JP2013118556A - Gateway apparatus, communication system, access apparatus, message transmission method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gateway apparatus, a communication system, an access apparatus and a message transmission method, each being capable of controlling messages to be exchanged within the communication system, in a manner not to consume a wasteful resource in the communication system having an apparatus operated with a power saving mode.SOLUTION: A gateway apparatus 20 comprises: a management unit 21 for managing the power saving mode of a plurality of access apparatuses 11-13 connected to communication terminals 51-53; and a control unit 22 for controlling to reduce the number of messages to be transmitted to an access apparatus, having the power saving mode set thereto, among the plurality of access apparatuses 11-13, as compared to a case when a normal power mode is set thereto.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gateway device that controls an access device that can change a power consumption mode.

  An example of a communication system that is currently commonly used is described in Non-Patent Document 1. The communication system shown in FIG. 10 includes an EUTRAN 110, an MME 120, a Serving GW 130, and a PDN GW 140.

  EUTRAN 110 is a radio access network that provides communication terminals with connectivity to a communication system using a radio access scheme called LTE (Long Term Evolution). EUTRAN110 is comprised using eNB111-113.

  The eNBs 111 to 113 are wireless access devices that provide communication terminal connectivity to communication terminals using LTE. In addition, the eNBs 111 to 113 have a function of changing a mode related to power consumption according to the number of communication terminals connected to the EUTRAN 110 and the amount of traffic flowing. Specifically, for example, the eNBs 111 to 113 estimate the number of connected communication terminals and the amount of flowing traffic in cooperation with surrounding eNBs, and even if the eNBs 111 to 113 do not transmit radio waves to the communication terminals. To determine if there is any impact. If the eNBs 111 to 113 determine that there is no influence, the communication terminal stops transmission of radio waves for connecting to the communication system, and transitions to a power saving mode that saves power consumption. If the eNBs 111 to 113 increase the number of connected communication terminals and the amount of traffic flowing and determine that the communication quality of the communication terminal deteriorates if they do not transmit radio waves, the eNBs 111 to 113 resume radio wave transmission and reduce power consumption. Transition to normal mode without saving.

  The MME 120 is a control device that performs control for the communication terminal to enjoy mobile services via the eNB, such as authentication and handover between eNBs.

  Serving GW 130 is an access GW apparatus that provides a bearer, which is a communication path for a communication terminal to perform data communication, and constructs a tunnel for packet transfer with eNB and PDN GW in order to provide a bearer.

  The PDN GW 140 is a mobile anchor device that terminates a bearer, which is a communication path for a communication terminal to perform packet communication, and constructs a tunnel for packet transfer with the Serving GW in order to provide the bearer.

  In the communication system illustrated in FIG. 10, procedures when the data packet to the communication terminal 50 arrives in the communication system 1 after the eNBs 111 and 113 transition to the power saving mode are illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12. As an initial state, it is assumed that the communication terminal 50 is in an idle state in which no radio bearer is established. Also, it is assumed that the eNBs 111 to 113 belong to the same paging area, and the communication terminal 50 exists in an area belonging to the paging area.

  First, the eNBs 111 and 113 decide to transition to the power saving mode. For example, the eNBs 111 and 113 cooperate with surrounding eNBs to estimate the number of connected communication terminals and the amount of flowing traffic in the vicinity of the eNBs 111 and 113 to the communication terminals even if the eNBs 111 and 113 do not transmit radio waves. By determining that there is no influence, the transition to the power saving mode is determined.

  When the eNBs 111 and 113 decide to shift to the power saving mode, the eNBs 111 and 113 transmit an eNB Configuration Update message in order to notify the eNB 112 which is an adjacent eNB (S101, S103). Thereafter, the eNBs 111 and 113 stop transmitting radio waves and transition to the power saving mode (S102, S104).

  In a state where the eNBs 111 and 113 are shifted to the power saving mode, a packet addressed to the communication terminal 50 is transmitted to the communication system 1 (S105). This packet reaches the Serving GW 130 via the PDN GW 140 (S106).

  At this time, the communication terminal 50 is in the idle state. Therefore, there is no bearer between the communication terminal 50 and the Serving GW 130. In such a situation, the Serving GW 130 transmits a Downlink Data Notification Request to the MME 120 (S107), and attempts to return the communication terminal 50 from the idle state.

  Upon receiving the Downlink Data Notification Request, the MME 120 first identifies the paging area to which the communication terminal 50 belongs in order to return the communication terminal 50 from the idle state. The MME 120 requests paging from the eNBs 111 to 113 belonging to the paging area to which the communication terminal 50 belongs (S108, S110, S112). However, since the eNBs 111 and 113 have transitioned to the power saving mode, the received paging request is discarded (S109, S113). Therefore, only the eNB 112 actually performs paging on the communication terminal 50. When receiving the paging, the communication terminal 50 executes the Service Request procedure to reconstruct the radio bearer (S115), and starts data communication.

3GPP TS 23.401 V10.4.0 "General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enhancements for Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) access", [Search August 3, 2011], Internet <http: //www.3gpp .org / ftp / Specs / html-info / 23401.htm>

  In the communication system described above, there is a problem that resources are wasted. The reason is that the control device that manages the movement of the communication terminal such as the MME cannot detect the state change related to the power consumption of the base station such as the eNB, which is useless for the eNB that is transitioning to the power saving mode. This is because the message is transmitted. Examples of the resources consumed in vain here include MME communication resources for transmitting a useless message as illustrated in FIG. 12 and a router for transferring a message between the eNB and the MME. And transfer resources such as switches (not shown in FIG. 10).

  In order to solve such a problem, the present invention can control messages transmitted and received in a communication system so that useless resources are not consumed in a communication system in which an apparatus operating in a power saving mode exists. An object is to provide a gateway device, a communication system, an access device, and a message transmission method.

  A gateway device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a management unit that manages a power consumption mode of a plurality of access devices connected to a communication terminal by radio, and the power consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power. And a control for controlling a message transmitted to an access device in which a power saving mode is set among the plurality of access devices to be reduced as compared with a case in which the normal power mode is set. A section.

A communication system according to a second aspect of the present invention is a communication system including a plurality of access devices connected to a communication terminal by radio, and a gateway device that controls the plurality of access devices, Management means for managing power consumption modes of a plurality of access devices;
The power consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode. A message transmitted from the gateway device to an access device in which the power saving mode is set among the plurality of access devices is transmitted as the normal power. And a control means for controlling so as to decrease compared to the case where the mode is set.

  An access device according to a third aspect of the present invention provides a gateway device that manages power consumption modes in a plurality of access devices, wherein the power consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode, It is set in its own device in order to control messages transmitted to access devices set to the power saving mode among the access devices so as to be reduced as compared with the case where the normal power mode is set. The transmission means for transmitting the power consumption mode is provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a message transmission method comprising: receiving a power consumption mode set in each of the plurality of access devices from a plurality of access devices connected to a communication terminal by radio; The consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode, and a message transmitted to an access device in which the power saving mode is set among the plurality of access devices is set in the normal power mode. It is controlled so as to decrease more than the case.

  When the program according to the fifth aspect receives the power consumption mode set in each of the plurality of access devices from the plurality of access devices connected to the communication terminal by radio, the power consumption mode is A message transmitted to an access device in which the power saving mode is set among the plurality of access devices, including a power saving mode and a normal power mode, than when the normal power mode is set. The step of controlling to decrease is executed by the computer.

  According to the present invention, in a communication system in which devices operating in the power saving mode exist, a gateway device, a communication system, an access device, and a message that can control messages transmitted and received in the communication system so as not to consume useless resources. A transmission method and program can be provided.

1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a first exemplary embodiment; 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a first exemplary embodiment; 1 is a configuration diagram of a C-Plane gateway device according to a first exemplary embodiment; It is a figure which shows the information which the communication terminal management part concerning Embodiment 1 manages. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating information managed by the access device management unit according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a power consumption mode changing operation in the access device according to the first embodiment; It is a figure which shows the bearer construction operation | movement concerning Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a second exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to a third exemplary embodiment. It is a block diagram of the communication system using general LTE. It is a figure which shows the change operation | movement of the power consumption mode in the communication system using general LTE. It is a figure which shows the bearer construction operation | movement in the communication system using general LTE.

(Embodiment 1)
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. A configuration example of the communication system and the gateway device according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The communication system in FIG. 1 includes access devices 11 to 13 and a gateway device 20. The communication terminals 51 to 53 are connected to the access devices 11 to 13 using radio. The gateway device 20 includes a management unit 21 and a control unit 22.

  The communication terminals 51 to 53 are, for example, mobile communication devices such as mobile phone terminals, PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) terminals, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants) terminals, smartphone terminals, notebook personal computers, and the like. May be. The radio access method used between the communication terminals 51 to 53 and the access devices 11 to 13 is, for example, LTE (Long Term Evolution) defined in 3GPP or W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access). In addition, a wireless LAN access method or the like may be used.

  The access devices 11 to 13 may be, for example, a base station device used in a mobile communication system, an AP (Access Point) used in a wireless LAN system, or the like. Further, the access devices 11 to 13 may be connected to each other and perform communication between access devices.

  The gateway device 20 is connected to the access devices 11 to 13. The gateway device 20 transmits and receives data to and from the access devices 11 to 13 and controls the access devices 11 to 13. Communication between the access devices 11 to 13 and the gateway device 20 may be wired communication or wireless communication.

  The management unit 21 manages the power consumption mode of the access devices 11 to 13. For example, the power consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode. The management unit 21 manages whether each access device is operating in the power saving mode or the normal power mode. The power saving mode may be an operation mode that suppresses power consumption compared to the normal power mode by stopping radio waves transmitted from the access devices 11 to 13 to the communication terminals 51 to 53, for example. Good. Alternatively, in the power saving mode, power consumption may be suppressed by stopping the operation of some of the plurality of functions operating in the access device.

  The control unit 22 transmits a message transmitted from the gateway device 20 to the access device operating in the power saving mode among the access devices 11 to 13 to the access device operating in the normal power mode. Control so that the number of messages is less than that. The message transmitted from the gateway device 20 to the access devices 11 to 13 includes, for example, a paging signal used when data to be transmitted to the communication terminals 51 to 53 is generated. The message transmitted from the gateway device 20 to the access devices 11 to 13 is not limited to the paging signal, and may be a control signal used between the gateway device 20 and the access devices 11 to 13. The control unit 22 may control a message to be transmitted to the access device by executing a program stored in a memory or the like using a CPU or MPU.

  As described above, by using the communication system of FIG. 1, the gateway device 20 can reduce messages to the access device operating in the power saving mode. That is, the access device operating in the power saving mode may discard the message received from the gateway device 20, but reduce the number of messages transmitted to the access device operating in the power saving mode. As a result, it is possible to reduce resources required for useless message transmission.

  Next, a detailed configuration example of the communication system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The communication system includes an access network 10 including a plurality of access devices 11 to 13, a C-Plane gateway device 25, a U-Plane gateway device 30, and a mobile anchor device 40. The communication terminal 50 is connected to the access devices 11 to 13 using radio. Further, a plurality of communication terminals 50 may exist as shown in FIG.

  The access network 10 is a radio access network that provides connectivity to the communication system to the communication terminal 50 using a radio access method such as LTE or W-CDMA, and is configured using the access devices 11 to 13. . The access devices 11 to 13 actually establish connectivity with the communication terminal 50 using a radio access method such as LTE or W-CDMA. Specifically, any one of the access devices 11 to 13 may establish connectivity with the communication terminal 50, and in order to realize soft handover or the like, of the access devices 11 to 13 Two or more access devices may establish connectivity with the communication terminal 50.

  Furthermore, the access devices 11 to 13 have a function of changing a mode related to power consumption according to the number of communication terminals connected to the access network 10 and the amount of traffic flowing. The mode relating to power consumption is the above-described power consumption mode, and includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode. For example, the access devices 11 to 13 estimate the number of connected communication terminals and the amount of flowing traffic in the vicinity of the access devices 11 to 13 and determine whether there is no influence on the communication terminals even if the access devices 11 to 13 do not transmit radio waves. When determining that there is no influence, the access devices 11 to 13 stop transmission of radio waves for the communication terminal to connect to the communication system, and shift to a power saving mode that saves power consumption. When the access devices 11 to 13 increase the number of connected communication terminals and the amount of traffic flowing and determine that the communication quality of the communication terminal deteriorates if they do not transmit radio waves, the access devices 11 to 13 resume radio wave transmission and Transition to normal mode that does not save consumption.

  Further, the access devices 11 to 13 have a function of notifying the C-Plane gateway device 25 when the power consumption mode is changed. Further, the access devices 11 to 13 may periodically notify the power consumption mode to the C-Plane gateway device 25 even when the power consumption mode is not changed.

  Here, when LTE is used as the radio access scheme, the access network 10 may be referred to as EUTRAN, and the access device may be referred to as eNB.

  The gateway device for C-Plane 25 performs control for the communication terminal 50 to enjoy mobile services via the access device, such as authentication and handover between access devices. Here, when LTE is used as the radio access method, the C-Plane gateway device 25 may be referred to as an MME. Configuration examples and functions of the C-Plane gateway device 25 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, a configuration example of the C-Plane gateway device 25 will be described with reference to FIG. The C-Plane gateway device 25 includes a communication terminal management unit 26, an access device management unit 27, and a U-Plane gateway cooperation unit 28.

  The communication terminal management unit 26 performs movement management of the communication terminal 50. The communication terminal management unit 26 manages the state of the communication terminal 50, the connected access device, the paging area to which it belongs, and the like. FIG. 4 shows an example of information managed by the communication terminal management unit 26. The terminal state in FIG. 4 indicates a state in which the communication terminal is building a bearer with the U-Plane gateway apparatus 30.

  The normal state is a state in which the communication terminal is building a bearer with the U-Plane gateway apparatus 30. The communication terminal in the normal state is in a communicable state. That is, data can be transmitted from the communication system side to the communication terminal, and data can be transmitted from the communication terminal to the communication system side. On the other hand, the power saving state is a state in which the communication terminal has not established a bearer with the gateway device 30 for U-Plane. A communication terminal in a power saving state needs to first construct or reconstruct a bearer in order to perform communication.

  The connected access device is an access device used by a communication terminal to connect to the communication system, that is, the access network 10. The paging area to which the user belongs belongs to the paging area where the communication terminal is located. The paging area to which the terminal belongs is used to specify an area for paging the communication terminal when a packet is transmitted to the communication terminal in the power saving state. Note that the paging area is identified using a PAID (Paging Area Identifier), and a plurality of PAIDs may be assigned as a paging area where the communication terminal is located.

  For example, the terminal state of the communication terminal A is a normal state, and the connected access device is the access device 11. The paging area to which the communication terminal A belongs is PAID # A. Since the terminal state of the communication terminal B is a power saving state, there is no connected access device. The paging area to which the communication terminal B belongs is assigned PAID # A, PAID # B, and a plurality of PAIDs.

  The functions and management information of the communication terminal management unit 26 taken up here are examples, and are not limited to the contents taken up here. For example, as other management information, the IP address assigned to the communication terminal, the information about the gateway device 30 for U-Plane in which the communication terminal has built a bearer, the mobile anchor device 40, and the like are managed. Good.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the access device management unit 27 performs control for providing connectivity to the communication terminal, such as management of a control channel for message exchange constructed with the access device, a radio resource allocation request, and a paging request. . The access device management unit 27 also has a function of managing the power consumption mode of the access device. Furthermore, the access device management unit 27 also has a function of determining whether a message can be transmitted for each access function according to the state of the power consumption mode of the access device. FIG. 5 shows an example of information managed by the access device management unit 27. FIG. 5 shows the relationship between the paging area, the access device belonging to the paging area, and the power consumption mode of the access device.

  The access device management unit 27 can specify an access device that performs paging to the communication terminal by using the correspondence relationship shown in FIG. For example, when paging is performed on the communication terminal 50 located at PAID # N, it can be seen from FIG. 5 that the access devices 11 to 13 belong to PAID # N. Further, since the access devices 11 and 13 operate in the power saving mode, the access device management unit 27 issues a paging request only to the access device 12, and makes a paging request to the access devices 11 and 13. You can decide not to. In FIG. 5, the correspondence relationship between the paging area and the access device is managed, and the power consumption mode of each access device is managed together. However, the power consumption mode of each access device may be managed in a separate table. good.

  In this way, by determining the access device that transmits the signal related to the paging request, it is possible to prevent the signal transmission from the C-Plane gateway device to the access device operating in the power saving mode. Signal transmission can be suppressed.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the U-Plane gateway cooperation unit 28 is used to construct, change, and open a bearer for a communication terminal in cooperation with the U-Plane gateway device 30. Returning to FIG. 2, the gateway device 30 for U-Plane has an access GW function for providing a bearer that is a communication path for a communication terminal to perform data communication, and for C-Plane for providing a bearer. In cooperation with the gateway device 25, a tunnel for packet transfer is established between the access devices 11 to 13 and the mobile anchor device 40. Here, when LTE is used as the radio access method, the gateway device 30 for U-Plane may be referred to as a Serving GW.

  The mobile anchor device 40 has a mobile anchor function that terminates a bearer that is a communication path for a communication terminal to perform packet communication. In order to provide a bearer, the mobile anchor device 40 transfers packets to and from the gateway device 30 for U-Plane. Build a tunnel for Here, when LTE is used as the radio access method, the mobile anchor device 40 may be referred to as a PDN GW.

  Next, an operation related to the change of the power consumption mode in the access device will be described with reference to FIG. Assume that the access devices 11 to 13 belong to the paging area identified by PAID # N, as in FIG. Furthermore, it is assumed that the access devices 11 to 13 are operating in the normal mode. Further, it is assumed that the communication terminal 50 is in the power saving state and is located in the paging area of PAID # N.

  First, the access devices 11 and 13 determine to transition from the normal power mode to the power saving mode. For example, the access devices 11 and 13 estimate the number of connected communication terminals and the amount of traffic flowing in cooperation with surrounding access devices, and can connect to the communication terminals without transmitting radio waves. By determining that there is no influence, it may be determined to shift to the power saving mode. When the access devices 11 and 13 decide to shift to the power saving mode, the access devices 11 and 13 notify the adjacent access device 12 and the C-Plane gateway device 25 of the transition to the power saving mode (S11 and S12). Next, the access devices 11 and 13 stop the transmission of radio waves and transition to the power saving mode (S13, S14).

  Next, an operation related to bearer construction will be described with reference to FIG. 7 is performed after the operation of FIG. 6 is executed. That is, it is assumed that the access devices 11 and 13 are operating in the power saving mode.

  First, it is assumed that a data packet addressed to the communication terminal 50 arrives at the communication system. The data packet is transmitted to the U-Plane gateway apparatus 30 via the mobile anchor apparatus 40 (S15). At this time, since the communication terminal 50 is in the power saving state, there is no bearer between the gateway device 30 for U-Plane and the communication terminal 50. Therefore, the U-Plane gateway apparatus 30 makes a paging request to the C-Plane gateway apparatus 25 (S16) and requests the communication terminal 50 to return from the power saving state to the normal state (S16).

  When receiving the paging request, the C-Plane gateway device 25 specifies an access device that transmits paging addressed to the communication terminal 50 in order to return the communication terminal 50 from the power saving state to the normal state (S17). The access device in the C-Plane gateway device 25 is specified as follows. First, the gateway device 25 for C-Plane specifies the paging area to which the communication terminal 50 belongs from the information managed by the communication terminal management unit 26. In the present embodiment, PAID # N corresponds. Next, the C-Plane gateway device 25 extracts the access device belonging to the paging area to which the communication terminal 50 belongs from the information managed by the access device management unit 27. In the present embodiment, the access devices 11 to 13 correspond. Furthermore, the gateway device 25 for C-Plane specifies the access device in the normal mode as the access device that performs the paging notification among the extracted access devices. In the present embodiment, only the access device 12 is applicable.

  As a result, the C-Plane gateway device 25 issues a paging notification only to the access device 12 (S18). When receiving the paging notification, the access device 12 performs paging for the communication terminal 50. When receiving the paging signal, the communication terminal 50 executes a bearer restructuring procedure, reconfigures the radio bearer, and starts data communication (S20).

  As described above, by using the communication system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the C-Plane gateway apparatus 25 controls the access apparatuses 11 to 13 according to the power consumption mode of the access apparatuses 11 to 13. Whether or not a message can be transmitted can be determined. For this reason, useless message exchange does not occur between the access device in the power saving mode and the C-Plane gateway device 25, and useless resource consumption on the communication system can be prevented.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the C-Plane gateway device 25 uses the paging notification as a message for determining whether or not transmission is possible according to the power consumption mode of the access device. It is not limited. For example, a message for controlling the amount of transmission signaling from the access device to the C-Plane gateway device 25, for example, an Overload Start / STOP message in LTE may be used. That is, since the access device operating in the power saving mode that stops transmission of radio waves does not transmit a signal for individual control of the communication terminal, the C-Plane gateway device 25 operates in the power saving mode. This is because it is not necessary to transmit a message for controlling the amount of transmission signaling to the access device.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the C-Plane gateway apparatus 25 determines whether or not a message can be transmitted according to the state of the power consumption mode of the access apparatus. However, the control according to the state of the power consumption mode is performed. Is not limited to this. For example, according to the power consumption mode of the access device, the C-Plane gateway device 25 may be controlled to change the periodic message transmission interval to the access device. Specifically, the C-Plane gateway apparatus 25 periodically exchanges heartbeat messages in order to confirm the existence of the control channel with the access apparatuses 11 to 13 or the access apparatuses 11 to 13. The transmission interval of the heartbeat message may be changed according to the mode state relating to the power consumption of the access device. For example, the heartbeat interval may be increased when the access device transitions from the normal power mode to the power saving mode, and the heartbeat interval may be shortened when the access device returns from the power saving mode to the normal power mode.

(Embodiment 2)
Subsequently, a configuration example of the communication system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The communication system of FIG. 8 shows a configuration example using a wireless access method called third generation such as W-CDMA and HSPA (High Speed Packet Access). The communication system of FIG. 8 includes a UTRAN 210, an SGSN 230, and a GGSN 240. Further, the UTRAN 210 includes NodeBs 211 to 213 and RNCs 221 to 223.

  RNCs 221 to 223 correspond to access devices 11 to 13 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the NodeB 211 and the RNC 221 may correspond to the access device 11 in the first embodiment of the present invention, the NodeB 212 and the RNC 222 may correspond to the access device 12, and the NodeB 213 and the RNC 223 may correspond to the access device 13.

  Further, the SGSN 230 has functions of both the C-Plane gateway device 25 and the U-Plane gateway device 30. The GGSN 240 corresponds to the mobile anchor device 40.

  As described above, by using the communication system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, even when a wireless access method such as W-CDMA or HSPA is used, for example, the SGSN 230 has the power of the RNCs 221 to 223. Whether or not a message can be transmitted to the RNCs 221 to 223 can be determined according to the consumption mode. Therefore, useless message exchange does not occur between the RNC in the power saving mode and the SGSN 230, and useless resource consumption on the communication system can be prevented. Other effects can be obtained as in the first embodiment.

(Embodiment 3)
Next, a configuration example of the communication system according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The communication system of FIG. 9 shows a configuration example using WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) as a wireless access method. The communication system of FIG. 9 includes an ASN (Access Service Network) 310 and an HA (Home Agent) 340. Furthermore, the ASN 310 includes BSs (Base Stations) 311 to 313 and an ASN-GW 330.

  BSs 311 to 313 correspond to access devices 11 to 13 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The ASN-GW 330 corresponds to the C-Plane gateway device 25 and the U-Plane gateway device 30 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Furthermore, HA 340 corresponds to mobile anchor device 40 in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  As described above, by using the communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, even when WiMAX is used as the wireless access method, for example, the ASN-GW 330 responds to the power consumption modes of the BSs 311 to 313. Thus, whether or not a message can be transmitted to the BSs 311 to 313 can be determined. Therefore, useless message exchange does not occur between the BS that has transitioned to the power saving mode and the ASN-GW 330, and useless resource consumption on the communication system can be prevented. Other effects can be obtained as in the first embodiment.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the invention according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be applied to a mobile communication system defined by 3GPP2 (Third Generation Partnership Project 2), for example.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the hardware configuration has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing of the C-Plane gateway apparatus in FIG. It can also be realized by executing. In this case, the computer program can be stored using various types of non-transitory computer readable media and supplied to the computer. Non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (for example, magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R / W and semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory)) are included. The program may also be supplied to the computer by various types of transitory computer readable media. Examples of transitory computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can supply the program to the computer via a wired communication path such as an electric wire and an optical fiber, or a wireless communication path.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Access network 11-13 Access apparatus 20 Gateway apparatus 21 Management part 22 Control part 25 Gateway apparatus for C-Plane 26 Communication terminal management part 27 Access apparatus management part 28 Gateway cooperation part for U-Plane 30 Gateway apparatus for U-Plane 40 Mobile anchor device 50-53 Communication terminal 110 EUTRAN
111-113 EUTRAN NodeB (eNB)
120 Mobility Management Entity (MME)
130 Serving Gateway (GW)
140 Packet Data Network Gateway (PDN GW)
210 Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN)
211-213 NodeB
221 to 223 Radio Network Controller (RNC)
230 Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)
240 Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)
310 Access Service Network (ASN)
311 to 313 Base Station (BS)
330 Access Service Network Gateway (ASN-GW)
340 Home Agent (HA)

Claims (17)

A management unit for managing the power consumption mode of a plurality of access devices connected to the communication terminal by wireless;
The power consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode, and a message transmitted to an access device in which the power saving mode is set among the plurality of access devices is set in the normal power mode. And a control unit that performs control so as to decrease more than in the case of the gateway device. The management unit
The gateway device according to claim 1, wherein when the power consumption mode of the plurality of access devices is changed, the changed power consumption mode transmitted from the plurality of access devices is received. The controller is
The gateway device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the message is not transmitted to an access device in which the power saving mode is set, and the message is transmitted to an access device in which the normal power mode is set. The message is
The gateway device according to claim 3, wherein the gateway device is a paging signal transmitted to the access device belonging to a location registration area of the communication terminal. The message is
The gateway device according to claim 3, wherein the gateway device is a control signal that controls a transmission signaling amount transmitted from the access device. The controller is
The message transmission interval for the access device for which the power saving mode is set is controlled to be shorter than the message transmission interval for the access device for which the normal power mode is set. Gateway device. The message is
The gateway device according to claim 6, wherein the gateway device is a heartbeat signal used to check normality of a control channel set between the access function and the access function. A communication system comprising a plurality of access devices connected to a communication terminal by radio, and a gateway device that controls the plurality of access devices,
Management means for managing a power consumption mode of the plurality of access devices;
The power consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode. A message transmitted from the gateway device to an access device in which the power saving mode is set among the plurality of access devices is transmitted as the normal power. And a control unit that performs control so that the mode is decreased as compared with the case where the mode is set. The gateway device is
The communication system according to claim 8, further comprising a receiving unit configured to receive a changed power consumption mode transmitted from the plurality of access devices when a power consumption mode of the access device is changed. The control means includes
Control is performed such that the message is not transmitted from the gateway device to the access device in which the power saving mode is set, and the message is transmitted from the gateway device to the access device in which the normal power mode is set. The communication system according to claim 8 or 9. The message is
The communication system according to claim 10, wherein the paging signal is transmitted from the gateway device to the access device belonging to a location registration area of the communication terminal. The message is
The communication system according to claim 10, wherein the communication signal is a control signal for controlling a transmission signaling amount transmitted from the access device to the gateway device. The controller is
10. The message transmission interval for the access device for which the power saving mode is set is controlled to be shorter than the message transmission interval for the access device for which the normal power mode is set. Communication system. The message is
The communication system according to claim 13, which is a heartbeat signal used to check normality of a control channel set between the access function or the access function and the gateway device.   For a gateway device that manages power consumption modes in a plurality of access devices, the power consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode, and an access in which the power saving mode is set among the plurality of access devices. In order to control a message to be transmitted to a device so that a message is reduced as compared with the case where the normal power mode is set, a transmission unit that transmits a power consumption mode set to the device itself is provided. Access device. Receiving a power consumption mode set in each of the plurality of access devices from a plurality of access devices connected to the communication terminal by radio;
The power consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode, and a message transmitted to an access device in which the power saving mode is set among the plurality of access devices is set in the normal power mode. A message transmission method that controls to reduce the number of cases.   When the power consumption mode set in each of the plurality of access devices is received from a plurality of access devices connected to the communication terminal by radio, the power consumption mode includes a power saving mode and a normal power mode. A step of controlling a message transmitted to an access device in which a power saving mode is set among the plurality of access devices to be reduced as compared with a case in which the normal power mode is set. A program to be executed by a computer.

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