Control device and path switching method
The control device and method facilitate rapid route switching in interconnected networks by using wireless environment information to detect changes and switch routes, addressing the challenge of prolonged interruptions in existing systems.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- NT T INC
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-11
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
Existing communication systems struggle to promptly detect and switch routes in interconnected networks, particularly when failures occur in wireless sections, leading to prolonged communication interruptions.
A control device and method that includes a wireless communication network, a wired communication network, and an interconnected communication network, with a receiving unit that periodically receives wireless environment information to detect changes and control route switching between different networks, ensuring seamless transitions to redundant routes.
This approach reduces communication interruption time by enabling rapid detection and switching of routes in response to environmental changes, ensuring continuous communication even in the presence of network failures.
Smart Images
Figure JP2024039979_15052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Control Device and Route Switching Method
[0001] The present invention relates to a control device and a route switching method.
[0002] With the reduction of latency and the improvement of reliability in wireless communication systems, a low-latency and highly reliable optical access network (NW) is also required in the wired communication network (NW) accommodated in the wireless communication system.
[0003] In the prior art, there is a ring-type optical access network system that can restore communication by switching to a redundant route (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This ring-type optical access network system has a configuration in which a ring-shaped optical fiber transmission path includes a plurality of station-side optical switches and a plurality of subscriber-side optical switches. Each station-side optical switch is connected to one station-side device, and each subscriber-side switch is connected to a plurality of subscriber-side devices. When a fiber failure occurs, the ring-type optical access network system changes the routes of the station-side device and the subscriber-side device where the communication interruption has occurred to a redundant route when the station-side optical switch can receive an optical signal from the station-side device upon notification of communication interruption of the station-side device. When the station-side optical switch cannot receive an optical signal from the station-side device, it transfers the communication setting information of the station-side device to another station-side device and outputs an instruction to change the route.
[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-085309
[0005] The above-described prior art is a recovery method closed within the optical access network system. Therefore, when other networks or systems are connected, it may be difficult to promptly detect the trigger for switching to a redundant route. For example, when a wireless base station is connected to the optical access network system, even if a failure occurs in the wireless section, the optical access network cannot detect the abnormality. Therefore, it is difficult to perform control to change the route in cooperation between systems, and there is a concern that the communication interruption time will be prolonged.
[0006] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a control device and a route switching method that can shorten the time of communication interruption even when a failure occurs in one network in a communication system in which different networks are interconnected.
[0007] A control device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a wireless communication network having a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device that convert wireless signals and wired signals; a wired communication network connected to the wireless communication network and having a distribution device that transfers wired signals; and an interconnected communication network having a first wireless communication device and a second processing device connected to the wired communication network, the receiving unit which repeatedly receives wireless environment information indicating the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device at different timings from the first wireless communication device; and a control unit which, when it detects that a predetermined change has occurred in the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device based on the received wireless environment information, controls the interconnected communication network to switch a first route of a terminal device that communicates with the first processing device via the first wireless communication device and the distribution device to a second route that communicates with the second processing device via the second wireless communication device and the distribution device.
[0008] A route switching method according to one aspect of the present invention includes a receiving step of repeatedly receiving at different timings wireless environment information indicating the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device from the first wireless communication device in an interconnected communication network having a wireless communication network having a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device that convert wireless signals and wired signals, a wired communication network connected to the wireless communication network and having a distribution device that transfers wired signals, and a first processing device and a second processing device connected to the wired communication network; and a control step of controlling the interconnected communication network to switch a first route of a terminal device that communicates with the first processing device via the first wireless communication device and the distribution device to a second route that communicates with the second processing device via the second wireless communication device and the distribution device, when a predetermined change has occurred in the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device based on the received wireless environment information.
[0009] This invention makes it possible to reduce the time of communication interruption in a communication system in which different networks are interconnected, even if a failure occurs in one of the networks.
[0010] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment. This figure shows an example of a connection information table according to the first embodiment. This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment. This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment. This is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system according to the first embodiment. This figure shows an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment. This figure shows an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the third embodiment. This is a schematic diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device applicable to the first to third embodiments.
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0012] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 shows the configuration of a communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The communication system 1 includes one or more terminal devices 2, two or more wireless base stations 3, one or more circuit distribution devices 4, two or more computing processing devices 5, a wireless communication network control device 6, a wired communication network control device 7, and a computing processing device control device 8. The direction from the terminal device 2 to the computing processing device 5 is called upstream, and the direction from the computing processing device 5 to the terminal device 2 is called downstream. The wireless base station 3 and the circuit distribution device 4 are connected by a transmission path 91 of the first transmission section. The circuit distribution device 4 and the computing processing device 5 are connected by a transmission path 92 of the second transmission section. Transmission paths 91 and 92 each transmit wired signals. The wired signals are, for example, optical signals. When the wired signals are optical signals, transmission paths 91 and 92 are, for example, optical fibers. Relay devices and amplification devices may be provided between optical fibers. The wired signals may also be electrical signals. If the wired signal is an electrical signal, then transmission lines 91 and 92 are communication cables that transmit electrical signals. Relay devices, amplifiers, etc., may be provided between the communication cables.
[0013] In the following, the two wireless base stations 3 will be referred to as wireless base stations 3-1 and 3-2, and the two computing devices 5 will be referred to as computing devices 5-1 and 5-2. The transmission path 91 between wireless base station 3-1 and the circuit distribution device 4 will be referred to as transmission path 91-1, the transmission path 91 between wireless base station 3-2 and the circuit distribution device 4 will be referred to as transmission path 91-2, the transmission path 92 between the circuit distribution device 4 and the computing device 5-1 will be referred to as transmission path 92-1, and the transmission path 92 between the circuit distribution device 4 and the computing device 5-2 will be referred to as transmission path 92-2. Furthermore, assume that route P1 passes through terminal device 2, wireless base station 3-1, circuit distribution device 4, and computing device 5-1, and that route P2, the destination of route P1, passes through terminal device 2, wireless base station 3-2, circuit distribution device 4, and computing device 5-2.
[0014] The terminal device 2 and the wireless base station 3 constitute a wireless network (wireless communication network). Each device within the wireless network, such as the terminal device 2 and the wireless base station 3, is controlled by the wireless communication network control device 6. The terminal device 2 communicates wirelessly with the wireless base station 3. The terminal device 2 communicates wirelessly with one wireless base station 3 at a time.
[0015] The wireless base station 3 accommodates one or more terminal devices 2. The wireless base station 3 converts wireless signals received from the terminal devices 2 into wired signals such as optical signals or electrical signals and outputs them to the transmission path 91, and converts wired signals such as optical signals or electrical signals input from the transmission path 91 into wireless signals and transmits them to the terminal devices 2.
[0016] The circuit distribution device 4, transmission lines 91 and 92 constitute a wired network (wired communication network). Each device within the wired section, such as the circuit distribution device 4, is controlled by the wired communication network control device 7. The circuit distribution device 4 constructs multiple paths by connecting the wireless base station 3 and the computing processing unit 5. For example, the circuit distribution device 4 has a plurality of first ports and a plurality of second ports. Each first port is connected to each transmission line 91, and each second port is connected to each transmission line 92. The circuit distribution device 4 outputs wired signals input from a first port from the second port corresponding to that first port, and outputs wired signals input from a second port from the first port corresponding to that second port, according to settings made by the wired communication network control device 7 and input devices (not shown). At this time, the circuit distribution device 4 may perform conversions of wired signals, such as converting electrical signals to optical signals.
[0017] The computing device 5 transmits and receives wired signals via the transmission line 92. The computing device 5 receives information from the terminal device 2 or the wireless base station 3 and processes the received information. Furthermore, the computing device 5 transmits information indicating the processing results to the terminal device 2 or the wireless base station 3. In addition, the computing device 5 establishes a communication session with the wireless base station 3 and processes applications used by the terminal device 2, as needed.
[0018] The wireless communication network control device 6 includes a linking unit 61, a data collection control unit 62, and a storage unit 63. The linking unit 61 transmits and receives data with terminal devices 2 and wireless base stations 3. The linking unit 61 transmits and receives data with terminal devices 2 via wireless base stations 3 that the terminal devices 2 can communicate with. The linking unit 61 also transmits and receives data with the linking unit 71 of the wired communication network control device 7 and the linking unit 81 of the computing processing device control device 8.
[0019] The data collection control unit 62 collects and controls information from control target devices within the wireless section, such as the terminal device 2 and the wireless base station 3, via the coordination unit 61, and also performs setting changes and status monitoring of the control target devices. The information collected includes, for example, status information such as connection status and communication quality in the wireless environment, and the operating status of each functional unit and component within the device. The data collection control unit 62 communicates with the coordination unit 71 of the wired communication network control device 7 and the coordination unit 81 of the computing processing device control device 8 via the coordination unit 61 at the appropriate timing. When the data collection control unit 62 detects a change in the wireless section environment based on the collected wireless environment information, it reads the switching destination route from the storage unit 63. The data collection control unit 62 instructs the control target devices in the wireless section, such as the terminal device 2 and the wireless base station 3, to switch to the read switching destination route, and also instructs the wired communication network control device 7 and the computing processing device control device 8 to switch to the switching destination route via the coordination unit 61. The storage unit 63 stores a connection table that shows the route between the terminal device 2 and the computing processing device 5, and the information of the switching destination route for that route.
[0020] The wired communication network control device 7 has a linking unit 71 and a data collection control unit 72. The linking unit 71 transmits and receives data with the circuit distribution device 4. The linking unit 71 also transmits and receives data with the linking unit 61 of the wireless communication network control device 6 and the linking unit 81 of the computing processing device control device 8.
[0021] The data collection control unit 72 collects and controls information from controlled devices in the wired section, such as the circuit distribution device 4, via the coordination unit 71, and also changes the settings and monitors the status of the controlled devices. The information collected from the circuit distribution device 4 includes, for example, information such as the connection status with other devices, communication quality, and the operating status of each functional unit and component within the device. The data collection control unit 72 communicates with the wireless communication network control device 6 and the computing processing device control device 8 via the coordination unit 71. The data collection control unit 72 instructs the controlled devices in the wired section, such as the circuit distribution device 4, to switch to the destination route according to the route switching instruction received from the wireless communication network control device 6 via the coordination unit 71.
[0022] The computing processing unit control device 8 includes a communication unit 81 and a data collection control unit 82. The communication unit 81 transmits and receives data with the computing processing unit 5. The communication unit 81 also transmits and receives data with the communication unit 61 of the wireless communication network control device 6 and the communication unit 71 of the wired communication network control device 7.
[0023] The data collection control unit 82 collects and controls information from the computing device 5 via the linkage unit 81, and performs setting changes and status monitoring of the computing device 5. The information collected includes, for example, the connection status with other devices, communication quality, and the operating status of each functional unit and component within the device. The data collection control unit 82 changes the settings of the computing device 5 according to the route switching instruction received from the wired communication network control device 7 via the linkage unit 81, and switches the computing device 5 to which the terminal device 2 is connected.
[0024] In order to immediately select the appropriate computing device 5 in response to changes in the network environment, it is necessary to detect changes in the network environment and simultaneously perform network switching between the wired and wireless sections, as well as switching of the computing device 5. In this embodiment, with the above configuration, each control device of the wireless communication network control device 6, the wired communication network control device 7, and the computing device control device 8 collects and controls information on their respective controlled devices and performs setting changes and status monitoring of the controlled devices. Each control device communicates with other control devices via the linking units 61, 71, and 81 at the appropriate timing to exchange information. As a result, the communication system 1 appropriately switches between the wireless section, the wired section, and the computing device 5 in response to changes in the wireless environment in the wireless section. The communication system 1 enables the selection of the computing device 5 in response to changes in the network environment by performing real-time coordination between systems using the linking units 61, 71, and 81.
[0025] Thus, in this embodiment, when a change occurs in the communication environment of the wireless base station 3, each control device communicates using the coordinating units 61, 71, and 81, thereby shortening the time from the detection of a communication interruption to the completion of the switch between the wired and wireless sections.
[0026] For example, if there is a difference in processing power between the computing devices 5, such as computing device 5-1 having low processing power and computing device 5-2 having high processing power, the following two use cases can be envisioned. The first is when a specific terminal device 2 is connected to the wireless base station 3 to be controlled, and high processing power is temporarily required. In this case, for example, the computing device 5 is selected depending on the application being executed. The second is when the number of terminal devices 2 connected to the wireless base station 3 to be controlled temporarily increases. The increase in terminal devices 2 raises concerns about insufficient processing power for the computing device 5. By using this embodiment in these two use cases, the communication system 1 selects a computing device 5 in response to changes in the NW environment and controls the wireless and wired network sections according to the selected computing device 5. This makes it possible to continuously meet a certain level of requirements demanded by the user.
[0027] In conventional communication systems, even when changes occur in the wireless section environment, it can be difficult for the computing device 5 to immediately detect these changes. In such cases, a decision is made to switch to another computing device 5 when the load on the computing device 5 increases. Thus, in conventional technology, the switching of computing device 5 is based on changes in the state of the computing device 5 and is not linked to the state of other sections such as the wireless section. Therefore, there are concerns about temporary quality degradation of applications used by the terminal device 2.
[0028] Furthermore, when constructing an end-to-end optical path from the wireless base station 3 to the computing processing unit 5, as in the APN (All Photonics Network), it is not possible to use overlapping wavelengths in each transmission path. Therefore, it is desirable to use as few wavelengths as possible in each wired section. However, in order to prepare multiple paths in the communication system in advance, different wavelengths must be assigned to each of those paths. This is undesirable from the standpoint of wavelength resources and power saving.
[0029] On the other hand, the aforementioned communication system 1 promptly notifies the wireless network environment changes obtained based on the wireless environment information received from the wireless base station 3 using the coordination units 61, 71, and 81 of the wireless communication network control device 6, the wired communication network control device 7, and the computing device control device 8. This allows the wired and wireless sections to be switched in conjunction with the change in the connected computing device 5. When a change occurs in the connection status of the wireless environment, the coordination units 61, 71, and 81 located in each control unit communicate to change the connected computing device 5 of the terminal device 2, and furthermore, to switch both the wired and wireless sections. This shortens the switching time.
[0030] Next, we will explain an example of the operation of the communication system 1 shown in Figure 1. Here, we will explain an example in which the wireless communication network control device 6 detects a change in the wireless environment between the terminal device 2 and the wireless base station 3-1 while the terminal device 2 and the computing processing device 5-1 are communicating via path P1.
[0031] Figure 2 shows an example of a connection information table. The connection information table is stored in the storage unit 63 of the wireless communication network control device 6. The connection information table contains multiple connection information entries. The routes indicated by the second and subsequent connection information entries are the routes to which the first connection information entry will be switched, i.e., backup routes. The connection information includes connection information identification information, route identification information, and information on the wireless base stations 3 and computing processing devices 5 along the route. If there are multiple routes to which the connection information will be switched, three or more connection information entries will be set in the connection information table. In this case, priority may be assigned to the connection information of the routes to which the connection information will be switched. For example, the lower the connection information number or the row number in the connection information table, the higher the priority may be.
[0032] With the wireless base station 3-1 and the computing device 5-1 connected via route P1, connection information C1 indicating the configuration of route P1 and connection information C2 indicating the configuration of the destination route P2 are set in the connection information table. The connection information table may be pre-loaded into the wireless communication network control device 6. The collection control unit 62 of the wireless communication network control device 6 detects a predetermined change in the wireless environment during communication via route P1 indicated by connection information C1, and changes the settings of the terminal device 2 and the wireless base station 3 to switch to the destination route P2 indicated by connection information C2 from the connection information table. Furthermore, the collection control unit 62 instructs the wired communication network control device 7 and the computing device control device 8 to switch to route P2. The wired communication network control device 7 changes the setting of the circuit distribution device 4 to route P2 according to the received switching instruction, and the computing device control device 8 switches route P2 to the computing device 5-2 according to the received switching instruction.
[0033] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 1. First, the terminal device 2 and the wireless base station 3-1 establish a connection (step S101), and the wireless base station 3-1 establish a connection with the circuit distribution device 4 (step S102). Furthermore, the circuit distribution device 4 establishes a connection with the computing processing device 5-1 (step S103). The circuit distribution device 4 has a correspondence set between a first port to which transmission line 91-1 is connected and a second port to which transmission line 92-1 is connected. As a result, the terminal device 2 communicates with the computing processing device 5-1 via route P1 (step S104).
[0034] Specifically, the wireless base station 3-1 converts the wireless signal received from the terminal device 2 into a wired signal and outputs it to the transmission line 91-1. The circuit distribution device 4 receives the wired signal transmitted through the transmission line 91-1 and outputs it to the transmission line 92-1. The computing processing device 5-1 receives the wired signal transmitted through the transmission line 92-1. The computing processing device 5-1 also outputs a wired signal destined for the terminal device 2 or the wireless base station 3-1 to the transmission line 92-1. The circuit distribution device 4 receives the wired signal transmitted through the transmission line 92-1 and outputs it to the transmission line 91-1. The wireless base station 3-1 converts the wired signal transmitted through the transmission line 91-1 into a wireless signal and transmits it to the terminal device 2.
[0035] The data collection control unit 62 of the wireless communication network control device 6 periodically accesses the monitored wireless base station 3-1 via the cooperation unit 61 to check its normal status (step S105). For example, the data collection control unit 62 periodically sends queries to the wireless base station 3-1 (step S106) and obtains wireless environment information from the wireless base station 3-1 (step S107). The wireless environment information includes the number of connected terminals, which indicates the number of terminal devices 2 connected to the wireless base station 3-1; the wireless communication quality at the wireless base station 3-1; identification information of the terminal devices 2 connected to the wireless base station 3-1; and identification information of the application for which communication is occurring at the terminal devices 2. Based on the wireless environment information received from the wireless base station 3-1 and the time-series wireless environment information, the data collection control unit 62 determines that the wireless base station 3-1 is functioning normally.
[0036] Next, the communication system 1 detects a change in the wireless environment at the wireless base station 3-1 (step S1). Step S1 includes the operations of the following steps S111 to S115.
[0037] After a change occurs in the wireless environment of the wireless base station 3-1 (step S111), the data collection control unit 62 of the wireless communication network control device 6 sends a query for the next cycle to the wireless base station 3-1 (step S112) and acquires wireless environment information (step S113). The data collection control unit 62 detects changes in the wireless environment based on the wireless environment information acquired from the wireless base station 3-1 or time-series wireless environment information (step S114). For example, the data collection control unit 62 determines that the wireless environment has changed when the number of connected terminals exceeds a predetermined threshold, when the increase in the number of connected terminals or the rate of increase exceeds a predetermined threshold, when the communication quality is above or below a predetermined threshold for determining low quality, when the rate of deterioration of communication quality exceeds a threshold, when the connection of a specific terminal device 2 is detected, or when access from a specific application is detected.
[0038] When the data collection control unit 62 detects a change in the wireless environment, it refers to the connection information table stored in the storage unit 63 to identify the connection information C1 for route P1 using the wireless base station 3-1. The data collection control unit 62 reads the connection information C2 for the destination route of connection information C1 from the connection information table. The data collection control unit 62 decides to switch to route P2 indicated by the read connection information C2 (step S115). In this way, the determination of the destination route is made based on pre-set connection information. When the wireless communication network control device 6 switches routes after detecting a change in the wireless environment, it uses the pre-set connection information as described above to make the destination of each device and route unique.
[0039] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 1, a continuation of Figure 3. The wired communication network control device 7 and the computing processing device control device 8 switch to route P2 based on instructions from the wireless communication network control device 6 (step S2). Step S2 includes the operations of the following steps S201 to S208.
[0040] The data collection control unit 62 of the wireless communication network control device 6 instructs the computing device control device 8 to switch from computing device 5-1 to computing device 5-2 via the linkage unit 61 (step S201). The data collection control unit 82 of the computing device control device 8 receives the switching instruction from the wireless communication network control device 6 via the linkage unit 81. The data collection control unit 82 accesses computing device 5-1 and computing device 5-2 via the linkage unit 81 and performs the switch from computing device 5-1 to computing device 5-2 (steps S202, S203). At this time, processing currently being performed in computing device 5-1 may be transferred to computing device 5-2 without interruption using techniques such as live migration. The computing device 5-2 establishes a connection with the line distribution device 4 according to the instructions from the computing device control device 8 (step S204).
[0041] Furthermore, the data collection control unit 62 of the wireless communication network control device 6 instructs the wired communication network control device 7 to switch from route P1 to route P2 via the coordination unit 61 (step S205). The data collection control unit 72 of the wired communication network control device 7 receives instructions from the wireless communication network control device 6 via the coordination unit 71. The data collection control unit 72 instructs the circuit distribution device 4 via the coordination unit 71 to switch route P1 between the wireless base station 3-1 and the computing processing unit 5-1 to route P2 between the wireless base station 3-2 and the computing processing unit 5-2 (step S206). Specifically, the data collection control unit 72 instructs changes to the connection relationship due to the change from computing processing unit 5-1 to computing processing unit 5-2, and changes to the connection relationship due to the change from wireless base station 3-1 to wireless base station 3-2. The circuit distribution device 4 changes the connection settings to switch route P1 between the wireless base station 3-1 and the computing processing unit 5-1 to route P2 between the wireless base station 3-2 and the computing processing unit 5-2 according to the received instructions (step S207). Furthermore, the circuit distribution device 4 establishes a connection with the wireless base station 3-2 (step S208). This configures the connection between the computing processing unit 5-2 and the wireless base station 3-2.
[0042] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the communication system 1, a continuation of Figure 4. The wireless communication network control device 6 notifies the terminal device 2 and the wireless base station 3 of the change in connection from wireless base station 3-1 to wireless base station 3-2, and configures the connection between wireless base station 3-2 and the terminal device 2 (step S3). Step S3 includes the operations of the following steps S301 to S304.
[0043] The data collection control unit 62 of the wireless communication network control device 6 transmits a switching instruction to wireless base station 3-2 to wireless base station 3-1 and terminal device 2 via the coordination unit 61 (steps S301, S302). Wireless base station 3-2 may obtain information regarding communication with terminal device 2 from wireless base station 3-1. Terminal device 2 changes its connection destination from wireless base station 3-1 to wireless base station 3-2 according to the instruction received from wireless communication network control device 6 (step S303). As a result, a connection is established between terminal device 2 and wireless base station 3-2 (step S304).
[0044] Through the above processing, the terminal device 2 and the calculation processing device 5-2 are connected by the path P2. Specifically, the radio base station 3-2 converts the radio signal received from the terminal device 2 into a wired signal and outputs it to the transmission line 91-2. The line distribution device 4 inputs the wired signal transmitted through the transmission line 91-2 and outputs it to the transmission line 92-2. The calculation processing device 5-2 receives the wired signal transmitted through the transmission line 92-2. In addition, the calculation processing device 5-2 outputs a wired signal addressed to the terminal device 2 or the radio base station 3-2 to the transmission line 92-2. The line distribution device 4 inputs the wired signal transmitted through the transmission line 92-2 and outputs it to the transmission line 91-2. The radio base station 3-2 converts the wired signal transmitted through the transmission line 91-2 into a radio signal and transmits it to the terminal device 2. Among the radio communication network control device 6, the wired communication network control device 7, and the calculation processing device control device 8, a change notification indicating that the change to the switching destination path based on the connection information has been completed is made.
[0045] Note that part or all of the processing from step S201 to step S204, the processing from step S205 to step S208, and the processing from step S301 to step S303 may be performed in parallel or in a swapped order.
[0046] By the operations shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the connection destination of the terminal device 2 can be quickly changed to the calculation processing device 5-2. Therefore, it is possible to switch the network to an appropriate calculation processing device 5 according to the usage purpose.
[0047] Specifically, the communication system 1 can be configured as follows. For example, as the radio base station 3, a Wi-Fi AP (access point) or a radio base station in a cellular system can be used. The radio base station in a cellular system is, for example, an eNB (eNodeB) or a gNB (gNodeB). The radio base station 3 is a device that communicates wirelessly with the terminal device 2 and communicates with the upper NW by wire such as optical communication.
[0048] As the line distribution device 4, an optical switch is mainly used. When the line distribution device 4 shown in FIG. 1 is an optical switch, the line distribution device 4 uniquely establishes a physical connection relationship from among 2 inputs × 2 outputs = 4 paths. The calculation processing device 5 is mainly a device implemented by a CPU (central processing unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) such as a server. The calculation processing device 5 performs calculation processing necessary for communication with the terminal device 2 and video processing of applications used in the terminal device 2 and the like.
[0049] The wireless communication network control device 6 is a controller that controls the radio base station 3. For example, the wireless communication network control device 6 is a device that controls the terminal device 2, such as a RIC (RAN Intelligence Controller) or a Wi-Fi controller. The wired communication network control device 7 is a controller that controls the line distribution device 4. The wired communication network control device 7 performs control such as monitoring the life and death of the line distribution device 4 and changing the path. The calculation processing device control device 8 is a controller that controls the calculation processing device 5. The calculation processing device control device 8 performs resource management of a physical server such as a virtualization platform.
[0050] Further, when this embodiment is applied to a cellular system, with the division of wireless signal processing by the radio base station 3 and the calculation processing device 5, the optical transmission section is defined as MBH (Mobile Back-Haul), MFH (Mobile Front-haul), MMH (Mobile Mid-haul), or the like. For example, when the communication system 1 is applied to 5G (5th Generation Mobile Communication System: the fifth-generation mobile communication system), the calculation processing device 5 may execute the functions of a DU (Distributed Unit) or a CU (Central Unit) and the function of a UPF (User Plane Function) that is an endpoint of the U-plane of 5GC (5th Generation Core network).
[0051] According to the embodiment described above, the wireless communication network control device 6, the wired communication network control device 7, and the computing processing device control device 8 communicate directly via the coordinating units 61, 71, and 81, thereby shortening the time required for processing from the detection of a change in the wireless environment of the wireless base station 3 to the switching. Furthermore, in the conventional technology, redundant paths were configured by preparing two different paths in advance in the circuit distribution device 4 and always assigning different wavelengths to those paths. However, by applying this embodiment, the same wavelength can be used for paths P1 and P2, and path switching can be completed quickly, so a reduction in the number of wavelengths in that section can also be expected.
[0052] (Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, the coordinating units of each control device do not communicate directly with each other, but communicate via an integrated management control device.
[0053] Figure 6 shows a communication system 11 of the second embodiment. In the communication system 11 of the second embodiment shown in Figure 6, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the communication system 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, and their descriptions are omitted. The difference between the communication system 11 shown in Figure 6 and the communication system 1 shown in Figure 1 is that the second embodiment further includes an integrated management control device 110.
[0054] The linking unit 61 of the wireless communication network control device 6 transmits data destined for the wired communication network control device 7 and data destined for the computing processing device control device 8 to the integrated management control device 110. The linking unit 71 of the wired communication network control device 7 transmits data destined for the wireless communication network control device 6 and data destined for the computing processing device control device 8 to the integrated management control device 110. The linking unit 81 of the computing processing device control device 8 transmits data destined for the wireless communication network control device 6 and data destined for the wired communication network control device 7 to the integrated management control device 110.
[0055] The integrated management control device 110 includes an integrated management control unit 111. The integrated management control unit 111 transmits data received from the linkage unit 61 to one or both of the linkage units 71 and 81 depending on the destination, transmits data received from the linkage unit 71 to one or both of the linkage units 61 and 81 depending on the destination, and transmits data received from the linkage unit 81 to one or both of the linkage units 61 and 71 depending on the destination. The integrated management control unit 111 may also convert the protocol and data format used in the data received from the linkage unit 61, linkage unit 71, or linkage unit 81 to the protocol and data format used by the destination linkage unit 61, linkage unit 71, or linkage unit 81 before transmitting. For example, in an NW orchestrator, the wireless communication network control device 6, wired communication network control device 7, and computing processing device control device 8 that control the control units and controllers of various controlled devices communicate via the integrated management control unit 111. Although this is less fast than direct communication, it allows for communication using a common interface, resulting in a simpler configuration in terms of implementation.
[0056] (Third Embodiment) In the third embodiment, the wireless communication network control device, the wired communication network control device, and the computing device control device are integrated and implemented into a single integrated management control device.
[0057] Figure 7 shows the configuration of the communication system 12 according to the third embodiment. In the communication system 12 of the third embodiment shown in Figure 7, the same reference numerals are used for parts that are the same as those in the communication system 1 of the first embodiment shown in Figure 1, and their descriptions are omitted. The difference between the communication system 12 shown in Figure 7 and the communication system 1 shown in Figure 1 is that the communication system 12 is equipped with an integrated management control device 120 that consolidates the wireless communication network control device 6, the wired communication network control device 7, and the computing device control device 8.
[0058] The integrated management control device 120 comprises a wireless communication network control unit 60, a wired communication network control unit 70, and a computing processing unit control unit 80. The wireless communication network control unit 60 has a linkage unit 61, a data collection control unit 62, and a storage unit 63. The wired communication network control unit 70 has a linkage unit 71 and a data collection control unit 72. The computing processing unit control unit 80 has a linkage unit 81 and a data collection control unit 82. For example, the wireless communication network control unit 60, the wired communication network control unit 70, and the computing processing unit control unit 80 may be implemented on a single physical server computer as virtual machines or containers, or they may be implemented as a program that executes the wireless communication network control unit 60, the wired communication network control unit 70, and the computing processing unit control unit 80 as a single process on the CPU.
[0059] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the hardware configuration example of the wireless communication network control device 6, wired communication network control device 7, computing processing device control device 8, and integrated management control devices 110 and 120 applied to this embodiment. The information processing device 900 comprises a processor 901, main memory 902, communication interface 903, auxiliary storage device 904, input / output interface 905, and internal bus 906. The processor 901, main memory 902, communication interface 903, auxiliary storage device 904, and input / output interface 905 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate via the internal bus 906. The information processing device 900 may be applied to, for example, the wireless communication network control device 6, wired communication network control device 7, computing processing device control device 8, and integrated management control devices 110 and 120. For example, the cooperation units 61, 71, 81 and the integrated management control units 111 and 121 correspond to the communication interface 903. Also, for example, the storage unit 63 may be configured using the auxiliary storage device 904. Some or all of the linkage units 61, 71, 81, the data collection control units 62, 72, 82, and the integrated management control units 111, 121 may be configured using a processor 901 and a main memory 902. Some or all of the functions of the linkage units 61, 71, 81, the data collection control units 62, 72, 82, and the integrated management control units 111, 121 may be implemented using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).
[0060] Furthermore, the wireless communication network control device 6, the wired communication network control device 7, the computing processing device control device 8, and the integrated management control devices 110 and 120 may be implemented using multiple information processing devices. For example, the wireless communication network control device 6, the wired communication network control device 7, the computing processing device control device 8, and the integrated management control devices 110 and 120 may be implemented using a cloud or similar device. Note that it is arbitrary which functional unit of the wireless communication network control device 6, the wired communication network control device 7, the computing processing device control device 8, and the integrated management control devices 110 and 120 is implemented in which information processing device. Also, one functional unit of the wireless communication network control device 6, the wired communication network control device 7, the computing processing device control device 8, and the integrated management control devices 110 and 120 may be realized by multiple information processing devices.
[0061] According to the embodiment described above, the control device has a receiving unit and a control unit. For example, the control device corresponds to the wireless communication network control device 6, wired communication network control device 7, computing processing device control device 8, and integrated management control devices 110 and 120 of the embodiment. Also, for example, the receiving unit corresponds to the linking unit 61 of the embodiment, and the control unit corresponds to the collection control unit 62, collection control unit 72 and collection control unit 82 of the embodiment. The receiving unit repeatedly receives wireless environment information indicating the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device from the first wireless communication device in an interconnected communication network having a wireless communication network having a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device that convert wireless signals and wired signals, a wired communication network connected to the wireless communication network and having a distribution device that transfers wired signals, and a first processing device and a second processing device connected to the wired communication network, at different timings. For example, the first wireless communication device and the second wireless communication device correspond to the wireless base station 3 of the embodiment, the distribution device corresponds to the line distribution device 4 of the embodiment, and the first processing device and the second processing device correspond to the computing processing device 5 of the embodiment. When the control unit detects a predetermined change in the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device based on the received wireless environment information, it controls the interconnected communication network to switch the first path of a terminal device communicating with the first processing unit via the first wireless communication device and distribution device to a second path communicating with the second processing unit via the second wireless communication device and distribution device.
[0062] The predetermined changes include, for example, a decrease in the quality of wireless communication, the number of terminal devices connected to the first wireless communication device, and the connection of predetermined terminal devices. Furthermore, the second path to which the first path is switched may be determined in advance before the predetermined change in the wireless environment is detected. Also, the wired signal may be an optical signal.
[0063] The control unit may include a wireless communication network control unit for controlling the wireless communication network, a wired communication network control unit for controlling the wired communication network, and a processing unit control unit for controlling the first and second processing units. For example, the wireless communication network control unit corresponds to the wireless communication network control unit 6 and the wireless communication network control unit 60 of the embodiment, the wired communication network control unit corresponds to the wired communication network control unit 7 and the wired communication network control unit 70 of the embodiment, and the processing unit control unit corresponds to the computing processing unit control unit 8 and the computing processing unit control unit 80 of the embodiment. When the wireless communication network control unit detects that a predetermined change has occurred in the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device based on wireless environment information, it performs the following processes: instructing the wireless communication network to switch the wireless connection destination of the terminal device to the second wireless communication device; instructing the wired communication network control unit to switch the transfer of wired signals between the first wireless communication device and the first processing unit to the transfer of wired signals between the second wireless communication device and the second processing unit; and instructing the processing unit control unit to connect the second processing unit to the distribution device.
[0064] The control device can also be implemented using a computer and a program, and the program can be recorded on a recording medium or provided via a network.
[0065] While embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to these embodiments and include designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention.
[0066] 1, 11, 12 Communication System 2 Terminal Device 3-1, 3-2 Wireless Base Station 4 Circuit Distribution Device 5-1, 5-1 Computing Processor 6 Wireless Communication Network Control Device 7 Wired Communication Network Control Device 8 Computing Processor Control Device 60 Wireless Communication Network Control Unit 61 Coordination Unit 62 Data Collection Control Unit 63 Storage Unit 70 Wired Communication Network Control Unit 71 Coordination Unit 72 Data Collection Control Unit 80 Computing Processor Control Unit 81 Coordination Unit 82 Data Collection Control Unit 91-1, 91-2, 92-1, 92-2 Transmission Line 110, 120 Integrated Management Control Device 111, 121 Integrated Management Control Unit 900 Information Processing Device 901 Processor 902 Main Memory 903 Communication Interface 904 Auxiliary Storage Device 905 Input / Output Interface 906 Internal Bus
Claims
1. A control device comprising: a receiving unit that repeatedly receives at different timings wireless environment information indicating the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device from the first wireless communication device in an interconnected communication network having a wireless communication network having a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device that convert wireless signals and wired signals; a wired communication network connected to the wireless communication network and having a distribution device that transfers wired signals; and a first processing device and a second processing device connected to the wired communication network; and a control unit that controls the interconnected communication network to switch a first path of a terminal device that communicates with the first processing device via the first wireless communication device and the distribution device to a second path that communicates with the second processing device via the second wireless communication device and the distribution device when it detects that a predetermined change has occurred in the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device based on the received wireless environment information.
2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined change is a decrease in the quality of wireless communication, the number of terminal devices connected to the first wireless communication device, and the connection of predetermined terminal devices.
3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the second path to which the first path is switched is predetermined before a predetermined change in the wireless environment is detected.
4. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the wired signal is an optical signal.
5. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a wireless communication network control unit for controlling the wireless communication network, a wired communication network control unit for controlling the wired communication network, and a processing unit control unit for controlling the first processing unit and the second processing unit, and the wireless communication network control unit, when it detects a predetermined change in the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device based on the wireless environment information, performs the following processes: instructing the wireless communication network to switch the wireless connection destination of the terminal device to the second wireless communication device; instructing the wired communication network control unit to switch the transfer of wired signals between the first wireless communication device and the first processing unit to switch the transfer of wired signals between the second wireless communication device and the second processing unit; and instructing the processing unit control unit to connect the second processing unit to the distribution device.
6. A route switching method comprising: a receiving step of repeatedly receiving at different timings from the first wireless communication device in an interconnected communication network having a wireless communication network having a first wireless communication device and a second wireless communication device that convert wireless signals and wired signals; a wired communication network connected to the wireless communication network and having a distribution device that transfers wired signals; and a first processing device and a second processing device connected to the wired communication network; and a control step of controlling the interconnected communication network to switch a first route of a terminal device that communicates with the first processing device via the first wireless communication device and the distribution device to a second route that communicates with the second processing device via the second wireless communication device and the distribution device, when a predetermined change has occurred in the wireless environment of the first wireless communication device based on the received wireless environment information.