JP7068687B2 - Wireless communication system, wireless communication method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a wireless communication system.

The spread of smartphones and tablet terminals in recent years and the increase in the capacity of content delivered to them have led to an explosive increase in traffic. As a solution to cope with such an increase in traffic, a large number of base stations covering an area with a small radius (called a small cell) are arranged to construct a RAN (Radio Access Network), that is, a radio access network, and the communication speed per terminal is increased. There is a decentralized network system to improve. In the 5th generation cellular network, introduction of RAN using millimeter wave is considered, and this is referred to as MiEdge (Millimeter-wave Edge cloud) -RAN in this specification.

On the other hand, mobile edge computing or mobile edge cloud (MEC) is attracting attention. In MEC, computing resources and storage such as servers and computers are placed on the edge of the network near the user terminal, and various data processing can be performed at a location near the user terminal without going through the core network (Internet). Will be done. With the introduction of MEC, it is expected that various services will be provided.

MEC is being standardized by the European standardization organization ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). In ETSI, the mechanism of MEC is defined, but the interface with RAN is optional.

5G-MiEdge deliverable D1.1, “Use Cases and Scenario Definition”, [online], Internet <URL: https://5g-miedge.eu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/5G-MiEdge_D1.1_v6. 3_final.pdf ＞

The present invention has been made in such a situation, and one of the exemplary purposes of the embodiment is to provide a wireless communication system that integrates an edge computing function and a small access network with a base network.

One aspect of the invention relates to a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system is configured based on the existing network, and includes a core network having functional elements for edge computing functions added to the control plane thereof, and a small access network connected to the core network. Functional elements provide edge computing capabilities in small access networks and orchestration between users and applications.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless communication system in which a MEC and a small access network are fused with a base network.

It is a block diagram of an existing network system. It is a figure which shows the extended wireless communication system which concerns on embodiment. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are diagrams showing the configuration of MiEdge-RAN. It is a sequence diagram about registration to MEC service. It is a sequence diagram about service deployment / optimization. It is a sequence diagram about the provision of a service / content. It is a figure which shows the simulation result explaining the effect of a prefetch. It is a figure which shows the parameter used for the simulation. It is a flowchart which shows an example of data QoS management by large-capacity data prefetching. It is a figure which shows the modification of the wireless communication system of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the implementation of the system of FIG. It is a sequence diagram about registration of MEC service through a portal.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on the preferred embodiments. The same or equivalent components, members, and processes shown in the drawings shall be designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the embodiment is not limited to the invention, but is an example, and all the features and combinations thereof described in the embodiment are not necessarily essential to the invention.

1. 1. Existing Network System Before explaining the wireless communication system according to the embodiment, the existing network system as a base will be described. It should be noted that what is discussed here is a future system, and the existing system does not mean that it is built at the present time, but it is an existing system at the time of implementation related to mobile edge computing described later.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the existing network system 200. For ease of understanding and simplification of the description, in the following description, the existing network 200 conforms to the basic architecture of the 5G wireless network specified in "3GPP TS23.501, System Architecture for the 5G System". The names and codes given to some functional elements and reference points (interfaces) are those of the 5G wireless network. Since the architecture of the 5G wireless network is in the development stage and is mobile, it may be changed in the future, and the present invention includes such a change. FIG. 1 shows an abstraction layer.

The existing network 200 includes a terminal 210 (UE: user equipment), an NG-RAN (Next-Generation Radio Access Network) 220, and a core network 230.

-Terminal 210
The UE is equipped with functions for 5G wireless communication and millimeter wave communication.

・ NG-RAN220
It conforms to 5G communication and has a macro cell (or pico cell or femto cell).

・ Core network 230
In a 5G system, the core network 230 is separated into a control plane (C-Plane) 232 and a user plane (U-Plane) 234.

The control plane contains the following functional elements or nodes.
AMF (Access and Mobility management Function), that is, access mobility management function, is registration management (Registration management), connection management (Connection management) reachability management (Reachability management), mobility management (Mobility management), access authentication (Access authentication). ), Access authorization, and Security context management.

The SMF (Session Management Function), that is, a session management function is an entity that provides a session management (Session management), IP address management of a user terminal, UPF selection and control, control of billing data collection in UPF, and coordination functions.

The NEF (Network Exposure Function), that is, the network disclosure function, is a functional element for disclosure of services and functions (for example, application functions, edge computing, mobility patterns, communication patterns) to third parties.

The user plane UPF (User Plane Function), that is, the user plane function, is an anchor point in the remote accelerator tool (RAT) or between RATs, and is a PDU (Protocol data unit) session point for connection with a DN (data network). Is. It provides packet routing, packet forwarding, reporting of traffic usage, and quality of service (QoS) management in the user plane.

The above is the architecture of the existing network 200.

2. 2. Extended Network System FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an extended wireless communication system 100 according to an embodiment. The wireless communication system 100 is configured based on the above-mentioned existing network 200.

The wireless communication system 100 includes an expanded core network 200A and a small access network 300.

2.1 MiEdge-RAN
The small access network 300 conforms to the framework architecture of MEC specified in "ETSI GS MEC 003, Mobile Edge Computing (MEC); Framework and Reference Architecture", and is also referred to as MiEdge-RAN below.

The MiEdge-RAN300 is connected to the expanded core network 200A. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are diagrams showing the configuration of MiEdge-RAN300. FIG. 3 (a) shows MiEdge-RAN in a 5G network, and FIG. 3 (b) shows MiEdge-RAN in a non-3GPP access network. The MiEdge-RAN300 has the following functional elements.

(1) RAN: Provision of control plane and user plane to UE (2) AP (Access Point) For non-3GPP access-Provision of user plane to UE-Routing of requested service in MEH-Data in requested service Flow QoS control (3) UPF
・ Routing of requested service in MEH ・ QoS control of data flow in requested service (4) MEH (Mobile Edge Host)
-Service / Content Hosting-Activation, addition, transfer, and resumption of services / content under the control of MSF, which will be described later.

The UPF of FIG. 3A is a user plane function for MEH, is connected to the UPF for DN of FIG. 2 via N9, and is connected to the SMF of FIG. 2 via N4. Further, the RAN of FIG. 3A is connected to the AMF via N2. The NL2 interface of FIG. 2 is connected to all of RAN, UPF, and MEH in order to collect information and control resources of a plurality of MiEdge-RANs. FIG. 3B is a non-3GPP system in which the AP is connected to the AS via the Internet.

Return to FIG. It should be noted that the NG-RAN 220 has interfaces N2 and N9 with AMF and UPF, whereas the MiEdge-RAN300 has interfaces N2 and N9 with SMF in addition to interfaces N2 and N9 with AMF and UPF. sea bream.

In connection with the MEC, the core network 200A includes an AS (Application Server / Service) or application server / service. The AS is the core that provides the MEC application / service and shares the application-specific interface with the peer application hosted by the UE. Within the context of MEC, AS is hosted by MEH and provides services generated by the hosted application. To improve QoS, multiple different MEHs may be interconnected to the network and used for dedicated communication with the AS.

2.2 MSF (MEC Service Function)
MSF, which is a functional element 400 for the expansion of the existing network 200, has been added. The extended core network 200A includes an extended control plane 232A. The control plane 232A is extended by an important functional element added to the control plane 232 of the existing network 200, namely MSF. MSF is a user based on MEC service management, disclosure of MEC functions via NEF to AS, registration of user terminal UEs in MEC (RAWN: Local Area Data Network), MEC management and orchestration (short-term and long-term). It is a new management function of the core network that enables edge service of terminals.

MSF manages all functions and procedures that enable MEC in 5G systems. MSF has the following features and functions.

(1) Policy Control MSF provides network configuration policies based on user subscriptions, service requests, and service deployments in the network.

(2) Resource management MSF enables resource optimization and traffic prediction based on the provision of resources and statistical information for wireless and computing resources.

(3) Sharing of resource information MSF can be an interface for supplying information on radio and computing resources in a non-3GPP access network based on business agreement between radio operators.

(4) MSF can be provided by a function such as ANDSF (Access network discovery and selection function). It is also useful for dynamically sharing the deployment of services on the network online.

(5) Data repository MSF stores subscription data, policy data, structural data for exposure, application information, and the like. The service provider accesses a part of this data through the NEF with access authorization.

(6) Context management MSF collects various context information from users, networks, edge clouds, policies related to services, and so on.

(7) Optimization algorithm MSF provides optimal resource allocation in MiEdge-RAN.

Next, the interface will be described. In FIG. 2, interfaces NL1 to NL5 for the liquid RAN control plane are shown by broken lines, and interfaces NO1 to NO3 for orchestration between users / applications are shown by alternate long and short dash lines.

The capabilities of MEC will be disclosed and provided to AS using the NEF and NL4, NL5 interfaces.

The AS (or application provider) generates specific applications to be executed on the MEC and provides them to the UE via the logical interface NO2.

When the UE activates the application (without downloading), the UE is registered with MSF via the NO1 interface.

As the UE approaches the (assumed) location of the application scenario, the AMF triggers the MEC service to start via the NL1 interface. Then, the orchestration between the user and the application via the NO3 interface starts.

When the UE enters the scenario, MSF manages the access and computation associated with the UE and initiates a session using SMF via the NL3 interface.

Subsequently, an example of signaling in the communication system 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram relating to registration to the MEC service. The UE registers a service subscription with the service provider via the NO2 interface (S100). In FIG. 4, the service provider is shown as being present in the AS. The service provider renews the user's subscription to MSF via the NO3 interface (S102). Thus, the UE is granted permission to use the MEC service.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram relating to service deployment / optimization. For Central Optimization (S210) of services / resources, MSF aggregates network context and user context.

The MiEdge-RAN provides the SMF with information about the network context, i.e. about radio resources and traffic. Specifically, the radio resource information is provided from MiEdge-RAN to MSF via AMF, _NEF and interfaces N2, NNEF, NL4 (S200). Traffic information is also provided from MiEdge-RAN to MSF via SMF, _NEF and interfaces N4, NNEF, NL4 (S202).

The user context is provided from the UE to MSF via AMF, _NEF and interfaces N1, NNEF, NL4, or directly from the UE via NO1 interface (S204). The user context includes the user's location information, the request traffic generation mechanism, and the like.

MiEdge-RAN also collects user contexts (S206). The MiEdge-RAN measures the radio / traffic status (S208) and uses the information and user context regarding the radio / traffic status for local optimization (S212).

MSF reflects the result of centralized optimization (S210) on MiEdite-RAN via the NL2 interface (S214). After that, a service deployment occurs between MiEdite-RAN and AS (S216). Service deployment includes data caching, prefetching, service restart, and so on.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram relating to the provision of services / contents. A request for session establishment is transmitted from the UE to MSF via AMF, SMF and interfaces N1, N11, NL3 (S300). MSF sets up a policy for MiEdite-RAN via SMF and interfaces NL3, N4 (S302). Policy setup is also performed via AMF and interfaces NL1 and N1 (S304).

Access is granted to the UE and the link is set up (S306). Then, the service provision starts between the UE and MiEdite-RAN (S306).

The communication system 100 according to the embodiment has been described above.
According to the communication system 100, the 5G architecture can be extended and a liquid control plane can be introduced. By adding MSF to control plane 232, MSF can orchestrate and operate MiEdite-RAN.

Further, according to the communication system 100, it is possible to utilize the user's context information (that is, the position information and the request traffic generation mechanism). For example, a computer server is installed in the MiEdge-RAN300 that has a small cell, and data or calculation functions are prefetched and cached in advance based on context information, so that ultra-high-speed and low-delay access can be performed even in a low-cost backhaul. You can build a network.

When considering a system (comparison system) in which MSF is not implemented as a comparison technique, it should be noted that it is impossible to prefetch a file of a specific user or centrally optimize MiEdge-RAN in the comparison system. sea bream.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing simulation results for explaining the effect of prefetch. The horizontal axis shows the backhaul capacity, and the vertical axis shows the system rate. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing parameters used in the simulation.

Referring to FIG. 7 ^, in a system having a backhaul capacity of 103 Mbps, the system rate without prefetching remains at 3.5 Gbps, whereas by introducing prefetch, the system rate can be increased to 9 Gbps. Can be enhanced.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of data QoS management by large-capacity data prefetching. Here, the user context, the user's destination, and the user's service usage history are used. For example, by accessing the user's calendar, the user's destination is specified (S400). It also predicts the amount of data required by the UE (S402). For the prediction, the service usage history of the past user can be referred to. These are provided to MiEdge-RAN as described above.

Then, based on the acquired user context, the MiEdge-RAN to be prefetched is specified (S404). For this process, a mobile network operator (MNO: Mobile Network Operator) is utilized and a power map is referred to.

Then, the required time _{tu and n} until the requested traffic actually occurs is predicted (S406). This can utilize the functions of AMF. The required times _{tu and n} can be estimated from the distance between the current position of the user and the position of the small cell where the traffic occurs, the means of transportation, and the like. Alternatively, the time when the traffic may occur may be predicted from the calendar schedule.

Then, the timing at which prefetching should be started is set before the expected time _{tu , n} by time TP (S408). _TP is the time required for prefetching, or may be set longer.

In the future, MiEdge-RAN will be installed in various places, and various MEC services will be provided by various service providers. Under these circumstances, if each service provider can develop services using infrastructure that is not related to itself (that is, MiEdge-RAN installed by another person), it is expected that the use of MEC will be further expanded.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a modification of the wireless communication system of FIG. As a player of a 5G network, there may be a small access network provider in addition to a user (consumer), a mobile communication network operator, and an application operator. The small access network provider is responsible for installing and renting a small access network (ie, MiEdge-RAN) that includes edge cloud / edge computing specialized for location and events.

Further, in the system of FIG. 10, the portal 500 is added as a player. Portal 500 is connected to AS. The 5G system is disclosed to the outside via NEF, and the portal 500 may optionally be connected to the system via NEF and NL5. The solid lines (i) and (ii) in FIG. 10 represent portal-based centralized control.

The portal 500 serves to match a small access network with a location (event) -specific application executed therein via the WEB market (e-commerce). The user purchases and runs the application as before. The application selects the network to be used via the portal 500.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of implementation of the system of FIG. The functions of RAN, UPF, and MEH are implemented in MiEdite-RAN. The 5G core (control plane) will be expanded to implement MSF in addition to AMF and NEF. The two ASs represent that multiple applications (MEC services) are provided by different service providers. Further, a plurality of 510_1 and 510_2 indicate that there are a plurality of 5G communication networks (or operators) including MiEdge-RAN. The portal 500 serves to mediate a plurality of MiEdge-RANs and a plurality of applications (AS).

With reference to FIG. 12, signaling in the system of FIG. 10 with a portal will be described. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram relating to registration of the MEC service via the portal. The operator of the small access network concludes a pre-contract with the portal (S500). Specifically, MSF registers MiEdge-RAN information in the portal. AS acquires the information of MiEdge-RAN registered in the portal. (S502). The contract between the user (UE) and the service provider (AS) is the same as in FIG.

The sequence for service deployment / optimization in the system of FIG. 10 is the same as that of FIG. 5, and the sequence for service / content provision is the same as that of FIG.

The above is the description of the system according to the modified example. In the absence of a portal, the use of MEC will be restricted between certain AS and MiEdite-RAN combinations. On the other hand, by introducing a portal, AS will be able to collect information on MiEdge-RAN existing in the world through the portal. In other words, the limitation of the combination of MiEdge-RAN and AS that can use MEC can be removed. In this way, the introduction of the portal makes it possible to realize a user-centered network (not limited to terminal users, including AS, that is, service providers and MiEdge-RAN installers) and its orchestration.

With the introduction of the portal, it is also possible for the MiEdge-RAN provider (administrator) to provide a mechanism for receiving an incentive from an AS using the MiEdge-RAN managed by the provider via the portal. This can be a driving force for the spread of MiEdite-RAN.

Although the present invention has been described using specific terms based on the embodiments, the embodiments merely indicate the principles and applications of the present invention, and the embodiments are defined in the claims. Many modifications and arrangement changes are permitted within the scope of the above-mentioned idea of the present invention.

100 Communication system 200 Existing network 210 Terminal 220 NG-RAN
230 Core Network 232 Control Plane 234 User Plane 300 Small Access Network, MiEdge-RAN
400 Extension Entity

Claims (4)

With multiple communication networks
With the portal
With the application
Equipped with
Each of the plurality of communication networks
A core network that is based on an existing network and has additional functional elements for mobile edge computing capabilities added to its control plane.
A small access network connected to the core network and
The functional elements provide mobile edge computing capabilities in the small access network and orchestration between the user and the application .
Information on the small access network of each of the plurality of communication networks is registered in advance in the portal.
The application is a wireless communication system characterized by acquiring information on the small access network registered in the portal and selecting the small access network to be used . The small access network according to claim 1, wherein the small access network is configured to be able to provide information about traffic occurring or possible in its own cell and / or user context to the core network. Wireless communication system. The small access network is characterized by comprising a computer server that prefetches at least one of the information required by the user of the service using the mobile edge computing function and the calculation function of the mobile edge computing function. Item 2. The wireless communication system according to Item 1 or 2 . It is a wireless communication method in multiple communication networks.
The plurality of communication networks include a core network and a small access network, respectively.
The wireless communication method is
The step in which the user terminal requests the application server to register for mobile edge computing,
In response to the registration request, the application server registers user information in a functional element for mobile edge computing included in the core network.
A step in which the functional element for mobile edge computing collects contextual information about the small access network and / or the user terminal.
The step that the functional element for mobile edge computing optimizes services and / or resources based on the collected information.
A step of requesting the establishment of a session from the user terminal to the functional element for mobile edge computing,
The functional element for mobile edge computing is the step of setting a policy for the small access network, and
The functional element for mobile edge computing is the step of registering the information of the small access network in the portal, and
A wireless communication method , wherein the application server acquires information on a plurality of the small access networks registered in the portal and selects the small access network to be used based on the acquired information .

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