Wireless access control method and wireless access system

【0001】

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a wireless access control method and a wireless access system.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, wireless access systems for accessing the Internet from mobile terminals have been studied.

【0003】

The conventional wireless access system will be described below. Here, among the wireless access systems, a wireless LAN system using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) as a wireless transmission line will be described.

【0004】

Referring to FIG. 5, in the wireless LAN system of the present conventional example, the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless base station 200 that communicates with the mobile terminal 100 using a wireless line, and the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless access network communicate with each other. It has an access network control station 300 that controls the above, and a wireless access gateway (default router) 400 that opens a communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the wireless access network.

【0005】

The operation of the conventional wireless LAN system shown in FIG. 5 when communicating from the mobile terminal 100 to a terminal outside the wireless access network will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

【0006】

First, a wireless LAN wireless transmission line (802.11 association) is established between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless base station 200 (step 700). Here, "802.11" is a wireless LAN standard standardized by the IEEE802 committee, which defines 2.4 GHz band DS (direct spread), FH (frequency hopping) method, and the like.

【0007】

Next, the radio base station 200 transmits an 802.1X authentication request signal for authenticating the access by the mobile terminal 100 (step 710). Here, "802.1X" is a standard of an authentication protocol standardized by the IEEE802 committee, and is used for user authentication at the time of login in a wireless LAN.

【0008】

Next, the mobile terminal 100 returns the 802.1X authentication response signal corresponding to the 802.1X authentication request signal received from the wireless base station 200 to the wireless base station 200 (step 720).

【0009】

Next, the radio base station 200 converts the 802.1X authentication response signal, which is a radio section-specific signal received from the mobile terminal 100, into a RADIUS authentication signal, which is an IP (Internet Protocol) layer signal (step 730), and converts the result. The RADIUS authentication signal is transmitted to the access control station 300 as a RADIUS authentication response signal (step 740). Here, "RADIUS" is a user authentication standard (RFC2138) standardized by the IETF, and is used when permitting / denying access based on user information.

【0010】

Next, the access control station 300 determines whether or not to allow access by the mobile terminal 100 based on the RADIUS authentication response signal received from the radio base station 200, and if the access is permitted, the radio base station Send a RADIUS authentication authorization signal to 200 (step 750).

【0011】

The radio base station 200 converts the RADIUS authentication permission signal, which is an IP layer signal, into an 802.1X authentication permission signal, which is a radio-specific signal (step 760), and transmits the converted 802.1X authentication permission signal to the mobile terminal 100 (step). 770).

【0012】

After that, the mobile terminal 100 starts communication with a terminal outside the wireless access network (step 780).

【0013】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

As described above, in the conventional wireless access system, during the access control process shown in FIG. 6, the wireless base station converts the signal specific to the wireless section into an IP layer signal to control access to the outside of the wireless access network. It has been realized. On the other hand, IP layer technology is advancing day by day through standardization in IETF, etc., and authentication / billing and QoS (Quality of Service) control are newly developed.

【0014】

In a conventional wireless access system, if a new IP layer technology is added or modified to a signal specific to a wireless section in the processing of steps 700 to 720 in a wireless base station, the IP layer technology can be applied to a wireless access network. Is possible.

【0015】

However, since the processing of steps 700 to 720 is not performed after the access control processing is completed, a new IP layer technology is added to the radio section specific signal before the access control processing is completed in the radio base station. If not corrected, all IP packets received from the mobile terminal by the radio base station and packetized will be transmitted to the outside of the radio access network without applying the new IP layer technology.

【0016】

An object of the present invention is a radio access control method and radio that allows a radio base station to apply the IP layer technology to a radio access network without adding or modifying a new IP layer technology to a radio section-specific signal. It is to provide an access system.

【0017】

[Means for solving problems]

In order to achieve the above object, the wireless access control method of the present invention is a wireless access network by communication between a mobile terminal, a wireless base station that communicates with the mobile terminal using a wireless channel, and the mobile terminal. This is a wireless access control method using an access network control station that controls the above and a wireless access gateway that establishes a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network, and the mobile terminal transmits to the outside of the wireless access network. A step of transmitting a radio control signal to be transmitted to the radio base station, a step of the radio base station transferring the radio control signal to the radio access gateway without converting the radio control signal, and a step of the access network control station performing the radio. When the wireless control signal is transferred from the access gateway, communication is performed with the mobile terminal via the wireless base station, and communication outside the wireless access network of the mobile terminal is performed based on the communication. The step of determining whether or not to allow, and when the access network control station permits communication of the mobile terminal to the outside of the wireless access network, the mobile terminal and the wireless access network are referred to the wireless access gateway. When the step of instructing to open a communication path with the outside and when the wireless access gateway is instructed by the access network control station to open a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network, It is characterized by having a step of opening a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network and transmitting the wireless control signal to the outside of the wireless access network.

【0018】

According to this configuration, the access network control station can apply the new IP layer technology to the radio access network when communicating with the mobile terminal, so that the radio base station can use the new IP for the radio section specific signal. There is no need to add or modify layer technology.

【0019】

Further, when the wireless access gateway establishes a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network, the wireless base station is provided with a dedicated channel between the mobile terminal and the wireless access gateway in a wireless section. It may have additional steps to instruct it to open.

【0020】

If the wireless access gateway determines that the source of the wireless control signal is not permitted to communicate outside the wireless access network when the wireless control signal is transferred from the wireless base station, the wireless access gateway may determine that communication outside the wireless access network is not permitted. The destination of the radio control signal may be changed to the access network control station, and the step of transferring the radio control signal to the access network control station may be further included.

【0021】

If the wireless access gateway determines that the source of the wireless control signal is permitted to communicate outside the wireless access network when the wireless control signal is transferred from the wireless base station, the wireless access gateway may determine that communication outside the wireless access network is permitted. Further having a step of opening a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the radio access network and transmitting the radio control signal outside the radio access network without changing the destination of the radio control signal to the access network control station. May be.

【0022】

Further, when the radio access gateway determines that a shared control channel different from the dedicated channel is used for communication of the radio control signal when the radio control signal is transferred from the radio base station, the radio access gateway determines that a shared control channel different from the dedicated channel is used for communication of the radio control signal. The destination of the radio control signal may be changed to the access network control station, and the step of transferring the radio control signal to the access network control station may be further included.

【0023】

Further, when the wireless access gateway determines that the dedicated channel is used for communication of the wireless control signal when the wireless control signal is transferred from the wireless base station, the destination of the wireless control signal. May further have a step of opening a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network and transmitting the radio control signal to the outside of the wireless access network without changing to the access network control station.

【0024】

In order to achieve the above object, the wireless access system of the present invention has a mobile terminal that transmits a wireless control signal to be transmitted outside the wireless access network and a wireless that transfers the wireless control signal from the mobile terminal without conversion. When the radio control signal is transferred from the base station and the radio base station, when it is determined that the source of the radio control signal is not permitted to communicate outside the radio access network, the radio control signal When the wireless control signal is transferred from the wireless access gateway, communication is performed between the wireless access gateway and the mobile terminal via the wireless base station, and the mobile terminal is based on the communication. Has an access network control station that instructs the wireless access gateway to open a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network when permitting communication outside the wireless access network. When the wireless access gateway is instructed by the access network control station to open a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network, the wireless access gateway opens a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network. It is characterized in that the wireless control signal is transmitted outside the wireless access network.

【0025】

In order to achieve the above object, the wireless access system according to another aspect of the present invention converts a mobile terminal that transmits a wireless control signal to be transmitted outside the wireless access network and the wireless control signal from the mobile terminal. A radio base station that does not transfer, and a radio access gateway that further transfers the radio control signal according to the channel used for communication of the radio control signal when the radio control signal is transferred from the radio base station. When the wireless control signal is transferred from the wireless access gateway, communication is performed with the mobile terminal via the wireless base station, and based on the communication, the mobile terminal goes out of the wireless access network. When permitting communication, the wireless access gateway has an access network control station that instructs the wireless access gateway to open a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network, and the wireless access gateway has the above-mentioned wireless access gateway. When instructed by the access network control station to open a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network, the communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network is opened and the wireless control signal is wirelessly accessed. It is characterized by transmitting to the outside of the network.

【0026】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

【0027】

(First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless access system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

【0028】

As shown in FIG. 1, the wireless access system according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a mobile terminal 100, a wireless base station 200 that communicates between the mobile terminal 100 using a wireless line, and a mobile terminal 100. It has an access network control station 300 that controls communication between the wireless access network and a wireless access gateway 400 (default router) that opens a communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the wireless access network.

【0029】

The wireless access gateway 400 includes an in-network signal transmission / reception device 401, a source determination device 402, a destination change device 403, a communication path control device 404, and a communication path opening device 405.

【0030】

The network signal transmission / reception device 401 transmits / receives signals in the radio access network between the radio base station 200 and the access network control station 300.

【0031】

The source determination device 402 determines whether or not the source of the wireless control signal received by the in-network signal transmission / reception device 401 is permitted to communicate outside the wireless access network.

【0032】

When the source determination device 402 determines that the source of the wireless control signal is not permitted to communicate outside the wireless access network, the destination change device 403 receives the wireless signal received by the in-network signal transmission / reception device 401. Change the destination of the control signal to the access network control station 300.

【0033】

The communication path control device 404 controls to open a communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the radio access network when the access network control station 300 permits communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the radio access network. ..

【0034】

The communication path opening device 405 opens a communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the radio access network under the control of the communication path control device 404.

【0035】

Hereinafter, as the operation of the wireless access system shown in FIG. 1, the operation when communicating from the mobile terminal 100 to the terminal outside the wireless access network will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

【0036】

First, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a communication establishment request signal, which is a wireless control signal, to the wireless base station 200, and the wireless base station 200 transfers the communication establishment request signal to the wireless access gateway 400 without converting it (step 500). ).

【0037】

In the wireless access gateway 400, the network signal transmission / reception device 401 receives the communication establishment request signal from the mobile terminal 100, the source determination device 402 wirelessly accesses the mobile terminal 100 which is the source of the communication establishment request signal. Determine if communication outside the network is permitted. Here, when the mobile terminal 100 is not permitted to communicate outside the wireless access network, the destination change device 403 changes the destination of the communication establishment request signal to the access network control station 300 (step 510), and the signal inside the network. The transmission / reception device 401 transfers the communication establishment request signal to the access network control station 300 (step 520).

【0038】

Next, the access network control station 300 continues communication with the mobile terminal 100, which is the source of the communication establishment signal transferred from the wireless access gateway 400, via the wireless base station 200. In this communication, if a new IP layer technology is being developed, the IP layer technology will be applied to the radio access network.

【0039】

Then, when the access network control station 300 determines whether or not to allow the mobile terminal 100 to communicate outside the radio access network based on the communication with the mobile terminal 100, and permits the communication outside the radio access network. Sends a communication establishment permission signal to the radio access gateway 400 (step 530).

【0040】

In the wireless access gateway 400, the communication path control device 404 receives the communication establishment permission signal from the access network control station 300, and provides the communication path opening device 405 with the communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the wireless access network. Instruct to open. Then, the communication path opening device 405 opens a communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the radio access network, and transmits an IP packet obtained by packetizing the communication establishment request signal from the mobile terminal 100 to the terminal outside the radio access network. .. Further, the communication path control device 404 transmits a communication establishment permission signal permitting the mobile terminal 100 to communicate outside the wireless access network to the wireless base station 200 (step 540), and wirelessly accesses the mobile terminal 100 to the wireless section. Instruct to open a dedicated channel with gateway 400.

【0041】

After that, the wireless base station 200 establishes a dedicated channel between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless access gateway 400 in the wireless section, and thereafter, the mobile terminal 100 communicates with a terminal outside the wireless access network using the dedicated channel. (Step 550).

【0042】

The wireless access gateway 400 states that when the communication establishment request signal is transferred in step 500, the mobile terminal 100, which is the source of the communication establishment request signal, is permitted to communicate outside the wireless access network. If it is determined, the communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the wireless access network is opened without changing the destination of the communication establishment request signal to the access network control station 300, and the communication establishment request signal from the mobile terminal 100 is sent. Send the packetized IP packet to a terminal outside the wireless access network.

【0043】

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wireless access system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

【0044】

As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless access gateway 400 of the wireless access system according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes an in-network signal transmission / reception device 411, a wireless common control signal transmission / reception device 412, a wireless signal transmission / reception device 413, and the like. It has a communication path control device 414 and a communication path opening device 415.

【0045】

The network signal transmission / reception device 411 transmits / receives signals in the radio access network between the radio base station 200 and the access network control station 300.

【0046】

The wireless common control signal transmission / reception device 412 transmits / receives a wireless common control signal communicated using the shared control channel in the wireless section via the network signal transmission / reception device 411. This shared control channel is a channel used by the mobile terminal 100, which is not permitted to communicate with the outside of the radio access network, to communicate the radio common control signal.

【0047】

When the wireless common control signal transmitter / receiver 412 receives the wireless common control signal from the mobile terminal 100, the wireless common control signal destination is changed to the access network control station 300 to access the wireless common control signal. Transfer to network control station 300.

【0048】

The radio signal transmission / reception device 413 transmits / receives a radio control signal communicated using a dedicated channel in the radio section via the network signal transmission / reception device 411. This dedicated channel is a channel used by the mobile terminal 100, which is permitted to communicate with the outside of the radio access network, to communicate the radio control signal.

【0049】

The communication path control device 414 controls to open a communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the radio access network when the access network control station 300 permits communication between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the radio access network. ..

【0050】

The communication path opening device 415 opens a communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the radio access network under the control of the communication path control device 414.

【0051】

Hereinafter, as the operation of the wireless access system shown in FIG. 3, the operation when communicating from the mobile terminal 100 to the terminal outside the wireless access network will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

【0052】

First, the mobile terminal 100 transmits a communication establishment request signal, which is a wireless control signal, to the wireless base station 200, and the wireless base station 200 transfers the communication establishment request signal to the wireless access gateway 400 without converting it (step 600). ).

【0053】

In the wireless access gateway 400, the communication establishment request signal from the mobile terminal 100 is received by either the wireless common control signal transmission / reception device 412 or the wireless signal transmission / reception device 413 via the network signal transmission / reception device 411. When the communication establishment request signal from the mobile terminal 100 is received by the wireless common control signal transmitter / receiver 412, the wireless common control signal transmitter / receiver 412 changes the destination of the communication establishment request signal to the access network control station 300 ( Step 610), transfer the communication establishment request signal to the access network control station 300 (step 620).

【0054】

Next, the access network control station 300 continues communication with the mobile terminal 100, which is the source of the communication establishment signal transferred from the wireless access gateway 400, via the wireless base station 200. In this communication, if a new IP layer technology is being developed, the IP layer technology will be applied to the radio access network.

【0055】

Then, when the access network control station 300 determines whether or not to allow the mobile terminal 100 to communicate outside the radio access network based on the communication with the mobile terminal 100, and permits the communication outside the radio access network. Sends a communication establishment permission signal to the radio access gateway 400 (step 630).

【0056】

In the wireless access gateway 400, the communication path control device 414 receives the communication establishment permission signal from the access network control station 300, and provides the communication path opening device 415 with the communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the wireless access network. Instruct to open. Then, the communication path opening device 415 opens a communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the radio access network, and transmits an IP packet obtained by packetizing the communication establishment request signal from the mobile terminal 100 to the terminal outside the radio access network. .. Further, the communication path control device 414 transmits a communication establishment permission signal permitting the mobile terminal 100 to communicate outside the wireless access network to the wireless base station 200 (step 640), and wirelessly accesses the mobile terminal 100 to the wireless section. Instruct to open a dedicated channel with gateway 400.

【0057】

After that, the wireless base station 200 establishes a dedicated channel between the mobile terminal 100 and the wireless access gateway 400 in the wireless section, and thereafter, the mobile terminal 100 communicates with a terminal outside the wireless access network using the dedicated channel. (Step 650).

【0058】

When the communication establishment request signal is transferred in step 600, the wireless access gateway 400 sets the destination of the communication establishment request signal when the communication establishment request signal is received by the wireless control signal transmission / reception device 413. Without changing to the access network control station 300, a communication path between the mobile terminal 100 and the outside of the wireless access network is opened, and the IP packet obtained by packetizing the communication establishment request signal from the mobile terminal 100 is sent to the terminal outside the wireless access network. Send.

【0059】

[Effect of the invention]

As described above, in the present invention, the wireless base station transfers the wireless control signal from the mobile terminal to the wireless access gateway without converting it, and the wireless access gateway determines the source of the wireless control signal and the wireless control signal. The radio control signal is transferred to the access network control station according to the channel used for communication. Then, the access network control station determines whether or not to allow the mobile terminal to communicate outside the radio access network by communicating with the mobile terminal via the radio base station, and communicates outside the radio access network. When permitting, the wireless access gateway is instructed to open a communication path between the mobile terminal and the outside of the wireless access network.

【0060】

As a result, in the access network control station, new IP layer technologies such as authentication / billing and QoS control can be forcibly applied to the radio access network when communicating with the mobile terminal. In the base station, there is no need to add or modify new IP layer technology to the radio section specific signal.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless access system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the wireless access system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a wireless access system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the wireless access system shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a wireless access system of the present conventional example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the wireless access system shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 Mobile terminal 200 Radio base station 300 Access network control station 400 Wireless access gateway 401 Network signal transmission / reception device 402 Source determination device 403 Destination change device 404 Communication path control device 405 Communication path opening device 411 Network signal transmission / reception device 412 Wireless common control Signal transmission / reception device 413 Wireless signal transmission / reception device 414 Communication path control device 415 Communication path opening device