JP6958220B2 - Congestion control method, congestion control program, congestion control device, and network system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a congestion control method, a congestion control program, a congestion control device, and a network system.

IoT (Internet Of Things) technology that connects various devices such as sensors to the Internet has become widespread. For wide area communication by IoT devices, for example, it is considered to use a network of a communication carrier that provides a communication service such as a smartphone (hereinafter, referred to as "carrier network"). In response to this, for example, in order to determine the 020 number band dedicated to IoT devices, there are movements such as the revision of the ministerial ordinance by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

In services using IoT, for example, a wireless network composed of a plurality of MTC (Machine Type Communication) terminals (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2) installed at sites such as manufacturing industry, social infrastructure, and transportation / logistics is provided. , Connected to the carrier network via the IoT gateway. Examples of this wireless network include LPWA (Low Power Wide Area). The data collected by each MTC terminal is collected in a data center or the like via a carrier network, and services such as data analysis are provided there.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-85516 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-78987

For example, when a disaster occurs, it is conceivable that a large number of MTC terminals existing in the disaster area transmit signals such as abnormality notifications to the carrier network in a disorderly manner. At this time, for example, in a mobile switching center (MSC) in the carrier network, the load may increase due to the signal from the MTC terminal, and a congestion state may occur.

On the other hand, in the carrier network, communication to the MTC terminal in the disaster area is regulated so as to eliminate the congestion state, but in the above case, the signal transmission from the MTC terminal continues for a long time, so that a disaster occurs. Communication to the area may be impossible for a long period of time.

Further, in the carrier network, prior to the communication regulation, the communication path or the backup node of the bypass destination that bypasses the MSC in the congested state is searched, and if there is a corresponding communication path or backup node, the communication is restricted. Instead, the communication path is switched. However, when congestion occurs due to a disaster, the communication path that can be bypassed and the backup node at the bypass destination are often in a congested state, and even if there is something that is not in a congested state, it takes a long time for the search process and switching process. After all, it is difficult to quickly restore communication to the disaster area.

On the other hand, if the MTC terminal itself, which is the cause of the congestion state, detects the congestion state of the MSC, it can quickly regulate its own signal transmission according to the detection. Another problem arises that the cost of MTC terminals increases. Further, although there are various services for the use of MTC terminals, if the signal transmission of each MTC terminal is regulated in a uniform manner, the service quality may be affected.

An object of the present invention is to provide a congestion control method, a congestion control program, a congestion control device, and a network system capable of rapidly regulating signal transmission causing congestion in any form.

In one aspect, the congestion control method is a congestion control method for controlling the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks, and the communication function of the network layer and the SMS application. computer with bets is the MTP protocol of the network layer, obtains congestion information related to the congestion state, and generates the MTP service primitives indicative of the congestion information, a protocol stack between the SMS application and the MTP protocol The process of skipping and outputting to the SMS application , the process of accepting the setting of the restricted form of the signal transmission for each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals by the SMS application, and the above. By the method of executing the processing of selecting the regulation form based on the congestion information by the SMS application and transmitting a message restricting the transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation form to the one or more first networks. be.

In one aspect, the congestion control program is a congestion control program that controls the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks, and is a network layer communication function and an SMS application. a computer having and in which, MTP protocol of the network layer, obtains congestion information related to the congestion state, and generates the MTP service primitives indicative of the congestion information, a protocol stack between the SMS application and the MTP protocol skip and output to the SMS application, by the SMS application, for each of the one or more first network each or the plurality of terminals, receiving the setting of the regulating forms of transmission of the signal, by the SMS application, It is a program for executing a process of selecting the regulation mode based on the congestion information and transmitting a message restricting transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation mode to the one or more first networks.

In one embodiment, the congestion control device executes a network layer communication function in the congestion control device that controls the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks. It has one functional unit and a second functional unit that executes an SMS application, and the first functional unit acquires congestion information regarding the congestion state by the MTP protocol of the network layer and indicates the congestion information. The MTP service primitive is generated, the protocol stack between the SMS application and the MTP protocol is skipped and output to the SMS application, and the second functional unit is one or more of the one or more first networks. For each of the terminals, the setting of the restricted form for transmitting the signal is accepted, the restricted form is selected based on the congestion information, and the message for restricting the transmission of the signal according to the selected restricted form is sent to the first or higher order. 1 Send to the network.

In one aspect, the network system comprises a congestion control device that controls the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in the first network, the first network and the first network, and the first network. Each of the two networks has one or more gateway devices, and the congestion control device has a first functional unit that executes a communication function of the network layer and a second functional unit that executes an SMS application. The first functional unit acquires congestion information regarding the congestion state by the MTP protocol of the network layer, generates an MTP service primitive indicating the congestion information, and generates a protocol stack between the SMS application and the MTP protocol. Is skipped and output to the SMS application, and the second function unit accepts the setting of the regulation form of the transmission of the signal for each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals, and the congestion. The regulation form is selected based on the information, a message for restricting the transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation form is transmitted to the one or more gateway devices, and the one or more gateway devices are described in accordance with the message. The transmission of the signal is restricted to the terminal.

As one aspect, signal transmission causing congestion can be rapidly regulated in any form.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of a network system. It is a figure which shows an example of the regulation operation of a signal transmission. It is a figure which shows the example of each parameter of a TFC (Transfer Controlled) signal and an RCT (signaling-Route-set-Congestion-Test) signal. It is a figure which shows an example of the deregulation operation of a signal transmission. It is a block diagram which shows an example of SMSC (Short Message Service Center). It is a figure which shows an example of the MTP (Message Transfer Part) service primitive. It is a figure which shows an example of the setting of a message database. It is a figure which shows an example of the parameter of a message transmission request. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the IoT gateway apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the MTC terminal. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the initial setting process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the transmission process of a regulation message. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the transmission process of a regulation release message. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the reception processing of the regulation message and the regulation release message of the IoT gateway device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process of the transmission regulation and the deregulation of the MTC terminal. It is a figure which shows the example of transmission regulation.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a network system. The network system includes carrier networks 90, 91, a plurality of IoT gateway devices (IoT-GW) 2, and a plurality of wireless networks 92. The wireless network 92 is an example of the first network, and the carrier network is an example of the second network. The congestion control method described below can be executed by only one of the carrier networks 90 and 91.

In the wireless network 92, for example, a wireless communication method such as LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) is used, and a plurality of MTC terminals 3 which are examples of terminals communicate via IoT-GW 2 by wireless communication. The IoT-GW 2 is an example of a gateway device, and connects the carrier networks 90 and 91 to a plurality of wireless networks 92. Although a plurality of wireless networks 92 are connected to the carrier networks 90 and 91 via a plurality of IoT-GW2, one wireless network 92 may be connected via one IoT-GW2. ..

MSISDN (Mobile Subscriber Integrated Services Digital Network Number), which is a mobile phone number, is assigned to IoT-GW2 as an example of identification information. Therefore, regardless of the number of MTC terminals 3 connected to the IoT-GW 2, the number of MSISDN required for each wireless network 92 can be suppressed to one. In this example, each MTC terminal 3 is connected to the carrier networks 90 and 91 via the IoT-GW 2, but may be directly connected to the carrier networks 90 and 91 without going through the IoT-GW 2. good. In this case, MSISDN is assigned to each MTC terminal 3.

Various settings are made for each of the carrier networks 90 and 91 from the SCS (Service Capability Server) 5. As the setting, as will be described later, the setting of the regulation form of signal transmission and the registration of the primitive reception can be mentioned.

Each carrier network 90, 91 includes a SMSC 1, a SIGTRAN gateway device (SIGTRAN-GW) 40, a GMSC (Gate Mobile Switching Center) 41, and a plurality of MSCs (Mobile Switching Centers) 42. Further, in each carrier network 90, 91, MTC (Machine Type Communication) -IWF (Inter-Working Function) 43, HLR (Home Location Register) / HSS (Home Subscriber Register) 44, and VLR (Visitor Location Register) 45 and are included.

Further, each wireless network 92 includes a plurality of MTC terminals 3. Examples of the MTC terminal 3 include, but are not limited to, a wireless terminal equipped with a sensor.

The SMSC 1 is an example of a congestion control device, and controls the congestion state of the carrier networks 90 and 91 by signals transmitted from a plurality of MTC terminals 3 in each wireless network 92. The SMSC1 detects the congestion of the MSC42 by the TFC signal from the SIGTRAN-GW 40, and in response to the detection, transmits a regulation message for restricting the transmission of the signal based on the SMS (Short Message Service) to each wireless network 92 .

The SMSC1 accepts the setting of the regulation form for signal transmission from the SCS5 via the MTC-IWF43 for each wireless network 92 or each MTC terminal 3. The SMSC1 selects a regulation form based on the congestion information included in the TFC signal, and transmits a regulation message for restricting the transmission of the signal according to the regulation form.

The SIGTRAN-GW 40 is connected between the SMSC1 and the GMSC41 and relays SMS communication between the SMSC1 and the wireless network 92. Further, the SIGTRAN-GW 40 performs congestion control according to the SIGTRAN protocol. For example, the SIGTRAN-GW 40 transmits a signal to each MSC42, and when the delay time until receiving the response signal exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the SIGTRAN-GW 40 detects the congestion state of the MSC42.

When the SIGTRAN-GW 40 detects a congestion state, it transmits a TFC signal (transfer control signal) containing congestion information including the address of the MSC42 in the congestion state and the congestion level to the SMSC1. Congestion control by the MTP3 protocol is defined in, for example, TTC (Telecommunication Technology Committee) standard JT-Q704.

The GMSC 41 is connected between the SIGTRAN-GW 40 and the plurality of MSC 42s and relays communication between the SMSC 1 and the wireless network 92. Further, the GMSC41 relays SMS communication between the two carrier networks 90 and 91. The relay by GMSC41 is used, for example, when the number portability of the mobile phone number (MSISDN) of the MTC terminal 3 becomes possible.

In this case, for example, the connection destination of the MTC terminal 3 may be changed from one carrier network 90 to IoT-GW2 of the other carrier network 91. In this case, the GMSC41 relays the SMS message from the SMSC1 to the MTC terminal 3 via the GMSC41 of the other carrier networks 90 and 91.

The MSC 42 is an example of an exchange, which is connected between the GMSC 41 and a plurality of IoT-GW 2s to relay communication between the SMSC 1 and the wireless network 92. When the MSC 42 receives a large amount of signals from the MTC terminal 3 from each IoT-GW 2, the load of the exchange process increases, so that the MSC 42 is in a congested state. When the MSC 42 receives a signal from the SIGTRAN-GW 40 in a congested state, it takes a lot of time to transmit the response signal to the SIGTRAN-GW 40.

The IoT-GW 2 is connected between the MSC 42 and the plurality of MTC terminals 3 and relays communication between the SMSC 1 and the wireless network 92. When the IoT-GW 2 receives the regulation message from the SMSC 1, the IoT-GW 2 instructs the regulated MTC terminal 3 to regulate the signal transmission according to the regulation message. The MTC terminal 3 stops the transmission of the signal according to the instruction of the regulation of the signal transmission.

The IoT-GW2 is assigned a MSISDN (mobile phone number) in advance, and performs SMS communication with the SMSC1 based on the MSISDN. The MSISDN may be assigned to each MTC terminal 3. In this case, the MTC terminal 3 receives the regulation message from the SMSC1 via the IoT-GW 2, and stops transmitting the signal according to the reception.

As will be described later, the IoT-GW 2 can change the carrier networks 90 and 91 of the connection destination according to the SMS message from the SMSC1. For example, the IoT-GW2 housed in the MSC42 of one carrier network 90 is housed in the MSC42 of the other carrier network 91 according to the SMS message (see reference numeral L). At this time, each MTC terminal 3 under the control of IoT-GW 2 needs to be assigned MSISDN for each carrier network 90, 91, and MSISDN corresponding to the carrier network 90, 91 of the accommodation destination MSC 42 is used for communication. Used.

Further, the SMSC1 transmits an RCT signal to the SIGTRAN-GW 40, and if the TFC signal is not received from the SIGTRAN-GW 40 within a predetermined time as a response, the SMSC1 detects the elimination of the congestion state of the MSC42. When the SMSC1 detects that the congestion state has been resolved, it transmits a deregulation message to the wireless network 92, which deregulates the transmission of signals.

When the IoT-GW 2 receives the deregulation message from SMSC1, it instructs the MTC terminal 3 to be deregulated to deregulate the signal transmission according to the deregulation message. The MTC terminal 3 resumes signal transmission in accordance with the instruction to release the restriction on signal transmission.

Further, the HLR / HSS44 is connected to the GMSC41, and the VLR45 is connected to the MSC42. The HLR / HSS44 and VLR45 manage the service area information of the communication device accommodated in each MSC42. That is, the HLR / HSS 44 and VLR 45 manage the position of the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3.

More specifically, the HLR / HSS44 and the VLR45 manage the address of the MSC42 in association with the MSISDN assigned to the IoT-GW2 and the MTC terminal 3. The SMSC1 cooperates with the HLR / HSS44 and the VLR45 to acquire the service area information of the MSC42 in the congested state, and identifies the IoT-GW2 and the MTC terminal 3 housed in the MSC42 by MSISDN. SMSC1 selects a regulation form according to MSISDN from preset regulation forms.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a signal transmission regulation operation. “A” to “F” indicate the order of operations. Further, reference numeral La indicates the protocol stack configuration of SMSC1, reference numeral Lb indicates the protocol stack configuration of SIGTRAN-GW40, and reference numeral Lc indicates the protocol stack configuration of MSC42. Each protocol stack La to Lc contains an SS7 signaling protocol for sending and receiving SMS messages.

The protocol stack configuration La of SMSC1 includes SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol), M2UA (Message transfer protocol 2 User Adaptation layer), MTP3, and SCCP (Signaling Connection Control Part). Further, the protocol stack configuration La of SMSC1 includes TCAP (Transaction Capability Application Part), MAP (Mobile Application Part), and SMS application (SMS APL).

Of the protocol stack configuration La of SMSC1, MTP3 and SCCP are communication functions of the network layer (NW layer), and TCAP, MAP, and SMS applications are communication functions of the application layer (APL layer).

The protocol stack configuration Lb of SIGTRAN-GW 40 includes TCP, M2UA, MTP3, and SCCP. The protocol stack configuration Lc of MSC42 includes TCP, M2UA, MTP3, SCCP, TCAP, and MAP.

In the order "A", when a disaster occurs in the area of a certain wireless network 92 (see "disaster occurrence"), signals such as an abnormality notification are transmitted in a disorderly and large amount from the MTC terminal 3 in the wireless network 92. Next, in the order "A", in the MSC 42 in the carrier networks 90 and 91, the load increases due to the signal from the MTC terminal 3, and a congestion state occurs.

In sequence "C", the SIGTRAN-GW 40 makes a delay measurement to the MSC 42 according to TCPP. The SIGTRAN-GW 40 performs delay measurement by, for example, periodically transmitting a signal to the MSC42 and measuring the delay time until the response signal is received from the MSC42. The SIGTRAN-GW 40 detects, for example, the congestion state of the MSC42 when the delay time exceeds a predetermined threshold value (see “Congestion detection”).

When the congestion state is detected by SCPP, the congestion primitive Pa is output to the M2UA on the upper side. Here, the primitive is a definition of a service provided by a protocol to a protocol on the higher side thereof. In M2UA, congestion detection is notified by the congestion primitive Pa. In M2UA, the congestion primitive Pb is further output to MTP3 on the upper side thereof.

In MTP3, when the congestion detection is notified by the congestion primitive Pb, the congestion control is executed. In the order "D", the SIGTRAN-GW 40 transmits a TFC signal to the SMSC1 each time the signal received from the SMSC1 is discarded a predetermined number of times (for example, 8 times) by the congestion control of the MTP3.

Reference numeral G1 in FIG. 3 indicates an example of the parameters of the TFC signal. It should be noted that the illustration of the unused field of the TFC signal is omitted.

The TFC signal includes a congestion level (2 bits), a calling station address (16 bits), a heading code H1 (4 bits), a heading code H2 (4 bits), and a label. Labels include Signaling Link Selection (SLS) (4 bits), Originating Point Code (OPC) (16 bits), and Destination Point Code (DPC) (16 bits). Is included.

The heading codes H1 and H2 are used to identify the TFC signal. The heading codes H1 and H2 are, for example, "0010" and "0011" (binary numbers), respectively.

The congestion level indicates the level of the congestion state in four stages of "0" to "3". A congestion level "0" indicates that no congestion state has occurred, and a congestion level "3" indicates that the most severe congestion state has occurred. Therefore, the congestion level of the TFC signal is "1" or higher.

The SIGTRAN-GW 40 compares the priority of the signal received from SMSC1 with the congestion level, and discards the signal having a priority lower than the congestion level. Further, the receiving station address indicates the address of the MSC42 in the congested state. The congestion level and the called station address are examples of congestion information related to the congestion state.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, when the SMSC1 receives the TFC signal, the MTP3 detects the congestion state. In MTP3, the congestion level and the called station address are acquired from the TFC signal, and it is determined whether or not there is a detour route that can reach the wireless network 92. For example, when there is a detour route RTa that reaches the MSC42 via another SIGTRAN-GW 40a, the communication route is switched (see “Switching”).

If there is no detour route, the congestion primitive Pc is output from MTP3 to the upper SCCP. The congestion level and the called station address are assigned to the congestion primitive Pc. In SCCP, the backup node of the MSC42 in the congested state is searched according to the congestion primitive Pc.

In order "E", the SCCP, if there is a backup node, switching of the communication path is performed (see "Switching"). For example, when another MSC42a exists as a backup node of the MSC42, by changing the destination from the MSC42 to the MSC42a, the communication path between the SMSC1 and the IoT-GW2 changes from the path via the SIGTRAN-GW40 and the MSC42 to the SIGTRAN. -Switch to the route RTb via GW40a and MSC42a.

In addition, if neither the detour route nor the backup node exists, SCCP executes congestion control based on the congestion level. In the congestion control of SCCP, the priority of the signal transmitted from SMSC1 is compared with the congestion level, and the signal having a priority lower than the congestion level is discarded. For example, when the congestion level is "2", the signal of priority "1" is discarded without being transmitted.

Further, in MTP3, the congestion primitive Pd is output to the SMS application in response to the reception of the TFC signal. The congestion level and the called station address are assigned to the congestion primitive Pc.

In sequence "F", the SMS application generates and sends a regulatory message (see "Regulatory MSG") according to the congestion primitive Pd. At this time, the priority of the regulation message is set to a value equal to or higher than the congestion level acquired from the TFC signal. For example, when the congestion level is "2", the priority of the regulation message is set to "3".

Therefore, the regulation message is transmitted without being discarded by the congestion control of SCCP. Since the priority of other SMS messages is set to "0", they are discarded by congestion control. Therefore, another SMS message cannot be transmitted to the MTC terminal 3 in the disaster area until the congestion state of the MSC 42 is cleared.

The regulation message is processed in each of the protocol stack configurations La to Lc of SMSC1, SIGTRAN-GW40, and MSC42 and received in IoT-GW2, as shown by the dotted line. As a result, signal transmission is restricted at the MTC terminal 3 that is the source of the signal that causes congestion, so that the congestion state of the MSC 42 is eliminated.

As described above, when the SMSC1 receives the TFC signal by the MTP3, it generates the congestion primitive Pd from the MTP3 to the SMS application in addition to the congestion primitive Pc from the MTP3 to the SCCP. Therefore, in SMSC1, the congestion information of MSC42 can be notified to the SMS application by the congestion primitive Pd in parallel with the communication path search process and the switching process in SCCP. Further, since the congestion primitive Pd skips the processing of SCCP, TCAP, and MAP, it is possible to promptly notify the congestion information to the SMS application.

That is, since the SMSC1 acquires congestion information by the communication function of the network layer and outputs it to the application layer, it is possible to quickly transmit a regulation message in the application layer. The congestion primitive Pd is set in advance for MTP3 when the initial transmission restriction is set, when SMSC1 is started, or by config data.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a signal transmission deregulation operation. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations common to those in FIG. 2, and the description thereof will be omitted. In addition, "A" to "E" indicate the order of operations.

In the sequence "A", the SIGTRAN-GW 40 detects the elimination of the congestion state of the MSC42 as a result of the delay measurement based on the SCCP (see "Congestion elimination detection"). The SIGTRAN-GW 40 detects the elimination of the congestion state when, for example, the delay time from the transmission of the signal to the reception of the response signal is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.

In TCP, the resolution of the congestion state is notified to the M2UA by the congestion primitive Pq. The congestion primitive Pq includes a congestion level “0”. In M2UA, the resolution of the congestion state is notified to MTP3 by the congestion primitive Pr. As a result, congestion control by MTP3 is stopped.

In sequence "B", SMSC1 transmits RCT signals to SIGTRAN-GW 40 periodically, for example, a predetermined number of times according to MTP3.

Reference numeral G2 in FIG. 3 indicates an example of the parameters of the RCT signal. It should be noted that the illustration of the unused field of the RCT signal is omitted.

The RCT signal includes a heading code H1 (4 bits), a heading code H2 (4 bits), a label, an SIO (service information octet) (8 bits), and a PRI (priority) (2 bits). Labels include SLS (4 bits), OPC (16 bits), and DPC (16 bits).

The heading codes H1 and H2 are used to identify the RCT signal. The heading codes H1 and H2 are, for example, "0001" and "0011" (binary numbers), respectively.

The priority is represented by four stages of "0" to "3". With reference to FIG. 4 again, the priority is set to a value one lower than the congestion level at the time of occurrence of the congestion state of MSC42. For example, when the congestion level at the time of occurrence of the congestion state is "1", the priority is set to "0".

Therefore, if the congestion state of the MSC42 continues, the RCT signal is discarded by the congestion control of the MTP3 of the SIGTRAN-GW 40, and the MTP3 transmits the TFC signal to the SMSC1 every time a predetermined number of RCT signals are discarded. do. On the other hand, when the congestion state of the MSC42 is cleared, the RCT signal is not discarded. In sequence "C", the RCT signal is transferred to the MSC42 and discarded at the MSC42.

Therefore, the SMSC1 detects the elimination of the congestion state when the TFC signal is not received within a predetermined time from the transmission of the RCT signal in the MTP3. The MTP3 manages the congestion level of the MSC42, and the congestion level is updated according to the congestion level included in the TFC signal. In the above case, the congestion level is updated to "0". Therefore, the congestion control in SCCP is stopped.

Further, in the order "D", the congestion primitives Ps are output from the MTP3 to the SMS application. In the SMS application, a deregulation message is transmitted according to the congestion primitive Ps.

The deregulation message is processed in each of the protocol stack configurations La to Lc of SMSC1, SIGTRAN-GW40, and MSC42 and received in IoT-GW2, as shown by the dotted line. As a result, the regulation of signal transmission is released at the MTC terminal 3 that is the source of the signal that causes congestion, so that the MTC terminal 3 can transmit the signal again.

Next, the configuration of SMSC1 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing an example of SMSC1. The SMSC 1 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 13, and a communication port 14. The CPU 10 is connected to the ROM 11, the RAM 12, the HDD 13, and the communication port 14 via the bus 19 so that signals can be input and output from each other. The CPU 10 is an example of a computer.

The ROM 11 stores a program for driving the CPU 10. The program includes an OS (Operating System) and a congestion control program that executes a congestion control method. The RAM 12 functions as a working memory of the CPU 10. The plurality of communication ports 14 are circuits such as a LAN (Local Area Network) switch, and process communication between the CPU 10 and another device.

When the CPU 10 reads the program from the ROM 11, the functions include the SMS control unit 100, the primitive control unit 101, the transmission management unit 102, the position information management unit 103, the number resolution unit 104, the MAP / TCAP control unit 105, and the SCCP control unit 106. , And the MTP control unit 107 is formed. Further, the HDD 13 stores a message database (MSG-DB) 130 and a location information database (DB) 131.

The primitive control unit 101, the MAP / TCAP control unit 105, the SCCP control unit 106, and the MTP control unit 107 are examples of the first functional unit, and execute the communication function of the network layer. Further, the SMS control unit 100, the transmission management unit 102, the location information management unit 103, and the number resolution unit 104 are examples of the second function unit, and execute the communication function of the application layer. That is, the CPU 10 has a network layer communication function and an application layer communication function. The details of the functions of each part will be described below.

The SMS control unit 100 executes the above-mentioned SMS application function. The SMS control unit 100 executes primitive reception registration for the primitive control unit 101 so that the congestion primitive Pd can be received from the SCS 5 via the communication port 14.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the MTP service primitive. The MTP service primitive is a primitive that can be output from MTP3 to a protocol on the higher side thereof. This primitive includes "MTP-Transfer", "MTP-Pause", "MTP-Resume", and "MTP-Status Display". Of these, "MTP-status display" corresponds to the congestion primitive Pd.

The parameters of "MTP-transfer" include OPC, DPC, SI (Service Indicator), and user data. The "MTP-pause" parameter includes the DPC that becomes unusable. In addition, the parameter of "MTP-restart" includes the DPC that can be used. The parameters of the "MTP-status display", that is, the congestion primitive Pd, include the congestion DPC and the congestion level. The congestion DPC corresponds to the receiving station address of the TFC signal.

The SMS control unit 100 uses only "MTP-state display" among the above primitives. For each primitive, an SI value indicating the instruction destination is specified. Since the SI value of "MTP-transfer" does not correspond to SCCP, it is not notified to the SMS control unit 100. Further, since "MTP-pause" and "MTP-restart" for notifying the opposite node failure and recovery, respectively, are notifications common to all SI values, the SMS control unit 100 performs mask processing. The SMS control unit 100 uses an unused SI value when setting the "MTP-status display" primitive.

Referring to FIG. 5 again, the SMS control unit 100 receives the setting of the regulation form from the SCS 5 via the communication port 14 for each IoT-GW 2, that is, for each wireless network 92. The regulation form defines how to regulate the signal transmission of the MTC terminal 3 (for example, the regulation period is limited to one day). The SMS control unit 100 sets the content of the regulation message to be transmitted to the IoT-GW 2 in the MSG-DB 130 for each IoT-GW 2.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of setting of MSG-DB130. A message ID, MSISDN (mobile phone number), movement presence / absence information, MSC address, MTC pattern ID, and operation pattern ID are set in the MSG-DB 130.

The message ID is IoT-GW2, that is, an identifier of a regulation message for each wireless network 92. MSISDN is an example of IoT-GW2 identification information. The movement presence / absence information indicates whether or not the IoT-GW2 is a mobile body (for example, a mobile gateway device). When the moving state is "Yes (1)", the IoT-GW2 is a moving body, and when the moving state is "No (0)", the IoT-GW2 is not a moving body.

The MSC address is the address of the MSC42 that accommodates the IoT-GW2. The MSC address is registered only when the IoT-GW2 is not a mobile body (movement presence / absence information = none).

The MTC pattern ID is an identifier of a pattern of a combination of IDs (regulated MTC-IDs) of MTC terminals 3 subject to regulation of signal transmission among MTC terminals 3 in the wireless network 92 corresponding to IoT-GW2. For example, when the MTC pattern ID is # 1, the regulated MTC terminals 3 are all MTC terminals 3. When the MTC pattern ID is # 2, each MTC terminal 3 whose regulated MTC-ID is MTC01, MTC02, MTC03, ..., MTC99 is subject to regulation. When the MTC pattern ID is # 3, each MTC terminal 3 whose regulated MTC-ID is MTC01, MTC03, MTC05, ..., MTC11 is subject to regulation.

The operation pattern ID is an identifier of a pattern of restricted operation of signal transmission. That is, the operation pattern ID is an identifier of the regulation form. For example, when the operation pattern ID is # 1, the operation content is a regulation of signal transmission excluding emergency information. Further, when the operation pattern ID is # 2, the operation content is regulated by limiting the period to one day.

In the MSG-DB130 of this example, a regulation message is set for each IoT-GW2, but for the MTC terminal 3 to which MSISDN is assigned, a regulation message is set for each MTC terminal 3. The MTC pattern ID is not set for the regulation message of the MTC terminal 3.

The MTP control unit 107 includes a signal processing function of the MTP3 having a protocol stack configuration. The MTP control unit 107 receives the TFC signal via the communication port 14. At this time, the MTP control unit 107 identifies the TFC signal by the heading codes H1 and H2. The MTP control unit 107 acquires congestion information (congestion level and called station address) from the TFC signal and outputs it to the primitive control unit 101.

Since the MTP control unit 107 acquires congestion information based on the SIGTRAN protocol, it can be flexibly adapted to an SMS application based on the SS7 signal system.

The primitive control unit 101 generates a congestion primitive Pd of "MTP-state display" from the congestion information and outputs it to the SMS control unit 100. The SMS control unit 100 identifies the MSC 42 in the congestion state from the incoming station address of the congestion information.

The location information management unit 103 accesses the HLR / HSS 44 and the VLR 45 via the communication port 14. The position information management unit 103 manages the position information of the IoT-GW 2 and the MTC terminal 3 by acquiring the area information of the communication device accommodated in each MSC 42 from the HLR / HSS 44 and the VLR 45. The position information management unit 103 stores the position information in the position information DB 131, and acquires the position information from the position information DB 131 in response to a request from the SMS control unit 100 and the transmission management unit 102.

The position information is information indicating the MSISDN of the IoT-GW 2 and the MTC terminal 3 housed in each MSC42, and is used to identify the IoT-GW 2 and the MTC terminal 3 housed in the MSC 42 in a congested state using the receiving station address as a key. Be done. The location information management unit 103 updates the location information DB 131 every time the service area information of the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3 changes. Therefore, the recent positions of the IoT-GW 2 and the MTC terminal 3 are stored in the position information DB 131 as the address of the MSC 42 of the accommodation destination.

The SMS control unit 100 acquires the MSISDN of the IoT-GW 2 and the MTC terminal 3 housed in the MSC 42 in the congested state by searching the position information DB 131 using the receiving station address as a key. That is, the SMS control unit 100 acquires MSISDN from the service area information of the communication device accommodated in the MSC 42 in the congested state. Next, the SMS control unit 100 selects the parameter of the regulation message corresponding to the MSISDN by searching the MSG-DB 130 using the MSISDN as a key.

As a result, the SMS control unit 100 selects the regulation form for each IoT-GW2 or MTC terminal based on MSISDN. Therefore, even if the IoT-GW 2 and the MTC terminal 3 are mobile communication devices, it is possible to regulate the signal transmission for each IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal in an arbitrary regulation form.

At this time, since the SMS control unit 100 uses MSISDN, that is, the mobile phone number as the identification information of the IoT-GW2 or the MTC terminal 3, the regulation form can be selected by using the function of the SMS application using the mobile phone number as a key. It becomes.

Further, when the mobile communication device is not accommodated in the MSC 42 in the congested state, the SMS control unit 100 may search the MSG-DB 130 using the receiving station address as a key without using the position information DB 131. Since the MSC address is set in the MSG-DB 130, the SMS control unit 100 can select all the parameters of the regulation message of the MSC address that matches the receiving station address.

Next, the SMS control unit 100 outputs a message transmission request to the transmission management unit 102 based on the parameters of the regulation message selected from the MSG-DB 130. The transmission management unit 102 generates a regulation message in response to a message transmission request.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the parameter of the message transmission request. The message transmission request includes MSISDN, movement presence / absence information, MSC address, priority, and control pattern. The MSISDN, movement presence / absence information, and MSC address are acquired from the MSG-DB130, and the MTC pattern ID and operation pattern ID included in the control pattern are also acquired from the MSG-DB130. The MTC pattern and the operation pattern are configured as text or binary code which is the body of the SMS message.

The priority is determined from the congestion level of the congestion information. The SMS control unit 100 determines a value equal to or higher than the congestion level as a priority. In this way, since the SMS control unit 100 sets the priority according to the congestion level indicated by the congestion information, it is possible to avoid discarding the regulation message due to the congestion control of the MTP.

When the transmission management unit 102 generates the regulation message, the transmission management unit 102 requests the number resolution unit 104 to perform the number resolution process based on the MSISDN of the regulation message. The number resolution request includes the parameters of the message transmission request.

In response to the number resolution request, the number resolution unit 104 determines whether or not MSISDN belongs to the IoT-GW 2 or MTC terminal 3 connected to the carrier networks 90 and 91 based on a predetermined database. If the MSISDN is not for the IoT-GW 2 or MTC terminal 3 connected to the carrier networks 90, 91, the number resolution unit 104 notifies the transmission management unit 102 to that effect, and the transmission management unit 102 discards the regulation message. do.

When the MSISDN is that of the IoT-GW2 or the MTC terminal 3 connected to the carrier networks 90 and 91, and the movement presence / absence information in the parameter of the message transmission request indicates "Yes", the number solving unit 104 indicates HLR / By accessing HSS44 and VLR45, the sphere information of IoT-GW2 or MTC terminal 3 is searched. The number solving unit 104 determines whether or not the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3 is accommodated in the MSC 42 in the congested state from the service area information, and notifies the SMS control unit 100 of the determination result.

The SMS control unit 100 discards the regulation message when the IoT-GW2 or the MTC terminal 3 is not accommodated in the congested MSC42, and when the IoT-GW2 or the MTC terminal 3 is accommodated in the congested MSC42, the SMS control unit 100 discards the regulation message. The regulation message is output to the MAP / TCAP control unit 105. Further, when the movement presence / absence information in the parameter of the message transmission request indicates "none", the number resolution unit 104 does not search the service area information, and the SMS control unit 100 sends the regulation message to the MAP / TCAP control unit 105. Output to.

The MAP / TCAP control unit 105 processes the regulation message based on the corresponding protocol and outputs it to the SCCP control unit 106. The SCCP control unit 106 performs congestion control on the regulation message based on the congestion level indicated by the congestion information, but outputs the regulation message to the MTP control unit 107 because the priority of the regulation message is set to the congestion level or higher. The MTP control unit 107 outputs a regulation message to the destination indicated by MSISDN via the communication port 14. As a result, the regulation message is transmitted to the IoT-GW2 and the MTC terminal 3 housed in the MSC42 in the congested state.

Further, the MTP control unit 107 periodically transmits an RCT signal to the SIGTRAN-GW 40 via the communication port 14, for example. At this time, the MTP control unit 107 sets the priority of the RCT signal according to the congestion level indicated by the congestion information. For example, the MTP control unit 107 sets the priority of the RCT signal by one less than the congestion level.

When the MTP control unit 107 does not receive the TFC signal, which is a response signal to the RCT signal, from the SIGTRAN-GW 40 within a certain period of time, the MTP control unit 107 detects that the congestion state of the MSC42 is resolved by the congestion primitive Ps, and notifies the primitive control unit 101 of the notification. To ask. The primitive control unit 101 generates congestion primitives Ps in response to a request and outputs them to the SMS control unit 100.

The SMS control unit 100 outputs a message transmission request of the regulation release message for releasing the restriction of the signal transmission of the MTC terminal 3 to the transmission management unit 102 according to the congestion primitive Ps. The deregulation message is transmitted from the communication port 14 in the same process as the regulation message.

Next, the configuration of IoT-GW2 will be described.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram showing an example of IoT-GW2. The IoT-GW 2 has a CPU 20, a ROM 21, a RAM 22, a wired communication interface unit (wired communication IF) 24, and a wireless communication interface unit (wireless communication IF) 25. The CPU 20 is connected to the ROM 21, RAM 22, the wired communication IF 24, and the wireless communication IF 25 via the bus 29 so that signals can be input and output from each other.

The ROM 21 stores a program that drives the CPU 20. The RAM 22 functions as a working memory of the CPU 20. The wired communication IF24 is composed of a circuit such as a LAN switch, and processes communication between the CPU 10 and another device that performs wired communication with the IoT-GW 2. Further, the wireless communication IF25 is composed of hardware such as a wireless LAN card, and processes communication between the CPU 10 and another device that wirelessly communicates with the IoT-GW 2.

When the CPU 20 reads the program from the ROM 21, the SMS control unit 200, the message determination unit 201, the position detection unit 202, and the access control unit 203 are formed as functions. The access control unit 203 communicates with the MSC 42 and the MTC terminal 3 via the wired communication IF 24 or the wireless communication IF 25. The SMS control unit 200 processes the SMS message. The message determination unit 201 determines whether the SMS message is a regulation message or a regulation release message. The position detection unit 202 detects the position of the IoT-GW2 from the communication with the MSC42 and notifies the HLR / HSS44 and the VLR45.

When the SMS control unit 200 receives the SMS message via the access control unit 203, the SMS control unit 200 outputs the SMS message to the message determination unit 201. When the message determination unit 201 determines that the SMS message is a regulation message or a regulation release message, the message determination unit 201 notifies the SMS control unit 200 of the determination result. When the SMS message is a regulation message, the SMS control unit 200 regulates the transmission of a signal to the connected MTC terminal 3 in accordance with the regulation message.

More specifically, the SMS control unit 200 instructs the MTC terminal 3 corresponding to the MTC pattern ID of the regulation message to regulate in the regulation form according to the operation pattern ID of the regulation message. The regulation instruction is transmitted from the wireless communication IF25 to the MTC terminal 3.

Further, when the SMS message is a deregulation message, the SMS control unit 200 transmits a deregulation instruction to the MTC terminal 3 which is restricting signal transmission. The instruction to release the regulation is transmitted from the wireless communication IF25 to the MTC terminal 3.

Next, the configuration of the MTC terminal 3 will be described.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an example of the MTC terminal 3. The MTC terminal 3 has a CPU 30, a ROM 31, a RAM 32, and a wireless communication interface unit (wireless communication IF) 35. The CPU 30 is connected to the ROM 31, the RAM 32, and the wireless communication IF 35 via the bus 39 so that signals can be input and output from each other.

The ROM 31 stores a program that drives the CPU 30. The RAM 32 functions as a working memory of the CPU 30. The wireless communication IF35 is composed of hardware such as a wireless LAN card, and processes communication between the CPU 30 and another device that wirelessly communicates with the MTC terminal 3. When the MTC terminal 3 is directly accommodated in the MSC 42 without going through the IoT-GW 2, a wired communication interface is provided instead of the wireless communication IF 35 depending on the type of communication service.

When the CPU 30 reads the program from the ROM 31, the communication control unit 300 and the access control unit 301 are formed as functions. The access control unit 301 communicates with the IoT-GW2 via the wireless communication IF35. The communication control unit 300 regulates the transmission of the signal from the access control unit 301 according to the regulation instruction received from the IoT-GW 2 via the wireless communication IF 25.

A regulation form according to the operation pattern ID is specified in the regulation instruction, and the communication control unit 300 performs regulation according to the regulation form. For example, when it is specified in the regulation form that the regulation is limited to one day, the communication control unit 300 uses the calendar function or the like to perform the regulation until one day has passed from the reception of the regulation instruction. Further, when it is specified in the regulation form that the emergency information is excluded, the communication control unit 300 regulates so that only the emergency information is transmitted. Further, when the communication control unit 300 receives the instruction to release the regulation, the communication control unit 300 stops the regulation of the transmission of the signal to the access control unit 301.

When the MTC terminal 3 is directly housed in the MSC 42 without going through the IoT-GW 2, the CPU 30 is formed with the same function as the position detection unit 202 of the IoT-GW 2. As a result, the MTC terminal 3 detects the position of the MTC terminal 3 from the communication with the MSC 42 and notifies the HLR / HSS 44 and the VLR 45.

Next, each process of SMSC1 will be described.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the initial setting process. This process is executed, for example, when SMSC1 is started, but is not limited to this, and may be executed during the subsequent operation.

The SMS control unit 100 sets the reception registration of the congestion primitives Pd and Ps of "MTP-status display" in the primitive control unit 101 (step St1). As a result, in response to the reception of the TFC signal, the congestion primitive Pd is output from the primitive control unit 101, which is a communication function of the network layer, to the SMS control unit 100, which is a communication function of the application layer. Further, the congestion primitive Ps is output from the primitive control unit 101 to the SMS control unit 100 according to the fact that the TFC signal of the response signal of the RCT signal has not been received.

Next, the SMS control unit 100 determines whether or not the transmission restriction setting has been input from the SCS 5 via the communication port 14 (step St2). The SMS control unit 100 ends the process when there is no input for the transmission restriction setting (No in step St2).

Further, when the SMS control unit 100 receives an input for setting the transmission restriction (Yes in step St2), the SMS control unit 100 sets the MSG-DB130 according to the input from the SCS5 (step St3). As a result, the SMS control unit 100 accepts the setting of the regulation form in association with the MSISDN of each IoT-GW 2 or each MTC terminal 3. The setting process of the MSG-DB 130 may be executed by the SMS application or may be executed by another application.

Next, the location information management unit 103 starts acquiring the service area information from the HLR / HSS44 and the VLR45 via the communication port 14 (step St4). The location information management unit 103 updates the location information DB 131 based on the service area information. In this way, the initial setup is performed.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a regulation message transmission process. This process is executed periodically, for example. In this process, each process of steps St11-14, St22, and St23 is executed by the communication function of the network layer of the CPU 10, and each process of steps St15 to 21 is executed by the communication function of the application layer of the CPU 10. .. Further, in this process, it is assumed that there is no detour route or backup node for the MSC42 in the congested state.

The MTP control unit 107 determines whether or not the TFC signal is received from the SIGTRAN-GW 40 (step St11). When the TFC signal is not received (No in step St11), the MTP control unit 107 determines that there is no MSC42 in the congested state and ends the process.

When the TFC signal is received (Yes in step St11), the MTP control unit 107 acquires the congestion information, that is, the called station address and the congestion level from the TFC signal (step St12). Next, the SCCP control unit 106 starts congestion control based on the congestion state (step St13). More specifically, the SCCP control unit 106 starts congestion control according to the congestion primitive Pc from the MTP control unit 107.

Next, the primitive control unit 101 outputs the preset congestion primitive Pd to the SMS application (step St14). That is, the primitive control unit 101 outputs the congestion primitive Pd to the SMS control unit 100. As a result, the SMS control unit 100 is notified of the congestion information. The process of step St14 may be executed prior to the process of step St13.

The SMS control unit 100 identifies the MSC42 in the congested state based on the called station address in the congestion information, and searches for the corresponding MSISDN from the position information DB 131 according to the MSC42 (step St15). As a result, the SMS control unit 100 acquires the MSISDN of the IoT-GW 2 and the MTC terminal 3 housed in the MSC 42 in the congested state. The SMS control unit 100 can omit this process when the IoT-GW 2 and the MTC terminal 3 housed in the MSC 42 in the congested state are not mobile bodies.

Next, the SMS control unit 100 searches the parameters of the relevant regulation message from the MSG-DB 130 based on MSISDN (step St16). More specifically, the SMS control unit 100 acquires the parameters of the regulation message that MSISDN matches from the MSG-DB 130. As a result, the SMS control unit 100 selects the regulation form for each IoT-GW 2 or MTC terminal 3 based on MSISDN.

As described above, even if the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3 is a mobile body, the SMSC1 acquires MSISDN from the position information DB 131 based on the territory information, and has an arbitrary regulation form for each IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3. It is possible to regulate signal transmission with. If the IoT-GW 2 is not a mobile unit, the SMS control unit 100 may acquire MSISDN from the MSG-DB 130 based on the receiving station address.

Next, the SMS control unit 100 sets the priority of the regulation message from the congestion level (step St17). The SMS control unit 100 sets the priority of the regulation message according to the congestion level, thereby avoiding the discard of the regulation message due to the congestion control of the SCCP control unit 106.

Next, the number resolution unit 104 performs MSISDN number resolution processing based on the service area information (step St18). More specifically, the number solving unit 104 determines the MSC42 of the accommodation destination of the IoT-GW2 or the MTC terminal 3 from MSISDN.

Next, the number solving unit 104 determines whether or not the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3 corresponding to MSISDN has moved (whether or not it is a moving body) from the movement presence / absence information among the parameters of the regulation message (step St19). .. If there is no movement (No in step St19), the process of step St21 is executed.

When there is a movement (Yes in step St19), the number solving unit 104 determines whether or not the MSC42 of the accommodation destination of the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3 matches the MSC 42 in the congested state (step St20). If the MSC 42s do not match (No in step St20), the process ends. When the MSC 42s match (Yes in step St20), the SMS control unit 100 outputs the message transmission request to the transmission management unit 102 (step St21). The transmission management unit 102 outputs a regulation message to the network layer.

Next, the SCCP control unit 106 compares the priority of the regulation message with the congestion level (step St22). However, since the priority of the regulation message is set to the congestion level or higher by the SMS control unit 100, the regulation message is not discarded. Next, the MTP control unit 107 transmits a regulation message from the communication port 14 to the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3 (step St23). In this way, the processing of sending the regulation message is executed.

In this way, the SMS control unit 100 receives the setting of the regulation form of the signal transmission of the MTC terminal 3 for each wireless network 92 or each MTC terminal 3. Further, the MTP control unit 107 acquires the congestion information, and the primitive control unit 101 outputs the congestion information to the SMS control unit 100 as the congestion primitive Pd. The SMS control unit 100 selects a regulation mode based on the congestion information, and transmits a regulation message to the wireless network 92 according to the selected regulation mode.

According to the above configuration, the SMS control unit 100 can immediately acquire the congestion information regardless of the processing of the network layer, so that the regulation message can be quickly transmitted. Further, since the SMS control unit 100 selects the regulation form for each of the wireless network 92 or the MTC terminal 3, the signal transmission can be regulated in any regulation form.

Therefore, the SMSC1 can rapidly regulate the signal transmission causing congestion in any form.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a regulation release message transmission process. In this process, steps St31 to 38a and St40 are executed by the communication function of the network layer, and steps St38b and St39 are executed by the communication function of the application layer.

The MTP control unit 107 determines whether or not the transmission cycle of the RCT signal has arrived by, for example, a timer (step St31). When the transmission cycle has not arrived (No in step St31), the MTP control unit 107 ends the process. Further, when the transmission cycle has arrived (Yes in step St31), the MTP control unit 107 generates an RCT signal (step St32).

Next, the MTP control unit 107 sets the priority of the RCT signal from the congestion level (step St33). The MTP control unit 107 sets the priority to a value one less than the congestion level, for example, so that the RCT signal is discarded when the congestion state of the MSC 42 is not resolved. Next, the MTP control unit 107 transmits an RCT signal (step St34) and activates the monitoring timer (step St34a). The monitoring timer is used to monitor the presence or absence of reception of a response signal (TFC signal) for the RCT signal from the SIGTRAN-GW 40.

Next, the MTP control unit 107 determines whether or not the monitoring timer has expired (step St35). When the monitoring timer has not expired (No in step St35), the MTP control unit 107 determines whether or not the TFC signal has been received (step St36). Here, the SIGTRAN-GW 40 discards the RCT signal a predetermined number of times when the congestion state of the MSC42 continues, and then transmits the TFC signal to the SMSC1 as a response signal. When the TFC signal is not received (No in step St36), the MTP control unit 107 executes the process of step St35 again. Further, when the TFC signal is received (Yes in step St36), the MTP control unit 107 ends the process. The RCT signal is an example of a test signal.

Further, when the monitoring timer expires (Yes in step St35), the MTP control unit 107 determines that the TFC signal has not been received, and causes the SCCP control unit 106 to stop the congestion control (step St37). Here, when the congestion state of the MSC42 is resolved, the SIGTRAN-GW 40 does not transmit the TFC signal because the congestion level is set to 0 and the RCT signal is transferred without being discarded. Therefore, if the TFC signal is not received by the time the monitoring timer expires, the MTP control unit 107 determines that the congestion state has been resolved and sets the congestion level to 0.

Next, the MTP control unit 107 stops the timer that measures the transmission cycle of the RCT signal (step St38). Next, the primitive control unit 101 outputs congestion primitives Ps to the application layer in order to notify that the congestion level is 0 (step St38a). The congestion primitive Ps includes the address of the MSC42 whose congestion state has been resolved.

The SMS control unit 100 searches for the corresponding MSISDN from the position information DB 131 based on the address of the MSC 42 (step St38b). As a result, the SMS control unit 100 acquires the MSISDN of the IoT-GW 2 and the MTC terminal 3 to be deregulated. Next, the SMS control unit 100 outputs a message transmission request of the regulation release message to the transmission management unit 102 (step St39). The transmission management unit 102 outputs a deregulation message to the network layer.

Next, the MTP control unit 107 transmits a regulation release message to the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3 (step St40). In this way, the processing of sending the deregulation message is executed.

In this way, the MTP control unit 107 transmits an RCT signal having a priority according to the congestion level indicated by the congestion information to the SIGTRAN-GW 40, which is a node from which the congestion information is acquired. Further, when the primitive control unit 101 does not receive the TFC signal as a response signal to the RCT signal from the SIGTRAN-GW 40, the primitive control unit 101 outputs the congestion primitive Ps to the SMS control unit 100 as a notification of the elimination of the congestion state. The SMS control unit 100 transmits a deregulation message to the wireless network 92 according to the congestion primitive Ps.

Therefore, the SMSC 1 can detect the elimination of the congestion state and release the restriction on the signal transmission of the MTC terminal 3.

Next, the processing of IoT-GW2 will be described.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of receiving processing of the regulation message and the regulation release message of IoT-GW2. This process is executed periodically, for example.

The SMS control unit 200 determines whether or not an SMS message has been received from the SMSC1 (step St51). If the SMS message has not been received (No in step St51), the SMS control unit 200 ends the process. Further, when the SMS message is received (Yes in step St51), the SMS control unit 200 determines whether or not the SMS message is a regulation message by the message determination unit 201 (step St52).

When the SMS message is a regulation message (Yes in step St52), the SMS control unit 200 detects the regulated MTC terminal 3 from the MTC pattern ID of the regulation message (step St53). Next, the SMS control unit 200 detects the regulation form for each MTC terminal 3 from the operation pattern ID of the regulation message (step St54). Next, the SMS control unit 200 transmits a regulation instruction to the corresponding MTC terminal 3 (step St55).

Further, when the SMS message is not a regulation message (No in step St52), the SMS control unit 200 determines whether or not the SMS message is a regulation release message (step St56). When the SMS message is a deregulation message (Yes in step St56), the SMS control unit 200 detects the MTC terminal 3 to be deregulated from the deregulation message (step St57). Next, the SMS control unit 200 transmits a regulation release instruction to the corresponding MTC terminal 3 (step St58).

If the SMS message is not a deregulation message (No in step St56), the SMS control unit 200 ends the process. In this way, the processing of receiving the regulation message and the regulation release message is executed.

Next, the processing of the MTC terminal 3 will be described.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the transmission restriction and deregulation processing of the MTC terminal 3. This process is executed periodically, for example.

The communication control unit 300 determines whether or not a regulation instruction has been received from the IoT-GW 2 (step St61). When the communication control unit 300 receives the regulation instruction (Yes in step St61), the communication control unit 300 regulates the signal transmission in the instructed regulation form (step St62).

Further, when the communication control unit 300 has not received the regulation instruction (No in step St61), the communication control unit 300 determines whether or not the regulation release instruction has been received from the IoT-GW 2 (step St63). When the communication control unit 300 receives the regulation release instruction (Yes in step St63), the communication control unit 300 stops the regulation of signal transmission (step St64).

Further, when the communication control unit 300 has not received the regulation release instruction (No in step St63), the communication control unit 300 ends the process. In this way, the transmission restriction and deregulation processing of the MTC terminal 3 is executed. When the MTC terminal 3 is directly housed in the MSC 42, the MTC terminal 3 receives the regulation message or the regulation release message, but the processing is the same as that of the IoT-GW2 with the regulation target as its own device. ..

As described above, since the SMSC1 regulates and deregulates the signal transmission of the MTC terminal 3 by the SMS message, it is possible to realize high compatibility with the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3 by a highly versatile protocol. can.

Further, since the SMSC 1 selects the regulation form for each of the IoT-GW 2 or the MTC terminal 3, the signal transmission of the MTC terminal 3 can be regulated by an arbitrary method.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of transmission regulation. In this example, the wireless network 92x of the MTC terminal 3 having the field sensor of the company X, the wireless network 92y of the MTC terminal 3 having the field sensor of the company Y, and the wireless network 92z of the MTC terminal 3 having the field sensor of the company Z. To mention. The wireless network 92y includes MTC terminals 3 of groups # 1 and group # 2.

The wireless networks 92x to 92z are connected to the carrier networks 90 and 91 by IoT-GW2x to 2z, respectively. It is assumed that IoT-GW2x to 2z are housed in a common MSC42.

MSISDN "020-XXXX-XXXXX" is assigned to the IoT-GW2x. Further, MSISDN "020-YYYY-1111" corresponding to the MTC terminal 3 of the group # 1 and MSISDN "020-YYYY-2222" corresponding to the MTC terminal 3 of the group # 2 are assigned to the IoT-GW2y. ing. Further, MSISDN "020-ZZZZ-ZZZZ" is assigned to IoT-GW2z.

The SMSC 1 regulates signal transmission in an individual regulation form for each MTC terminal 3 based on the MSG-DB 130.

For example, the SMSC1 sends the regulation message M1 in which the operation pattern ID "# 1" of the regulation form excluding the emergency information is specified to the IoT-GW2x, 2y of MSISDN "020-XXXX-XXXXX" and "020-YYYY-1111". Send to each. Therefore, the MTC terminal 3 of the wireless network 92x and the MTC terminal 3 of the group # 1 of the wireless network 92y are restricted from transmitting signals other than emergency information.

In addition, the SMSC1 sends the regulation message M2 in which the operation pattern ID "# 2" of the regulation form that limits the period to one day is specified by the IoT- of MSISDN "020-ZZZZ-ZZZZ" and "020-YYYY-2222". It is transmitted to GW2z and 2y, respectively. Therefore, the MTC terminal 3 of the wireless network 92z and the MTC terminal 3 of the group # 2 of the wireless network 92y are restricted from transmitting signals for only one day.

As described above, the SMSC1 can regulate the signal transmission in any regulation form.

In the above example, the SMSC 1 eliminates the congestion state of the MSC 42 by restricting the signal transmission of the MTC terminal 3, but for example, the congestion is caused by switching the carrier networks 90 and 91 to which the MTC terminal 3 is connected. The condition may be resolved. In this case, the SMSC1 generates an SMS message instructing the switching of the carrier networks 90 and 91 in response to the input from the SCS5, and transmits the SMS message to the IoT-GW2 connected to the wireless network 92 of the corresponding MTC terminal 3.

The IoT-GW 2 switches the connection destination carrier networks 90 and 91 by the SMS control unit 200. More specifically, the SMS control unit 200 switches the accommodation destination of the IoT-GW 2 from the MSC42 of one carrier network 90,91 to the MSC42 of the other carrier network 91,90. For example, the IoT-GW2 housed in the MSC42 of one carrier network 90 is switched to the MSC42 of the other carrier network 91 as indicated by reference numeral L.

As a result, the connection destination of the MTC terminal 3 is switched from the MSC42 of one carrier network 90, 91 to the MSC 42 of the other carrier network 91, 90, so that the congestion state of the MSC 42 of the original accommodation destination is eliminated.

The above processing function can be realized by a computer. In that case, a program that describes the processing content of the function that the processing device should have is provided. By executing the program on a computer, the above processing function is realized on the computer. The program describing the processing content can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (however, the carrier wave is excluded).

When a program is distributed, it is sold in the form of a portable recording medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) on which the program is recorded. It is also possible to store the program in the storage device of the server computer and transfer the program from the server computer to another computer via the network.

The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes the processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute the processing according to the program. In addition, the computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program each time the program is transferred from the server computer.

The embodiments described above are examples of preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

The following additional notes will be further disclosed with respect to the above description.
(Appendix 1) In a congestion control method for controlling the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks.
A computer that has a network layer communication function and an application layer communication function
A process of acquiring congestion information related to the congestion state and outputting it to the application layer by the communication function of the network layer.
The processing of accepting the setting of the regulation form of the transmission of the signal for each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals by the communication function of the application layer.
A process of selecting the regulation mode based on the congestion information by the communication function of the application layer and transmitting a message restricting transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation mode to the one or more first networks. A congestion control method characterized by execution.
(Appendix 2) The congestion control method according to Appendix 1, wherein the message is an SMS message.
(Supplementary Note 3) The congestion control method according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein in the process of acquiring the congestion information and outputting it to the application layer, the congestion information is acquired based on the SIGTRAN protocol.
(Appendix 4) In the process of accepting the setting of the regulation form,
The setting of the regulation form is accepted in association with the identification information of each of the one or more gateway devices connecting the one or more first networks and the second network, or each of the plurality of terminals.
In the process of transmitting the message to the one or more first networks,
From the congestion information, the exchange in the congestion state in the second network is identified, and the exchange is identified.
The identification information is acquired from the service area information of the communication device housed in the exchange, and the identification information is acquired.
The congestion control method according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 3, wherein the regulation form is selected for each of the gateway device or the terminal based on the identification information.
(Appendix 5) The congestion control method according to Appendix 4, wherein the identification information of each of the gateway devices or each of the plurality of terminals is a mobile phone number.
(Appendix 6) In the process of transmitting the message to the one or more first networks.
The congestion control method according to any one of Supplementary note 1 to 5, wherein the priority of the message is set according to the level of the congestion state indicated by the congestion information.
(Appendix 7) A process of transmitting a test signal having a priority according to the level of the congestion state indicated by the congestion information to the node from which the congestion information is acquired by the communication function of the network layer.
When the response signal to the test signal is not received from the acquisition source node by the communication function of the network layer, a process of outputting a notification of the elimination of the congestion state to the application layer and a process of outputting the notification to the application layer.
The computer executes a process of transmitting a message for releasing the restriction on transmission of the signal to the one or more first networks in response to the notification of the elimination of the congestion state by the communication function of the application layer. The congestion control method according to any one of Appendix 1 to 6, wherein the congestion control method is described.
(Appendix 8) In a congestion control program that controls the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks.
For computers that have network layer communication functions and application layer communication functions,
The communication function of the network layer acquires congestion information related to the congestion state and outputs it to the application layer.
The communication function of the application layer accepts the setting of the regulation form of the transmission of the signal for each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals.
The communication function of the application layer selects the regulation mode based on the congestion information, and executes a process of transmitting a message restricting transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation mode to the one or more first networks. Congestion control program characterized by making it.
(Supplementary note 9) The congestion control program according to Supplementary note 8, wherein the message is an SMS message.
(Supplementary Note 10) The congestion control program according to Appendix 8 or 9, wherein in the process of acquiring the congestion information and outputting it to the application layer, the congestion information is acquired based on the SIGTRAN protocol.
(Appendix 11) In the process of accepting the setting of the regulation form,
The setting of the regulation form is accepted in association with the identification information of each of the one or more gateway devices connecting the one or more first networks and the second network, or each of the plurality of terminals.
In the process of transmitting the message to the one or more first networks,
From the congestion information, the exchange in the congestion state in the second network is identified, and the exchange is identified.
The identification information is acquired from the service area information of the communication device housed in the exchange, and the identification information is acquired.
The congestion control program according to any one of Supplementary note 8 to 10, wherein the regulation form is selected for each of the gateway device or the terminal based on the identification information.
(Appendix 12) The congestion control program according to Appendix 11, wherein the identification information of each of the gateway devices or each of the plurality of terminals is a mobile phone number.
(Appendix 13) In the process of transmitting the message to the one or more first networks,
The congestion control program according to any one of Supplementary note 8 to 12, wherein the priority of the message is set according to the level of the congestion state indicated by the congestion information.
(Appendix 14) By the communication function of the network layer, a test signal having a priority corresponding to the level of the congestion state indicated by the congestion information is transmitted to the node from which the congestion information is acquired.
When the response signal to the test signal is not received from the acquisition source node by the communication function of the network layer, a notification of the elimination of the congestion state is output to the application layer.
The communication function of the application layer causes the computer to execute a process of transmitting a message for releasing the restriction on transmission of the signal to the one or more first networks in response to the notification of the elimination of the congestion state. The congestion control program according to any one of Supplementary note 8 to 13, wherein the congestion control program is described.
(Appendix 15) In a congestion control device that controls the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks.
The first functional unit that executes the communication function of the network layer,
It has a second functional unit that executes the communication function of the application layer.
The first function unit acquires congestion information regarding the congestion state and outputs it to the second function unit.
The second functional unit is
For each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals, the setting of the regulation form of the transmission of the signal is accepted.
A congestion control device comprising selecting the regulation mode based on the congestion information and transmitting a message restricting transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation mode to the one or more first networks.
(Supplementary note 16) The congestion control device according to Supplementary note 15, wherein the message is an SMS message.
(Supplementary note 17) The congestion control device according to Supplementary note 15 or 16, wherein the first functional unit acquires the congestion information based on the SIGTRAN protocol.
(Appendix 18) The second functional unit is
The setting of the regulation form is accepted in association with the identification information of each of the one or more gateway devices connecting the one or more first networks and the second network, or each of the plurality of terminals.
From the congestion information, the exchange in the congestion state in the second network is identified, and the exchange is identified.
The identification information is acquired from the service area information of the communication device housed in the exchange, and the identification information is acquired.
The congestion control device according to any one of Appendix 15 to 17, wherein the regulation form is selected for each of the gateway device or the terminal based on the identification information.
(Appendix 19) The first functional unit transmits a test signal having a priority corresponding to the level of the congestion state indicated by the congestion information to the node from which the congestion information is acquired, and the node from the acquisition source transmits the test signal. When the response signal to the test signal is not received, a notification of the elimination of the congestion state is output to the second function unit.
Any of the appendices 15 to 18, wherein the first functional unit transmits a message for releasing the restriction on transmission of the signal to the one or more first networks in response to the notification of the elimination of the congestion state. Congestion control device described in.
(Appendix 20) A congestion control device that controls the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks.
It has one or more first networks and one or more gateway devices that connect the second networks, respectively.
The congestion control device has a first functional unit that executes a communication function of the network layer and a second functional unit that executes a communication function of the application layer.
The first function unit acquires congestion information regarding the congestion state and outputs it to the second function unit.
The second functional unit is
For each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals, the setting of the regulation form of the transmission of the signal is accepted.
The regulation mode is selected based on the congestion information, and a message restricting the transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation mode is transmitted to the one or more gateway devices.
The network system, wherein the one or more gateways regulate the transmission of the signal to the plurality of terminals according to the message.

1 SMSC
2 IoT-GW
3 MTC terminal 10 CPU
100 SMS control unit 101 Primitive control unit 102 Transmission control unit 103 Location information management unit 104 Number resolution unit 105 MAP / TCAP control unit 106 SCCP control unit 107 MTP control unit 130 MSG-DB
131 Location information DB

Claims (10)

In a congestion control method for controlling a congestion state of a second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks.
A computer that has a network layer communication function and an SMS application
The network layer MTP protocol acquires congestion information about the congestion state , generates an MTP service primitive indicating the congestion information, skips the protocol stack between the SMS application and the MTP protocol, and skips the SMS application. And the process to output to
The processing of accepting the setting of the regulation form of the transmission of the signal for each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals by the SMS application.
The SMS application selects the regulation mode based on the congestion information, and executes a process of transmitting a message restricting transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation mode to the one or more first networks. Congestion control method characterized by. The congestion control method according to claim 1, wherein the message is an SMS message. The congestion control method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the process of acquiring the congestion information and outputting it to the SMS application, the congestion information is acquired based on the SIGTRAN protocol. In the process of accepting the setting of the regulation form,
The setting of the regulation form is accepted in association with the identification information of each of the one or more gateway devices connecting the one or more first networks and the second network, or each of the plurality of terminals.
In the process of transmitting the message to the one or more first networks,
From the congestion information, the exchange in the congestion state in the second network is identified, and the exchange is identified.
The identification information is acquired from the service area information of the communication device housed in the exchange, and the identification information is acquired.
The congestion control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the regulation form is selected for each of the gateway device or the terminal based on the identification information. The congestion control method according to claim 4, wherein the identification information of each of the gateway devices or each of the plurality of terminals is a mobile phone number. In the process of transmitting the message to the one or more first networks,
The congestion control method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the priority of the message is set according to the level of the congestion state indicated by the congestion information. A process of transmitting a test signal having a priority according to the level of the congestion state indicated by the congestion information to the node from which the congestion information is acquired by the communication function of the network layer.
When the response signal to the test signal is not received from the acquisition source node by the communication function of the network layer, a process of outputting a notification of the elimination of the congestion state to the SMS application and a process of outputting the notification to the SMS application.
By the SMS application , the computer executes a process of transmitting another message for releasing the restriction on transmission of the signal to the one or more first networks in response to the notification of the elimination of the congestion state. The congestion control method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the congestion control method is characterized. In a congestion control program that controls the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks.
For computers with network layer communication functions and SMS applications,
The network layer MTP protocol acquires congestion information about the congestion state , generates an MTP service primitive indicating the congestion information, skips the protocol stack between the SMS application and the MTP protocol, and skips the SMS application. Output to
The SMS application accepts the setting of the regulation form of the transmission of the signal for each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals.
The SMS application selects the regulation mode based on the congestion information, and transmits a message restricting transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation mode to the one or more first networks to execute a process. A featured congestion control program. In a congestion control device that controls the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks.
The first functional unit that executes the communication function of the network layer,
It has a second functional part that executes SMS applications,
The first functional unit acquires congestion information regarding the congestion state by the MTP protocol of the network layer, generates an MTP service primitive indicating the congestion information, and generates a protocol stack between the SMS application and the MTP protocol. Is skipped and output to the SMS application.
The second functional unit is
For each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals, the setting of the regulation form of the transmission of the signal is accepted.
A congestion control device comprising selecting the regulation mode based on the congestion information and transmitting a message restricting transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation mode to the one or more first networks. A congestion control device that controls the congestion state of the second network by signals transmitted from a plurality of terminals in one or more first networks.
It has one or more first networks and one or more gateway devices that connect the second networks, respectively.
The congestion control device has a first functional unit that executes a communication function of the network layer and a second functional unit that executes an SMS application.
The first functional unit acquires congestion information regarding the congestion state by the MTP protocol of the network layer, generates an MTP service primitive indicating the congestion information, and generates a protocol stack between the SMS application and the MTP protocol. Is skipped and output to the SMS application.
The second functional unit is
For each of the one or more first networks or each of the plurality of terminals, the setting of the regulation form of the transmission of the signal is accepted.
The regulation mode is selected based on the congestion information, and a message restricting the transmission of the signal according to the selected regulation mode is transmitted to the one or more gateway devices.
The network system, wherein the one or more gateway devices regulate the transmission of the signal to the plurality of terminals in accordance with the message.

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