Communication control device, communication system, and communication control method

Abstract

This communication control device comprises: an acquisition unit that, in a wireless access network of O-RAN specifications, acquires information relating to wireless communication performed by user equipment (UE) and acquires information about an ACC allocated to a distributed unit (DU); and a control unit that communicates an allocation message of the ACC to a central unit (CU) or the DU on the basis of the information acquired by the acquisition unit. The message allocates the ACC in units of the UE and in units of cells to which the UE is connected.

Description

Communication control device, communication system, and communication control method

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control device, a communication system, and a communication control method. The present application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-055328 filed in Japan on March 28, 2025, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network) Alliance is promoting research on the openization and intelligentization of next-generation radio access networks (RAN) such as the fifth generation (5G) mobile communication system (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2).

[0003] “O-RAN E2 Service Model (E2SM) 5.0”, O-RAN.WG3.E2SM-R003-v05.00, February 2024“O-RAN O1 Interface specification for O-DU 9.0”, O-RAN.WG5.O-DU-O1.0-R003-v09.00, February 2024

[0004] In such a radio access network, processing of a DU (Distributed Unit) is allocated to an ACC (Accelerator) for Hi-PHY processing. However, according to the current specifications, ACCs are allocated per carrier. Therefore, when the number of UEs (User Equipment) connected to the same cell is small, the utilization efficiency of the ACC decreases, which may lead to unnecessary power consumption. This has been a problem.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication control device, a communication system, and a communication control method capable of flexibly allocating DU processing to ACCs.

[0006] (1) One aspect of the present invention is a communication control device in an O-RAN specification wireless access network, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information relating to wireless communication performed by a UE (User Equipment) and acquires information relating to an ACC (Accelerator) to be assigned to a DU (Distributed Unit); and a control unit that, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, notifies a CU (Central Unit) or the DU of an ACC assignment message, wherein the message assigns the ACC on a UE-by-UE and cell-by-cell basis to which the UE is connected.

[0007] (2) In another aspect of the present invention, in the communication control device described in (1) above, the acquisition unit and the control unit are provided in a Near-RT RIC (Near-RealTime RAN Intelligent Controller).

[0008] (3) In addition, in the communication control device described in (2) above, the control unit notifies the ACC assignment message via the E2 interface between the DU and the Near-RT RIC.

[0009] (4) In addition, one aspect of the present invention is a communication control device according to any of (1) to (3) described above, wherein the acquisition unit and the control unit are provided in a Non-RT RIC (Non-RealTime RAN Intelligent Controller).

[0010] (5) In addition, in the communication control device described in (4) above, the control unit notifies the ACC assignment message via the O1 interface between the DU and the Non-RT RIC.

[0011] (6) In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, in the communication control device described in (4) or (5) above, the acquisition unit acquires information relating to wireless communication performed by the UE at the A1 interface between the Near-RT RIC and the Non-RT RIC.

[0012] (7) Another aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising any of the communication control devices described in (1) to (6) above, the DU, and the CU.

[0013] (8) Another aspect of the present invention is a communication control method comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring information relating to wireless communication performed by a UE (User Equipment) in an O-RAN specification wireless access network and acquiring information of an ACC (Accelerator) to be assigned to a DU (Distributed Unit); and a control step of notifying a CU (Central Unit) or the DU of an ACC assignment message based on the information acquired in the acquisition step, wherein the message assigns the ACC on a UE-by-UE and cell-by-cell basis to which the UE is connected.

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a communication control device, a communication system, and a communication control method that can flexibly assign DU processing to ACC.

[0015] This is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of the wireless access network (RAN) of the communication system according to this embodiment. This is a first conceptual diagram illustrating the assignment of ACC performed by the communication control device according to this embodiment. This is a second conceptual diagram illustrating the assignment of ACC performed by the communication control device according to this embodiment. This is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps when ACC assignment according to this embodiment is performed by a Near-RT RIC. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a message when ACC assignment according to this embodiment is performed by a Near-RT RIC. This is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps when ACC assignment according to this embodiment is performed by a Near-RT RIC and the CU and DU are integrated. This is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps when ACC assignment according to this embodiment is performed by a Non-RT RIC. This is a diagram illustrating an example of a message when ACC assignment according to this embodiment is performed by a Non-RT RIC. This is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps when ACC assignment according to this embodiment is performed by a Non-RT RIC and the CU and DU are integrated. This is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps related to a modified example of ACC assignment according to this embodiment when ACC assignment is performed by a Non-RT RIC. This is a modified example of the ACC assignment according to this embodiment, where the CU and DU are integrated, and is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps. This is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the communication control device according to this embodiment.

[0016] [Embodiments] Preferred embodiments of a communication control device, communication system, and communication control method according to an aspect of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the aspects of the present invention are not limited to these embodiments, and include various modifications or improvements. In other words, the components described below include those that are easily conceivable by those skilled in the art, and those that are substantially the same, and the components described below can be combined as appropriate. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, or modifications of components can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Also, in the following drawings, the scale and number of components in each structure may differ from the scale and number of components in the actual structure in order to make each structure easier to understand.

[0017] [Overview of the Communication System] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration example of the wireless access network (RAN) of the communication system according to this embodiment. First, the communication system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the figure. The communication system 1 shown in the figure is subject to the O-RAN specification. However, in this embodiment, a new interface not specified in the O-RAN specification is added.

[0018] The communication system 1 comprises a communication control device 10, a plurality of Distributed Units 20, and an Accelerator (ACC) 30. In the figure, the plurality of DU20 are shown as DU#1 and DU#2. The communication control device 10 is specifically a RIC (RAN Intelligent Controller). The communication control device 10 and the DU20 are configured to communicate via a communication line.

[0019] The ACC30 includes a computing unit (hardware element) that performs signal processing for the DU20. The computing unit in the ACC30 has multiple processors capable of parallel processing.

[0020] The communication control device 10 comprises an acquisition unit 11 and a control unit 12 as its functional units. The communication control device 10 includes a Non-RT RIC (Non-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller) (not shown) and a Near-RT RIC (Near-Real Time RAN Intelligent Controller) (not shown). The functions of the communication control device 10 are realized by the Non-RT RIC and the Near-RT RIC.

[0021] The acquisition unit 11 acquires information about the ACC30 assigned to the DU20 via the default interface of the O-RAN specification. Specifically, this ACC30 information includes information about the ACC30 assigned to the DU20, and more specifically, the number of ACC30s assigned to the DU20, the number of processors in the ACC30, and so on. The acquisition unit 11 also acquires information about the wireless communication performed by the UE (User Equipment) via the default interface of the O-RAN specification.

[0022] Based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 11, the control unit 12 groups the multiple UEs so that signal processing for the multiple UEs is executed together by a single ACC 30 (assigning the ACC 30). This grouping is performed for each UE and each cell. The control unit 12 notifies the DU 20 of the ACC 30 assignment message. The ACC 30 assignment message may also be notified to the CU (Central Unit).

[0023] The control unit 12 may determine the number of UEs to allocate to ACC 30 according to the number of processors capable of parallel processing in ACC 30. Furthermore, the control unit 12 may group UEs and cell pairs in such a way that the cost based on the amount of computation is minimized when signal processing for multiple UEs is performed collectively in ACC 30.

[0024] [ACC Assignment Method] Next, the assignment of ACC 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. As described above, the assignment of ACC 30 according to this embodiment is performed for each UE and each cell. Figures 2 and 3 include UE#1, UE#2, and UE#3 as an example of a plurality of UEs included in the communication system 1. These plurality of UEs are connected to the DU via a plurality of cells. The figures show cell-1 (freq 1, 20MHz), cell-2 (freq 2, 10MHz), cell-3 (freq 3, 10MHz), and cell-4 (freq 4, 10MHz). Furthermore, the figures show ACC#1, ACC#2, ACC#3, and ACC#4 as ACC 30. In the explanation given with reference to Figures 2 and 3, it is assumed that ACC 30 can process up to a total bandwidth of 60MHz. Furthermore, we assume that each cell contains only one carrier.

[0025] Figure 2 is a first conceptual diagram illustrating the assignment of ACCs by the communication control device according to this embodiment. The state shown in the figure is based on the current NR (New Radio) specifications and is an image diagram of the case where ACC 30 is assigned to each cell (each carrier). Cell-1 is assigned to ACC#1, cell-2 is assigned to ACC#2, cell-3 is assigned to ACC#3, and cell-4 is assigned to ACC#4. As shown in the figure, when ACC 30 is assigned to each cell, the utilization efficiency of ACC 30 is not good.

[0026] Figure 3 is a second conceptual diagram illustrating the assignment of ACC by the communication control device according to this embodiment. Figure 3 shows an example of assigning ACC 30 to each cell (each carrier) under the same conditions as in Figure 2. In this case, as shown in the figure, the processing that was assigned to ACC#3 and ACC#4 can be consolidated into ACC#2. Therefore, in this case, the power to ACC#3 and ACC#4 can be turned off, or ACC#3 and ACC#4 can be used for other purposes.

[0027] The specific implementation method will be described later, but the ACC30 is assigned by notifying the DU20 of an ACC Assignment Message from the RIC. This assignment is done on a per-cell (per-carrier) and per-UE basis. This embodiment enables such flexible assignment. The assignment of ACC30 and notification to the DU20 can be implemented by either a Near-RT RIC or a Non-RT RIC. The specific implementation methods for each case will be described below.

[0028] [When performed using Near-RT RIC] First, an example of when performed using Near-RT RIC will be explained with reference to Figures 4 to 6.

[0029] Figure 4 is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps when ACC assignment according to this embodiment is performed by a Near-RT RIC. In this case, the acquisition unit 11 and control unit 12 of the communication control device 10 can be said to be provided in the Near-RT RIC.

[0030] (Step S11) First, a Measurement report is sent from the UE to the CU.

[0031] (Step S12) Next, the CU transmits a RIC Indication Message (Carrier Aggregation) to the Near-RT RIC using the INSERT service on the E2 interface. In this way, the Near-RT RIC obtains information about the radio communication performed by the UE.

[0032] (Step S13) Next, AAL implementation, which is the hardware infrastructure that implements DU by software, transmits Data collection (ACC information) to IMS (Infrastructure Management Service) via the AALI-C-Mgmt interface.

[0033] (Step S14) Furthermore, IMS transmits Data collection (ACC information) to Non-RT RIC via the O2 interface.

[0034] (Step S15) Furthermore, the Non-RT RIC transmits Data Collection (ACC information) to the Near-RT RIC via the A1 interface. In this way, the Near-RT RIC obtains the ACC information to be assigned to the DU. In other words, if there is a change in the Add status of the CA, an ACC assignment occurs, and a message of ACC assignment is sent to the Non-RT RIC. Note that such notifications are not defined in the current O-RAN specification and are newly defined in this embodiment.

[0035] (Step S16) When the Non-RT RIC receives the ACC assignment message, it sends Hardware Accelerator Assignment Control to the DU via the E2 interface. The control unit 12 of the communication control device 10 can also notify the DU of the ACC assignment message via the E2 interface between the DU and the Near-RT RIC.

[0036] (Step S17) Furthermore, the Non-RT RIC sends a RIC Control Message (Carrier Aggregation) to the CU via the CONTROL service on the E2 interface.

[0037] (Step S18) The CU sends RRC Reconfiguration for CA to the UE.

[0038] (Step S19) After configuration, the UE sends RRC Reconfiguration Complete to the CU.

[0039] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message when ACC assignment is performed by Near-RT RIC according to this embodiment. Figure 5(A) shows an example of the contents of a message for assigning ACC. As shown in the figure, cell1 from UE1 is assigned to AAL Profile 1. Also, cell2 and cell3 from UE1 are assigned to AAL Profile 2, and cell1 and cell3 from UE2 are assigned. In this way, according to this embodiment, ACC can be assigned to each UE and further to each cell. In addition, multiple UEs can be assigned to the same AAL Profile. Figure 5(B) is newly defined for the addition of an Information Element (IE).

[0040] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps when ACC assignment according to this embodiment is performed by a Near-RT RIC and the CU and DU are integrated. The example shown in the figure is an example of ACC assignment performed by a Near-RT RIC, similar to the example shown in Figure 4. When the DU and CU are integrated, it is conceivable that the Near-RT RIC only has an interface with the CU. In this case, the notification in step S16 described above will be notified to the CU as shown in the figure. The content of the notification is the same as the example explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0041] [When performed by Non-RT RIC] Next, an example of when performed by Non-RT RIC will be explained with reference to Figures 7 to 11. In this case, the acquisition unit 11 and control unit 12 of the communication control device 10 can be said to be provided in the Non-RT RIC. When ACC assignment is performed by Non-RT RIC, there are two possibilities: the ACC assignment request is notified directly from the CU to the Non-RT RIC, or it is notified from the CU to the Non-RT RIC via the Near-RT RIC. First, the flow when the ACC assignment request is notified directly from the CU to the Non-RT RIC will be explained.

[0042] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a series of flows when ACC allocation according to the present embodiment is performed by Non-RT RIC.

[0043] (Step S21) First, a Measurement report is transmitted from the UE to the CU.

[0044] (Step S22) Next, the CU transmits a Hardware Accelerator Assignment request to the Non-RT RIC via the O1 interface. Such a notification is not defined in the current O-RAN specifications, and is newly defined in the present embodiment.

[0045] (Step S23) Next, the AAL implementation transmits Data collection (ACC information) to the IMS via the AALI-C-Mgmt interface.

[0046] (Step S24) Further, the IMS transmits Data collection (ACC information) to the Non-RT RIC via the O2 interface.

[0047] (Step S25) When the Non-RT RIC acquires the ACC allocation message, the Non-RT RIC transmits a Hardware Accelerator Assignment Control to the DU via the O1 interface.

[0048] (Step S26) Further, the Non-RT RIC transmits an ACC assignment Complete to the CU via the O1 interface. It can also be interpreted that the control unit 12 included in the communication control apparatus 10 notifies the CU of the ACC allocation message via the O1 interface between the DU and the Non-RT RIC. Such a notification is not defined in the current O-RAN specifications, and is newly defined in the present embodiment.

[0049] (Step S27) The CU transmits an RRC Reconfiguration for CA to the UE.

[0050] (Step S28) After configuration, the UE sends RRC Reconfiguration Complete to the CU.

[0051] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a message when ACC assignment is performed by Non-RT RIC according to this embodiment. The figure shows an example of information added in step S25 described above. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the O1 interface between SMO and DU performs information queries and updates on a module basis. Furthermore, the information notified in step S25 described above is not defined in the current O-RAN specification, given that a Cell list is defined below the UE list.

[0052] Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps in the case where ACC assignment according to this embodiment is performed by a Non-RT RIC and the CU and DU are integrated. The example shown in the figure is an example in which ACC assignment is performed by a Non-RT RIC, similar to the example shown in Figure 7. When the DU and CU are integrated, it is conceivable that the Non-RT RIC only has an interface with the CU. In this case, the notification in step S25 described above will be notified to the CU as shown in the figure. The content of the notification is the same as the example explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0053] Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing a modified example of the ACC assignment according to this embodiment when performed by a Non-RT RIC. The illustrated example shows a case in which an ACC assignment request is notified from the CU to the Non-RT RIC via the Near-RT RIC.

[0054] (Step S31) First, a Measurement report is sent from the UE to the CU.

[0055] (Step S32) Next, the CU sends a RIC Indication Message (Carrier Aggregation) to the Near-RT RIC via the INSERT service on the E2 interface.

[0056] (Step S33) Next, the Near-RT RIC transmits a CA Information Notification to the Non-RT RIC via the A1 interface. The acquisition unit 11 of the communication control device 10 can also acquire information regarding the wireless communication performed by the UE via the A1 interface between the Near-RT RIC and the Non-RT RIC. Note that such a notification is not defined in the current O-RAN specification and is newly defined in this embodiment.

[0057] (Step S34) Next, AAL implementation sends Data collection (ACC information) to IMS via the AALI-C-Mgmt interface.

[0058] (Step S35) Furthermore, IMS transmits Data collection (ACC information) to Non-RT RIC via the O2 interface.

[0059] (Step S36) When the Non-RT RIC receives the ACC assignment message, it sends Hardware Accelerator Assignment Control to the DU via the O1 interface.

[0060] (Step S37) Furthermore, the Non-RT RIC transmits ACC assignment Complete to the Near-RT RIC via the A1 interface. The control unit 12 of the communication control device 10 can also notify the Near-RT RIC of the ACC assignment message via the A1 interface between the Near-RT RIC and the Non-RT RIC. Note that such notification is not defined in the current O-RAN specification and is newly defined in this embodiment.

[0061] (Step S38) Furthermore, the Near-RT RIC sends a RIC Control Message (Carrier Aggregation) to the CU via the CONTROL service of the E2 interface.

[0062] (Step S39) The CU sends RRC Reconfiguration for CA to the UE.

[0063] (Step S40) After configuration, the UE sends RRC Reconfiguration Complete to the CU.

[0064] Figure 11 is a modified example of the ACC assignment according to this embodiment, where ACC assignment is performed by a Non-RT RIC, and is a sequence diagram showing a series of steps when the CU and DU are integrated. The example shown in the figure is an example of ACC assignment performed by a Non-RT RIC, similar to the example shown in Figure 10. When the DU and CU are integrated, it is conceivable that the Non-RT RIC only has an interface with the CU. In this case, the notification in step S25 described above will be notified to the CU, as shown in the figure. The content of the notification is the same as the example described with reference to Figure 4.

[0065] [Internal Configuration] Figure 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of a communication control device according to this embodiment. At least some of the functions of the communication control device 10 can be realized using a computer. As shown in the figure, the computer is composed of a central processing unit 901, a RAM 902, an input / output port 903, input / output devices 904 and 905, etc., and a bus 906. The computer itself can be realized using existing technology. The central processing unit 901 executes instructions contained in a program read from the RAM 902, etc. The central processing unit 901 writes data to the RAM 902, reads data from the RAM 902, and performs arithmetic and logical operations according to each instruction. The RAM 902 stores data and programs. Each element included in the RAM 902 has an address and can be accessed using that address. RAM is an abbreviation for "Random Access Memory". The input / output port 903 is a port for the central processing unit 901 to exchange data with external input / output devices, etc. Input / output devices 904 and 905 are input / output devices. Input / output devices 904 and 905 exchange data with the central processing unit 901 via input / output ports 903. Bus 906 is a common communication channel used within the computer. For example, the central processing unit 901 reads and writes data to RAM 902 via bus 906. Also, for example, the central processing unit 901 accesses input / output ports via bus 906. Furthermore, all or part of the functional units of the communication control device 10 may be implemented using hardware such as ASICs, PLDs, or FPGAs. Furthermore, all or part of the functional units may be implemented by a combination of software and hardware.

[0066] [Summary of Embodiments] According to the embodiments described above, the communication control device 10 functions as a Near-RT RIC or Non-RT RIC in an O-RAN specification wireless access network. The communication control device 10 comprises an acquisition unit 11 and a control unit 12. The acquisition unit 11 acquires information related to wireless communication performed by the UE and acquires information on ACC to be assigned to the DU. Based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 11, the control unit 12 notifies the CU or DU of an ACC assignment message. Furthermore, the message assigns ACC to each cell to which the UE is connected. In other words, according to this embodiment, it is possible to flexibly assign DU processing to ACC for each UE and each cell. By adopting such a configuration, the utilization efficiency of ACC can be increased and the occurrence of unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

[0067] Furthermore, the above-described embodiment makes it possible to flexibly allocate DU processing to ACC, thereby increasing the utilization efficiency of ACC and suppressing the occurrence of unnecessary power consumption. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and expand innovation."

[0068] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and design modifications and the like are also included within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0069] Alternatively, computer programs for realizing the functions of each of the above-mentioned devices may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the programs recorded on this recording medium may be loaded into a computer system and executed. The term "computer system" here may include hardware such as an operating system and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to writable non-volatile memory such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, and flash memory, portable media such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system.

[0070] Furthermore, "computer-readable recording media" includes volatile memory (e.g., DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) within a computer system that acts as a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, which retains the program for a certain period of time. In addition, the above program may be transmitted from the computer system that stores the program in a storage device, etc., to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves within the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Furthermore, the above program may be for the purpose of realizing a part of the above-mentioned functions. Moreover, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0071] According to the present invention, the processing of DU can be flexibly assigned to ACC.

[0072] 1...Communication system, 10...Communication control device, 11...Acquisition unit, 12...Control unit, 20...DU, 30...ACC

Claims

1. A communication control device comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding wireless communication performed by a UE (User Equipment) in an O-RAN specification wireless access network and acquires information regarding an ACC (Accelerator) to be assigned to a DU (Distributed Unit); and a control unit that, based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit, notifies a CU (Central Unit) or the DU of an ACC assignment message, wherein the message assigns the ACC on a UE-by-UE and cell-by-cell basis to which the UE is connected.

2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit and the control unit are provided in a Near-RT RIC (Near-RealTime RAN Intelligent Controller).

3. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit notifies the ACC assignment message via the E2 interface between the DU and the Near-RT RIC.

4. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit and the control unit are provided in a Non-RT RIC (Non-RealTime RAN Intelligent Controller).

5. The communication control device according to claim 4, wherein the control unit notifies the ACC assignment message via the O1 interface between the DU and the Non-RT RIC.

6. The communication control device according to claim 5, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information relating to wireless communication performed by the UE via the A1 interface between the Near-RT RIC and the Non-RT RIC.

7. A communication system comprising: a communication control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6; the DU; and the CU.

8. A communication control method comprising: an acquisition step in an O-RAN specification wireless access network, which acquires information regarding wireless communication performed by a UE (User Equipment) and information regarding an ACC (Accelerator) to be assigned to a DU (Distributed Unit); and a control step in which, based on the information acquired in the acquisition step, an ACC assignment message is notified to a CU (Central Unit) or the DU, wherein the message assigns the ACC on a UE-by-UE and cell-by-cell basis to which the UE is connected.

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