Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

Provided is a control device comprising: a storage unit storing system information about a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of wireless base stations that provide wireless communication services to a plurality of wireless communication terminals and a plurality of AP devices having a simpler structure than the plurality of wireless base stations; a terminal identification unit that identifies a target terminal, which is a wireless communication terminal to which the wireless communication services are to be provided by at least one of the plurality of AP devices; a prediction unit that predicts a movement destination of the target terminal on the basis of terminal-related information including position information about the target terminal; and an AP control unit that identifies, from among the plurality of AP devices, one or more AP devices that are to provide the wireless communication services to the target terminal and forms a wireless communication area covering the target terminal. The control device may execute RAN control and AI processing (including RAN control AI processing such as RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC), and non-RAN control AI processing).

Description

Control device, control method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device, a control method, and a program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 states that "the management device includes terminal counting means for determining whether the number of wireless terminals or the amount of communication traffic is greater than or equal to a predetermined number for each direction of arrival of radio waves, and activation signal transmission means for transmitting an activation signal to a small base station located in the direction of arrival of the radio waves if the determination is true." Patent Document 2 states that "when determining the best location for additional small cells, several factors may be considered, such as the location and size of so-called "hotspots" (areas with many user connections) among the network elements, and the antenna distance from individual users." Patent Document 3 states that "the cognitive base station 3 can perform switching to heterogeneous wireless systems between macrocells, microcells and picocells by controlling the wireless system switching unit 31." Patent Document 4 states that "this method includes receiving mobility data of devices served by a first cell, classifying the devices based on the mobility state associated with the mobility data to generate a classification, and making a handoff decision when handing off a device from a first cell to a second cell, at least in part based on the classification." Patent Document 5 states that, "When a walking user (medium speed class) currently being served by a small cell gets into a vehicle, the device may move very rapidly from its current cell. In this case, the device is immediately classified as high speed, and the optimal large cell is selected. Similarly, a high-speed device in a large cell may enter a building and become stationary. The stationary device is still being served by a large cell, but now seeks out a microcell or small cell to become eligible to be served by it." Patent Document 6 states that, "Mobility classes may include the location of the device within a serving cell, or the path taken through the entire serving cell. Assigning a device to a serving cell can further be based at least in part on the spectral efficiency of the serving cell."Patent Document 7 describes that "mapping information, history information, machine learning information, data associated with other devices, etc. can be used in relation to mobility data to identify the previous movements of a device and information regarding the predicted movement or route of the device. This information can be used when making one or more of the classification of the device and the determination of reselection or handoff of the device." [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-103570 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-069958 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-147906 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-019716 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-166226 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-166227 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-509720.

[0003] In a conventional cellular network, the coverage area is divided by cells of fixedly arranged radio base stations, and wireless communication services are provided within each cell. Each cell is distinguished by a frequency, a radio base station ID, etc. In order for a user in motion to continue receiving services even after leaving the coverage area of the current radio base station and entering the coverage area of the destination radio base station, a handover is necessary.

[0004] The processing of handover may take time, which may cause a temporary interruption or delay in communication. In particular, when a user moves at high speed, the wireless communication terminal of the user frequently performs handovers. Since the signal strength is likely to decrease near the cell boundary, the connection quality deteriorates. When performing a handover in such a situation, there are problems such as a high likelihood of communication interruption or disconnection.

[0005] The control device 100 according to this embodiment has a configuration that contributes to solving these problems. For example, in addition to a conventional cellular network using wireless base stations, multiple AP (Access Point) devices 300 are deployed. For example, the control device 100 predicts the destination of the user terminal and controls each AP device 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the destination of the user terminal. As a result, even if the user terminal moves, for example, wireless communication services can be provided to the user terminal flexibly and efficiently without handover between cells of the wireless base station 200.

[0006] For example, the control device 100 may control one or more AP devices 300 to perform CoMP (Coordinated Multi-Point), MIMO (Multi Input Multi Output), beamforming, etc. This enables the provision of wireless communication services to user terminals more flexibly and efficiently.

[0007] For example, the AP device 300 is not connected one-to-one with a specific wireless base station 200, but rather in a mesh configuration. For example, the control device 100 uses AI (Artificial Intelligence) to control the AP device 300. This allows for dynamic changes to the combination of multiple AP devices 300 based on user demand, and flexible control of coverage and beam directivity by the AP devices 300.

[0008] The control device 100 according to this embodiment may be located on an information processing infrastructure located in a region. On such information processing infrastructure, for example, RAN control may be performed in conjunction with AI processing for controlling AP devices. By making the RAN control function run on a high-performance GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) server instead of a general-purpose server, the surplus computing resources can be utilized for AI processing. Examples of AI processing include AI processing related to RAN control (sometimes referred to as RAN control AI processing) and AI processing not related to RAN control (sometimes referred to as non-RAN control AI processing).

[0009] An example of AI-based RAN control processing is RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller). RIC is a technology that uses AI to optimize RAN wireless resources and automate RAN operations. RIC includes Non-RT RIC (Non-Real Time RIC) and Near-RT RIC (Near-Real Time RIC). Non-RT RIC is sometimes called Centralized RIC. Non-RT RIC is located within an SMO (Service Management and Orchestration) that manages and orchestrates the RAN.

[0010] Non-RT RICs generate and notify policies related to RAN control and send information to Near-RT RICs. For example, Non-RT RICs generate trained models for RAN control by performing machine learning using data collected from the RAN and send them to Near-RT RICs.

[0011] Near-RT RICs are sometimes called Distributed RICs. Compared to Non-RT RICs, Near-RT RICs are located closer to RAN nodes (RUs (Radio Units), DUs (Distributed Units), CUs (Central Units)) and perform tasks such as controlling RAN nodes and resources. Near-RT RICs perform processing that is more real-time than Non-RT RICs. For example, Near-RT RICs perform inference processing related to RAN control using trained models acquired from Non-RT RICs. RAN control AI processing is not limited to RICs.

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a control device is provided. The control device may include a storage unit that stores system information of a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of radio base stations that form a wireless communication area and provide wireless communication services to a plurality of wireless communication terminals, and a plurality of AP devices, each connected to at least one of the plurality of radio base stations and having a simpler structure than the plurality of radio base stations, the storage unit storing system information including at least the location information of the plurality of radio base stations and the location information of the plurality of AP devices. The control device may include a terminal identification unit that identifies a target terminal, which is a wireless communication terminal to be provided with wireless communication services by at least one of the plurality of AP devices. The control device may include a prediction unit that predicts the destination of the target terminal based on terminal-related information including the location information of the target terminal. The control device may include an AP control unit that uses the destination of the target terminal predicted by the prediction unit and the system information to identify one or more AP devices from the plurality of AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and causes the identified one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area covering the target terminal.

[0013] In any of the above-mentioned control devices, each of the plurality of wireless base stations may have at least a wireless unit and a wireless signal processing unit. In any of the above-mentioned control devices, each of the plurality of AP devices may not have the wireless signal processing unit but may have the wireless unit.

[0014] In any of the control devices described above, the AP control unit may identify a plurality of AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and cause the wireless base station connected to the identified plurality of AP devices to execute a CompM using the plurality of AP devices, thereby forming a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

[0015] In any of the control devices described above, the AP control unit may identify one or more AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and cause the identified one or more AP devices to beamform, thereby forming a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

[0016] In any of the control devices described above, the AP control unit may identify one or more AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and cause the identified one or more AP devices to perform MIMO with the target terminal, thereby forming a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

[0017] In any of the control devices described above, the terminal identification unit may identify the wireless communication terminal that has started communication via any of the multiple wireless base stations as the target terminal. In any of the control devices described above, the AP control unit may activate the identified one or more AP devices if they are not active, and cause the identified one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area covering the target terminal. In any of the control devices described above, the AP control unit may deactivate the identified one or more AP devices in response to the termination of communication by the target terminal.

[0018] In any of the above-mentioned control devices, the AP control unit may input terminal-related information, including information about the destination of the target terminal, into a model that outputs one or more AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area, based on terminal-related information including the location information of the wireless communication terminal, and use the formation parameters output from the model to cause the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

[0019] In any of the above-mentioned control devices, the AP control unit may input the terminal-related information, including information about the destination of the target terminal, to a model that takes terminal-related information, including location information of a wireless communication terminal and at least one of traffic demand information, wireless quality information, and time information as input, and outputs one or more AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal, and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area, and use the formation parameters output from the model to cause the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

[0020] Any of the above-mentioned control devices may include a RAN control function execution unit that performs a RAN control function for controlling the RAN by the plurality of wireless base stations. Any of the above-mentioned control devices may include an AI processing execution unit that performs AI processing, and an AI processing execution unit having the AP control unit.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a control method is provided. The control method may include a storage step of storing system information of a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of radio base stations that form a wireless communication area and provide wireless communication services to a plurality of wireless communication terminals, and a plurality of AP devices, each connected to at least one of the plurality of radio base stations and having a simpler structure than the plurality of radio base stations, wherein the system information includes at least the location information of the plurality of radio base stations and the location information of the plurality of AP devices. The control method may include a terminal identification step of identifying a target terminal which is a wireless communication terminal to be provided with wireless communication services by at least one of the plurality of AP devices. The control method may include a prediction step of predicting the destination of the target terminal based on terminal-related information including the location information of the target terminal. The control method may include an AP control step of using the destination of the target terminal predicted by the prediction unit and the system information to identify one or more AP devices from the plurality of AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and causing the identified one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area covering the target terminal.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a program is provided for causing a computer to execute any of the control methods described above.

[0023] It should be noted that the above summary of the invention does not enumerate all the necessary features of the present invention. Furthermore, subcombinations of these features may also constitute an invention.

[0024] An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of the prior art is shown in general. An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of the prior art is shown in general. An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of the prior art is shown in general. An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of the prior art is shown in general. An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of the prior art is shown in general. An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of a processing flow by the control device 100 is shown in general. An example of a processing flow by the control device 100 is shown in general. An example of a processing flow by the control device 100 is shown in general. An example of a processing flow by the control device 100 is shown in general. An example of a wireless communication system 10 is shown in general. An example of a hardware configuration of a computer 1200 that functions as a control device 100, an information processing platform 400, or a management platform 500 is shown in general.

[0025] The present invention will be described below through embodiments, but these embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. Furthermore, not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0026] Figure 1 schematically shows an example of a wireless communication system 10. In the example shown in Figure 1, the wireless communication system 10 comprises a control device 100, a plurality of wireless base stations 200, and a plurality of AP devices 300. In the example shown in Figure 1, the control device 100 is located on an information processing infrastructure 400 located in region 40. The control device 100 may be connected to the information processing infrastructure 400. The control device 100 may be located on at least one of the wireless base stations 200.

[0027] The information processing infrastructure 400 may be data centers located in various locations. The information processing infrastructure 400 may be composed of multiple devices. The information processing infrastructure 400 may be implemented on a virtualization infrastructure composed of multiple devices. The information processing infrastructure 400 may be implemented by a single device. In other words, the information processing infrastructure 400 may be an information processing device.

[0028] Multiple wireless base stations 200 may be located in a region 40 corresponding to the information processing infrastructure 400. The region 40 corresponding to the information processing infrastructure 400 may be the region where the information processing infrastructure 400 is installed. The information processing infrastructure 400 does not have to be installed within the corresponding region 40. The region 40 may be, for example, a region roughly the same size as each prefecture of Japan. The region 40 may be, for example, a region with a finer geographical area than each prefecture of Japan. The region 40 may be, for example, a region with a broader geographical area than each prefecture of Japan.

[0029] The information processing infrastructure 400 may have one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units). The information processing infrastructure 400 may have one or more GPUs. The information processing infrastructure 400 may have multiple superchips, each connected by an interconnect. This interconnect may be memory consistent and capable of achieving high bandwidth and low latency. Thus, the information processing infrastructure 400 may have CPU resources and GPU resources as computing resources.

[0030] In the example shown in Figure 1, each of the multiple wireless base stations 200 is connected to an information processing infrastructure 400. Each of the multiple wireless base stations 200 forms a wireless communication area 20 and provides wireless communication services to multiple wireless communication terminals 800. The multiple wireless base stations 200 may form a RAN.

[0031] The type of wireless communication terminal 800 is not particularly limited. The wireless communication terminal 800 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet, a PC (Personal Computer), or an IoT (Internet of Things) terminal. In Figure 1, the wireless communication terminal 800 is a smartphone.

[0032] In the example shown in Figure 1, each of the multiple AP devices 300 is connected to at least one of the multiple radio base stations 200. For example, one AP device 300 is directly connected to one radio base station 200. Direct connection may include connection via a communication cable or connection via a repeater such as a router. For example, one AP device 300 is directly connected to multiple radio base stations 200. For example, multiple AP devices 300 are connected to one radio base station 200 in a hub-like manner, with that one radio base station 200 as the central point. For example, an AP device 300 may be indirectly connected to a radio base station 200 via other AP devices 300.

[0033] Each of the multiple AP devices 300 may be connected to at least one of the multiple wireless base stations 200, rather than being directly connected to the core network to which the multiple wireless base stations 200 are connected.

[0034] Each of the multiple AP devices 300 has a simpler structure than the multiple radio base stations 200. For example, each of the multiple radio base stations 200 may have at least a radio unit and a radio signal processing unit. In this case, for example, each of the multiple AP devices 300 may have a radio unit but no radio signal processing unit.

[0035] The radio base station 200 and AP device 300 may conform to the 5G mobile communication system. In this case, the radio base station 200 may have a CU, DU, and RU, while the AP device 300 may not have a CU and DU, but may have a RU. Alternatively, in this case, the radio base station 200 may have a DU and RU, while the AP device 300 may not have a DU, but may have a RU.

[0036] The radio base station 200 and AP device 300 may conform to the 4G mobile communication system. In this case, the radio base station 200 may have a BBU (Base Band Unit) and an RRU (Remote Radio Unit), while the AP device 300 may not have a BBU but may have an RRU.

[0037] For example, AP device 300 has fewer antennas than wireless base station 200. For example, the wireless base station has 128 antennas, and AP device 300 has 4 or 16 antennas. If AP device 300 has fewer antennas than wireless base station 200, the number of antennas in AP device 300 and the number of antennas in wireless base station 200 may be other numbers.

[0038] For example, AP device 300 has fewer transmitting and receiving antennas than radio base station 200. For example, radio base station 200 has 128 transmitting and receiving antennas, while AP device 300 has 4 or 16 transmitting and receiving antennas. If AP device 300 has fewer transmitting and receiving antennas than radio base station 200, the number of transmitting and receiving antennas in AP device 300 and radio base station 200 may be other numbers.

[0039] Multiple AP devices 300 may be connected to each other. For example, one AP device 300 may be connected to another AP device 300. For example, one AP device 300 may be connected to multiple other AP devices 300. For example, multiple AP devices 300 may be connected to each other in a mesh-like manner.

[0040] The control device 100 controls one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area that covers a wireless communication terminal 800. The control device 100 may control one AP device 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers one wireless communication terminal 800. The control device 100 may control multiple AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 for each of the multiple AP devices 300 so that they cooperate to cover one wireless communication terminal 800. The control device 100 may control one AP device 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers multiple wireless communication terminals 800. The control device 100 may control multiple AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 for each of the multiple AP devices 300 so that they cooperate to cover multiple wireless communication terminals 800.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 1, the control device 100 includes a storage unit 110, a terminal identification unit 120, a prediction unit 130, an AP control unit 140, a RAN control function execution unit 150, and an AI processing execution unit 160. The storage unit 110 stores various types of information. For example, the storage unit 110 stores system information of the wireless communication system 10. For example, the storage unit 110 stores terminal-related information of a plurality of wireless communication terminals 800. For example, the storage unit 110 stores various algorithms and models used by the control device 100.

[0042] The system information includes location information for at least multiple wireless base stations 200 and location information for multiple AP devices 300. For example, the system information includes coordinate information for each of the multiple wireless base stations 200 and coordinate information for each of the multiple AP devices 300.

[0043] Terminal-related information may include location information of the wireless communication terminal 800. For example, terminal-related information may include coordinate information of the wireless communication terminal 800. Terminal-related information may include at least one of the current location information, time-series location information, and predicted future location information of the wireless communication terminal 800. Terminal-related information may include information on the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800.

[0044] The terminal-related information may include the traffic demand information of the wireless communication terminal 800. For example, the traffic demand information is information indicating the data traffic volume required by the wireless communication terminal 800 within a certain future period. The traffic demand information may be obtained, for example, by predicting how much traffic will be required in the future based on the days of the week, time zones, etc. when the past traffic utilization of the wireless communication terminal 800 was high.

[0045] The terminal-related information may include the wireless quality information of the wireless communication terminal 800. For example, the terminal-related information includes at least any one of the throughput, delay, packet loss rate, connection success rate, handover success rate, MCS Index (Modulation and Coding Scheme Index), CQI (Channel Quality Indicator), PMI (Precoding Matrix Indicator), RI (Rank Indicator), SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio), etc. of the communication of the wireless communication terminal 800. The terminal-related information may include at least any one of the current wireless quality information, time-series wireless quality information, and predicted future wireless quality information of the wireless communication terminal 800.

[0046] The terminal-related information may include time information. The terminal-related information includes, for example, the time information when the position information, traffic information, and wireless quality information are obtained.

[0047] The terminal identification unit 120 identifies a target terminal from a plurality of wireless communication terminals 800. The target terminal is a target wireless communication terminal 800 that provides a wireless communication service by at least any one of the plurality of AP devices 300.

[0048] The terminal identification unit 120 identifies, as a target terminal, a wireless communication terminal 800 that has started communication via any one of a plurality of radio base stations 200. For example, the terminal identification unit 120 may identify the wireless communication terminal 800 as a target terminal in response to at least one of the plurality of radio base stations 200 receiving a measurement report from a specific wireless communication terminal 800 registered in advance. For example, the terminal identification unit 120 registers in advance a wireless communication terminal 800 that has subscribed to a high-grade communication plan, and in response to at least one of the plurality of radio base stations 200 receiving a measurement report from the registered wireless communication terminal 800, identifies the registered wireless communication terminal 800 as a target terminal.

[0049] The prediction unit 130 predicts the destination of the target terminal based on terminal-related information including the location information of the target terminal. For example, the prediction unit 130 predicts the destination of the target terminal based on the time-series location information of the target terminal. For example, the prediction unit 130 predicts the destination of the target terminal based on the time-series location information of the target terminal and the map information of the surrounding area of the location. For example, when the time-series location of the target terminal changes along a road, the prediction unit 130 predicts that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is along the road. For example, when the time-series location of the target terminal changes along a railway line, the prediction unit 130 predicts that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is along the railway line.

[0050] The prediction unit 130 may predict the destination of the target terminal and the estimated time of arrival at the destination based on terminal-related information. For example, the prediction unit 130 predicts the destination of the target terminal and the estimated time of arrival at the destination based on the time-series location information of the target terminal. For example, the prediction unit 130 predicts the destination of the target terminal and the estimated time of arrival at the destination based on the time-series location information of the target terminal and map information of the area around that location. For example, if the time-series location of the target terminal is changing along a road, the prediction unit 130 predicts that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is along that road and predicts the estimated time of arrival based on the amount of change in position per unit time. For example, if the time-series location of the target terminal is changing along a railway line, the prediction unit 130 predicts that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is along that railway line and predicts the estimated time of arrival based on the amount of change in position per unit time.

[0051] The AP control unit 140 may use the location information of the target terminal and system information to identify one or more AP devices 300 from among the multiple AP devices 300 to provide wireless communication services to the target terminal. For example, the AP control unit 140 may use the current location information of the target terminal included in the terminal-related information and the location information of the multiple AP devices 300 included in the system information to identify one or more AP devices 300 located near the current location of the target terminal.

[0052] The AP control unit 140 may use the information about the target terminal's destination predicted by the prediction unit 130 and the system information to identify one or more AP devices 300 from among the multiple AP devices 300 to provide wireless communication services to the target terminal. For example, the AP control unit 140 may identify one or more AP devices 300 located near the target terminal's destination route from the target terminal's destination route and the location information of the multiple AP devices 300 included in the system information. For example, the AP control unit 140 may identify one or more AP devices 300 located near each point on the target terminal's travel route.

[0053] For example, the AP control unit 140 may use the destination of the target terminal predicted by the prediction unit 130, the time of arrival at the destination, and system information to identify one or more AP devices 300 from among the multiple AP devices 300 to provide wireless communication services to the target terminal. For example, the AP control unit 140 may use the destination of the target terminal, the time of arrival at the destination, and the location information of the multiple AP devices 300 included in the system information to identify one or more AP devices 300 located near each point and time along the target terminal's travel path.

[0054] The AP control unit 140 causes one or more identified AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal.

[0055] The AP control unit 140 may cause a wireless communication area 30 covering a target terminal by having a wireless base station 200 connected to a plurality of identified AP devices 300 perform CoMP (Coordinated Multi-Point) using the plurality of AP devices 300. The AP control unit 140 may cause a wireless communication area 30 covering a target terminal by having one or more identified AP devices 300 perform beamforming. The AP control unit 140 may cause a wireless communication area 30 covering a target terminal by having one or more identified AP devices 300 perform MIMO (Multi Input Multi Output) with the target terminal.

[0056] The AP control unit 140 may activate one or more identified AP devices 300 if they are not active. The AP control unit 140 may cause the activated one or more identified AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal. The AP control unit 140 may deactivate one or more identified AP devices 300 in response to the termination of communication by the target terminal. Active means, for example, that the power is on and that communication can be started immediately. Inactive means, for example, that the power is on but the power consumption is lower than in the active state. Inactive may be in a sleep state. Inactive may be, for example, that the power is off.

[0057] The RAN control function execution unit 150 may perform a RAN control function that controls the RAN by multiple wireless base stations 200.

[0058] The AI ​​processing execution unit 160 performs various AI processes. For example, the AI ​​processing execution unit 160 performs RAN control AI processing. For example, the AI ​​processing execution unit 160 performs non-RAN control AI processing. For example, the AI ​​processing execution unit 160 performs AI processing for controlling the AP device 300.

[0059] In Figure 1, an example was described in which the control device 100 includes a storage unit 110, a terminal identification unit 120, a prediction unit 130, an AP control unit 140, a RAN control function execution unit 150, and an AI processing execution unit 160. However, it is not necessary for the control device 100 to include all of these. Furthermore, it may have a hierarchical structure in which any of these units includes any of the others. For example, the control device 100 may include an AI processing execution unit 160, and the AI ​​processing execution unit 160 may also include an AP control unit 140.

[0060] Figure 2 schematically shows an example of the prior art. Figure 2 is an example of the conventional cellular network described above. In the example shown in Figure 2, each of the multiple wireless base stations 200 forms a wireless communication area 20, thereby providing wireless communication services to multiple wireless communication terminals 800. In Figure 2, the description of the wireless communication terminals 800 is omitted.

[0061] Figure 3 schematically shows an example of a wireless communication system 10. In the example shown in Figure 3, the wireless communication system 10 includes multiple AP devices (AP devices 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, 316, 318, 320, 322, and 324) in addition to the conventional cellular network shown in Figure 2. In Figure 1, the hierarchical connection relationships of the control device 100, wireless base station 200, and AP devices 300 in the wireless communication system 10 were mainly illustrated. In Figure 3, a similar wireless communication system 10 is illustrated, mainly focusing on the geographical arrangement of the multiple AP devices. For this purpose, the control device 100, wireless base station 200, wireless communication area 20, wireless communication terminal 800, and their connection relationships are omitted in Figure 3.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 3, some of the AP devices are connected to each other, and the AP devices form a network. In the example shown in Figure 3, some of the AP devices form a wireless communication area 30. The entirety of the AP devices may also form a wireless communication area 30. The AP devices may be distributed and placed in an area covered by a conventional cellular network. The AP devices may be placed in geographical locations that complement the conventional cellular network. The AP devices may be placed at the cell edge of a conventional cellular network, on the opposite side of a structure that shields radio waves from the wireless base station 200 from the wireless base station 200, or in locations where hotspots are likely to occur.

[0063] Figure 4 schematically shows an example of the prior art. In the example shown in Figure 4, a shielding object 42 is located between the central wireless base station 200 and the wireless communication terminal 800. The shielding object 42 may be a permanently installed building or the like. In the example shown in Figure 4, the shielding object 42 is a building. Because the radio waves from the wireless base station 200 are blocked by the shielding object 42, communication between the wireless communication terminal 800 and the wireless base station 200 becomes difficult.

[0064] Figure 5 schematically shows an example of a wireless communication system 10. In the example shown in Figure 5, the control device 100, wireless base stations 200 other than the central wireless base station 200, wireless communication areas 20 other than the wireless communication area 20 of the central wireless base station 200, their connection relationships, and the connection relationships between multiple AP devices are omitted from the illustration.

[0065] In the example shown in Figure 5, the terminal identification unit 120 of the control device 100 identifies the wireless communication terminal 800 as the target terminal, and the AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 identifies AP devices 302 and 304, and causes the identified AP devices 302 and 304 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the wireless communication terminal 800.

[0066] The control logic used by the AP control unit 140 to control one or more AP devices 300 may be derived experimentally, for example. For example, the AP control unit 140 causes one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers one or more wireless communication terminals 800 under multiple different conditions. These multiple different conditions may include, for example, different AP devices 300 used, different antenna settings for the AP devices 300, etc. For example, the AP control unit 140 acquires terminal-related information, including location information and wireless quality information for each of the multiple wireless communication terminals 800, for each of these conditions. This provides a dataset containing at least location information for the wireless communication terminals 800, antenna setting information for the AP devices 300, and wireless communication quality information for the wireless communication terminals 800.

[0067] For example, the control device 100 may derive control logic by analyzing the data set. This allows the control device to determine, for example, which AP device 300 to use and with what antenna settings to form the wireless communication area 30 when a wireless communication terminal 800 is located at a certain point, thereby enabling the derivation of control logic.

[0068] For example, the control device 100 derives a model that outputs one or more AP devices 300 that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal 800, and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30, based on terminal-related information including the location information of the wireless communication terminal 800. The AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 may input terminal-related information of the target terminal into the model and use the formation parameters output from the model to cause one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

[0069] As a result, even without information such as the presence or absence of the shielding 42 or the location of the shielding 42, one or more AP devices 300 that are less affected by the shielding 42 can be identified, and an appropriate wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal can be formed using the one or more AP devices 300.

[0070] The control device 100 may take terminal-related information, including the location information of the wireless communication terminal 800 and at least one of traffic demand information, wireless quality information, and time information, as input and derive a model that outputs one or more AP devices 300 that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal 800, and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30. The AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 may input terminal-related information of the target terminal into the model and use the formation parameters output from the model to cause one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

[0071] This allows for the suppression of traffic congestion, for example, by having one or more AP devices 300 perform MIMO or CoMP when the traffic demand of the target terminal is high. For example, if the current wireless communication quality of the target terminal is low, throughput, packet loss rate, and SNR can be improved by performing beamforming, MIMO, and CoMP. For example, if there is an area where a traffic hotspot can be created during a specific time period, and it is determined from the location information and time information of the target terminal that the target terminal is located in that hotspot, traffic congestion can be suppressed by having one or more AP devices 300 perform MIMO or CoMP.

[0072] For example, the control device 100 may derive control logic by machine learning using the dataset as training data. For example, the control device 100 generates a learning model that outputs one or more AP devices 300 that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal 800, and formation parameters that cause one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30, based on terminal-related information including the location information of the wireless communication terminal 800. The AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 may input terminal-related information of the target terminal into the learning model and use the formation parameters output from the learning model to cause one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

[0073] The control device 100 may take terminal-related information, including the location information of the wireless communication terminal 800 and at least one of traffic demand information, wireless quality information, and time information, as input and generate a learning model that outputs one or more AP devices 300 that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal 800, and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30. The AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 may input terminal-related information of the target terminal into the learning model and use the formation parameters output from the learning model to cause one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

[0074] Figure 6 schematically shows an example of the conventional technology. In the example shown in Figure 6, the wireless communication terminal 800 is located at the cell edge of the wireless communication area 20 of the central wireless base station 200. As a result, the wireless communication service provided to the wireless communication terminal 800 may become unstable.

[0075] Figure 7 schematically shows an example of a wireless communication system 10. In the example shown in Figure 7, the control device 100, wireless base stations 200 other than the central wireless base station 200, wireless communication areas 20 other than the wireless communication area 20 of the central wireless base station 200, their connection relationships, and the connection relationships between multiple AP devices are omitted from the illustration.

[0076] In the example shown in Figure 7, the terminal identification unit 120 of the control device 100 identifies the wireless communication terminal 800 as the target terminal, and the AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 identifies AP devices 306, 310, and 312, and causes the identified AP devices 306, 310, and 312 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the wireless communication terminal 800. By providing wireless communication services not only from the wireless base station 200 but also from the AP devices, a more stable wireless communication service is provided to the wireless communication terminal 800 compared to the conventional technology shown in Figure 6.

[0077] Figure 8 schematically shows an example of the conventional technology. In the example shown in Figure 8, multiple wireless communication terminals 800 are concentrated in a part of the wireless communication area 20 of the central wireless base station 200. As a result, sudden traffic hotspots occur in that part of the area, and communication delays, disconnections, and speed reductions may occur due to radio interference and insufficient bandwidth.

[0078] Figure 9 schematically shows an example of a wireless communication system 10. In the example shown in Figure 9, the control device 100, wireless base stations 200 other than the central wireless base station 200, wireless communication areas 20 other than the wireless communication area 20 of the central wireless base station 200, their connection relationships, and the connection relationships between multiple AP devices are omitted from the illustration.

[0079] In the example shown in Figure 9, the terminal identification unit 120 of the control device 100 identifies at least one of the multiple wireless communication terminals 800 as a target terminal, and the AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 identifies AP devices 302, 304, and 306, and causes the identified AP devices 302, 304, and 306 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the wireless communication terminal 800 identified as a target terminal by the terminal identification unit 120. Because wireless communication services are provided not only by the wireless base station 200 but also by AP devices, compared to the conventional technology shown in Figure 8, even if a sudden traffic hotspot occurs in that area, communication delays, disconnections, and speed reductions are less likely to occur.

[0080] Figure 10 schematically shows an example of the prior art. In the example shown in Figure 10, wireless base stations 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214 each form a wireless communication area 20, thereby providing wireless communication services to a wireless communication terminal 800.

[0081] In the example shown in Figure 10, the wireless communication terminal 800 travels along the travel path 44 in the order of point A, point B, point C, and point D. Point A is a point relatively close to the wireless base station 202, within the area covered by the wireless communication area 20 of the wireless base station 202. Point B is a point at the cell edge of the wireless communication area 20 of the wireless base station 202. Points C and D are points within the area covered by the wireless communication area 20 of the wireless base station 204, which is adjacent to the wireless base station 202.

[0082] Therefore, as the wireless communication terminal 800 moves along its movement path 44, communication between the wireless communication terminal 800 and the radio base station 202 may become unstable at point B, which is the cell edge. Also, when the wireless communication terminal 800 moves from point B to point C, it performs a handover from radio base station 202 to radio base station 204, which may cause communication of the wireless communication terminal 800 to become unstable.

[0083] Figures 11 to 14 schematically show an example of a wireless communication system 10. Figures 11 to 14 illustrate the control by the control device 100 when a wireless communication terminal 800 moves along a travel path 44 in the order of point A, point B, point C, and point D. In Figures 11 to 14, the control device 100, wireless base stations 200 other than the wireless base station 202, wireless communication areas 20 other than the wireless communication area 20 of the wireless base station 202, their connection relationships, and the connection relationships between multiple AP devices are omitted. Figures 11 to 14 illustrate the control by the control device 100 after the terminal identification unit 120 of the control device 100 has identified the wireless communication terminal 800 as the target terminal.

[0084] In the example shown in Figure 11, the wireless communication terminal 800 is located at point A. In this case, the prediction unit 130 of the control device 100 predicts that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is point B, based on the information included in the terminal-related information of the wireless communication terminal 800, which indicates that the current location of the wireless communication terminal 800 is point A. The method by which the prediction unit 130 predicts the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is the same as in the explanation in Figure 1.

[0085] In the example shown in Figure 11, the AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 identifies AP devices 306 and 314 using information indicating that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is B and system information. The AP control unit 140 may identify AP devices 306 and 314 by identifying AP devices 300 that are close in distance to point B from among a plurality of AP devices 300.

[0086] The AP control unit 140 may cause the identified AP devices 306 and 314 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the wireless communication terminal 800 identified as the target terminal. In the example shown in Figure 11, the AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 causes the identified AP devices 306 and 314 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers point B before the wireless communication terminal 800 actually reaches point B, thereby forming a wireless communication area 30 that covers the wireless communication terminal 800 identified as the target terminal.

[0087] Subsequently, when the wireless communication terminal 800 moves to point B, the state shown in Figure 12 is reached. The AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 causes AP devices 306 and 314 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the wireless communication terminal 800. As a result, wireless communication services are provided not only by the wireless base station 202 but also by the AP devices, providing a more stable wireless communication service to the wireless communication terminal 800, even at the cell edge, compared to the conventional technology shown in Figure 10.

[0088] In the example shown in Figure 12, the wireless communication terminal 800 is located at point B. In this case, the prediction unit 130 of the control device 100 predicts that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is point C, based on information included in the terminal-related information of the wireless communication terminal 800 indicating that the current location of the wireless communication terminal 800 is point B. The prediction unit 130 may also predict the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 based on information included in the terminal-related information of the wireless communication terminal 800 indicating the time-series location of the wireless communication terminal 800. For example, in the example shown in Figure 12, the prediction unit 130 predicts that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is point C, based on information indicating that the wireless communication terminal 800 is located at point B via point A.

[0089] The AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 identifies AP devices 306, 312, and 314 using information indicating that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is point C, along with system information. The method by which the AP control unit 140 identifies the AP devices is the same as described above. The AP control unit 140 causes the identified AP devices 306, 312, and 314 to form a wireless communication area 30 covering point C before the wireless communication terminal 800 actually reaches point C, thereby creating a wireless communication area 30 that covers the wireless communication terminal 800 identified as the target terminal. Subsequently, when the wireless communication terminal 800 moves to point C, the state shown in Figure 13 is reached.

[0090] The AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 causes AP devices 306, 312, and 314 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the wireless communication terminal 800. As a result, even outside the area covered by the wireless communication area 20 of the wireless base station 202, wireless communication services can be provided without handing over from the wireless base station 202 to another wireless base station 200.

[0091] For example, consider the case shown in Figure 13 where the wireless communication terminal 800 does not move from point C to point D, but instead returns to the area covered by the wireless communication area 20. In this case, with the conventional technology shown in Figure 10, the wireless communication terminal 800 moves from point B to point C, requiring a handover from radio base station 202 to radio base station 204, and then returns from point C to the area covered by the wireless communication area 20 of radio base station 202, requiring a handover from radio base station 204 to radio base station 202. Thus, two handovers occur. In contrast, the control by the wireless communication system 10 described above allows the wireless communication service to be provided to the wireless communication terminal 800 without any handovers.

[0092] In the example shown in Figure 13, the wireless communication terminal 800 is located at point C. In this case, the prediction unit 130 of the control device 100 predicts that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is point D, based on information included in the terminal-related information of the wireless communication terminal 800 indicating that the current location of the wireless communication terminal 800 is point C. The prediction unit 130 may also predict the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 based on information included in the terminal-related information of the wireless communication terminal 800 indicating the time-series location of the wireless communication terminal 800. For example, in the example shown in Figure 13, the prediction unit 130 predicts that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is point D, based on information indicating that the wireless communication terminal 800 is located at point C via points A and B.

[0093] The AP control unit 140 of the control device 100 identifies AP devices 306 and 312 using information indicating that the destination of the wireless communication terminal 800 is location D, along with system information. The method by which the AP control unit 140 identifies the AP devices is the same as described above. The AP control unit 140 causes the identified AP devices 306 and 312 to form a wireless communication area 30 covering location D before the wireless communication terminal 800 actually reaches location D, thereby creating a wireless communication area 30 that covers the wireless communication terminal 800 identified as the target terminal. Subsequently, when the wireless communication terminal 800 moves to location D, the state shown in Figure 14 is reached.

[0094] The control device 100, using multiple AP devices 300 located in each region, continues to perform the same control for subsequent points along the travel path 44 in response to the movement of the wireless communication terminal 800, thereby enabling wireless communication service to be provided without handover even when the wireless communication terminal 800 moves. This will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0095] In the examples shown in Figures 11 to 14, the control by the control device 100 was explained for the case where the wireless communication terminal 800 is located at points A, B, C, and D. The control device 100 can continuously perform these processes in accordance with the movement of the wireless communication terminal 800 along the movement path 44, thereby forming a wireless communication area 30 that seamlessly covers the movement path 44. This will be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0096] In the examples shown in Figures 11 to 14, the AP control unit 140 may input terminal-related information, including information about the destination of the target terminal, into a model that outputs one or more AP devices 300 that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal 800, and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area 30, based on terminal-related information including the location information of the wireless communication terminal 800. Using the formation parameters output from the model, the AP control unit 140 may cause the one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal.

[0097] The AP control unit 140 may input terminal-related information including location information of the wireless communication terminal 800 and at least one of traffic demand information, wireless quality information, and time information, and input terminal-related information including information on the destination of the target terminal to a model that outputs one or more AP devices 300 that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal 800 and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30, and use the formation parameters output from the model to cause the one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal.

[0098] For example, in the examples shown in Figures 13 and 14, the AP control unit 140 inputs information about location D, which is the predicted destination of the movement predicted by the prediction unit 130, into the model, uses the formation parameters output from the model to identify AP devices 306 and 312, and causes AP devices 306 and 312 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers location D.

[0099] The AP control unit 140 may, for example, acquire formation parameters by inputting terminal-related information including the target terminal's location information into the model described above in the explanation of Figure 5, instead of inputting terminal-related information including the target terminal's location information into the model described above in the explanation of Figure 5, by inputting terminal-related information including the target terminal's location information into the model described above in the explanation of Figure 5, instead of inputting terminal-related information including the target terminal's location information into the model described above in the explanation of Figure 5.

[0100] The learning model used by the AP control unit 140 may be a learning model obtained by machine learning using a dataset containing time-series location information of the wireless communication terminal 800, antenna setting information of the AP device 300, and wireless communication quality information of the wireless communication terminal 800 as training data. In this case, suitable configuration parameters can be obtained for each time-series location of the wireless communication terminal 800, that is, over the entire travel path 44 of the wireless communication terminal 800.

[0101] In this case, for example, the AP control unit 140 inputs terminal-related information, including the location information of the target terminal and information about the destination of the target terminal, into a learning model that outputs one or more AP devices 300 that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal 800, and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area 30, based on terminal-related information including the location information of the wireless communication terminal 800. Using the formation parameters output from the model, the AP control unit 140 causes the one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal.

[0102] For example, in the examples shown in Figures 13 and 14, the AP control unit 140 inputs information about point C, which is the current location of the wireless communication terminal 800, and information about point D, which is the predicted destination by the prediction unit 130, into the model. Using the formation parameters output from the model, the AP device 306 and AP device 312 are identified, and the AP device 306 and AP device 312 are instructed to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the portion of the travel path 44 from point C to point D.

[0103] Figure 15 schematically shows an example of the processing flow by the control device 100. In step 102 (steps may be abbreviated as S), the terminal identification unit 120 identifies the target terminal. The target terminal is a wireless communication terminal 800 that is to be provided with wireless communication services by at least one of the multiple AP devices 300.

[0104] In S104, the AP control unit 140 uses the location information and system information of the target terminal identified by the terminal identification unit 120 in S102 to identify one or more AP devices 300 that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal.

[0105] In S106, the AP control unit 140 causes one or more AP devices identified in S104 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal.

[0106] Figure 16 schematically shows an example of the processing flow by the control device 100. In S202, the terminal identification unit 120 determines whether the wireless communication terminal 800 has started communication. The terminal identification unit 120 may determine whether the wireless communication terminal 800 that has started communication is located within the area controlled by the control device 100. The start of communication by the wireless communication terminal 800 may include the wireless communication terminal 800 handing over into the area while in the process of communicating. If the determination result is No, the process proceeds to S204, and if the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to S206.

[0107] In S204, AP devices 300 that do not have communication demand are deactivated, and then the process is terminated. Deactivation means, for example, a state in which the power is on but the power consumption is lower than in the active state. Deactivation may also mean a sleep state. Deactivation may also mean, for example, a state in which the power is off.

[0108] In S206, the terminal identification unit 120 identifies the wireless communication terminal 800, which it determined to have started communication in S202, as the target terminal. In S208, the AP control unit 140 acquires terminal-related information of the target terminal identified by the terminal identification unit 120 in S206.

[0109] In S210, the AP control unit 140 inputs terminal-related information of the target terminal acquired in S208 into the model to obtain formation parameters. In S212, the AP control unit 140 uses the formation parameters acquired in S210 to cause one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal.

[0110] In S214, the AP control unit 140 determines whether the target terminal is currently communicating. The AP control unit 140 may perform the determination in S214 in real time or periodically. If the determination result is No, that is, if the target terminal's communication has ended, the process proceeds to S216. If the determination result is YES, that is, if the target terminal is continuing to communicate, the process returns to S208 and repeats steps S208 to S214 until the determination result is No.

[0111] In S216, the AP control unit 140, in response to its determination in S214 that the target terminal has terminated communication, releases the wireless communication area 30 covering the target terminal. Releasing the wireless communication area 30 may mean that one or more AP devices 300 that were forming the wireless communication area 30 covering the target terminal terminate the formation of the wireless communication area 30 and transition to a standby state in which they can form a wireless communication area 30 for other wireless communication terminals 800. This allows, for example, when a target terminal terminates communication, the resources of the AP devices 300 to be quickly released and used to provide wireless communication services to other wireless communication terminals 800.

[0112] In S218, the AP control unit 140 updates the model. The AP control unit 140 may update the model using the result data of the communication quality of the target terminal in the wireless communication area 30 that was formed in S212 on the AP device 300 using the formation parameters acquired in S210. Note that S216 and S218 may be performed in reverse order, or in parallel rather than sequentially. After S218, the process proceeds to S204, where AP devices 300 with no communication demand are deactivated, and then the process ends.

[0113] Figure 17 schematically shows an example of the processing flow by the control device 100. In S302, the terminal identification unit 120 identifies the target terminal. In S304, the prediction unit 130 predicts the destination of the target terminal identified by the terminal identification unit 120 in S302.

[0114] In S306, the AP control unit 140 uses the destination and system information of the target terminal predicted by the prediction unit 130 in S304 to identify one or more AP devices 300 that will provide wireless communication services to the target terminal. In S308, the AP control unit 140 causes the one or more AP devices identified in S306 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal.

[0115] Figure 18 schematically shows an example of the processing flow by the control device 100. In S402, the terminal identification unit 120 determines whether or not the wireless communication terminal 800 has started communication. The terminal identification unit 120 may determine whether or not the wireless communication terminal 800 that has started communication exists within the area controlled by the control device 100. If the determination result is No, the process proceeds to S404, and if the determination result is YES, the process proceeds to S406.

[0116] In S404, AP devices 300 that do not have communication demands are deactivated, and then the process is terminated.

[0117] In S406, the terminal identification unit 120 identifies the wireless communication terminal 800, which it determined to have started communication in S402, as the target terminal. In S408, the AP control unit 140 acquires terminal-related information of the target terminal identified by the terminal identification unit 120 in S206.

[0118] In S409, the prediction unit 130 predicts the destination of the target terminal. In S410, the AP control unit 140 inputs the information of the target terminal's destination predicted by the prediction unit 130 in S409 into the model and obtains formation parameters. In S412, the AP control unit 140 uses the formation parameters obtained in S410 to cause one or more AP devices 300 to form a wireless communication area 30 that covers the target terminal.

[0119] In S414, the AP control unit 140 determines whether the target terminal is currently communicating. The AP control unit 140 may perform the determination in S414 in real time or periodically. If the determination result is No, that is, if the target terminal's communication has ended, the process proceeds to S416. If the determination result is YES, that is, if the target terminal is continuing to communicate, the process returns to S408 and repeats steps S408 to S414 until the determination result becomes No.

[0120] In S416, the AP control unit 140, in response to its determination in S414 that the target terminal has terminated communication, releases the wireless communication area 30 covering the target terminal. This allows the AP device 300 to quickly release its resources when the target terminal terminates communication, making them available for providing wireless communication services to other wireless communication terminals 800.

[0121] In S418, the AP control unit 140 updates the model. The AP control unit 140 may update the model using the result data of the communication quality of the target terminal in the wireless communication area 30 that was formed in S412 on the AP device 300 using the formation parameters acquired in S210. Note that S416 and S418 may be performed in reverse order, or in parallel rather than sequentially. After S418, the process proceeds to S404, where AP devices 300 with no communication demand are deactivated, and then the process ends.

[0122] Figure 19 schematically illustrates an example of a wireless communication system 10. In the example shown in Figure 19, the wireless communication system 10 comprises a management infrastructure 500 and a plurality of information processing infrastructures 400. The management infrastructure 500 may manage the plurality of information processing infrastructures 400. The management infrastructure 500 may be a data center that manages the plurality of information processing infrastructures 400. The management infrastructure 500 may be configured as a plurality of devices. The management infrastructure 500 may be implemented on a virtualization infrastructure consisting of a plurality of devices. The management infrastructure 500 may be implemented as a single device. That is, the management infrastructure 500 may be a management device.

[0123] In the example shown in Figure 19, the configuration of each of the multiple information processing infrastructures 400 is the same as in the example shown in Figure 1. Although the control device 100, AP device 300, wireless communication area 30, and wireless communication terminal 800 are omitted from Figure 19, the AP device 300, wireless communication area 30, and wireless communication terminal 800 are located within the wireless communication area 20 of each wireless base station 200, which is the same as in the example shown in Figure 1.

[0124] In the example shown in Figure 19, the control device 100 may be located on the management infrastructure 500. In this case, the control device 100 may be further located on at least one of the multiple information processing infrastructures 400. Alternatively, the control device 100 may not be located on the management infrastructure 500, but on each of the multiple information processing infrastructures 400.

[0125] The management infrastructure 500 may be called the Core Brain, and the information processing infrastructure 400 may be called the Regional Brain. Note that Figure 19 illustrates a case where a single-layer information processing infrastructure 400 is located below the management infrastructure 500, but this is not the only example. The information processing infrastructure 400 may have multiple layers. For example, if two layers of information processing infrastructure 400 are located below the management infrastructure 500, the management infrastructure 500 may be called the Core Brain, the lower layer of information processing infrastructure 400 may be called the Regional Brain, and the further lower layer of information processing infrastructure 400 may be called the Sub-Regional Brain. In this case, the control device 100 may be located in the Regional Brain. In any of the above cases, the control device 100 may be connected to the information processing infrastructure 400 or the management infrastructure 500 instead of being located on them.

[0126] Figure 20 schematically shows an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 1200 that functions as a control device 100, an information processing platform 400, or a management platform 500. A program installed on the computer 1200 can cause the computer 1200 to function as one or more "parts" of the apparatus according to this embodiment, or to cause the computer 1200 to execute operations associated with the apparatus according to this embodiment or such one or more "parts", and / or to cause the computer 1200 to execute a process or a stage of such process according to this embodiment. Such a program may be executed by the CPU 1212 to cause the computer 1200 to execute specific operations associated with some or all of the blocks in the flowcharts and block diagrams described herein.

[0127] The computer 1200 according to this embodiment includes a CPU 1212, a GPU 1213, a RAM 1214, and a graphics controller 1216, which are interconnected by a host controller 1210. The computer 1200 also includes input / output units such as a communication interface 1222, a storage device 1224, a DVD drive, and an IC card drive, which are connected to the host controller 1210 via an input / output controller 1220. The DVD drive may be a DVD-ROM drive and a DVD-RAM drive, etc. The storage device 1224 may be a hard disk drive and a solid-state drive, etc. The computer 1200 also includes legacy input / output units such as a ROM 1230 and a keyboard, which are connected to the input / output controller 1220 via an input / output chip 1240.

[0128] The CPU 1212 operates according to the programs stored in the ROM 1230 and RAM 1214, thereby controlling each unit. The graphics controller 1216 acquires the image data generated by the CPU 1212 and stores it in the frame buffer provided in the RAM 1214 or within itself, so that the image data is displayed on the display device 1218.

[0129] The communication interface 1222 communicates with other electronic devices via a network. The storage device 1224 stores programs and data used by the CPU 1212 in the computer 1200. The DVD drive reads programs or data from a DVD-ROM or the like and provides them to the storage device 1224. The IC card drive reads programs and data from an IC card and / or writes programs and data to an IC card.

[0130] The ROM 1230 stores boot programs and / or hardware-dependent programs of the computer 1200, which are executed by the computer 1200 when activated. The input / output chip 1240 may also connect various input / output units to the input / output controller 1220 via USB ports, parallel ports, serial ports, keyboard ports, mouse ports, etc.

[0131] The program is provided on a computer-readable storage medium such as a DVD-ROM or IC card. The program is read from the computer-readable storage medium and installed on a storage device 1224, RAM 1214, or ROM 1230, which are examples of computer-readable storage media, and executed by the CPU 1212. The information processing described within these programs is read by the computer 1200, resulting in coordination between the program and the various types of hardware resources described above. The apparatus or method may be configured to realize the operation or processing of information in accordance with the use of the computer 1200.

[0132] For example, when communication is performed between a computer 1200 and an external device, the CPU 1212 may execute a communication program loaded into the RAM 1214 and, based on the processing described in the communication program, instruct the communication interface 1222 to perform communication processing. Under the control of the CPU 1212, the communication interface 1222 reads transmission data stored in a transmission buffer area provided in a recording medium such as the RAM 1214, storage device 1224, DVD-ROM, or IC card, transmits the read transmission data to the network, or writes received data received from the network to a reception buffer area or the like provided on the recording medium.

[0133] Furthermore, the CPU 1212 may read all or necessary parts of a file or database stored on an external recording medium such as a storage device 1224, a DVD drive (DVD-ROM), or an IC card into the RAM 1214, and perform various types of processing on the data in the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may then write the processed data back to the external recording medium.

[0134] Various types of information, such as various types of programs, data, tables, and databases, may be stored on the recording medium and subjected to information processing. The CPU 1212 may perform various types of processing on the data read from the RAM 1214, including various types of operations, information processing, conditional judgments, conditional branching, unconditional branching, information retrieval / replacement, etc., as described throughout this disclosure and specified by the program instruction sequence, and write the results back to the RAM 1214. The CPU 1212 may also retrieve information in files, databases, etc., within the recording medium. For example, if a plurality of entries are stored in the recording medium, each having an attribute value of a first attribute associated with an attribute value of a second attribute, the CPU 1212 may search among the plurality of entries for an entry that matches the specified condition for the attribute value of the first attribute, read the attribute value of the second attribute stored in that entry, and thereby obtain the attribute value of the second attribute associated with the first attribute that satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0135] The program or software module described above may be stored on or near the computer 1200 in a computer-readable storage medium. Alternatively, a recording medium such as a hard disk or RAM provided within a server system connected to a dedicated communication network or the Internet can be used as a computer-readable storage medium, thereby providing the program to the computer 1200 via the network.

[0136] In this embodiment, blocks in the flowchart and block diagram may represent a stage in a process in which an operation is performed or a "part" of a device that has the role of performing an operation. A particular stage and "part" may be implemented by a dedicated circuit, a programmable circuit supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium, and / or a processor supplied with computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium. The dedicated circuit may include digital and / or analog hardware circuits, and may include integrated circuits (ICs) and / or discrete circuits. The programmable circuit may include reconfigurable hardware circuits, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and programmable logic arrays (PLAs), which include logical AND, logical OR, exclusive OR, negated AND, negated OR, and other logical operations, flip-flops, registers, and memory elements.

[0137] A computer-readable storage medium may include any tangible device capable of storing instructions to be executed by a suitable device, and as a result, a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein will comprise a product that includes instructions that can be executed to create means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Examples of computer-readable storage media may include electronic storage media, magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electromagnetic storage media, semiconductor storage media, etc. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media may include floppy disks, diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), static random access memory (SRAM), compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digital multipurpose disk (DVD), Blu-ray® disk, memory stick, integrated circuit card, etc.

[0138] Computer-readable instructions may include assembler instructions, instruction set architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine-dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state setting data, or source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including object-oriented programming languages ​​such as Smalltalk®, Java®, C++, and conventional procedural programming languages ​​such as the C programming language or similar programming languages.

[0139] Computer-readable instructions may be provided locally or via a wide area network (WAN) such as a local area network (LAN) or the internet to a processor or programmable circuit of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device, so that the processor or programmable circuit of the programmable data processing device, such as a computer, can execute the instructions to generate means for performing operations specified in a flowchart or block diagram. Here, the computer may be a PC (personal computer), tablet computer, smartphone, workstation, server computer, general-purpose computer, or special-purpose computer, and may also be a computer system in which multiple computers are connected. Such a computer system in which multiple computers are connected is also called a distributed computing system and is a computer in a broad sense. In a distributed computing system, multiple computers execute a program collectively by each computer executing a part of the program and passing data during program execution between computers as needed.

[0140] Examples of processors include computer processors, central processing units (CPUs), processing units, microprocessors, digital signal processors, controllers, and microcontrollers. A computer may have one or more processors. In a multiprocessor system with multiple processors, each processor executes a portion of the program, and the processors collectively execute the program by passing program execution data between them as needed. For example, in the execution of multitasks, each of the multiple processors may execute a portion of each task in small chunks by switching tasks at each time slice. In this case, which part of a program each processor executes changes dynamically. Which part of a program each of the multiple processors executes may also be statically determined by multiprocessor-aware programming.

[0141] The invention according to this embodiment makes it possible to use a communication network that can flexibly respond to fluctuations in traffic demand and user movement without adding new wireless base stations 200. Since a resilient communication infrastructure is provided at low cost, it can contribute to achieving at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Goal 9, "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation," and Goal 11, "Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable."

[0142] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications or improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It will be clear from the claims that such modified or improved forms may also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0143] It should be noted that the execution order of operations, procedures, steps, and stages in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not explicitly stated as "before" or "prior to," and that these can be performed in any order unless the output of a previous operation is used in a later operation. Even if the operation flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is described using phrases such as "first," and "next," for convenience, this does not mean that it is mandatory to perform the operations in that order.

[0144] 10 Wireless communication system, 20 Wireless communication area, 30 Wireless communication area, 40 Region, 42 Shielding, 44 Movement path, 100 Control device, 110 Storage unit, 120 Terminal identification unit, 130 Prediction unit, 140 AP control unit, 150 RAN control function execution unit, 160 AI processing execution unit, 200 Wireless base station, 202 Wireless base station, 204 Wireless base station, 206 Wireless base station, 208 Wireless base station, 210 Wireless base station, 212 Wireless base station, 214 Wireless base station, 300 AP device, 302 AP device, 304 AP device, 306 AP device, 308 AP device, 310 AP device, 312 AP device, 314 AP device, 316 AP device, 318 AP device, 320 AP device, 322 AP device, 324 AP device, 400 Information processing infrastructure, 500 Management infrastructure, 800 Wireless communication terminal, 1200 Computer, 1210 Host controller, 1212 CPU, 1213 GPU, 1214 RAM, 1216 Graphics controller, 1218 Display device, 1220 Input / output controller, 1222 Communication interface, 1224 Storage device, 1230 ROM, 1240 Input / output chip

Claims

1. A control device comprising: a storage unit that stores system information for a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of radio base stations that form a wireless communication area and provide wireless communication services to a plurality of wireless communication terminals, and a plurality of AP devices, each connected to at least one of the plurality of radio base stations and having a simpler structure than the plurality of radio base stations, wherein the system information includes at least the location information of the plurality of radio base stations and the location information of the plurality of AP devices; a terminal identification unit that identifies a target terminal which is a wireless communication terminal to be provided with wireless communication services by at least one of the plurality of AP devices; a prediction unit that predicts the destination of the target terminal based on terminal-related information including the location information of the target terminal; and an AP control unit that uses the information of the destination of the target terminal predicted by the prediction unit and the system information to identify one or more AP devices from the plurality of AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and causes the identified one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of wireless base stations has at least a wireless unit and a wireless signal processing unit, and each of the plurality of AP devices does not have the wireless signal processing unit but has the wireless unit.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the AP control unit identifies a plurality of AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and causes the wireless base station connected to the identified plurality of AP devices to execute CoMP (Coordinated Multi-Point) using the plurality of AP devices, thereby forming a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

4. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the AP control unit identifies one or more AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and causes the identified one or more AP devices to beamform, thereby forming a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

5. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the AP control unit identifies one or more AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and causes the identified one or more AP devices to perform MIMO (Multi Input Multi Output) with the target terminal, thereby forming a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

6. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the terminal identification unit identifies a wireless communication terminal that has started communication via any of the plurality of wireless base stations as the target terminal.

7. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the AP control unit activates the identified one or more AP devices if they are not active, forms the wireless communication area covering the target terminal, and deactivates the identified one or more AP devices in response to the termination of communication by the target terminal.

8. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the AP control unit inputs terminal-related information including the destination of the target terminal to a model that outputs one or more AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area, based on terminal-related information including the location information of the wireless communication terminal, and causes the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal using the formation parameters output from the model.

9. The control device according to claim 8, wherein the AP control unit takes terminal-related information, including location information of a wireless communication terminal and at least one of traffic demand information, wireless quality information, and time information, as input, and outputs one or more AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the wireless communication terminal and formation parameters that cause the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area, inputs the terminal-related information, including information on the destination of the target terminal, to a model, and uses the formation parameters output from the model to cause the one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area that covers the target terminal.

10. The control device according to claim 8 or 9, comprising: a RAN control function execution unit that performs a RAN control function for controlling a RAN (Radio Access Network) by the plurality of wireless base stations; and an AI processing execution unit that performs AI processing, the AI ​​processing execution unit having the AP control unit.

11. A control method comprising: a storage step of storing system information for a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of radio base stations that form a wireless communication area and provide wireless communication services to a plurality of wireless communication terminals, and a plurality of AP devices, each connected to at least one of the plurality of radio base stations and having a simpler structure than the plurality of radio base stations, wherein the system information includes at least the location information of the plurality of radio base stations and the location information of the plurality of AP devices; a terminal identification step of identifying a target terminal that is a wireless communication terminal to be provided with wireless communication services by at least one of the plurality of AP devices; a prediction step of predicting the destination of the target terminal based on terminal-related information including the location information of the target terminal; and an AP control step of using the destination of the target terminal predicted in the prediction step and the system information to identify one or more AP devices from the plurality of AP devices that provide wireless communication services to the target terminal, and causing the identified one or more AP devices to form a wireless communication area covering the target terminal.

12. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method described in claim 11.

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