m) of the communication carriers #0 to #m via a transmission path 3300. The base station device 620 communicates with the communication terminal 500 via the communication relay system 1000.

[0054] In addition, the master station device 100 is connected to the master station device 100 via a transmission path 3100 and upper physical layer functions 630 (630-(m+1) to 630-n) of base station devices in the core networks 640 (640-(m+1) to 640-n) of telecommunications carriers #m+1 to #n.

[0055] Specifically, lower functions #m+1 to #n (not shown) of the physical layer of the base station device included in the master station device 100 are connected to a higher function 630 of the base station device. The higher function 630 of the base station device communicates with the communication terminal 500 via the communication relay system 1000. Other aspects of the communication relay system 1000 are the same as those in FIG. 1, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0056] 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the master station device 100 of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the master station device 100 includes an interface unit 10, a parameter setting unit 20, a first processing unit 30, a second processing unit 40, and wireless resources 50.

[0057] The interface unit 10 includes a common interface 11 and individual interfaces 12 (12-0 to 12-k). The interface unit 10 is an example of an input unit for setting parameters of the communication relay system 1000, monitoring the status, and making notifications.

[0058] The common interface 11 can access all elements of the parameter setting unit 20. For example, the parameters are input by an administrator of the communication relay system 1000. In addition, all resources of the communication relay system 1000 may be accessible from the common interface 11.

[0059] For example, when the parameter setting unit 20 is configured with one server function, access authority may be divided for each business operator. Alternatively, a virtual server may be provided for each business operator.

[0060] The individual interface 12 can be accessed for each operator. The individual interface 12 can access only the channel parameters 23 used by each operator among the channel parameters 23. One operator may be able to access multiple channel parameters 23.

[0061] The individual interface 12 allows access to the parameters of the target channel of the communication relay system 1000, which relays the operator's own radio signal, and further allows isolation of the parameters of the channel for each operator.

[0062] The common interface 11 and the individual interfaces 12 may be physically different or may be logically separated. For example, the physical interface may be a single Ethernet (registered trademark) interface, or they may be separated using a virtualization technology such as vlan.

[0063] Next, the parameter setting unit 20 includes a constraint / reference 21, a common parameter 22, and a channel parameter 23 (23-0 to 23-n).

[0064] The constraint / reference 21 sets predetermined parameters as constraint values ​​or reference values. For example, a manager of the communication relay system 1000 sets predetermined parameters for each individual channel.

[0065] The channel parameters 23 can be accessed for each individual interface 12, and channel-specific parameters are set. For example, parameters are set for each telecommunications carrier from the individual interface 12. Note that, since one telecommunications carrier may be assigned multiple channels, this also includes the case where multiple channel parameters 23 are set from one individual interface 12.

[0066] The common parameters 22 set common parameters other than the individual channel parameters 23. For example, the common parameters 22 set the maximum power of the amplifier.

[0067] Next, the first processing unit 30 performs processing such as comparison and determination using the constraint / reference value of the constraint / reference 21 and the setting value of the channel parameter 23 for each channel as input, and sends the processing result to the second processing unit 40. The setting value of the common parameter 22 may also be added as input for processing. The reference value is an example of a constraint / reference value.

[0068] The second processing unit 40 performs processing such as notification and blocking based on the processing result of the first processing unit 30. Specific examples of the processing of the first processing unit 30 and the second processing unit 40 will be described later.

[0069] The radio resource 50 indicates resources related to radio signals of the communication relay system 1000, including physical and software resources such as radio signal processing, radio signal amplification, and signal transmission / reception interfaces. The radio resource 50 allows parameters to be set externally, and is also capable of detecting and outputting the status within the radio resource. For example, the setting value of the channel parameter 23 is set in the channel resource 52.

[0070] For example, the communication relay system is a communication relay system that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal, and includes a parent station device that receives a downlink signal of a radio signal from the base station, and a plurality of child station devices that are connected to the parent station device and receive an uplink signal of a radio signal from the communication terminal, and the parent station device includes a parameter setting unit that sets constraint / reference values ​​that serve as standards for parameters corresponding to channels and setting values ​​of parameters for each channel, a first processing unit that compares the constraint / reference values ​​with the setting values ​​or compares the setting values ​​with each other, and a second processing unit that performs processing related to the setting values ​​depending on the comparison result.

[0071] 4 is a flowchart showing the processing of the master station device 100 of the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the parameter setting unit 20 of the master station device 100 sets the common parameters 22 and the constraints and references 21. For example, the setting is performed by an administrator via the interface unit 10 (step S100).

[0072] The parameter setting unit 20 of the master station device 100 sets channel-specific parameters in the channel parameters 23. For example, the parameters are set for each communication carrier via the individual interface 12 (step S200).

[0073] The first processing unit 30 acquires the set values ​​of the channel parameters 23 of the parameter setting unit 20, the constraint / reference values ​​of the constraint / reference 21, and the set values ​​of the common parameters 22, and performs processing such as comparison and determination. For example, the first processing unit 30 performs processing at the timing when the set values ​​of the channel parameters 23 are set (step S300).

[0074] The second processing unit 40 executes processing such as notification and blocking based on the processing result of the first processing unit 30 (step S400).

[0075] 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the first processing unit 30 in the first embodiment. Specific processing of step S300 by the first processing unit 30 is described in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, when the setting values ​​of the channel parameters 23 are set, the first processing unit 30 extracts the setting values ​​of the channel parameters 23 related to the constraint / reference 21 from the plurality of channel parameters 23 (step S310).

[0076] Next, the first processing unit 30 compares and evaluates the setting values ​​of the extracted parameters with the corresponding constraint / reference values ​​in the constraint / reference 21 (step S320).

[0077] Then, the first processing unit 30 transmits the evaluation result, the value of the common parameter 22, and the value of the channel parameter 23 to the second processing unit 40 (step S330).

[0078] The constraint / reference 21 sets, for example, at least one of the upper limit and the lower limit of the constraint value of a predetermined parameter.

[0079] The first processing unit 30, for example, compares and evaluates the parameter setting value with the constraint / reference value. Alternatively, the first processing unit 30 may compare the parameter setting value with the constraint / reference value and evaluate whether they match or do not match.

[0080] The first processing unit 30 may also compare the parameter setting values ​​with the constraint / reference values ​​to evaluate whether the setting values ​​are within the allowable ranges of the constraint / reference values, or may compare the setting values ​​of the channel parameters 23 with each other and perform a majority vote among the setting values ​​to evaluate the validity of the setting values.

[0081] The first processing unit 30 may also perform calculations using the constraint / reference values ​​and the set values ​​of the channel parameters 23, and evaluate the agreement / mismatch between the constraint / reference values ​​and the set values ​​from the calculation results. Also, the first processing unit 30 may evaluate whether the set values ​​are within the allowable ranges of the constraint / reference values ​​from the calculation results.

[0082] In addition, the first processing unit 30 may compare the reference / constraint values, which have upper and lower limits within a range that does not affect other channels, with the set values ​​of the individual channel parameters 23, and evaluate the impact on other channels.

[0083] The first processing unit 30 may also evaluate the constraint / reference value, the set value of the channel's common parameter 22, and the set value of the individual channel parameter 23 by comparing them with the calculated values. Alternatively, the first processing unit 30 may evaluate whether they match or mismatch. Alternatively, the first processing unit 30 may evaluate whether they are within the allowable range of the constraint / reference value.

[0084] The second processing unit 40 may set the parameters of the common parameters 22 to the channel common resources 51 of the radio resources 50 based on the processing result of the first processing unit 30. Alternatively, the second processing unit 40 may set the parameters of the channel parameters 23 to the channel resources 52 of the radio resources 50.

[0085] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may set the parameters to be set in the channel shared resources 51 to values ​​updated from the set values ​​of the common parameters 22 in the parameter setting unit 20 based on the processing results of the first processing unit 30. Alternatively, the second processing unit 40 may set the parameters to be set in the channel resources 52 to values ​​updated from the set values ​​of the channel parameters 23 in the parameter setting unit 20.

[0086] The second processing unit 40 may record the processing result of the first processing unit 30 as a log in a storage medium, or may notify the processing result of the first processing unit 30 to a communication carrier or an administrator involved in parameter setting of the wireless resource 50 via at least one of the individual interface 12 and the common interface 11.

[0087] The individual interface 12 and the individual channel resource 52 may be linked together by account control or access control.

[0088] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may block at least one of the uplink and downlink radio signals of the specific channel in question based on the processing result of the first processing unit 30 .

[0089] The channel parameters 23 for each operator can be set by the processing of the first processing unit 30 and the second processing unit 40 described above. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the parameters of each channel from affecting other channels in advance.

[0090] Furthermore, the system has a function that allows the setting and monitoring of O-RU specifications for each operator, and can provide a function that prevents resource contention in the communication relay system 1000 equipped with an O-RU.

[0091] In the first embodiment, a mechanism for preventing resource contention in the communication relay system 1000 has been described, with respect to parameter setting values ​​set by each communication carrier or an administrator of the communication relay system 1000. Next, a second embodiment will be described.

[0092] Returning to FIG. 2, in the case of an RF interface where communication is performed between the base station device 620 and the master station device 100, the base station device 620 configures the radio signal, and the communication relay system 1000 does not configure the radio signal.

[0093] Therefore, in the case of an RF interface, parameters that affect other channels are not explicitly indicated to the communication relay system 1000. This poses a problem that when resource contention occurs in the communication relay system 1000, the communication relay system 1000 cannot identify the cause.

[0094] Another example is the case where the base station device is separated into a higher-level function 630 and a lower-level function of the base station device on the communication relay system 1000 side (for example, O-RAN FH). If an excessive input is applied to the power amplifier of the communication relay system 1000, it may saturate and cause distortion. This is because the only configurable item in the communication relay system 1000 is the gain setting for each channel, and there is a problem in that the output level of each channel cannot be grasped.

[0095] 6 is a diagram showing the general configuration of a master station device 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, a resource parameter acquisition unit 60 is provided in addition to the components of the first embodiment.

[0096] The resource parameter acquisition unit 60 acquires parameters of the wireless resource 50. For example, it acquires a signal level and the like from a wireless resource such as a detector. The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] For example, the communication relay system is a communication relay system that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal, and includes a parent station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station, and multiple child station devices that are connected to the parent station device and receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal, and the parent station device includes a parameter setting unit that sets constraint / reference values ​​that serve as references for parameters corresponding to channels and setting values ​​for parameters for each channel, a parameter acquisition unit that acquires acquired values ​​for parameters in channels for which setting values ​​are not set, a first processing unit that compares the set values ​​and acquired values ​​with the constraint / reference values, and a second processing unit that performs processing related to the set values ​​and acquired values ​​depending on the comparison result.

[0098] 7 is a flowchart showing the processing of the master station device 100 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the parameter setting unit 20 of the master station device 100 sets the common parameters 22 and the constraints and references 21. For example, the common parameters 22 and the constraints and references 21 are set by an administrator via the interface unit 10 (step S1100).

[0099] The parameter setting unit 20 of the master station device 100 sets channel-specific parameters in the channel parameters 23. For example, the parameters are set for each communication carrier via the individual interface 12 (step S1200).

[0100] The resource parameter acquisition unit 60 of the master station device 100 acquires parameters from the wireless resource 50 (step S1300).

[0101] The first processing unit 30 acquires the setting values ​​of each channel parameter 23 of the parameter setting unit 20, the constraint / reference values ​​of the constraint / reference 21, and the acquired values ​​of the wireless resource parameters of the resource parameter acquisition unit 60, and performs processing such as comparison and judgment (step S1400).

[0102] The second processing unit 40 executes processing such as notification and blocking based on the processing result of the first processing unit 30 (step S1500).

[0103] 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the first processing unit 30 in the second embodiment. Specific processing of step S1400 by the first processing unit 30 is described in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the first processing unit 30 extracts setting values ​​of parameters related to the constraints / references 21 from the plurality of channel parameters 23. Furthermore, the first processing unit 30 extracts acquired values ​​of parameters related to the constraints / references 21 from the resource parameter acquisition unit 60 (step S1410).

[0104] Next, the first processing unit 30 compares and evaluates the set value and acquired value of the extracted parameter with the corresponding constraint / reference value in the constraint / reference 21 (step S1420).

[0105] Then, the first processing unit 30 transmits the evaluation result, the set values ​​of the common parameters 22, the set values ​​of the channel parameters 23, and the acquired values ​​of the resource parameter acquisition unit 60 to the second processing unit 40 (step S1430).

[0106] The constraint / reference 21 sets, for example, at least one of the upper limit and the lower limit of the constraint value of a predetermined parameter.

[0107] The first processing unit 30 may, for example, compare and evaluate the set and acquired values ​​of the parameters with the constraint and reference values. The first processing unit 30 may also compare the set and acquired values ​​of the parameters with the constraint and reference values ​​to evaluate whether they match or do not match. Note that at least one of the set values ​​or the acquired values ​​may be used.

[0108] The first processing unit 30 may also compare the set and acquired parameter values ​​with the constraint and reference values ​​to evaluate whether the set and acquired values ​​are within the allowable ranges of the constraint and reference values. Alternatively, the set and acquired values ​​of each channel parameter 23 may be compared with each other, and a majority vote may be performed to evaluate the validity of the set and acquired values.

[0109] The first processing unit 30 may also calculate the constraint / reference value, the set value of each channel parameter 23, and the acquired value of the resource parameter acquisition unit 60, and evaluate the agreement / mismatch between the constraint / reference value and the set value and the acquired value from the calculation result. Also, the first processing unit 30 may evaluate from the calculation result whether the set value and the acquired value are within an allowable range of the constraint / reference value.

[0110] In addition, the first processing unit 30 may compare the reference / constraint values, which have upper and lower limit values ​​set within a range that does not affect other channels, with the set values ​​of the individual channel parameters 23 and the acquired values ​​of the resource parameter acquisition unit 60, and evaluate the impact on other channels.

[0111] The first processing unit 30 may also evaluate the constraint / reference values, the set values ​​of the channel common parameters 22, the set values ​​of the individual channel parameters 23, and the acquired values ​​of the resource parameter acquisition unit 60 by comparing the set values ​​and acquired values. Alternatively, the first processing unit 30 may evaluate whether they match or mismatch. Alternatively, the first processing unit 30 may evaluate whether they are within the allowable range of the constraint / reference values.

[0112] The second processing unit 40 may set the parameters of the common parameters 22 in the channel shared resources 51 of the radio resources 50 based on the processing result of the first processing unit 30. Alternatively, the second processing unit 40 may set the parameters of the channel parameters 23 in the channel resources 52 of the radio resources 50. Note that the parameters may be set in both the channel shared resources 51 and the channel resources 52.

[0113] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may set the parameters to be set in the channel shared resources 51 to values ​​updated from the set values ​​of the common parameters 22 in the parameter setting unit 20 based on the processing results of the first processing unit 30. Alternatively, the second processing unit 40 may set the parameters to be set in the channel resources 52 to values ​​updated from the set values ​​of the channel parameters 23 in the parameter setting unit 20.

[0114] The second processing unit 40 may record the processing result of the first processing unit 30 as a log in a storage medium, or may notify the communication carrier related to the parameter setting of the radio resource 50 of the processing result of the first processing unit 30 via at least one of the individual interface 12 and the common interface 11.

[0115] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may block at least one of the uplink and downlink radio signals of a specific channel based on the processing result of the first processing unit 30 .

[0116] By the processing of the first processing unit 30 and the second processing unit 40 of the second embodiment described above, it is possible to set the channel parameters 23 for each operator even when an RF interface and an interface of a lower function of a base station device such as an O-RU of an O-RAN FH are mixed.

[0117] Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the parameters of each channel from affecting other channels in advance, and to monitor the radio signals of the RF interface and prevent resource contention in the communication relay system 1000.

[0118] This allows the O-RU function to be set safely for each operator, thereby reducing the burden on the administrator of the communication relay system 1000.

[0119] 9 is a diagram showing a first specific example of processing by the master station device 100 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 9, the setting values ​​of the duplex scheme for each channel of the plurality of channel parameters 23 and the constraint / reference values ​​of the duplex scheme for each channel of the constraint / reference 21 are input to the first processing unit 30.

[0120] Normally, the duplexing method for each channel is determined by the country. This determined duplexing method is used as a reference value. The administrator of the communication relay system 1000 registers the reference value in the constraint / reference 21 of the parameter setting unit 20.

[0121] The set value is set by each communication carrier as the duplex method for the channel in the channel parameters 23 managed by each communication carrier.

[0122] The first processing unit 30 compares the acquired reference value with the set value and determines whether they match or mismatch for each channel. Then, the second processing unit 40 notifies the operator belonging to the channel or the administrator of the communication relay system 1000 based on the determination result of the first processing unit 30. By notifying the operator, the operator may be prompted to change the set value of the duplex method.

[0123] For example, since channel #1 is inconsistent, the operator of channel #1 may be notified. Also, the operator may block downlink output for the inconsistent channel that does not satisfy the conditions, thereby preventing violation of regulations.

[0124] Alternatively, the set value may be updated to the duplex method of the reference value, and the updated set value may be set to the radio resource 50. Alternatively, the reference value and the set value may be saved in a log to analyze the state of violation of regulations. Alternatively, the duplex method of the channel whose reference value and set value match may be set to the radio resource 50.

[0125] This allows operators to freely set their own channel parameters 23, and prevents incorrect setting by determining the duplex method setting in the first processing unit 30. Therefore, violations of regulations can be prevented in advance.

[0126] Furthermore, by comparing the reference value and the set value for each channel, if there is a match or mismatch, the communication carrier is notified or blocked, thereby preventing interference between channels.

[0127] For example, a parameter setting unit of a communication relay system sets information regarding the duplexing method of a channel to a constraint / reference value and the setting value, and a first processing unit compares the constraint / reference value with the setting value or compares the setting values ​​with each other to determine whether or not there is interference between channels.

[0128] 10 is a diagram showing a second specific example of processing by the master station device 100 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 10, a reference value of the TDD configuration pattern and a setting value of the TDD configuration pattern for each channel are input to the first processing unit 30.

[0129] Various TDD configuration patterns are possible in LTE and 5G NR. However, in the communication relay system 1000 that accommodates multiple operators, the configuration patterns of adjacent channels must be the same to prevent interference between the operators.

[0130] This is because if adjacent channels have different TDD configuration patterns, the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) periods overlap, causing interference with each other.

[0131] 10, using a reference value as an example, horizontally consecutive squares (□) represent slots (or subframes) of a radio frame. One square represents one slot.

[0132] The "D" shown in one slot indicates a slot allocated to the downlink. "U" indicates a slot allocated to the uplink. "S" indicates a slot during the switching period from downlink to uplink. The "S" period is a period with almost no signal, and this period absorbs the round-trip delay time between DL and UL.

[0133] The reference value of the constraint / reference 21 in the parameter setting unit 20 is set by the administrator as the TDD configuration pattern used in this communication relay system 1000. In FIG. 10, for example, 20 slots are described. In this example, a 10-slot pattern is shown repeated twice. The setting value of the channel parameter 23 is set by the communication carrier as the TDD configuration pattern.

[0134] The first processing unit 30 compares the setting value of each channel with the reference value for each slot, and evaluates whether the setting value matches the reference value. The comparison for each slot involves comparing whether the configurations of the downlink period, the uplink period, and the downlink-to-uplink switching period match.

[0135] Based on the determination result of the first processing unit 30, the second processing unit 40 notifies at least one of the operator belonging to the channel and the administrator of the communication relay system 1000. For example, by notifying the operator of the mismatched channel, it may be possible to prompt the operator to change the setting value of the TDD configuration pattern.

[0136] The second processing unit 40 may also block downlink output and uplink input for mismatched channels to prevent interference with adjacent channels.

[0137] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may update the setting value of the mismatched channel to the TDD configuration pattern described in the reference value and set it in the radio resource 50. Furthermore, the reference value and the setting value may be saved in a log and used for analyzing the occurrence of interference with adjacent channels. Furthermore, the TDD configuration pattern of the channel whose setting value matches the reference value may be set in the radio resource 50.

[0138] This allows the communication carrier to freely set the TDD configuration pattern of its own channel, and also prevents mistakes in setting the TDD configuration pattern by making the determination using the first processing unit 30. Therefore, interference with adjacent channels can be prevented in advance.

[0139] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a third specific example of the processing of the master station device 100 of the first embodiment. In the second specific example shown in Fig. 10, the TDD configuration patterns of the reference values ​​and the setting values ​​of each channel are compared.

[0140] As shown in Fig. 11, the first processing unit 30 acquires the setting values ​​for each channel and compares the TDD configuration patterns for each channel in a round-robin manner. The channels are compared and the TDD configuration pattern with the most matches between the channels is selected. The match / mismatch between the selected TDD configuration pattern and the configuration patterns of other channels may then be evaluated.

[0141] The second processing unit 40 notifies at least one of the operator belonging to the channel and the administrator of the communication relay system 1000 based on the determination result of the first processing unit 30. The notification may prompt a change in the setting value of the TDD configuration pattern.

[0142] The second processing unit 40 may also block downlink output and uplink input for mismatched channels to prevent interference with adjacent channels.

[0143] The second processing unit 40 may also update the setting values ​​of the mismatched channels to the most common TDD configuration pattern and set the updated setting values ​​to the radio resources 50. The setting values ​​of each channel may also be saved in a log and used to analyze the occurrence of interference with adjacent channels. The TDD configuration pattern of the matched channel may also be set to the radio resources 50.

[0144] This allows operators to freely set their own TDD configuration patterns, and by having the first processing unit 30 make the judgment, interference with adjacent channels due to mismatches in TDD configuration patterns can be prevented in advance.

[0145] 12 is a diagram showing a specific example of interference between channels. The first processing unit 30 evaluates the validity of the frequency allocation for each operator. Usually, the bandwidth of each channel is determined by the country. Guard bands between adjacent channels are also determined.

[0146] Fig. 12(a) shows an example of normal settings and no interference occurring, Fig. 12(b) shows an example of a setting error in the bandwidth of one channel causing interference, and Fig. 12(c) shows an example of a setting error in the center frequency of one channel causing interference.

[0147] For example, as shown in Fig. 12(b), when the bandwidth setting value of channel #1 is set wider than the constraint value, interference with adjacent channels occurs. Also, as shown in Fig. 12(c), when the center frequency setting value of channel #1 is set differently from the constraint value, interference with adjacent channels occurs.

[0148] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a fourth and fifth specific example of the processing of the master station device 100 of the first embodiment. In FIG. 13A and 13B, a specific example of preventing interference between channels will be described.

[0149] First, a fourth specific example will be described. Fig. 13 shows constraint values ​​for the center frequency and bandwidth of each channel set by the administrator of the communication relay system 1000, and set values ​​for the center frequency and bandwidth of each channel set by each communication carrier.

[0150] The first processing unit 30 evaluates whether the constraint value and the set value match. For example, the first processing unit 30 compares the constraint value and the set value for the center frequency to evaluate whether they match. The first processing unit 30 also compares the constraint value and the set value for the bandwidth to evaluate whether they match. If either the center frequency or the bandwidth is different, it is evaluated as a mismatch.

[0151] The second processing unit 40 notifies at least one of the operator belonging to the channel and the administrator of the communication relay system 1000 based on the determination result of the first processing unit 30. This may prompt the operator to change the setting value of at least one of the center frequency and the bandwidth.

[0152] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may block downlink output and uplink input for mismatched channels to prevent interference with adjacent channels.

[0153] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may update the setting value of each channel to the center frequency or bandwidth value described in the constraint value of each channel and set it in the radio resource 50. Furthermore, the constraint value and the setting value may be saved in a log and used for analyzing the occurrence of interference with adjacent channels. Furthermore, the setting values ​​of the center frequency and bandwidth of the matching channel may be set in the radio resource 50.

[0154] This allows operators to freely set channels that they manage, and also makes it possible to prevent interference with adjacent channels due to incorrect setting of center frequency or bandwidth.

[0155] Next, a fifth specific example will be described. In the fourth specific example, the constraint values ​​and set values ​​of the channel bandwidth and center frequency were compared. In the fifth specific example, the first processing unit 30 evaluates interference with adjacent channels by calculating the set values ​​of the center frequency and bandwidth of each channel.

[0156] Regarding adjacent channel interference, if the difference in center frequency of adjacent channels is greater than the sum of the bandwidths of the adjacent channels multiplied by 0.5, then the bandwidths of the adjacent channels will not overlap. Taking advantage of this, the presence or absence of interference can be evaluated using the following conditional expression:

[0157] (B.W. ｃｈ＃０ / 2+BW ｃｈ＃１ / 2) < (f ｃ＿ｃｈ＃１ -f ｃ＿ｃｈ＃０ )

[0158] (B.W. ｃｈ＃ｍ / 2+BW ｃｈ＃（ｍ－１） / 2) < (f ｃ＿ｃｈ＃ｍ -fc_ch#(m-1)) m∈{1,2,...,n}

[0159] In the above formula, BW ｃｈ＃ｍ is the bandwidth setting value of channel #m, f ｃ＿ｃｈ＃ｍ represents the set value of the center frequency of channel #m.

[0160] The first processing unit 30 may evaluate that a channel that satisfies the condition of the above formula is free from interference, and that a channel that does not satisfy the condition is subject to interference.

[0161] The second processing unit 40 notifies at least one of the operator belonging to the channel and the administrator of the communication relay system 1000 based on the determination result of the first processing unit 30. By notifying, the operator may be prompted to change the setting value of at least one of the center frequency and the bandwidth.

[0162] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may prevent interference with adjacent channels by blocking the downlink output and uplink input of the channel determined to be interfering.

[0163] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may update the setting value of the center frequency or bandwidth of each channel to the constraint value and set the updated setting value in the radio resource 50. Furthermore, by saving the updated setting value in a log, the setting value may be used for analyzing the occurrence of interference with adjacent channels. Furthermore, the setting values ​​of the center frequency and bandwidth of a channel determined not to cause interference may be set in the radio resource 50.

[0164] This allows operators to freely set channels that they manage, and also makes it possible to prevent interference with adjacent channels due to incorrect setting of center frequency or bandwidth.

[0165] For example, a parameter setting unit of a communication relay system sets information about the frequency and bandwidth of a channel as a constraint / reference value and a set value, and a first processing unit compares the constraint / reference value with the set value to determine whether or not there is interference between channels.

[0166] 14 is a diagram showing an example of the output timing of the downlink signal. The first processing unit 30 evaluates the setting of the output timing of the radio frame of the downlink signal.

[0167] Here, for example, in the case of a TDD duplex system, if the output timing of downlink radio frames between channels does not match, there is a possibility that a downlink allocation slot in one channel will be an uplink allocation slot in another channel, resulting in mutual interference.

[0168] To prevent this, it is necessary to synchronize the output timing of downlink radio frames for all channels. Typically, the output timing of radio frames is determined based on a reference time (e.g., GPS time) common to all operators, with the antenna port as the reference position.

[0169] In addition, an offset value is set for this reference time as needed. For example, in O-RAN FH, which is a system in which a base station device is separated into upper layer functions and lower layer functions of the physical layer, an offset value called downlink-radio-frame-offset, which is an offset value from the reference time to the output timing of a radio frame, is set as needed.

[0170] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a sixth specific example of processing by the master station device 100 of the first embodiment. Fig. 15 shows the setting value of downlink-radio-frame-offset, which is the output timing of the downlink signal for each channel set in the channel parameter 23 of the parameter setting unit 20, and the constraint value set in the constraint / reference 21.

[0171] For example, the constraint value is a reference value of 1300 and an allowable range of 1400 to 1200, which is a tolerance of ±100.

[0172] The first processing unit 30 may compare the constraint value with the setting value of each channel to evaluate the validity of the output timing of the radio frame, for example, by determining whether the setting value is within the range of the constraint value.

[0173] For example, a parameter setting unit of a communication relay system sets information regarding the output timing of a downlink signal as a constraint / reference value and a setting value, and a first processing unit compares the constraint / reference value with the setting value to determine whether or not there is interference between channels.

[0174] 16 is a diagram showing a seventh specific example of the processing of the master station device 100 according to the first embodiment. The parameter setting unit 20 sets the permissible value v at which no interference occurs as the constraint value of the constraint / reference 21.

[0175] The first processing unit 30 selects an arbitrary channel from the channels of the channel parameters 23, and determines the allowable range of the allowable value v from the setting value of the selected channel. Then, it may evaluate whether the setting values ​​of other channels are included in the allowable range with respect to the determined allowable range.

[0176] For example, the channel to be selected may be the one with the largest setting value among the channels. In this case, the setting value of channel #m may be set to α ｍ If the setting value of the selected channel is used as the reference value, the reference value α ｓｅｔ Then, α ｓｅｔ You can select the following:

[0177] α ｓｅｔ = max (α ０ , α １ , ..., α ｎ )

[0178] Reference value α ｓｅｔ Using this, the setting value α of each channel ｍ is within the allowable range α ｓｅｔ In order to effectively use the tolerance value ν, the value obtained by subtracting the tolerance value ν from the maximum value is used as the reference value α ｓｅｔ It may also be possible to use the following.

[0179] α ｓｅｔ = max (α ０ , α １ , ..., α ｎ )-ν

[0180] Or, set value α ｍ The average value of the reference value α ｓｅｔ It may be adopted as.

[0181] α ｓｅｔ = {max (α ０ , α １ , ..., α ｎ ) + min(α ０ , α １ , ..., α ｎ) / 2

[0182] Reference value α ｓｅｔ Using this, the setting value α of each channel ｍ is within the allowable range α ｓｅｔ It may be evaluated to be within ±ν.

[0183] The second processing unit 40 notifies at least one of the operator belonging to the channel and the administrator of the communication relay system 1000 based on the determination result of the first processing unit 30. By notifying, the operator may be prompted to change the setting value of downlink-radio-frame-offset.

[0184] Alternatively, the second processing unit 40 may prompt a change in a parameter related to a delay time between a higher-level function and a lower-level function of the base station device, instead of changing the setting value of the downlink-radio-frame-offset. Alternatively, the radio resource 50 may be provided with a delay adjustment function to adjust the delay time in the downlink direction. To maintain a balance between the delay times of the downlink and uplink, the delay time of the uplink may be adjusted simultaneously.

[0185] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may block downlink output for channels that do not fall within the allowable range, thereby preventing inter-channel interference when the duplexing method is TDD.

[0186] In addition, the second processing unit 40 may update the setting value of a channel that does not fall within the allowable range to a value within the allowable range, for example, the central value, maximum value, or minimum value within the allowable range, so that the setting value falls within the allowable range of the constraint value, and set the updated setting value to the wireless resource 50.

[0187] The second processing unit 40 may also change parameters related to delay time between the upper function 630 and the lower function of the base station device so as to obtain an effect equivalent to the updated setting value. Also, a delay adjustment function may be provided in the radio resource 50 to adjust the delay time in the downlink direction. Furthermore, to maintain a balance between the delay times of the downlink and uplink, the delay time of the uplink may be adjusted simultaneously.

[0188] The second processing unit 40 may store the setting value and the constraint value in a log to be used for analyzing the occurrence of interference with adjacent channels. The setting value may be set to the radio resource 50 within an allowable range of the constraint value.

[0189] This allows operators to freely set channels that they manage, and also makes it possible to prevent interference with adjacent channels due to deviations in the output timing of downlink signals.

[0190] 17 is a diagram showing a first specific example of processing by the master station device 100 of the second embodiment. A method for preventing distortion due to saturation of a power amplifier will be described below with reference to FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 17, the first processing unit 30 acquires a DL gain setting value, a reference value, and a DL input level acquisition value for each channel.

[0191] The DL gain setting value is a value set in the channel parameter 23 of the parameter setting unit 20. The reference value is a value set in the constraint / reference 21. The DL input acquisition value is a DL input level acquired by the resource parameter acquisition unit 60 from the radio resource.

[0192] When the input interface is an RF interface, the DL input acquisition value may be calculated as the rms value of the signal after analog-to-digital conversion of the input signal, or may be a value obtained by detecting the input signal with a power detector.

[0193] Alternatively, the DL input acquisition value may be calculated by detecting a synchronization signal, acquiring RSPR (Reference Signal Received Power), and calculating the channel input power based on information about the channel bandwidth. In this case, the channel bandwidth information of the channel parameter 23 in the parameter setting unit 20 may be used as the channel bandwidth.

[0194] Next, when the input interface separates the upper and lower layer functions of the base station's physical layer, for example, O-RAN FH, the DL input acquisition value may be calculated as the rms value of the power average value of the digital signal of the input signal in the frequency domain, or the rms value of the digital signal of the input signal in the time domain after OFDM modulation.

[0195] The reference value may be set as an upper limit of the output level of each channel based on the total output. The first processing unit 30 may evaluate whether each channel satisfies the requirement as follows. For example, the first processing unit 30 evaluates whether each channel satisfies the requirement that the reference value be greater than the sum of the DL input level acquisition value and the DL gain setting value.

[0196] P ｒｅｆ＿＃ｊ ≧P ｉｎ＿＃ｊ +P ｇ＿＃ｊ j∈{0,1,...,n}

[0197] P ｒｅｆ＿＃ｊ is the reference value of channel #j, P ｉｎ＿＃ｊ is the acquired DL input level of channel #j, P ｇ＿＃ｊ represents the DL gain setting value of channel #j.

[0198] The reference value may also be the maximum output level of the power amplifier to which the channel belongs. Whether or not the condition is satisfied may be evaluated by the first processing unit 30 as follows.

[0199] P ｏｕｔ＿＃ｊ =P ｉｎ＿＃ｊ +P ｇ＿＃ｊ

[0200] P ｏｕｔ＿ｒｅｆ ≧10×log(Σ ｎ－１ ｊ＝０ 10Pout_#j / 10)

[0201] P ｏｕｔ＿＃ｊ is the output level of channel #j, P ｏｕｔ＿ｒｅｆ is the maximum allowable output level of the power amplifier, and n is the number of channels.

[0202] The above formula is based on the assumption that all channels belong to one power amplifier, but the channels may be grouped according to the power amplifiers that use them, and the maximum output level of the power amplifiers that belong to each group may be used as the reference value.

[0203] Based on this result, the second processing unit 40 may notify at least one of the operator belonging to the channel and the administrator of the communication relay system 1000 to prompt a change in the DL gain setting value.

[0204] The second processing unit 40 may also prevent saturation of the power amplifier by blocking DL output for channels that do not satisfy the conditions, or by overwriting the DL gain setting value so that it is equal to or less than a reference value.

[0205] The second processing unit 40 may analyze the saturation occurrence state by saving the log. The second processing unit 40 may set the DL gain setting value of the channel that satisfies the condition in the radio resource 50.

[0206] This allows operators to freely set the DL gain of the channels they manage, and also makes it possible to prevent saturation of the downlink power amplifier of the communication relay system 1000 in advance.

[0207] 18 is a diagram showing a second specific example of processing by the master station device 100 of the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 18, the administrator of the communication relay system 1000 sets the downlink TDD configuration pattern in the constraint / reference 21 of the parameter setting unit 20 as the reference value.

[0208] The set value is set by the communication carrier of each channel in the channel parameter 23 of the parameter setting unit 20 to indicate the downlink TDD configuration pattern for each channel.

[0209] The resource parameter acquisition unit 60 acquires the downlink TDD configuration pattern for each channel from the channel resource 52 of the radio resource 50 .

[0210] The acquired value may be estimated by calculating the time-averaged level of digital data to determine whether or not there is a DL radio signal for each channel, or by detecting the RF input signal with a detector. The TDD configuration information may also be acquired from the information in SIB1 of the DL broadcast information for each channel.

[0211] For example, a parameter setting unit of a communication relay system sets information about the gain of a channel to a constraint / reference value and a set value, a parameter acquisition unit acquires information about the input level of the channel, and a first processing unit uses the set value and the acquired value in relation to the constraint / reference value to determine whether or not the output level of the channel is saturated.

[0212] Figure 18 shows the acquired values ​​of the TDD configuration patterns for channel #0 and channel #1. D indicates the DL period, and the gray squares other than D indicate areas where the DL signal could not be detected. Channels #2 and later show the set values ​​of the TDD configuration patterns.

[0213] When the first processing unit 30 obtains the presence or absence of a DL signal from the obtained value, since the start position of the frame of the obtained value is unknown, it is possible to compare the obtained value with the reference value by sliding the TDD configuration pattern in the time direction by one slot over one period and performing the comparison.

[0214] In the case of an RF interface, the first processing unit 30 estimates and compares the TDD configuration pattern of the acquired value. For example, if there is a DL signal in the acquired value for all slots of the reference value D, it may be determined that the TDD configuration pattern matches, and if there is no DL signal, it may be determined that the TDD configuration pattern does not match. The comparison between the set value and the reference value is the same as in specific example 2 of the first embodiment.

[0215] Based on the results of the first processing unit 30, the second processing unit 40 may prompt a change in the setting value by notifying at least one of the operator belonging to the channel and the administrator of the communication relay system 1000.

[0216] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may prevent interference between channels by blocking downlink output and uplink input for channels that do not satisfy the conditions. Furthermore, for channels whose setting values ​​can be changed by the second processing unit 40, the setting values ​​may be overwritten to the same TDD configuration pattern as the reference value.

[0217] The second processing unit 40 may analyze the state of occurrence of inter-channel interference by saving the log. Furthermore, if a setting is required for the radio resource 50 for a channel that satisfies the conditions, the second processing unit 40 may set a setting value.

[0218] This allows operators to freely set channels that they manage, and also makes it possible to prevent interference with adjacent channels due to differences in TDD configuration patterns caused by setting errors or the like.

[0219] Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of output timing of a downlink signal. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a third specific example of processing by the master station device 100 of the second embodiment.

[0220] A third specific example will be described using Figures 19 and 20. In the third specific example, channels #0 and #1 acquire frame timing (offset) acquisition values, and channels #2 to #n set frame timing offset setting values ​​(downlink-radio-frame-offset).

[0221] As shown in FIG. 20, the carrier of the channel sets the offset setting value of the DL frame timing for each channel (for example, the downlink-radio-frame-offset of the O-RAN FH) in the channel parameters 23 of the parameter setting unit 20.

[0222] An administrator of the communication relay system 1000 sets an allowable value v as a constraint value in the constraint / reference 21. The resource parameter acquisition unit 60 acquires a DL frame timing (offset) acquisition value for each channel from the channel resource 52 of the wireless resource 50 as needed.

[0223] In the case of 5G NR, the channel resource 52 may be provided with a function to detect the DL synchronization signal position, obtain the synchronization signal index number from the synchronization signal PSS / SSS / DM-RS signal, and estimate the frame start position.

[0224] In the case of LTE, the channel resource 52 may be provided with a function for estimating the frame start position from the positional relationship between the PSS and SSS.

[0225] Furthermore, when the duplexing method is TDD, the channel resource 52 may be provided with a function for estimating the start position of a frame from the pattern of the presence or absence of a DL signal, using the TDD configuration pattern as a reference value.

[0226] Then, regardless of whether it is 5G NR or LTE, or whether the duplexing method is TDD, the offset value from the reference time may be estimated from the estimated value of the frame start position.

[0227] The first processing unit 30 determines whether the frame timings match or not. This determination may be performed using the same method as in the sixth specific example of the first embodiment.

[0228] When channels #0 and #1 are connected to base stations via an RF interface, the first processing unit 30 fixes the offset on the analog interface side, and it is better to operate the side that can be changed by setting, as in the O-RAN FH specification.

[0229] Therefore, an average value using only the offset acquisition values ​​of the channel may be used as the offset reference value, and it may be determined whether other offset acquisition values ​​fall within the allowable range between this reference value and the allowable value.

[0230] For example, the first processing unit 30 may use the average value 350 of the offset acquisition value 100 of channel #0 and the offset acquisition value 600 of channel #1 as a reference value to evaluate whether the offset acquisition value of each channel is within the allowable range of 350±ν.

[0231] Alternatively, the offset reference value may be the value with the latest frame timing (largest offset acquisition value) among the offset acquisition values ​​of the channel, and evaluation may be performed to determine whether other offset values ​​fall within the range of this reference value and the tolerance value.

[0232] For example, the first processing unit 30 may use the acquired offset value 600 of channel #1 as a reference value and evaluate whether the acquired offset value of each channel is within the allowable range 600-2ν to 600.

[0233] Based on the evaluation by the first processing unit 30, the second processing unit 40 may notify at least one of the operators of each channel and the administrator of the communication relay system 1000 to prompt a change in the offset setting value for configurable channels (channels belonging to a network that separates the upper and lower functions of the base station device).

[0234] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may prompt a change in a parameter relating to a delay time between a higher-level function and a lower-level function of the base station device, instead of changing the offset setting value.

[0235] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may block downlink output for channels that do not satisfy the conditions, thereby preventing inter-channel interference when the duplexing method is TDD.

[0236] The second processing unit 40 may also update the setting value for a configurable channel to a value that satisfies the range between the reference value and the allowable value, or may change a parameter related to the delay time between the upper function and the lower function of the base station device so as to obtain an effect equivalent to the updated value.

[0237] The second processing unit 40 may also provide a delay adjustment function in the radio resource 50 and adjust the delay time in the downlink direction to obtain an effect equivalent to the updated value. To maintain a balance between the delay times of the downlink and uplink, the delay time of the uplink may be adjusted at the same time.

[0238] Furthermore, the second processing unit 40 may store the log to analyze the state of occurrence of inter-channel interference when the duplexing method is TDD. Also, the second processing unit 40 may set the radio resource 50 to a setting value within an allowable range.

[0239] This allows operators to freely set channels that they manage, and also makes it possible to prevent interference with adjacent channels due to timing deviations in downlink timing.

[0240] For example, a parameter setting unit of a communication relay system sets information regarding the output timing of a downlink signal to a constraint / reference value and a set value, a parameter acquisition unit acquires information regarding the output timing of a downlink signal, and a first processing unit compares the constraint / reference value with the set value and the acquired value to determine whether or not there is interference between channels.

[0241] As described above, it is possible to provide a method that reduces the burden on the administrator of the communication relay system 1000, allows each of multiple operators to freely configure and operate the system, and prevents resource conflicts in the communication relay system 1000 or allows for quick corrections when resource conflicts arise.

[0242] In this embodiment, the functions are described as those of the master station device 100 of the communication relay system 1000, but the slave station device may have the functions. Also, the signaling system to be handled may be either LTE or 5G NR.

[0243] The parent station device 100 of this embodiment is equipped with a control device such as a CPU, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or RAM, and an external storage device such as a HDD or CD drive, and has a hardware configuration that utilizes a normal computer.

[0244] The program executed by the master station device 100 of this embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD, or USB memory.

[0245] The program may also be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network, or to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet, or to be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like.

[0246] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0247] <Supplementary Note> Various aspects of the present disclosure are collectively described below as supplementary notes. (1) A communication relay system that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal, comprising: a master station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of slave station devices that are connected to the master station device and receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal, wherein the master station device comprises: a parameter setting unit that sets at least one of a reference value that serves as a reference for a parameter corresponding to a channel and a set value of a parameter for each of the channels; a first processing unit that compares the reference value with the set value or compares the set values ​​with each other; and a second processing unit that performs processing related to the set value depending on a result of the comparison. (2) A communication relay system that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal, comprising: a master station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of slave station devices connected to the master station device and that receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal, wherein the master station device comprises: a parameter setting unit that sets at least one of a reference value serving as a reference for a parameter corresponding to a channel and a set value of a parameter for each of the channels; a parameter acquisition unit that acquires an acquired value of a parameter of the channel for which the set value is not set; a first processing unit that compares the set value and the acquired value with the reference value or compares the set value and the acquired value with each other; and a second processing unit that performs processing on the set value and the acquired value according to a result of the comparison. (3) The communication relay system according to (1), wherein the parameter setting unit sets information related to a duplex method of the channel to the reference value and the set value, and the first processing unit compares the reference value with the set value or compares the set values ​​with each other to determine whether or not there is interference between the channels. (4) The communication relay system according to (1), wherein the parameter setting unit sets information about the frequency and bandwidth of the channel to the reference value and the set value, and the first processing unit compares the reference value with the set value or compares the set values ​​with each other to determine whether or not there is interference between the channels.(5) The communication relay system according to (1), wherein the parameter setting unit sets information about the output timing of the downlink signal to the reference value and the set value, and the first processing unit compares the reference value with the set value to determine whether or not there is interference between the channels. (6) The communication relay system according to (2), wherein the parameter setting unit sets information about the gain of the channel to the reference value and the set value, and the parameter acquisition unit acquires information about the input level of the channel, and the first processing unit determines whether or not there is saturation of the output level of the channel using the set value and the acquired value for the reference value. (7) The communication relay system according to (2), wherein the parameter setting unit sets information about the output timing of the downlink signal to the reference value and the set value, and the parameter acquisition unit acquires information about the output timing of the downlink signal, and the first processing unit compares the reference value with the set value and the acquired value to determine whether or not there is interference between the channels. (8) The communication relay system according to (1) or (2), wherein the second processing unit records the comparison result of the first processing unit. (9) The communication relay system according to (1) or (2), wherein the second processing unit notifies at least one of an administrator of the channel and an administrator of the communication relay system of the comparison result of the first processing unit. (10) The communication relay system according to (1) or (2), wherein the second processing unit blocks at least one of the downlink signal and the uplink signal of the channel corresponding to the comparison result of the first processing unit. (11) The communication relay system according to (1) or (2), wherein the second processing unit limits the setting value based on the comparison result of the first processing unit. (12) The communication relay system according to (1) or (2), wherein the second processing unit changes the setting value of the channel corresponding to the comparison result of the first processing unit.(13) The communication relay system according to (1) or (2), wherein the second processing unit sets, for the radio resources, the setting value that matches the reference value from the comparison result of the first processing unit. (14) A communication relay method by a communication relay system that relays communications between a base station and a communication terminal, the communication relay system comprising: a master station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of slave station devices that are connected to the master station device and receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal, the master station device setting a reference value that serves as a reference for a parameter corresponding to a channel and a setting value of the parameter for each channel, and comparing the reference value with the setting value, or comparing the setting values ​​with each other and performing processing related to the setting value depending on the comparison result. (15) A communication relay method by a communication relay system that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal, the communication relay system comprising: a master station device that receives a downlink signal of a radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of slave station devices that are connected to the master station device and receive an uplink signal of a radio signal from the communication terminal, wherein the master station device sets a reference value that serves as a reference for a parameter corresponding to a channel and a setting value of the parameter for each of the channels, acquires an acquired value of a parameter of the channel for which the setting value is not set, compares the setting value and the acquired value with the reference value, and performs processing related to the setting value and the acquired value depending on the result of the comparison. (16) A communication relay system that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal includes: a master station device that receives a downlink signal of a radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of slave station devices that are connected to the master station device and receive an uplink signal of a radio signal from the communication terminal; and a program that sets, in the master station device, which is a computer, reference values ​​that serve as references for parameters corresponding to channels and setting values ​​of parameters for each channel; and compares the reference values ​​with the setting values, or compares the setting values ​​with each other, and executes processing related to the setting values ​​depending on the results of the comparison.(17) A communication relay system that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal includes: a parent station device that receives a downlink signal of a radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of child station devices that are connected to the parent station device and receive an uplink signal of a radio signal from the communication terminal; and a program that causes the parent station device, which is a computer, to set reference values ​​that serve as references for parameters corresponding to channels and set values ​​of parameters for each of the channels; acquire acquired values ​​of parameters for which set values ​​are not set among the channels; compare the set values ​​and the acquired values ​​with the reference values; and execute processing related to the set values ​​and the acquired values ​​depending on the results of the comparison.

[0248] 10... Interface unit 20... Parameter setting unit 30... First processing unit 40... Second processing unit 50... Radio resource 60... Resource parameter acquisition unit 100... Master station device 200, 210, 220... Slave station device 300, 320... Antenna 500... Communication terminal 510, 520... Service area 620... Base station device 630... Upper function of base station device 1000... Communication relay system 1100... Equipment installation area 1200... Transmission path (between master station device and slave station device) 1210... Transmission path (between second slave station device and first slave station device) 1220... Transmission path (between master station device and third slave station device) 3100, 3200... Transmission path (between base station and master station device)

Claims

1. A communication relay system that relays communications between a base station and a communication terminal, comprising: a master station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of slave station devices that are connected to the master station device and receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal, wherein the master station device comprises: a parameter setting unit that sets at least one of a reference value that serves as a reference for a parameter corresponding to a channel and a setting value of a parameter for each channel; a first processing unit that compares the reference value with the setting value or compares the setting values ​​with each other; and a second processing unit that performs processing related to the setting value depending on the result of the comparison.

2. A communication relay system that relays communication between a base station and a communication terminal, comprising: a parent station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of child station devices that are connected to the parent station device and receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal, wherein the parent station device comprises: a parameter setting unit that sets at least one of a reference value that serves as a reference for a parameter corresponding to a channel and a set value of a parameter for each of the channels; a parameter acquisition unit that acquires an acquired value of a parameter for each of the channels for which a set value is not set; a first processing unit that compares the set value and the acquired value with the reference value, or compares the set value and the acquired value with each other; and a second processing unit that performs processing related to the set value and the acquired value depending on the result of the comparison.

3. The communication relay system according to claim 1, wherein the parameter setting unit sets information regarding the duplexing method of the channel to the reference value and the set value, and the first processing unit compares the reference value with the set value or compares the set values ​​with each other to determine whether or not there is interference between the channels.

4. The communication relay system of claim 1, wherein the parameter setting unit sets information about the frequency and bandwidth of the channel to the reference value and the set value, and the first processing unit compares the reference value with the set value or compares the set values ​​with each other to determine whether or not there is interference between the channels.

5. The communication relay system according to claim 1, wherein the parameter setting unit sets information regarding the output timing of the downlink signal to the reference value and the set value, and the first processing unit compares the reference value with the set value to determine whether or not there is interference between the channels.

6. The communication relay system described in claim 2, wherein the parameter setting unit sets information regarding the gain of the channel to the reference value and the set value, the parameter acquisition unit acquires information regarding the input level of the channel, and the first processing unit uses the set value and the acquired value to determine whether the output level of the channel is saturated or not, relative to the reference value.

7. The communication relay system described in claim 2, wherein the parameter setting unit sets information regarding the output timing of the downlink signal to the reference value and the set value, the parameter acquisition unit acquires information regarding the output timing of the downlink signal, and the first processing unit compares the reference value with the set value and the acquired value to determine whether or not there is interference between the channels.

8. The communication relay system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second processing unit records the result of the comparison made by the first processing unit.

9. The communication relay system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second processing unit notifies at least one of an administrator of the channel and an administrator of the communication relay system of the result of the comparison by the first processing unit.

10. A communication relay system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second processing unit blocks at least one of the downlink signal and the uplink signal of the channel corresponding to the result of the comparison by the first processing unit.

11. The communication relay system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second processing unit limits the setting value based on the comparison result of the first processing unit.

12. A communication relay system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second processing unit changes the setting value of the channel corresponding to the result of the comparison by the first processing unit.

13. The communication relay system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second processing unit sets the setting value, which matches the reference value based on the comparison result of the first processing unit, to the radio resource.

14. A communication relay method using a communication relay system that relays communications between a base station and a communication terminal, the communication relay system comprising: a master station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of slave station devices that are connected to the master station device and receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal, the master station device setting a reference value that serves as a reference for a parameter corresponding to a channel and a setting value for the parameter for each channel, and comparing the reference value with the setting value, or comparing the setting values ​​with each other and performing processing related to the setting value depending on the result of the comparison.

15. A communication relay method using a communication relay system that relays communications between a base station and a communication terminal, the communication relay system comprising: a master station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station; and a plurality of slave station devices that are connected to the master station device and receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal, wherein the master station device sets reference values ​​that serve as references for parameters corresponding to channels and set values ​​for the parameters for each channel, acquires acquired values ​​for parameters of the channels for which set values ​​are not set, compares the set values ​​and the acquired values ​​with the reference values, and performs processing related to the set values ​​and the acquired values ​​depending on the results of the comparison.

16. A communication relay system that relays communications between a base station and a communication terminal, comprising: a master station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station; and multiple slave station devices that are connected to the master station device and receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal; and a program that sets, in the master station device, a reference value that serves as a reference for a parameter corresponding to a channel and a setting value for the parameter for each channel, compares the reference value with the setting value, or compares the setting values ​​with each other, and executes processing related to the setting value depending on the result of the comparison.

17. A communication relay system that relays communications between a base station and a communication terminal, comprising: a parent station device that receives a downlink radio signal from the base station; and multiple child station devices that are connected to the parent station device and receive an uplink radio signal from the communication terminal, wherein the parent station device is a computer and a program is provided to set reference values ​​that serve as references for parameters corresponding to channels and set values ​​for the parameters for each channel; acquire acquired values ​​for parameters in the channels for which set values ​​are not set; compare the set values ​​and acquired values ​​with the reference values; and execute processing related to the set values ​​and acquired values ​​depending on the results of the comparison.

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