Station apparatus, method for resource allocatoin in station apparatus, and mobile communication system

Resource allocation method in the station device and the station device and the mobile communication system

The present invention relates to a structure of resource management of packet data communication on the base station side in a mobile communication system (for example, a cellular system, a wireless local loop (WLL) system, etc.) that communicates by exchanging packet data.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an existing mobile communication system. The mobile communication system shown in Fig. 9 is a subscriber-side facility, for example, for communicating subscriber data such as a personal computer (PC). Terminals (hereinafter referred to as PCs) 101a and 101b, a mobile communication terminal 102a connected to the PC 101a to communicate with the station using a wireless interface, and an outdoor antenna connected to the PC 101b A SU (Subscriber Unit) 102b that communicates with the station side via a wireless interface via 102c is provided.

In addition, although illustration is abbreviate|omitted in FIG. 9, the mobile communication terminal 102a exists in multiple numbers. In addition, the mobile communication terminal 102a is called MS (Mobile Station) in a cellular system. In the WLL system, the equivalent of the mobile communication terminal 102a is referred to as an FWT (Fixed Wireless Terminal). Hereinafter, for convenience, these are generically referred to as simply "MS 102a".

On the other hand, as the station equipment, a base station (BTS: Base Station Transmission Subsystem) 103, a base station control unit (BSC: Base Station Control unit) 104, and a packet data distribution node ( PDSN: Packet Data Distribution Serving Node (PDSN) 105 and a general subscriber exchange (LE) or mobile subscriber exchange as a general voice call processing device 106 connected to a telephone network 108 are provided.

Here, the BTSs 103 each communicate with the MS 102a (or the SU 102b) through the air interface, and the BSC 104 controls the plurality of BTSs 103 to the BTS 103. IP (Internet Protocol) packet data (hereinafter simply referred to as "packets") or voice data between the PDSN 105 or the voice call processing device (LE/MSC) 106 performs call processing for interfacing transmission and reception will be. In the following, the BTS 103 and the BSC 104 are collectively referred to as simply "BS 134".

In addition, the PDSN 105 interfaces with the transmission and reception of packets between the BSC 104 and the Internet 107 and a point-to-point protocol (PPP) with the PC 101a (or 101b). it will be terminated In addition, since the PDSN 105 performs user authentication when establishing a PPP link (also referred to as a PPP connection) between the MSs 102a, authentication within the Internet Service Provider (ISP) 170 . It also interfaces with the server 171 .

With the above configuration, in the mobile communication system shown in Fig. 9, in addition to the existing circuit-switched voice communication in which a communication path is switched over a switch and an inter-switch network, a packet-switched packet transmission system (above Internet communication via one PDSN 105 (corresponding to this) is realized.

That is, voice data is transmitted between the PCs 101a and 101b and the telephone network 108 by a path via the BTS 103, the BSC 104 and the LE/MSC 106, and the packet is As indicated by a thick solid line, transmission is performed between the PCs 101a and 101b and the Internet 107 by a path via the BTS 103, the BSC 104, and the PDSN 105.

Here, packet data communication (hereinafter simply referred to as "packet communication") is characterized by the generation of bursty data (which does not require real-time properties), and when communicating (the station sends data to an individual mobile terminal) When transmitting, or conversely, when data is being transmitted from a mobile terminal to when not) is clear. For this reason, even though a connection is being made between the MS 102a and the BS 134, there are times when a packet (user data) is not transmitted.

In addition, the mobile communication system as described above is realized by sharing the air interface between the BS 134 and the MS 102a by a plurality of MSs 102a, unlike the originally general 2W (way) telephone system. It is not a network to which the MS 102a of () can always connect at the same time (it is aggregated between the BS 134 and the MS 102a). That is, a radio channel resource (a resource used to perform radio communication in a radio section between MS and BTS) includes, for example, a predetermined radio frequency, spreading code, time slot, memory, power of the BTS, etc. ) (hereinafter referred to as "wireless resource").

Therefore, in packet communication in a mobile communication system, the time during which data is not transmitted is determined from the operation when the user uses the packet communication service (characteristic of packet communication such as burst data generation) and the effective use of resources on the network side. By assigning to the connection of another user (MS 102a), effective use of radio resources is achieved.

To realize this, in packet communication in a mobile communication system, an active state and a dormant state are defined by standard standards as call states in a network peculiar to a packet communication service.

Here, the ACTIVE state means, for example, as schematically shown in Fig. 10, "in a state in which all communication resources between the MS 102a and the BS 134 necessary for performing the packet communication service are secured, Connection A (wireless channel) is established, and logical connection B (PPP link) between the PC 101a and the PDSN 105 connected to the MS 102a is established. A state in which packet transmission and reception is performed between the PCs 101a and 101b and the Internet 107 is shown.

On the other hand, the DORMANT state indicates a state that "Among the above-described connections A and B, connection A (wireless channel) is released and connection B (PPP link) is maintained." That is, in the DORMANT state, the MS 102a appears as if the connection A is connected to the PC 101a and the BS 134 to the PDSN 105, respectively.

Therefore, when the user accesses the Internet 107 using the packet communication service from the PC 101a, the difference between the ACTIVE/DORMANT state, which is a call state in the network, cannot be known. In addition, an example of the state transition of an ACTIVE/DORMANT state is shown below.

(1) A user (subscriber) starts accessing the Internet 107 with the PC 101a (or 101b)

(2) The user browses various homepages (WWW: World Wide Web) on the PC 101a (or 101b) [packet (traffic data) bundle: ACTIVE state].

(3) Reading through the homepage where the user is located on the PC 101a (or 101b) (no traffic data).

(4) When there is no traffic data according to (3) above, a timer starts in MS 102a (or SU 102b) or BS 134.

(5) Transition to DORMANT state by taking communication between BS 134 and MS 102a (or SU 102b) upon timer expiration.

(6) The user is reading through the homepage on the PCs 101a and 101b.

(7) When the user operates the PC 101a (or 101b) to browse different homepages, or when traffic data from the Internet 107 side to the PC 101a (or 101b) is sent to the user, the BS ( 134) and the MS 102a (or 102b) establishes a connection (connection A in Fig. 10), and sets the state in which traffic data can be transmitted/received (ACTIVE state).

Note that the definition of the ACTIVE state and the DORMANT state may be defined in the standard standard, but the state in which radio resources between BS and BTS and resources necessary for the PPP link are secured is the ACTIVE state, and the radio resources are not secured. , can also be distinguished as a state in which packet communication can be started by the resources required for the secured PPP link by securing radio resources.

In addition, the user in the above-described ACTIVE state is referred to as an ACTIVE user, and the user in the DORMANT state is referred to as a DORMANT user. That is, an ACTIVE user indicates a user who is actually performing a packet communication service (a user with wireless resources secured), and a DORMANT user indicates that "packet communication is performed once as an ACTIVE user, and thereafter packet transmission is lost for a predetermined period of time. , a user who has released only radio resources between the MS 102a (or 102b) and the BS 134 (resources necessary for the upper PPP link are maintained)".

Then, in the mobile communication system, the upper limit of the number of simultaneous connections, that is, the upper limit of the physical resource, is determined by the number of these active users and DORMANT users, and this is managed by the BSC 104 . Therefore, whether or not a new packet communication call can be established is related to the number of ACTIVE users.

Specifically, in the current BSC 104, when the number of active users is the upper limit, there is no communication resource (wireless resource, etc.) for new active users, so even if there is an empty part in the DORMANT resource, a new call (new Connection request) is rejected (REJECT). For example, as shown in FIG. 11, assuming that the upper limits of the number of active users and the number of DORMANT users are "30" (that is, maximum "60" users can be accommodated), the BSC 104 is, If a new connection request is made while the ACTIVE user is reaching the upper limit ("30"), the request is rejected even though the DORMANT user has not reached the upper limit (currently "2").

This is because, in order to become a DORMANT user, it is necessary to become an active user for the first time (that a radio channel is allocated), and only a DORMANT user who has become an active state once can transition to an ACTIVE state by reclaiming radio resources. .

For this reason, for example, as shown in Fig. 12, when the upper limit of the number of ACTIVE users is "1" and the number of DORMANT users is 2 or more, the terminal PC Y is the fastest, and after time T2, i.e., has already dialed. After the terminal (PC) X, which has been authenticated with the authentication server 171 of the ISP 170 by the up connection request and entered the ACTIVE state, transitions to the DORMANT state by continuing for a time T2 of the state of no packet transmission/reception thereafter, Unless a connection request is made, packet communication cannot be started.

Accordingly, it is expected that the originally assumed maximum number of packet communications will decrease, resulting in claims for the disadvantage of connectivity from subscribers.

The present invention was devised in view of these problems, and even if the number of active users is the upper limit, if there is an empty part in the number of MSs that can transition to the DORMANT state (the number of MSs allowed due to resource constraints such as resources for PPP connection) , in order to accommodate the new user as a DORMANT user in a state in which packet communication is possible immediately by using at least the resource for PPP connection secured by the acquisition of radio resources, etc. The purpose is to make it possible to suppress the decrease in the number of accommodations.

<Disclosure of the Invention>

In order to achieve the above object, the station side apparatus of the present invention manages communication resources necessary for packet data communication with a plurality of subscriber terminals, and allocates the communication resources to the subscriber terminals in response to a connection request from the subscriber terminals. It is characterized in that the following units are provided by performing packet data communication with the subscriber terminal.

(1) An active subscriber that manages communication resources necessary for executing connection processing for establishing a communication link with a subscriber terminal in response to a connection request from an arbitrary subscriber terminal and enabling packet data communication with the subscriber terminal in an active state Resource Management Department

(2) A dormant subscriber resource management unit that manages communication resources necessary to maintain a communication link excluding at least a radio section when the active subscriber terminal moves to an idle state in which packet data is not actually transmitted

(3) an idle state transition resource management unit that manages radio resources used for a subscriber terminal transitioning to an idle state after performing connection processing

(4) When a new connection request is received from a subscriber station that is not in the active or dormant state, an empty portion exists in the communication resource in the dormant subscriber resource management unit even if there is no empty portion in the radio resource in the active subscriber resource management unit a control unit for controlling packet data communication with the subscriber terminal that issued the new connection request in an active state by executing connection processing for a new connection request using the radio resource in the idle state transition resource management unit

In the station side apparatus of the present invention configured as described above, even when a new connection request is made from an arbitrary subscriber terminal (hereinafter simply referred to as "subscriber") in the absence of active subscriber resources, an empty portion of the dormant subscriber resource is stored. If there is, the idle state transition resource management unit executes connection processing for a new connection request using the radio resource reserved in advance as a reserve, so that the subscriber establishes a communication link with the station side device and actually performs packet data communication (hereinafter referred to as simply Also referred to as "packet communication").

That is, when a connection request is made from a certain subscriber terminal, on condition that the subscriber terminal becomes the target of the release of radio resources at least once, even if the free portion of the radio channel is insufficient, the radio channel to the subscriber terminal is applied. access is allowed.

Therefore, it is possible to avoid the phenomenon that a new connection request is rejected because there is no empty part in the active subscriber resource even if there is an empty part in the idle subscriber resource as in the prior art, so that the total resource required for packet communication is used without waste, It is possible to increase the connectivity of the subscriber's packet communication service.

Further, another station side device of the present invention is characterized in that it includes the following parts.

(1) An active subscriber that manages communication resources necessary for executing connection processing for establishing a communication link with a subscriber terminal in response to a connection request from an arbitrary subscriber terminal and enabling packet data communication with the subscriber terminal in an active state Resource Management Department

(2) an idle subscriber resource management unit that manages communication resources necessary to maintain a communication link excluding at least a radio section when the active subscriber station moves to an idle state in which packet data is not actually transmitted

(3) When a new connection request is received from a subscriber station that is not in the active or idle state, a part of the active subscriber station is forcibly transferred to the idle state to create an empty resource in the radio resource, and the empty resource is created. A control unit that executes connection processing for the new connection request by using the radio resource of the existing portion to control packet data communication with the subscriber terminal that issued the new connection request in an active state

That is, the station side apparatus in this case does not reserve radio resources in advance, but creates an empty portion of the radio resource by forcibly shifting some of the active subscribers to the idle state, and uses the empty radio resource. By executing the connection processing for the new connection request using , the connection processing of the new subscriber is realized in a state where there is no empty part in the active subscriber resource but the empty part in the dormant subscriber resource.

Accordingly, even in this case, the total resources required for packet communication can be used without waste, and the connectivity of the packet communication service of the subscriber can be increased.

In addition, it is desirable that the subscriber newly connected to the packet communication service be forced to enter the idle state after that. Also, for a subscriber in an active state that has been forcibly shifted to a dormant state for connection processing of a new subscriber, the active state can be returned to the active state thereafter. In this way, it is possible to further achieve effective use of the total resources required for packet communication.

In addition, various conditions are considered for the criterion for determining the subscriber to be forcedly shifted to the idle state as described above from among the subscribers in the active state. For example, the elapsed time since the subscriber became active, the management number of the subscriber who became active, the number of transitions between the active and dormant states of the subscriber within a certain period, It is possible to determine the subscriber to forcibly transition from the active state to the dormant state by the time until transition or the like.

Accordingly, it is possible to set necessary standards (conditions) in accordance with the system requirements, and it is also possible to reduce the bias of the subscribers forcibly transitioning from the active state to the dormant state to some subscribers.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of main parts of the base station and the base station control apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram for explaining a connection process (normal time) of the mobile communication system shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining the connection processing (when there is no empty part in the ACTIVE user resource) of the mobile communication system shown in Fig. 1;

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining access processing (when there is no empty portion in an ACTIVE user resource) of a mobile communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

Fig. 6 is a view for explaining the effect obtained in the second embodiment in comparison with the prior art;

Fig. 7 is a sequence diagram for explaining connection processing according to a first modification of the second embodiment;

Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining connection processing according to a second modification of the second embodiment;

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an existing mobile communication system;

10 is a block diagram illustrating an ACTIVE state and a DORMANT state.

11 and 12 are both block diagrams for explaining the problems of the existing mobile communication system.

<Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention>

(A) Description of the first embodiment

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 1, parts denoted by the same reference numerals as those described above with reference to Fig. 9 are the same as those described above with reference to Fig. 9, respectively. or have equivalent functions. However, in the system shown in Fig. 1, instead of the base station (BTS) 103 and the base station control device (BSC) 104 in Fig. 9, the BTS 1b and the BSC 1a are station-side equipment (devices). ) is installed.

Here, also in the present embodiment, the BTS 1a connects to the MS 102a (or SU 102b) by a wireless interface (wireless channel), respectively, and communicates via the wireless channel, so that the BSC ( 1b) controls these BTSs 1a, and provides IP packet data (hereinafter simply referred to as " packet") or to perform call processing for interfacing transmission/reception of voice data.

Then, in packet communication, the BSC 1b uses the radio channel between the MS 102a (or SU 102b) and the BTS 1a, and uses the radio channel as a part of the transmission path (radio section). A logical connection (a PPP link to be described later) is formed with the MS 102a (or the SU 102b). In the following, for convenience of explanation, the BTS 1a and the BSC 1b are collectively referred to as simply "BS 1".

Paying attention to the function of the main part of this BS 1, the BS 1 of this embodiment is comprised as shown in FIG. 2, for example. That is, the BS 1 is configured with receiving units 11 and 21 , control data/traffic data switching units 12 and 22 , transmitting units 13 and 23 , resource management unit 31 and control unit 32 . .

Here, the above-described receiver 11 receives data (traffic data (voice data or packet data) or control data) transmitted from the PC 101a, 101b (MS 102a or SU 102b) through the air interface. By receiving , the control data/traffic data switch unit 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as "data switch unit 12"), among the data received by the receiving unit 11, controls data (eg, A packet connection request, a PPP connection request, etc., which will be described later) are for switching to the control unit 32, and other traffic data are switched to the transmission unit 13 in the next stage.

In addition, the transmitting unit 13 transmits the traffic data sent from the above-described data switch unit 12 to the PDSN 105 or LE/MSC 106, whereby packet data is transmitted to the PDSN 105 and voice data is transmitted. is to be sent to the LE/MSC 106 .

Conversely, the reception unit 21 receives the traffic data 21 transmitted from the PDSN 105 (or LE/MSC 106), and thereby the control data/traffic data switch unit 22 (hereinafter simply referred to as "data switch"). (referred to as "unit 22"), of the data received by the receiving unit 21, control data (for example, a traffic channel assignment instruction or response message described later) to the control unit 32, and the traffic data This is for switching to the transmitter 23 of the next stage, and the transmitter 23 is for transmitting the traffic data sent from this data switch unit 22 to the MS 102a or the SU 102b via the air interface. .

In addition, the resource management unit 31 mainly manages communication resources necessary for packet communication with the MS 102a or the SU 102b, whereby the MSs 102a, 101a or SUs 102b, 101b in the ACTIVE/DORMANT state ( Hereinafter, simply referred to as "users (subscribers)"), it is for managing each allocatable communication resource (mainly, a resource necessary for establishment of a PPP link or a wireless connection, etc.). Also in this embodiment, "PPP link (communication link)" refers to a connection corresponding to the connection B shown in Fig. 10, and "wireless connection" refers to a connection corresponding to the connection A shown in Fig. 10. .

For this reason, as shown in Fig. 2, the resource management unit 31 further includes an ACTIVE user resource management unit 31a and a DORMANT user resource management unit 31b.

Here, the ACTIVE user resource management unit 31a establishes a radio channel and a PPP link (hereinafter also referred to as PPP connection) with the user in response to a packet connection request and a dial-up connection request from the user, and actually puts packet communication into an ACTIVE state. It manages communication resources (radio resources, resources for PPP connection, etc.: ACTIVE user resources) required to execute connection processing for

In addition, this ACTIVE user resource management unit 31a is configured to manage a part of the ACTIVE user resource (radio resource) in advance as a "radio resource for immediate transition to the DORMANT state (a dormant state transition resource)". It also serves as the migration resource) management unit 31c.

This "radio resource for immediate transition to the DORMANT state" (hereinafter simply referred to as "the DORMANT immediate transition resource") is premised on the premise (condition) that the DORMANT user is forcibly transferred immediately after connecting as an active user once. , a radio resource allocated to the MS, even if the MS to which the radio resource has been allocated enters the ACTIVE state, it does not wait for the lapse of a predetermined time that triggers the transition from the normal ACTIVE state to the DORMANT state, and transitions to the DORMANT state. become the subject of The details of the resource allocation operation using this "DORMANT immediate transition resource" will be described later.

In contrast, the DORMANT user resource management unit 31b, as described above with reference to Fig. 10, provides at least a PPP connection (communication link excluding the radio section) when the user in the ACTIVE state transitions to the DORMANT state in which packet data is not actually transmitted. ) is to manage communication resources (excluding wireless resources) required to maintain the DORMANT user resource. Accordingly, the DORMANT user can become an ACTIVE user by securing the radio resource again without securing the radio resource.

Further, in response to a connection request sent from the MS 102a or the PDSN 105 mainly as control data, the control unit 32 controls each resource managed by the above-described resource management unit 31 (ACTIVE user resource management unit 31a). Resources necessary for the middle connection processing (establishment of PPP connection and wireless connection) are allocated to the user of the connection request source, and communication with the user is controlled in an ACTIVE state. Incidentally, this control is actually executed by setting the routing of packets flowing through the data switch units 12 and 22 therein.

In addition to these basic functions, the control unit 32 performs a resource check request to the resource management unit 31 when a new packet connection request is received from a user that is not in the ACTIVE state or the DORMANT state. The ACTIVE user resource management unit 31a, even if there is no empty portion in the ACTIVE user resource, if there is an empty portion in the DORMANT resource managed by the DORMANT user resource management portion 31b, it uses the empty resource to create a new user. In order to accept the DORMANT state, the control unit 32 is notified of permission to use the radio resource managed by the DORMANT immediate transition resource management unit 31c.

The control unit 32 uses this radio resource to establish a radio channel with the MS (established by controlling the transmitter 23 and receiver 11 to use the radio resource), and responds to a subsequent PPP connection request by the resource management unit A resource acquisition request for PPP connection is further made to (31), and the response is received to establish a PPP connection. As a result, the user enters the ACTIVE state.

Hereinafter, the resource allocation operation by the BS 1 of the mobile communication system in the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in detail.

(1) Normal time (when there is an empty part in the ACTIVE user resource)

As shown in Fig. 3, when a dial-up connection request is first issued from the PCs 101a, 101b (step A1), the dial-up connection request is received by the MSs 102a, 102b, and a packet connection request (Origination message) is received. ), is transmitted to the BS 1 using an access channel (Access CH) between the BSs 1 (step A2).

This packet connection request is received by the reception unit 11 of the BS 1 , and is judged as a type of control data by the data switch unit 12 and passed to the control unit 32 . Then, the control unit 32 transmits a response message (BS Acknowledgment message) to the packet connection request to the MSs 102a and 102b of the packet connection request source using a paging channel (Paging CH) (step A3) , the current usage status of the resource managed by the resource management unit 31 is checked (resource check) (step A4).

As a result of this resource check, if there is an empty part in the active user resource, the control unit 32 allocates the necessary resources in order to put the user of the connection requesting source into an ACTIVE state, and the MS 102a (SU(SU) 102b))), generate idle data for synchronization (Null Traffic channel data), and transmit the idle data for synchronization to the MS 102a (SU 102b) using a traffic channel (Traffic CH). and (step A5), the MS 102a (SU 102b) sends an instruction for assigning (assigning) a traffic channel to be used (Extended Channel Assignment) to the MS 102a through a paging channel (Paging CH) ( SU 102b) (step A6).

The MS 102a (SU 102b), upon receiving this traffic channel assign instruction, sends a response message (MS Acknowledgment message) to the traffic channel assign instruction from MS1 to the MS 102a through the indicated traffic channel. ) (SU 102b) (step A7). Thereafter, the MS 102a (SU 102b) uses a traffic channel designated by the MS1 (hereinafter referred to as a designated traffic channel) for data transmission to the MS1.

Thereafter, the MS 102a (SU 102b) generates idle data for synchronization for synchronizing with the MS1 and transmits it to the BS 1 via the designated traffic channel (step A8), and in the BS 1 , the control unit 32 transmits a response message (BS Acknowledgment message) to the reception of the idle data for synchronization to the MS 102a (SU 102b) via the paging channel (step A9).

Further, the control unit 32 of the MS1 transmits a service connection request (Service Connect message) to the MS 102a (SU102b) to the MS 102a (SU 102b) via the designated traffic channel (step A10). , MS 102a (SU 102b) transmits, as a response to this service connection request, a service connection completion notification (Service Connect Completion message) to BS 1 by a designated traffic channel (step A11).

Upon receiving this service connection completion notification, the BS 1 (control unit 32) issues a connection request to the PDSN 105 (step A12), and when the PDSN 105 receives this connection request, a connection response returns to BS 1 (step A13). Thereafter, a PPP connection request is issued from the PCs 101a and 101b to the PDSN 105 (step A14), and when the PPP connection request is received at the PDSN 105, the PDSN 105 sends the ISP 170 ( An authentication request is transmitted to the authentication server 171) (step A15).

The authentication server 171, by receiving the authentication request, executes authentication processing for confirming whether it is a connection request from a regular user, and returns the authentication result (OK/NG) to the PDSN 105 as an authentication response. (Step A16). If the authentication result received from the authentication server 171 is OK, the PDSN 105 issues a PPP connection completion notification to the PCs 101a and 101b of the connection request source (step A17).

Thereby, user authentication by the ISP 170 and IP address assignment to the PCs 101a and 101b are performed, and a PPP link between the PCs 101a and 101b and the Internet 107 (ISP 170) is established. After this, the PCs 101a and 101b can transfer packet data between the Internet 107 (ISP 170) (ACTIVE state) (step A18).

(2) If there is no empty part in the ACTIVE user resource

Next, the operation in the case where there is no empty portion in the active user resource as a result of the above-described resource check (step A4) will be described in detail.

That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper limit of the ACTIVE user resource is 30, and 30 are currently filled, and the upper limit of the DORMANT user resource is 30 and only two are currently filled. Assume that the user (not both in DORMANT state) (PC 101a, 101b) has made a dial-up connection (a new connection request is issued) (step A2).

In this case, the control unit 32 does not have an empty portion in the ACTIVE user resource, but there is an empty portion in the DORMANT user resource (that is, the radio resource between the MS 102a/SU 102b and the BS 1 (provided that the , (excluding the "DORMANT immediate fulfillment resource"), but there is an empty portion in the resource for the PPP link) ), if there is an empty part, a "DORMANT immediate transition resource" is allocated as a resource necessary for connection processing for a new connection request.

As a result, each necessary radio connection processing between the MS 102a (SU 102b) and the BS 1 and between the BS 1 and the PDSN 105 is performed in the same manner as the procedure described above with reference to FIG. 3, and the MS A PPP link is established between (102a) (SU 102b) and the PDSN 105, so that the new user is in the ACTIVE state.

Thereafter, the BS 1 (control unit 32) issues an instruction to release the wireless connection to the MS 102a (SU 102b) in order to forcibly shift the user who has entered the new ACTIVE state to the DORMANT state. Issued (step B1), the MS 102a (SU 102b), upon receiving this release instruction, releases the radio connection between the BSs 1, and returns a response to the release instruction to the BS 1 (Step B2). As a result, the user who is newly in the ACTIVE state enters the DORMANT state (step B3). At this time, the DORMANT immediate transition resource management unit 31c releases the radio channel for immediate transition to the DORMANT state allocated to the MS 102a.

In addition, at this time, the BS 1 (resource management unit 31) manages this user as a DORMANT user. Accordingly, the number of ACTIVE user resources in the resource management unit 31 is the upper limit (30), and the number of DORMANT user resources increases by one to become three. The same management is performed on the MS 102a (SU 102b) side as well.

As described above, in the BS 1 of this embodiment, a certain amount of radio resources among the active user resources are always reserved, the active user has reached the upper limit, and there is no vacant part in the ACTIVE user resource. Even when there is a (new connection request), if there is an vacant part in the DORMANT user resource, the connection process is executed using the radio resource secured in a certain amount, the new user is put into an active state, and then the Because the transition to the DORMANT state is not conditional on a timeout, as in the prior art, although there is an empty portion in the DORMANT user resource, since there is no empty portion in the ACTIVE user resource, it is possible to avoid as much as possible that a new call is rejected. can

Therefore, the resource managed by the BS 1 can be utilized effectively to the maximum, and the decrease in the number of users (the number of active users + the number of DORMANT users) that can accommodate the BS 1 can be suppressed. Also, from the user's point of view, even if the number of active users is full, access is possible if there is room in the number of DORMANT users.

(B) Description of the second embodiment

In the above-described embodiment, the connection processing of a new user is realized in a state where there is no vacant part in the ACTIVE user resource by reserving a part of the radio resource in advance. It can also be realized by forcibly transitioning to the DORMANT state and creating an empty radio resource.

In this case, in the resource management unit 31 of the BS 1, the ACTIVE user resource management unit 31a does not need to implement the function as the DORMANT immediate transition resource management unit described above.

In contrast, when a new connection request is received in the state where there is an empty portion in the DORMANT user resource because there is no empty portion mainly in the active user resource (wireless resource), the control unit 32, based on a predetermined condition , a function as a DORMANT transition terminal determining unit 321 (see Fig. 2) that determines the user who should forcibly transition to the DORMANT state, or transfers the determined ACTIVE user to the DORMANT state (releases the wireless connection) to empty the ACTIVE user resource A function to create an existing part and a function to execute connection processing for a new user using the created vacant radio resource are implemented.

Hereinafter, the connection processing in this case will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 . In the second embodiment, the normal connection sequence is the same as the sequence described above with reference to FIG.

First of all, even in this case, in the state that the upper limit of the ACTIVE user resource is 30, currently 30, and the upper limit of the DORMANT user resource is 30, only two are currently filled. It is assumed that a dial-up connection has been made (a new connection request is issued) in MS-A) (step A2).

In this case, the control unit 32 of the BS 1, because there is no empty portion in the ACTIVE user resource, but there is an empty portion in the DORMANT user resource (that is, MS 102a/SU 102b and BS 1) A state in which there is no vacant part in the intervening radio resource, but there is an vacant part in the resource for the PPP link), a user forcibly shifted to the DORMANT state among users in the current active state by the DORMANT transition terminal determining unit 321 (MS) -B) is selected (determined) by one (step C1). Incidentally, the determination criteria in the DORMANT transition terminal determining unit 321 at this time will be described later.

Then, the control unit 32 issues a radio connection release instruction to the selected user MS-B (step C2), and the selected user MS-B receives the release instruction, thereby BS 1 Releases the radio connection with the BS 1 and returns a response to the release instruction to the BS 1 (step C3). Thereby, the selected user MS-B enters the DORMANT state in which only the PDSN 105 and the PPP link are maintained (step C4), and an empty portion is made in the ACTIVE user resource in the BS 1 (step C4) (step C4). C5).

That is, at this time, the number of active user resources of BS 1 decreases by one to 29 (one empty part), and the number of DORMANT user resources increases by one to become three. Note that, for example, a paging channel is used for transmitting the release instruction described above, and an access channel is used for returning a response, for example.

Thereafter, the BS 1 (control unit 32) transfers the vacant resource of the ACTIVE resource obtained by transferring the ACTIVE user MS-B to the DORMANT user as described above from the new user MS-A. By assigning for connection processing to a connection request, connection processing between the new user (MS-A) and the PDSN 105 is executed to establish a PPP link (steps C6 to C8). In addition, this connection process is performed similarly to the procedure of steps A5 - A13, A17 demonstrated with reference to FIG. 3 (a connection sequence with the authentication server 105 is abbreviate|omitted).

In this way, when the PPP link between the new user (MS-A) and the PDSN 105 is established, the BS 1 (control unit 32) then puts the new user MS-A into the DORMANT state. In order to make the transition, a radio connection release instruction is issued to the new user MS-A (step C9), and the new user MS-A receives this release instruction, thereby The connection is released, and a response to the release instruction is returned to the BS 1 (step C10). As a result, the new user MS-A enters the DORMANT state in which only the PDSN 105 and the PPP link are maintained (step C11). In addition, the paging channel and the access channel are respectively used for the transmission of the release instruction and the response at this time, respectively.

Thereafter, the BS 1 (control unit 32) controls the selected user MS-A who has forcibly moved to the DORMANT state (the control unit 32 stores identification information of the MS-A that has been forcibly transferred, and identifies the selected user MS-A). MS-A is specified using the information) In order to return to the ACTIVE state again, a connection request is issued to the selected user MS-A (step C12), and a connection process is performed between the selected users MS-A ( processing for establishing a wireless connection) is executed (step C13). Note that, for the transmission of the connection request at this time, for example, a paging channel is used.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when a new connection request is made while the number of active users is at the upper limit, one of the existing active users is temporarily forcibly transferred to the DORMANT state, and accordingly, a new connection is made using the vacant ACTIVE user resource. Since the connection processing for the user is executed to forcibly shift the new user to the DORMANT state with vacant resources after making the active state once, in this case as well, the BS 1 manages the same as in the first embodiment. By effectively utilizing resources to the maximum, the decrease in the maximum number of users that can accommodate the BS 1 (the number of active users + the number of DORMANT users) can be suppressed, and the number of times of connection busy for users is significantly reduced. .

That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 6 , similarly to the case described with reference to FIG. 11 , assuming that the upper limit of the number of active users is "1" and the number of DORMANT users is 2 or more, a new call terminal (PC) Y means that the terminal X becomes accessible after the time point T1 when the terminal X is forcibly transferred from the ACTIVE state to the DORMANT state. In addition, since it is irrelevant to forcibly shifting the ACTIVE user to the DORMANT state after the time point T0 when the authentication process for the terminal X in FIG. 6 is finished, the terminal Y is able to access the terminal Y after the time point T0 in the shortest time.

In addition, in this embodiment, when a new user is placed in the DORMANT state, the user who has been forcibly transferred to the DORMANT state for the new user is returned to the ACTIVE user. It can be solved in a short time until the connection processing to the user is completed, and the influence on the communication of the existing ACTIVE user can be minimized.

(B1) Description of the first modification of the second embodiment

In the second embodiment described above, it is assumed that the user who forcibly transitioned from the ACTIVE state to the DORMANT state always returns to the ACTIVE state. In the case where the non-existent state continues for a certain period of time, etc.), "Conditions for transition from the DORMANT user to the ACTIVE user" (When another URL is specified by the user or when the packet data addressed to the user reaches the BS(1), etc.) Depending on the circumstances, there may be cases where it does not return.

That is, for example, as shown in Fig. 7, the same processing as in steps A4 and C1 to C8 in Fig. 5 is performed, and after the new user MS-A enters the ACTIVE state, it is forcibly transferred to the DORMANT state. If the selected user MS-B remains in the DORMANT state, while the new user MS-A remains in the ACTIVE state (step C9'), the user MS-B forced to the DORMANT state is subject to normal transition conditions ACTIVE state according to transition becomes possible).

Therefore, also in the case of this modification, as in the second embodiment, effective use of resources required for packet communication is achieved, early connection of a new user (MS-A) is possible, and the serviceability of packet communication is improved. can

(B2) Description of the second modification of the second embodiment

Next, in the second embodiment described above, the user (MS-B) who has forcibly moved from the ACTIVE state to the DORMANT state is unconditionally returned to the ACTIVE state (forcibly transferred the new user MS-A to the DORMANT state). However, such a transition is made at that point by a user who wishes to transition from the DORMANT state to the ACTIVE state (such as a user who has a different URL designation, a user whose packet data has reached the BS 1 from the PDSN 105, etc.: hereinafter, ACTIVE It may or may not be executed depending on the presence or absence of a state transition desired user).

That is, for example, as shown in Fig. 8, after the processing similar to steps A4 and C1 to C8 in Fig. 5 is performed and the new user MS-A is brought into an ACTIVE state, the BS 1, The control unit 32 checks whether or not an ACTIVE state transition desired user exists (resource transition determination: step D1). As a result, if an ACTIVE state transition desired user exists, DORMANT the new user MS-A. It is judged that the state should be changed, and in order to release the wireless connection between the new users MS-A, a release instruction is issued to the new user MS-A (step D2).

Upon receiving this release instruction, the new user MS-A releases the wireless connection between the MS1s and returns a response to the release instruction to the MS1 (step D3). Thereby, the new user MS-A enters the DORMANT state in which only the PDSN 105 and the PPP link are maintained (step D4). In addition, for the transmission of the release instruction and response at this time, for example, a paging channel and an access channel are respectively used.

Moreover, when there is no ACTIVE state transition desired user, the BS 1 (control unit 32) leaves the new user MS-A in the ACTIVE state.

That is, if there is no user wishing to transition to the ACTIVE state, the ACTIVE state of the new user is maintained. The user's desire to transition to the ACTIVE state is prioritized, and the new user is forcibly transferred to the DORMANT state.

Accordingly, while improving the effective use and connectivity of resources required for packet communication, connection processing suitable for the needs of both new users and existing active users is attained, and the serviceability of packet communication can be further improved.

(C) ACTIVE state DORMANT state forced implementation of the user's decision method

Next, in the second embodiment and each of the modifications 1 and 2 described above, below, in order to perform connection processing for a new connection request from the new user MS-A, the ACTIVE user who must be forced to the DORMANT state A selection (determination) method (standard) in the DORMANT conforming terminal determining unit 321 will be described.

In such an ACTIVE user determination method, for example, (1) by the time registered as a new ACTIVE user, (2) by the management number managed in BS 1 (the user of management number No. 1 or management number last user), (3) by the number of counts repeating the ACTIVE state and the DORMANT state, (4) by the amount of transmission/reception data for the time connected as an active user, (5) from ACTIVE A case depending on the time until expiration of the timer for transitioning to DORMANT is conceivable.

Hereinafter, specific examples in each case will be described.

(1) In case of time registered as a new active user

For example, there are active users A, B, and C, and the elapsed time after becoming a new active user is T=g, T=h(h<g), T=i(i<h), respectively. Assume In this case, the control unit 32 (the DORMANT transition terminal determining unit 321) selects user A when selecting the user with the longest access time, conversely, selects user C when selecting the user with the shortest access time, It is selected as a user who forcibly transitions to the DORMANT state.

(2) In case of management number managed within BS(1) (specifically, BSC(1b)) (user of management number No. 1 or user of management number last)

For example, it is said that ACTIVE users A, B, and C exist, and the management numbers managed in BS 1 of each ACTIVE user were "1", "2", "3", respectively. . In this case, the control unit 32 (DORMANT transition terminal determining unit 321 ) selects user A when selecting the user with the smallest management number, user C when selecting the user with the largest management number, and DORMANT You choose as a user to forcibly transition to the state.

(3) In the case of repeating ACTIVE users and DORMANT users by the number of counts

For example, when ACTIVE users A, B, and C exist and each ACTIVE user becomes a new active user, the number of transitions, such as DORMANT state ACTIVE state DORMANT state, etc. is each A (ACTIVE number) = 5/ Suppose that D(number of DORMANTs)=4, A=3/D=2, A1/D=0. In this case, the control unit 32 (the DORMANT transition terminal determining unit 321 ) selects the user A when selecting the user with the largest number of repeating ACTIVE/DORMANT states, and conversely, when selecting the smallest user, the user C is selected as the user who forcibly transitions to the DORMANT state.

(4) In case of transmission/reception data amount (average transmission rate) for the time connected as an active user

For example, it is assumed that ACTIVE users A, B, and C exist, and the amount of data transmitted and received for each ACTIVE user's connection time was 2000kbit/200sec=10kbps, 40000kbit/10000sec=4kbps, 3000kbit/30sec=100kbps. In this case, the control unit 32 (the DORMANT transition terminal determining unit 321 ) puts the user B in the case of selecting the user with the worst average transmission speed and the user C in the case of selecting the best user in the DORMANT state. You will choose as a user who is forced to perform.

(5) In case of time until expiration of timer transition from ACTIVE to DORMANT

For example, since ACTIVE users A, B, and C exist, the time until each ACTIVE user transitions to the DORMANT user is T=p, T=q(q>p), T=r(r>q) said to have been In this case, the control unit 32 (the DORMANT transition terminal determining unit 321) selects the user A with the shortest time to transition to the DORMANT user, and conversely, the user A when selecting the longest user. C is selected as the user who forcibly transitions to the DORMANT state.

In this way, by making necessary reference (condition) setting in accordance with the system request, it is possible to reduce the inclination of some subscribers to the subscribers forcibly making the transition from the active state to the dormant state. In addition, you may set various conditions shown to above-mentioned (1)-(5) combining suitably.

(D) other

Incidentally, the present invention is not limited to the first and second embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the first and second embodiments described above may be implemented in combination. That is, a radio resource for immediate transition to the DORMANT state may be prepared in advance, and if there is no vacant part in this radio resource, some of the active users may be forcibly transferred to the DORMANT state to create an vacant radio resource.

As described above, according to the present invention, if there is an empty part in the DORMANT resource when the active user resource required for connection processing with the user is full, the reserved "DORMANT immediate transition resource" or part of the ACTIVE user is forcibly transferred. By using the vacant resource created by shifting to the DORMANT state, connection processing for a new connection request is executed, and packet communication with a new user can be performed. Accordingly, it is possible to significantly improve the user's packet service connectivity by using the total resources (ACTIVE/DORMANT resources) of packet communication without waste, and its usefulness is considered to be very high.