JP2016032269A - Radio communication device and switching control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a radio communication device and a switching control method that can provide a service continuously.SOLUTION: A radio communication device comprises a first control unit that distributes signals to first and third call processing control units that perform call-related processing or monitors the first and third call processing control units, and a second control unit that distributes signals to a second call processing control unit and the third call processing control unit that perform call-related processing or monitors the second and third call processing control units; when the first control unit malfunctions, the radio communication device performs signal distribution or monitoring using the second control unit. The radio communication device further comprises a switching control unit that, when the first and second control units malfunction, switches from the first and second control units to the first call processing control unit or the second call processing control unit or the third call processing control unit, and has the radio communication device perform signal distribution or monitoring using the first call processing control unit or the second call processing control unit or the third call processing control unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus and a switching control method.

  Currently, wireless communication systems such as mobile phone systems and wireless local area networks (LANs) are widely used. Further, in the field of wireless communication, there is ongoing discussion on next-generation communication technology in order to further improve communication speed and communication capacity. For example, the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), which is a standardization organization, has completed or studied standardization of a communication standard called LTE (Long Term Evolution) and a communication standard called LTE-A (LTE-Advanced) based on LTE. Has been.

  In such a wireless communication system, for example, not only a call service but also various services such as an e-mail transmission / reception service are provided to a terminal device located within a communicable range of a base station device.

  In this case, the base station apparatus determines an encoding scheme and a modulation scheme for radio resource allocation and radio communication, and transmits a control signal including such scheduling information to the terminal apparatus. The terminal device receives the control signal and performs wireless communication with the base station device according to the scheduling information.

  On the other hand, when a failure occurs in the base station apparatus, processing such as scheduling cannot be performed, and the terminal apparatus cannot perform wireless communication with the base station apparatus. Therefore, the base station device cannot provide a service to the terminal device.

  In order to cope with such a situation, for example, the base station apparatus may have two processing blocks of an active system and a standby system. For example, during normal operation, the active processing block operates and the active processing block performs various processes such as scheduling. On the other hand, when the active processing block fails, the standby processing block operates, and the standby processing block performs various processes such as scheduling. Thereby, for example, even if a failure occurs in the active processing block, the base station apparatus can continuously provide services to the terminal apparatus.

  In the field of such wireless communication, for example, there are the following techniques. That is, when the terminal controller (1) is in a non-operating state, the control information of the terminal group controlled by the controller (1) is collectively transferred to one controller (2), and the terminal is controlled by one controller (2). There are backup systems for transmission systems that control groups.

  According to this backup method, for example, the terminals under the terminal controller that have been down can be switched to other operating terminal controllers all at once or automatically.

  In addition to the load on each server including its own server, the representative server includes a gateway system and a load distribution system that select each server including its own server based on the number of calls established in each server. .

  According to this load distribution system, for example, even if the load of the server to which the process is distributed increases, load distribution can be performed so as not to be overloaded.

JP-A-62-202628 JP 2010-74310 A

  However, in the base station apparatus including the active and standby processing blocks, if both the active and standby processing blocks fail, the base station apparatus can provide services. Disappear.

  In such a case, the base station apparatus is restored by a physical replacement of the card or a system restart by a maintenance person or an administrator. However, the longer the recovery work takes, the longer the time during which the service cannot be provided. In particular, as the capacity of the base station apparatus increases, it becomes more difficult to identify the cause, and it takes time for initialization and the like in the recovery work after the cause is identified, and the time required for the recovery becomes longer.

  The above-described backup method technique, for example, transfers terminal group control information from the terminal controller (1) to the terminal controller (2), and suggests any disclosure regarding the case where both of the controllers fail. It has not been done. Therefore, when both of the two controllers fail, service cannot be provided from the terminal group.

  The technology of the load distribution system described above is, for example, a load distribution system related to a position management server that manages the position of the terminal device, and does not consider the base station device. For this reason, the technology of the load distribution system described above cannot provide a service from the base station apparatus to the terminal apparatus when a failure occurs in both the active system and the standby system in the base station apparatus.

  Accordingly, one disclosure is to provide a wireless communication apparatus and a failure recovery method that can continuously provide services.

  One disclosure relates to a first control unit that distributes signals to or monitors the first and third call processing control units for the first and third call processing control units that perform processing related to the call, and A second control unit that performs signal distribution or monitoring of the second and third call processing control units to a second call processing control unit that performs processing and the third call processing control unit; In a wireless communication apparatus that performs signal distribution or monitoring using the second control unit when the first control unit fails, when the first and second control units fail, the first and second The second control unit is switched to the first call processing control unit, the second call processing control unit, or the third call processing control unit, and the first, second, or third A switching control unit that performs signal distribution or monitoring using a call processing control unit Obtain.

  It is possible to provide a wireless communication apparatus and a switching control method that can continuously provide services.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication system. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication device. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the load balancer core. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the load balancer core. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the O & M core. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the operation list portable terminal device. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication device. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a wireless communication device.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a wireless communication device 100 according to the first embodiment. The wireless communication device 100 is a base station device that performs wireless communication with a terminal device, for example.

  The wireless communication device 100 includes a first control unit 140, a first call processing control unit 141, a second control unit 142, a second call processing control unit 143, a third call processing control unit 144, and switching control. Part 161.

  The first control unit 140 distributes signals to the first call processing control unit 141 and the third call processing control unit 144, or the first call processing control unit 141 and the third call processing control. The unit 144 is monitored.

  The first call processing control unit 141 performs processing related to a call. For example, the first call processing control unit 141 performs a call connection process and the like, performs a conversion process on a signal to a radio signal, assigns radio resources related to radio communication, and the like.

  The second control unit 142 distributes signals to the second call processing control unit 143 and the third call processing control unit 144, or the second call processing control unit 143 and the third call processing control unit. 144 is monitored.

  The second call processing control unit 143 performs processing related to a call. For example, the second call processing control unit 143 performs call connection processing and the like, and performs conversion processing on a signal to a radio signal, allocation of radio resources related to radio communication, and the like.

  The third call processing control unit 144 performs processing related to a call. For example, the third call processing control unit 144 also performs call connection processing, etc., and performs conversion processing on signals to radio signals, allocation of radio resources related to radio communication, and the like.

  When the first and second control units 140 and 142 fail, the switching control unit 161 is switched from the first and second control units 140 and 142 to the first call processing control unit 141 or the second call processing control unit. 143 or the third call processing control unit 144 is switched. Then, the switching control unit 161 uses the switched first call processing control unit 141, second call processing control unit 143, or third call processing control unit 144 to perform signal distribution or monitoring.

  When both the first and second control units 140 and 140 fail, the signal is distributed or monitored by any one of the first to third call processing control units 141, 143, and 144. These operations can be performed continuously without stopping the monitoring operation.

  Since the signal distribution is continuously performed, for example, the wireless communication device 100 can continuously perform wireless communication with the terminal device, and can continuously provide various services such as a call service.

  In addition, since the monitoring operation is continuously performed, for example, monitoring information indicating the result of the monitoring operation can be transmitted from the wireless communication apparatus 100 to the maintenance management apparatus, so that a maintenance person or an operator who manages the wireless communication apparatus 100 is easy. In addition, the state of the wireless communication device 100 can be grasped.

  For example, while any one of the first to third call processing control units 141, 143, and 144 is performing signal distribution and monitoring, the first and second control units 140 and 142 are exchanged and initialized. Can be restored. Then, when the first and second control units 140 and 142 are recovered from the failure, the signal distribution and monitoring performed by any of the first to third call processing control units 141, 143, and 144 are performed. It is also possible to cause the first and second control units 140 and 142 to perform the operation.

  As described above, the wireless communication device 100 can continue to provide services even when both the first and second control units 140 and 142 fail.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described.

<Configuration example of wireless communication system>
First, a configuration example of the wireless communication system will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the wireless communication system 10. The radio communication system 10 includes a radio communication apparatus (or radio base station apparatus, hereinafter sometimes referred to as “base station”) 100, a terminal apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as “terminal”) 300, ) 400 and OPS (Operation System, sometimes referred to as “maintenance management device” or “maintenance management system”) 500.

  The base station 100 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the terminal 300. The base station 100 performs wireless communication with the terminal 300 located in the communicable range (or serviceable range or cell range) of the own station via the antenna 180. Thereby, for example, the base station 100 can provide various services such as a call service and a homepage browsing service to the terminal 300.

  The terminal 300 is a wireless communication apparatus that connects to the base station 100 and performs wireless communication. The terminal 300 is, for example, a portable information terminal such as a feature phone, a smartphone, or a tablet.

  The base station 100 and the terminal 300 can perform two-way wireless communication. That is, data transmission from the base station 100 to the terminal 300 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “downlink communication”) and data transmission from the terminal 300 to the base station 100 (hereinafter referred to as “uplink communication”). There is).

  The base station 100 performs control such as scheduling for downlink communication and uplink communication. Scheduling determines radio resource allocation, coding scheme, modulation scheme, and the like. The base station 100 transmits such scheduling information as a control signal to the terminal 300, and the base station 100 and the terminal 300 perform wireless communication according to the scheduling information.

  Base station 100 is connected to upper NW 400. The upper NW 400 includes devices such as MME (Mobility Management Entity), S-GW (Serving Gateway), and P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway). Such devices may be collectively referred to as the upper NW 400. An apparatus such as an MME is connected to one or a plurality of base stations 100 and performs various processes such as setting of a communication path with the terminal 300 via the base station 100, location management of the terminal 300, and user authentication.

  Base station 100 is connected to OPS 500. The OPS 500 is connected to, for example, one or a plurality of base stations 100, and receives and holds monitoring information transmitted from the base station 100. For example, a telecommunications carrier (or carrier) that manages the base station 100 is currently operating normally in what state the base station 100 is operating based on the monitoring information held by the OPS 500. It is possible to perform remote maintenance management such as whether a failure has occurred.

  Base station 100 includes baseband units (or radio control units) 110-1 to 110-M, highway units (or transmission control units) 120-1 to 120-K, and main control units 130-1 to 130-N. .

  Here, M, K, and N represent, for example, the number of cards (or substrates). For example, the baseband part 110-1 is accommodated in a first baseband part card, and the baseband part 110-2 is accommodated in a second baseband part card. The same applies to the highway units 120-1 to 120-K and the main control units 130-1 to 130-N.

  For example, the connection forms of the main control units 130-1 to 130-N and the baseband units 110-1 to 110-M may be as follows. That is, the baseband units 110-1 to 110-M (N = M in this case) are connected to the main control units 130-1 to 130-N. Alternatively, a plurality of baseband units 110-1,... May be connected to one main control unit 130-1, or a plurality of main control units 130-1 may be connected to one baseband unit 110-1. ,... May be connected.

  The main control units 130-1 to 130-N and the highway units 120-1 to 120-K also have the following connection forms, for example. That is, the main control units 130-1 to 130-N and the highway units 120-1 to 120-K (in this case, N = K) are connected. Alternatively, a plurality of highway units 120-1,... May be connected to one main control unit 130-1, or a plurality of main control units 130-1,. May be connected.

  Note that the baseband units 110-1 to 110-M are sometimes referred to as the baseband unit 110 because they all have the same configuration. Also, the highway units 120-1 to 120-K may be referred to as the highway unit 120 because they all have the same configuration. Further, the main control units 130-1 to 130-N are sometimes referred to as the main control unit 130 because they have the same configuration.

  The baseband unit 110 performs frequency conversion (up-conversion) on the baseband signal output from the main control unit 130 to a radio signal in the radio frequency band, generates a radio signal, and outputs the radio signal to the antenna 180. To do.

  In addition, the baseband unit 110 generates a baseband signal by performing frequency conversion (down-conversion) on the radio signal output from the antenna 180, and outputs the baseband signal to the main control unit 130. The baseband unit 110 may include a frequency conversion circuit, an A / D (Analogue to Digital) conversion circuit, and the like so that such frequency conversion is performed.

  The highway unit 120 receives user data, monitoring information, and the like from the main control unit 130, performs format conversion of the transmission format, and transmits user data, monitoring information, and the like to the upper NW 400 and OPS 500 in the converted format. Examples of the transmission format include TCP / IP. In this case, the highway unit 120 may transmit the user data and the monitoring information after being encrypted by IP Sec (Security Architecture for Internet Protocol) or the like.

  The highway unit 120 receives user data in a predetermined transmission format transmitted from the upper NW 400 and the OPS 500, extracts user data from the received predetermined format data, and outputs the user data to the main control unit 130. When the received data in a predetermined format is encrypted by IP Sec, highway unit 120 decrypts the encrypted data by IP Sec.

  For example, the main control unit 130 performs demodulation processing, error correction decoding processing, and the like on the baseband signal output from the baseband unit 110 to extract user data and the like. The main control unit 130 outputs the extracted user data to the highway unit 120. In addition, the main control unit 130 performs error correction coding processing, modulation processing, and the like on the user data output from the highway unit 120 to generate a baseband signal, and sends the baseband signal to the baseband unit 110. Output. Further, the main control unit 130 performs scheduling described above to generate scheduling information, generates a control signal including the scheduling information, and outputs the control signal to the baseband unit 110. Thereby, a control signal is transmitted to terminal 300.

  Further, the main control unit 130 receives signals output from the baseband unit 110 and the highway 120 and distributes the signals. In addition, the main control unit 130 monitors the main control unit 130 itself and other blocks in the base station 100. Details of the main control unit 130 will be described later.

<Configuration example of base station>
Next, a configuration example of the base station 100 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the base station 100. The base station 100 shown in FIG. 3 and the base station 100 shown in FIG. 2 are the same base station. In the base station 100 shown in FIG. 2, the clock supply card 160 and the external memory 170 are omitted.

  The base station 100 includes baseband units 110-1 to 110-M, highway units 120-1 to 120-K, a main control unit 130, a clock supply card 160, and an external memory 170. Each unit 110-1 and the like of the base station 100 are connected to each other via a communication bus 175.

  As described in FIG. 2, each of the baseband units 110-1 to 110-M and the highways 120-1 to 120-K is one card. The main control unit 130 includes three cards 130-1 to 130-3.

  Hereinafter, the main control unit 130, the clock supply card 160, the external memory 170, the baseband units 110-1 to 110-M, and the highway units 120-1 to 120-K will be described in detail in this order.

<Configuration example of main control unit>
As shown in FIG. 3, the main control unit 130 includes three cards 130-1 to 130-3, that is, an N-side card 130-1, an E-side card 130-2, and another call processing card 130-3.

  For example, the N-side card 130-1 is a working card, and the E-side card 130-2 is a standby card. As an operation mode, for example, there are the following cases.

  That is, in the normal operation, the E-side card 130-2 does not operate and the N-side card 130-1 and the other call processing card 130-3 operate. In this case, when a failure occurs in the N-side card 130-1, the E-side card 130-2 starts operating, and the E-side card 30-2 and another call processing card 130-3 operate.

  Or, in the normal operation, all the cards 130-1 to 130-3 operate. In this case, when a failure occurs in the N-side card 130-1, the operations of the E-side card 130-2 and the call processing card 130-3 are continued.

  The N-side card 130-1 includes an LB core and an O & M core 130-1-1 and a plurality of call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-S.

  The core is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Or a core is one set containing CPU, ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory), for example. When a CPU (or a CPU included in the core) that is a core executes a program, it can operate as a load balancer or O & M (Operation and Maintenance). In the following, a core that operates as a load balancer may be referred to as an LB (Load Balancer) core, and a core that operates as an O & M may be referred to as an O & M core.

  Details of the LB core, the O & M core, and the call processing core will be described later. In the example of FIG. 3, the core 130-1-1 represents an example in which both the LB core and the O & M core are used. The LB core and the O & M core may be separate cores.

  Similarly to the N-side card 130-1, the E-side card 130-2 includes an LB core and an O & M core 130-2-1 and a plurality of call processing cores 130-2-2 to 130-2-T.

  The other call processing card 130-3 includes one or a plurality of call processing cores 130-3-1 to 130-3-U. The N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 are also provided with call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-S, 130-2-2 to 130-2-T. In 100, another call processing card 130-3 including call processing cores 130-3-1 to 130-3-U is further provided. Thereby, for example, the number of terminals (or the number of users) that can be accommodated in the base station 100 can be increased as compared with the case where there is no other call processing card 130-3.

  In addition, the 1st control part 140 in 1st Embodiment respond | corresponds to LB core and O & M core 130-1-1, for example. Further, the second control unit 142 in the first embodiment corresponds to, for example, the LB core and the O & M core 130-2-1. Furthermore, the first and second call processing control units 141 and 143 in the first embodiment correspond to, for example, the call processing cores 130-1-2 and 130-2-2, respectively. Furthermore, the third call processing control unit 144 in the first embodiment corresponds to, for example, the call processing core 130-3-1.

  Next, LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1, O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1, and call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-S and 130-2- 2 to 130-2-T and 130-3-1 to 130-3-U will be described in order.

<About LB Core>
First, details of the LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 will be described. Since the two LB cores 130-1-1 and LB core 130-2-1 are the same, description will be made using the LB core 130-1-1 as a representative.

  The LB core 130-1-1 is, for example, a core that operates as a load balancer. A load balancer, for example, distributes an input signal to a call processing core to achieve load distribution.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of signal distribution by the LB core 130-1-1. In the example of FIG. 4, three call processing cores are arranged in each of the cards 130-1 to 130-3.

  The LB core 130-1 distributes a signal (or data, hereinafter sometimes referred to as “signal”) output from the baseband unit 110 or the highway unit 120 via the communication bus 175, and performs either call. Output to the processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-3-3.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the LB core 130-1-1 distributes all the cards 130-1 to 130-3 to all the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-3-3. For example, when the E-side card 130-2 is not operating in normal operation, the LB core 130-1 sends a signal to the call processing cores 130-2-2 to 130-2-4 of the E-side card 130-2. There are cases in which no sorting is performed.

  By such distribution, for example, incoming signals are sequentially distributed to the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-3-3. By such signal distribution, the order of the incoming signals can be guaranteed.

  The LB core 130-1-1 is handled by one card or core on the system. For this reason, the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120, for example, manage the LB core 130-1-1 with an identification number that identifies it from other cores, and input signals to the LB core 130-1-1 according to the identification number. Assume that it is set to output.

  When the LB core 130-1-1 stops, it becomes impossible to distribute signals. Therefore, the LB core may have a redundant configuration including an active system and a standby system. Although not shown in FIG. 4, when a failure occurs in the N-side card 130-1 or the LB core 130-1-1 fails, the LB core 130-2-1 ( 3) starts operation, and the LB core 130-2-1 distributes the signal to the call processing cores 130-2-2 to 130-3-3. In this case, when only the LB core 130-1-1 fails and the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-4 of the N-side card 130-1 are operable, the LB core 130-2-1 is Then, signals are distributed to all call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-3-3.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the LB core 130-1-1. The LB core 130-1-1 includes a reception buffer 131, a signal analysis unit 132, a distribution information storage unit 133, a round robin destination selection unit 134, and a signal transmission unit 135.

  The reception buffer 131 temporarily stores signals output from the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120.

  The signal analysis unit 132 reads the signal stored from the reception buffer 131 and analyzes the type of signal. When the signal stored in the reception buffer 131 is a call origination signal (for example, a RACH (Random Access Channel) preamble), the signal analysis unit 132 outputs the signal to the round robin destination selection unit 134. The call origination signal is, for example, a signal transmitted from the terminal 300 and input to the LB core 130-1-1 via the baseband unit 110.

  The round robin destination selection unit 134 reads the distribution information from the distribution information storage unit 133, and distributes the call generation signal to one of the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-3-3 according to the distribution information.

  As the distribution information, for example, the usage rate of each call processing core 130-1-2 to 130-3-3, the LB core 130-1-1 and each call processing core 130-1-2 to 130-3-3. Signal inflow, equal ratio (or round robin), etc. Such distribution information may be stored in advance in the distribution information storage unit 133, or may be stored by calculation.

  When the round robin destination selection unit 134 determines the distribution destination of the call generation signal, the round robin destination selection unit 134 outputs the determined distribution destination information and the call generation signal to the signal transmission unit 135.

  The signal transmission unit 135 outputs a call origination signal to the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-3-3 of the distribution destination according to the distribution destination information.

  On the other hand, the signal analysis unit 132 outputs the signals stored in the reception buffer 131 other than the call generation signal directly to the signal transmission unit 135 instead of the round robin destination selection unit 134.

  The signal after the call generation is processed by, for example, the card or the call processing core that first processed the call generation signal. The reason is as follows, for example.

  That is, the call processing core that first receives the call generation signal performs processing related to connection such as authentication with the terminal 300. The call processing core acquires the identification information of the terminal 300 (or user), the identification information about path management related to call connection, and the like from the upper NW 400 and the terminal 300 in the connection process. The call processing core holds terminal 300 and path identification information (hereinafter, may be referred to as call connection information), and user data after the call is generated is also based on such call connection information. To the terminal 300 or by the upper NW 400.

  In this case, identification information of the call processing core that first processed the call generation signal is added to the user data after the call generation. The signal analysis unit 132 of the LB core 130-1-1 instructs to transmit user data or the like to the destination call processing core in accordance with the identification information added to the user data or the like. On the other hand, since the call processing core identification information is not added to the call generation signal, the signal analysis unit 132 outputs the signal read from the reception buffer 131 to the round robin destination selection unit 132 depending on the presence or absence of the identification information. Direct transmission to the signal transmission unit 135 is possible.

<About O & M Core>
Next, details of the O & M core will be described. In FIG. 3, both the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 are provided with O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1. Since the two O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 are the same, the O & M core 130-1-1 will be described.

  In the example shown in FIG. 3, the O & M core 130-1-1 is also used as the LB core 130-1-1. As described above, the O & M core and the LB core may be the same core 130-1-1 or may be separate cores.

  The O & M core 130-1-1 is a core that is connected to the OPS 500 and monitors the state of each unit of the base station 100. Monitoring is important in remote maintenance work, and the O & M core 130-1-1 has a redundant configuration in preparation for failure.

  FIG. 6 shows a connection example between the O & M core 130-1-1 and the OPS 500. The O & M core 130-1-1 is assigned an IP (Internet Protocol) address. During the operation of the N-side card 130-1, the O & M core 130-1-1 connects to the OPS 500 and performs monitoring control in the base station 100.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the O & M core 130-1-1 monitors the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-3-3 of all the cards 130-1 to 130-3. For example, when the E-side card 130-2 is not operating in normal operation, the O & M core 130-1-1 excludes the call processing cores 130-2-2 to 130-2-3 of the E-side card 130-2. The call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-3-3 are monitored.

  In the example of FIG. 6, when the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 fails, the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 starts operation. The O & M core 130-2-1 is connected to the OPS 500 and monitors the call processing cores 130-2-2 to 130-3-3 of the E side card 130-2 and the other call processing card 130-3. When only the O & M core 130-1-1 fails in the N-side card 130-1, and the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-4 are operating, the O & M core 130-2-1 All call processing cores including the processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-4 are monitored.

  The O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 may monitor not only the call processing core but also other processing blocks in the base station 100.

  The connection between the base station 100 and the OPS 500 is, for example, in most cases where the base station 100 is an unmanned station, so an existing line is used instead of a dedicated line. Each of the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 is connected to the OPS 500 via the highway unit 120 by TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  For example, the O & M core 130-1-1 monitors each of the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-3-3, and transmits a monitoring result as monitoring information to the OPS. The monitoring information includes, for example, information such as whether the card or core is operating normally or has failed.

  The OPS 500 stores the IP address of the O & M core 130-1-1 and stores the IP address of the O & M core 130-1-1 when accepting the connection with the base station 100 after performing the authentication procedure in response to the connection request from the base station 100. Connect with 130-1-1. In this case, the OPS 500 performs monitoring without distinguishing whether the O & M core 130-1-1 is the core of the N-side card 130-1 or the core of the E-side card 130-2. Therefore, the base station 100 may have a plurality of IP addresses for the O & M core.

<About call processing core>
Next, the call processing core will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 1301-S, 130-2-2 to 130-2-T, and 130-3-1 to 130- are assigned to the cards 130-1 to 130-3. There is 3-U. Since all the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 1301-S, 130-2-2 to 130-2-T, and 130-3-1 to 130-3-U are the same, the call processing cores are representative. A description will be given taking the core 130-1-2 as an example.

  The call processing core 130-1-2 is a core that performs processing related to a call. Examples of the process related to the call include a process related to call connection between the upper NW 400 and the terminal 300. The call processing core 130-1-2 holds the connection information obtained by the process related to the call connection in this way, and exchanges user data and the like between the upper NW 400 and the terminal 500 according to the connection information. The connection information includes an identification number related to a connection route between the upper NW 400 and the terminal 500. Further, the process related to the call may include the above-described process related to scheduling.

  In the base station 100, the number of terminals (or the number of users) that can be accommodated may differ depending on the installation location or the like. Therefore, depending on such a situation, the call processing core 130-1- The number of 2 is determined. In the base station 100 shown in FIG. 3, the call processing cores 130-3-1 to 130-3 -U of the other call processing card 130-3 are adapted to cope with an increase in the number of terminals that can be accommodated.

  Note that the number of call processing cores 130-1-2 accommodated in each of the cards 130-1 to 130-3 may be the same or different.

<Clock supply card>
Next, the clock supply card 160 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the clock supply card 160 includes a switching control unit 161, a memory 164, and a register 163.

  The memory 164 stores an operation list 162. The operation list 162 is, for example, a list (or data) representing how many cards or cores on which a load balancer and O & M can operate. Registration in the operation list 162 is performed by the switching control unit 161, for example.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the operation list 162. For example, the operation list 162 may be divided into an operation list for LB and an operation list for O & M, as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the operation list 162 may be distinguished by a field that identifies a core for LB or a core for O & M.

  The operation list 162 includes “operation address” and “state” fields. In the “operation address”, an operation address assigned to each of the cores 130-1-1-1 to 130-3-U is registered. As described above, the operating addresses are assigned to the respective cores 130-1-1 to 130-3 -U, whereby the installation location of the cores can be specified and can be identified from other cores. Examples of the operating address include an IP address.

  In the operation list 162, operable “operation addresses” are registered in descending order of priority. In the example of FIG. 7, the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1, the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2, and the call processing core 130- of the other call processing card 130-3. It is registered in the order of 3-U.

  In the second embodiment, the call processing cores 130-3-1 to 130-3 -U of the call processing card 130-3 other than the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 are also LB cores. Can be registered in the operation list 162. Two LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 operate by operating any one of the call processing cores 130-3-3-1 to 130-3-U of the call processing card 130-3 as an LB core. Even if it stops, the function of the load balancer can be continued in the base station 100. In this case, among the call processing cores 130-3-1 to 130-3 -U of the other call processing card 130-3, which call processing core is operated is selected, for example, the call processing core with the lowest load You may make it do.

  As for the O & M cores, the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1, the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2, and the other call processing cards 130-3 in descending order of priority. The call processing core 130-3 -U is stored in the “operation address” of the operation list 162.

  As for the O & M, two O & M cores are operated by operating any one of the call processing cores 130-3-1 to 130-3 -U of the other call processing card 130-3 as an O & M core. Even if 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail, the O & M function can be continued. An operation example in such a case will be described later.

  The operation list 162 includes a “status” field. In the “state”, for example, information indicating that the status is usable or unusable is stored. Whether the card can be used or not is determined based on the monitoring information output from the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 of the cards 130-1 and 130-2.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the register 163 stores a master working address 1631 for LB and a master working address 1632 for O & M.

  The master working address 1631 for the LB is, for example, the operation of the LB core that operates as the master in the base station 100 among the cores 130-1-1, 130-2-1, and 130-3 -U that operate as the LB core. Address.

  For example, in normal operation, the operating address of the LB core 130-1-1 is stored in the register 163 as the master operating address 1631 for LB. When the LB core 130-1-1 fails, the operating address of the LB core 130-2-1 is stored. When both LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail, the call processing core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 is stored as an operating address.

  For the master operating address 1632 for O & M, for example, the operating address of the O & M core operating as the master among the cores 130-1-1, 130-2-1 and 130-3-U operating as the O & M core is stored. Is done.

  For example, in normal operation, when the O & M core 130-1-1 operates as a master O & M core and the O & M core 130-1-1 fails, the O & M core 130-2-1 becomes the master. If both the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail, the call processing core 130-3-U operates as an O & M core.

  For example, the clock control unit 161 refers to the operation list 162, selects the “priority operation address” having the highest priority as the master operation addresses 1631 and 1632, and stores it in the register 163. Details will be described in an operation example described later.

<Baseband and Highway>
Next, the baseband units 110-1 to 110-M and the highway units 120-1 to 120-K will be described.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, each of the baseband units 110-1 to 110-M and the highway units 120-1 to 120-K has a register 111- 1-111-M, 121-1 to 121-K.

  When the master operating addresses 1631 and 1632 stored in the register 163 in the clock supply card 160 are updated, the registers 111-1 to 121 -K are rewritten simultaneously with the updated operating addresses.

  Accordingly, the basebands 110-1 to 110-M and the highways 120-1 to 120-K can output the input signals to the LB core 130-1-1 and the O & M core 130-1-1 according to the operating address.

  Such rewriting is performed as follows, for example.

  That is, a part of the clock supply card 160 includes an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and a register 163 is provided in the FPGA. The switching control unit 161 outputs a write signal and master operating addresses 1631 and 1632 to the FPGA. When the controller or operation unit in the FPGA inputs the signal, the operation address for master is stored in the register 163 in the FPGA. Further, the controller, the arithmetic unit, etc. generate a rewrite signal and output it to the communication bus 175. The registers 111-1 to 121-K use the rewrite signal as a trigger to access the register 163, read the updated master operating addresses 1631 and 1632, and store them in the registers 111-1 to 121-K. To do.

  Alternatively, when the switching control unit 161 rewrites the master operating addresses 1631 and 1632 stored in the register 163, the updated master operating addresses 1631 and 1632 are transferred to all the registers 111-1 to 121-K via the communication bus 175. Output. All the registers 111-1 to 121-K store the received updated operating addresses.

  Finally, the external memory 170 will be described. The external memory 170 stores, for example, a program for operating the call processing cores 130-3-1 to 130-3 -U as an LB core and a program for operating as an O & M core. For example, when the call processing core 130-3-U operates as an LB core, the call processing core 130-3-U can operate as an LB core by reading a program from the external memory 170 and executing it. The same applies to O & M.

<Operation example>
Next, an operation example will be described. FIGS. 8 to 17 are sequence diagrams showing operation examples, FIGS. 8 to 12 show operation examples of the LB core, and FIGS. 13 to 17 show operation examples of the O & M core.

  In the following, an operation example of the LB core will be described, and then an operation example of the O & M core will be described.

<1. Example of operation for LB core>
An operation example of the LB core will be described in the following order.

  (1-1) First, an operation example from the activation of the LB core until the signal can be transferred will be described with reference to FIG.

  (1-2) Next, an operation example until the LB core fails and the LB core is switched will be described with reference to FIG.

  (1-3) Next, an example of operation when the failed LB core recovers after switching the LB core and switches back to the recovered LB core will be described with reference to FIG.

  (1-4) Next, an operation example until the two LB cores on the N side and the E side fail and the card is switched to the LB core 130-3-U of a card other than the two cards 130-1 and 130-2. Will be described with reference to FIG.

  (1-5) Finally, an operation example when the N-side LB core of the two failed LB cores recovers and switches back to the recovered LB core will be described with reference to FIG.

<1-1. Example of operation from the start of LB core until transfer is possible>
First, an operation example from when the LB core 130-1-1 starts to be activated until signal transfer becomes possible will be described with reference to FIG.

  The LB cores 130-1-1, 130-2-1 and 130-3-U have IP addresses “192.168.1.100”, “192.168.1.101”, “ “192.168.1.102” is assigned.

  Furthermore, the IP address “192.168.1.10” is assigned to the switching control unit 161, and the IP address “192.168.1.105” is also assigned to any of the baseband units 110 (or the highway unit 120). Has been granted.

  Further, although “hardware” is described in FIG. 8, “hardware” corresponds to, for example, the register 163 and the communication bus 175 in FIG.

  First, the base station 100 is activated, and initial setting is performed in the base station 100 (S10).

  Next, the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 outputs the monitoring information to the switching control unit 161 (S11). The monitoring information includes, for example, information indicating that the LB core 130-1-1 can normally operate as the LB core. The monitoring information includes the IP address “192.168.1.100” of the LB core 130-1-1.

  The O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 also outputs monitoring information to the switching control unit 161 (S12). The monitoring information includes, for example, information that the LB core 130-2-1 can normally operate as the LB core, and the IP address “192.168.1.101” of the LB core 130-2-1 is also included. included.

  Further, among the call processing cores of the other call processing card 130-3, the core 130-3-U operating as the LB core (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the LB core 130-3-U) is also normal as the LB core. The monitoring information indicating that the operation is possible is output to the switching control unit 161 (S13). The monitoring information includes the IP address “192.168.1.102” of the LB core 130-3-U.

  The switching control unit 161 creates the operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S14). In the example of FIG. 7, the switching control unit 161 determines that all the LB cores 130-1-1, 130-2-1, and 130-3-U can be used, and registers them in the operation list 162. The IP addresses are registered in the operation list 162 in descending order of priority. For example, the switching control unit 161 registers in the operation list 162 in the order of “192.168.1.100”, “192.168.1.101”, and “192.168.1.102”.

  The priority order is based on, for example, the priority order of the cards 130-1 to 130-3. The IP address included in the N-side card 130-1 has the highest priority, and the IP address included in the E-side card 130-2. Is the next priority, and the IP address included in the other call processing card 130-3 is the lowest address. The switching control unit 161 determines the priority order for the operation list 162 based on the IP address included in the received monitoring information.

  Next, the switching control unit 161 determines the LB core (or card) that has the highest priority based on the operation list 162 (S15). In the example of FIG. 7, the switching control unit 161 determines the LB core 130-1-1 in the N-side card 130-1 as the LB core having the highest priority.

  Next, the switching control unit 161 requests the determined LB core 130-1-1 having the highest priority to start as the master LB core (S16). For example, the switching control unit 161 outputs a load balancer activation request to the IP address registered in the operation list 162.

  When receiving the activation request, the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 starts activation as the LB core (S17).

  Next, the LB core 130-1-1 outputs a response to the activation request to the switching control unit 161 (S18). The response includes, for example, information indicating that the LB core 130-1-1 has started normally as an LB core in response to the activation request.

  Next, the switching control unit 161 determines whether the activation is successful (S19). The determination is performed as follows, for example.

  That is, when the switching control unit 161 receives a response (S18) including information indicating that the LB core 130-1-1 has started activation as a load balancer, the switching control unit 161 determines that the activation has been successful ("OK" in S19). ).

  On the other hand, when the switching control unit 161 receives a response including information indicating that the LB core 130-1-1 has not started as a load balancer or that some failure has occurred, the switching control unit 161 determines that the activation has not been successful. (S19 is “NG”).

  For example, there is a case where a failure occurs in the LB core 130-1-1 after the monitoring information is transmitted (S11) and before the activation request is received (S16). Considering this, the switching control unit 161 receives a response (S18).

  When the switching control unit 161 determines that the activation is successful (“OK” in S19), the IP address “192.168.1.100” of the LB core 130-1-1 is set as the master working address 1631 for the LB, and the register It memorize | stores in 163 (S20).

  Next, the master operating address 1631 for LB is written to the registers 111-1 to 121 -K of the baseband 110 and the highway 120 simultaneously by hardware synchronization (S 21 and S 22). Hardware synchronization is performed, for example, under the control of the above-described FPGA and switching control unit 161.

  Thereafter, when the signal is input, the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 refer to the registers 111-1 to 121-K, respectively, and transfer the input signal to the LB core 130-1-1 (S23).

  When the signal is input from the baseband unit 110 or the highway unit 120, the LB core 130-1-1 determines a transfer destination of the input signal (S24). In the example of FIG. 8, the LB core 130-1-1 transfers to the call processing cores 130-3-3-1 to 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 (S25).

  As described above, the LB core 130-1-1 starts up and operates as a load balancer. In this case, the LB core 130-1-1 includes all of the call processing core of the N-side card 130-1, the call processing core of the E-side card 130-2, and the call processing cores of the other call processing cards 130-3. It distributes the signal to it. Or, when the E-side card 130-2 is not operating during normal operation, the LB core 130-1-1 is connected to the call processing cores of the N-side card 130-1 and another call processing card 130-3. Distribute signals.

  On the other hand, the switching control unit 161 requests activation of the LB core 130-1-1 (S16), but the LB core 130-1-1 may not be activated normally. In this case, the base station 100 may not be able to transfer signals and may not be able to continue the service.

  In such a case, the switching control unit 161 causes the next-priority LB core 130-2-1 to operate as a master based on the operation list 162 (from "NG time" in S19 to S28).

  That is, when the activation of the LB core 130-1-1 is not successful (“NG” in S 19), the switching control unit 161 uses the IP address (“192” of the LB core 130-1-1 from the operation list 162. .168.1.100 ") is deleted (S30). The switching control unit 161 makes an activation request as a load balancer to the highest priority LB core 130-2-1 based on the deleted operation list 162 (S26). The LB core 130-2-1 receives the activation request and starts activation as the LB core (S27), and outputs a response to that effect (S28). The switching control unit 161 receives a response indicating that it has started normally (“OK” in S31), and uses the IP address (“192.168.1.101”) of the LB core 130-2-1 as a master. The address 1631 is registered in the register 163. With this registration, the LB operation addresses of the registers 111-1 to 121 -K of the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 are simultaneously rewritten to the IP address of the LB core 130-2-1. As a result, the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 can output the received signal to the LB core 130-2-1.

  Thus, the operation example until the next-priority LB core 130-2-1 is operated as a master is the same as the operation example until the LB core 130-1-1 is operated as a master.

  Furthermore, even if the switching control unit 161 makes a start request to the LB core 130-2-1 as the master LB core, the LB core 130-2-1 may not operate normally. In such a case (“NG” in S31), the switching control unit 161 deletes the IP address of the LB core 130-2-1 from the operation list 162, and uses the remaining LB core 130-3-U as a master. Determine as LB core. The subsequent operations are the same as those for the LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1.

  In the second embodiment, when the base station 100 operates the LB core 130-1-1 as a master, the base station 100 sets the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 in a standby state. . Thereby, when the master LB core 130-1-1 fails, the LB core 130-2-1 can be operated immediately. The transition to the standby state is, for example, the following operation example.

  That is, after the registration of the master working address for LB is completed (S20), the switching control unit 161 requests the next priority LB core 130-2-1 to start the load balancer based on the working list 162 (S26). ). In this case, the request may include information instructing to enter a standby state.

  When receiving the activation request, the LB core 130-2-1 starts activation (S27). In this case, the IP address of the LB core 130-1-1 is stored in the registers 111-1 to 121-K of the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120. Therefore, the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 do not transfer signals to the LB core 130-2-1. Therefore, the LB core 130-2-1 enters a standby state without receiving a signal. The LB core 130-2-1 waits until the highest priority LB core 130-1-1 fails.

  Thus, the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 operates as a master load balancer, and the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 operates as a standby load balancer. Within 100, signal transfer is possible.

  On the other hand, when the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 operates as the master LB core, the call processing core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 is used as the standby LB core. It is also possible. Also in this case, the switching control unit 161 performs the same processing for the call processing core 130-3-U as when the LB core 130-2-1 is operated for standby.

  The determination (or selection) of the master and standby LB cores is performed, for example, until there is no corresponding operation address from the operation list 162.

<1-2. Switching LB core>
Next, an operation example when the LB core fails and the LB core is switched will be described. However, an example in which the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 is a master LB core and the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 is a standby LB core will be described. To do.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example when the LB core is switched. Consider a case in which the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 fails while the base station 100 is in operation (S50) (S51). In this case, the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 outputs monitoring information indicating that the LB core 130-1-1 has failed to the switching control unit 161 (S52).

  Further, the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 outputs monitoring information indicating that the LB core 130-2-1 can operate normally to the switching control unit 161 (S53).

  The call processing core 130-3-U that operates as the O & M core of the other call processing card 130-3 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the O & M core 130-3-U) is also normally used as the LB core 130-3-U. Monitoring information indicating that operation is possible is output to the switching control unit 161 (S54).

  The switching control unit 161 creates the operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S55). In this case, the switching control unit 161 deletes the IP address of the LB core 130-1-1 (“192.168.1.100”) from the operation list 162.

  Then, the switching control unit 161 determines an LB core to be activated as a master load balancer based on the operation list 162 after deletion (S56). For example, the switching control unit 161 determines to operate the LB core 130-2-1 as the master LB core.

  Next, the switching control unit 161 requests the LB core 130-2-1 to start as a load balancer (S57).

  Upon receiving this activation, the LB core 130-2-1 starts operation normally (S58), and outputs a response indicating that the operation has started normally to the switching control unit 161 (S59).

  Upon receiving the response (“OK” in S60), the switching control unit 161 rewrites the master operating address 1631 (S61). That is, the switching control unit 161 changes the master operating address 1631 from the IP address of the LB core 130-1-1 ("192.168.1.100") to the IP address of the LB core 130-2-1 ("192. 168.1.101 ") (S61).

  By this rewriting, the hardware is synchronized and the operating addresses of the registers 111-1 to 121-K of the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 are also rewritten (S63). That is, the operating addresses of the registers 111-1 to 121-K of the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 are rewritten from the IP address of the LB core 130-1-1 to the IP address of the LB core 130-2-1.

  By this rewriting, the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 is recognized in the base station 100 as the master LB core.

  In this case, the LB core 130-2-1 may distribute the signal to the call processing cores of the E side card 130-2 and the other call processing card 130-3. Alternatively, when only the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 fails and the call processing core of the N-side card 130-1 is operating, the LB core 130-2-1 is connected to all the cards 130- You may make it distribute a signal with respect to the call processing cores 1-130-3.

  In the above-described example, the example in which the LB core 130-2-1 starts operation normally in response to the activation request (“OK” in S60) has been described. The LB core 130-2-1 may not be able to start operation normally in response to a startup request. For example, the LB core 130-2-1 may be a case where a failure occurs between the time when the monitoring information is output (S53) and the time when the activation request is received (S57).

  In such a case, the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 outputs a response indicating that the core 130-2-1 cannot normally start operation as a load balancer (S59).

  When the switching control unit 161 receives the response (“NG” in S60), the switching control unit 161 updates the operation list 162, and based on the updated operation list 162, the call processing core of the other call processing card 130-3 Let 130-3-U operate as a master LB core. The switching control unit 161 performs the same operation on the LB core 130-3-U as the operation performed when the LB core 130-2-1 is switched to the master LB core. As a result, the LB core 130-3-U operates as a master LB core. In this case, the LB core 130-3-U may distribute signals to the call processing cores of the other call processing cards 130-3. Alternatively, the LB core 130-3-U distributes signals to all call processing cores including such a call processing core if the call processing cores of the other cards 130-1 and 130-2 are operable. May be.

<1-3. LB core switchback>
Next, an operation example when the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 recovers from a failure and the LB core 130-1-1 operates as the master LB core will be described. Thus, to make the LB core 130-1-1 recovered from the failure as the master LB core again may be referred to as “switching back the LB core 130-1-1”, for example.

  FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example in such a case. FIG. 10 is a continuation of the operation example shown in FIG. 9, for example.

  The base station 100 is in operation (S50), the LB core 130-2-1 is operating as a master LB core, and the LB core 130-3-U is operating as a standby LB core (S80, S81).

  Next, the N-side card 130-1, the E-side card 130-2, and the other call processing card 130-3 output the monitoring information to the switching control unit 161 (S82 to S84). That is, the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 outputs monitoring information indicating that the core 130-1-1 has failed as an LB core. The O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 and the O & M core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 both output monitoring information indicating that they are operating normally.

  The switching control unit 161 creates the operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S84). For example, the switching control unit 161 assigns two IP addresses (“192.168.1.101” and “192.168.1.102”) of the LB core 130-2-1 and the LB core 130-3-U. Register in the operation list 162.

  The baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 transfer the input signal to the LB core 130-2-1 based on the operation address (“192.168.1.101”) stored in the registers 111-1 to 121-K. (S86).

  Thereafter, when the LB core 130-1-1 recovers from the failure (S90), the monitoring information indicating that the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 has recovered from the failure is output to the switching control unit 161. (S91).

  When receiving the monitoring information, the switching control unit 161 adds the IP address (“192.168.1.100”) of the LB core 130-1-1 to the operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S92). . For example, the switching control unit 161 recognizes that the IP address (“192.168.1.100”) included in the monitoring information is the IP address included in the highest priority card 130-1, and The IP address is registered at the highest level.

  Next, the switching control unit 161 selects a master LB core based on the updated operation list 162. For example, the switching control unit 161 selects the LB core 130-1-1 as the master LB core.

  Then, the switching control unit 161 requests the LB core 130-1-1 to start up as a master LB core (S93).

  The LB core 130-1-1 receives the activation request, starts activation as the LB core, and outputs a response indicating that the activation has started normally (S94).

  Upon receiving the response (“OK” in S96), the switching control unit 161 rewrites the master operating address 1631 for the LB in the register 163. In other words, the switching control unit 161 uses the IP address of the LB core 130-2-1 ("192.168.1.101") to the IP address of the LB core 130-1-1 ("192.192") as the master operating address 1631. 168.1.100 ").

  By this rewriting, the hardware is synchronized, and the operating addresses of the registers 111-1 to 121-K of the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 are also rewritten to become the IP address of the LB core 130-1-1 (S99). The baseband 110 and the highway 120 transfer the input signal to the LB core 130-1-1 according to the operation address.

  The recovered LB core 130-1-1 is recognized as a master LB core by rewriting by hardware. The recovered LB core 130-1-1 may distribute signals to the call processing cores of all the cards 130-1 to 130-3. Or, when the E-side card 130-2 does not operate during normal operation, the LB core 130-1-1 distributes signals to call processing cores other than the call processing core in the E-side card 130-2. Also good.

  On the other hand, when switching back to the LB core 130-1-1 is performed, the LB core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 is not a standby LB core. Therefore, the switching control unit 161 outputs a stop request to stop the LB core 130-3-U that is in operation as a load balancer (S101). Upon receiving the stop request, the LB core 130-3-U stops the function as the LB core (S102).

<1-4. Switching to other than N / E card>
Next, a switching operation example to a card other than the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example in such a case. While the base station 100 is operating normally (S50), the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 fails (S110). Further, the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 that has been waiting for standby also fails (S111).

  The O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 outputs monitoring information indicating that the LB core 130-1-1 has failed (S112).

  Further, the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E side card 130-2 also outputs monitoring information indicating that the LB core 130-2-1 has failed (S113).

  The O & M core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 outputs monitoring information indicating that the core 130-3-U can operate normally as an LB core (S114).

  The switching control unit 161 creates the operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S115). In this case, the switching control unit 161 registers only the IP address (“192.168.1.102”) of the LB core 130-3-U in the operation list 162.

  Based on the operation list 162, the switching control unit 161 requests the LB core 130-3-U to start as a load balancer (S117).

  Upon receiving the request, the LB core 130-3-U starts normally as a load balancer (S118), and outputs a response indicating that the startup has started normally to the switching control unit 161 (S119). In this case, the core 130-3-U can operate as an LB core by reading and executing a program from the external memory 170.

  When the switching control unit 161 receives a response indicating that the activation has started normally (“OK” in S120), the IP address of the LB core 130-3-U (“192.168 .. 1.102 ") is stored in the register 163 (S121).

  Registration of the master working address 1631 synchronizes the hardware, and the working addresses are rewritten simultaneously in the registers 111-1 to 121-K of the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 (S122, S123).

  After rewriting, when the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 input a signal, the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 transfer the signal to the LB core 130-3-U according to the operation address written in the registers 111-1 to 121-K (S124).

  In this case, the LB core 130-3-U distributes the signal to the call processing cores of the other call processing cards 130-3. In addition, if the call processing core is operating in the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2, the signal is also distributed to the operating call processing core.

  On the other hand, when the switching control unit 161 receives a response that the LB core 130-3-U did not operate normally (“NG” in S120), the switching control unit 161 operates the LB core 130-3-U from the operation list 162. Delete the address. The switching control unit 161 selects the next-priority LB core based on the deleted operation list 162. However, in the example of FIG. 11, since there is no registration in the operation list 162, for which core However, the series of processing ends without requesting activation (S125). In this case, if an operation address of another core is registered in the operation list 162, the switching control unit 161 makes a startup request to the other core according to the priority order. Such processing is performed, for example, until there is no target operation address from the operation list 162.

<1-5. Switch back from cards other than N / E cards>
Next, an example of switching back to the N-side card 130-1 after switching to a card other than the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an operation example in such a case. The example of FIG. 12 is a continuation of the operation example of FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 12, both the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 and the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 fail (S110, S111), and other calls The LB core 130-3-U of the processing card 130-3 is operating as a master LB core (S130).

  In this case, the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 of the two cards 130-1 and 130-2 are broken as the LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1. The monitoring information indicating this is output (S131, S132).

  On the other hand, the O & M core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 outputs monitoring information indicating that the core 130-3-U is operating normally as a load balancer (S133).

  The switching control unit 161 creates the operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S134).

  Next, when the LB core 130-1-1 recovers from the failure, the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 outputs monitoring information indicating that it has recovered to the switching control unit 161 (S136). .

  The switching control unit 161 receives the monitoring information, and registers the IP address (“192.168.1.100”) of the LB core 130-1-1 in the operation list 162 (S137). For example, the switching control unit 161 registers the IP address at the top of the operation list 162, assuming that the IP address included in the monitoring information is the IP address included in the top card 130-1.

  Next, the switching control unit 161 makes a startup request to the recovered LB core 130-1-1 based on the registered operation list 162 (S138).

  Upon receiving the activation request, the LB core 130-1-1 starts activation as a load balancer (S135), and outputs a response indicating that activation has started normally (S139).

  The switching control unit 161 receives a response indicating that it has started normally ("OK" in S141), and rewrites the master operating address 1631 (S142). For example, the switching control unit 161 changes the IP address of the LB core 130-1-1 ("192.168.1.100") from the IP address of the LB core 130-3-U ("192.168.1.102"). To).

  By this rewriting, the hardware is synchronized, and the master operating address 1631 (IP address “192.168.1.100”) is written to the registers 111-1 to 121 -K of the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 all at once. (S143, S144).

  The LB core 130-1-1 is recognized as a load balancer in the base station 100 by hardware synchronization. The baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120 refer to the rewritten working address and transfer the input signal to the LB core 130-1-1 (S145).

  In this case, the LB core 130-1-1 may distribute the signal to the call processing core of the E-side card 130-1 and the call processing core of another call processing card 130-3. Alternatively, if only the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 fails and the call processing core is operating, the LB core 130-1-1 determines that the call processing of the E-side card 130-2. Signals may be distributed to all call processing cores including the core.

  On the other hand, the switching control unit 161 may output a signal to cause the LB core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 in operation to operate for standby (S146). In response to this signal, the LB core 130-3-U operates from the master to the standby. However, similarly to the example described above, the switching control unit 161 may not output a signal to the LB core 130-3-U. This is because the signal is not transferred to the LB core 130-3-U by rewriting the master operating address 1631.

  On the other hand, the switching control unit 161 may receive a response indicating that the operation cannot be normally started even if a startup request is made to the recovered LB core 130-1-1 ("NG" in S141). ). For example, there is a case in which some failure occurs between the time when the LB core 130-1-1 outputs monitoring information indicating that it has recovered (S136) and until the activation start request is received (S138).

  In this case, the switching control unit 161 deletes the IP address of the LB core 130-1-1 from the operation list 162, and selects the master LB core based on the operation list 162 after the deletion. In this case, the switching control unit 161 selects the LB core 130-3-U registered in the operation list 162. However, since the LB core 130-3-U is already in operation, a signal is particularly generated. A series of processing ends without outputting (S149). The LB core 130-1-1 has also failed, and the LB core 130-3-U continues to operate as a master load balancer.

  In the example of FIG. 12, the operation example when the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 is recovered from the two failed LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 has been described. . If both LB cores 130-1-1 fail, a maintenance person or an operator performs physical card replacement or rebooting. Generally, the N-side card 130 is intended to be recovered. -1 for the LB core 130-1-1. However, for some reason, the LB core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 has failed, but the LB core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 may recover. In this case, the load balancer function in the base station 100 can be recovered by performing the same processing as the operation for the LB core 130-1-1 in FIG. 12 on the LB core 130-2-1.

<2. Operation example for O & M core>
Next, an operation example for the O & M core will be described. Regarding the O & M core, the operation example will be described in the following order in the same manner as the operation example for the LB core.

  (2-1) First, an operation example from the start of the O & M core to the connection to the OPS 500 will be described with reference to FIG.

  (2-2) Next, an operation example from when the O & M core fails until the O & M core is switched will be described with reference to FIG.

  (2-3) Next, an example of operation when the failed O & M core recovers after switching the O & M core and switches back to the recovered O & M core will be described with reference to FIG.

  (2-4) Next, with reference to FIG. 16, an operation example from when the two O & M cores on the N side and the E side fail to switch to the O & M core of a card other than the two cards 130-1 and 130-2 will be described. I will explain.

  (2-5) Finally, an operation example when the N-side O & M core of the two failed O & M cores recovers and switches back to the recovered O & M core will be described with reference to FIG.

<2-1. Example of operation from starting O & M core to enabling OPS connection>
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an operation example from when the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 starts to be connected to the OPS 500. The IP address for each core is the same as the operation example for the LB core.

  The base station 100 is activated and initial setting is performed (S10). The O & M cores 130-1-1, 130-2-1 and 130-3-U of each card 130-1 to 130-3 output monitoring information (S11 to S13).

  The switching control unit 161 creates an O & M operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S14). Based on the created operation list 162, the switching control unit 161 determines an O & M core to be activated for master use or standby use (S10 to S15). The determination method and the like are the same as the operation example in the case of the LB core.

  The subsequent operation examples are almost the same as the operation example of the LB core. That is, the switching control unit 161 requests the determined O & M core 130-1-1 to start as O & M, and when the O & M core 130-1-1 starts normally, the switching control unit 161 starts normally. A response indicating that is output (S160 to S163).

  Then, the switching control unit 161 writes the IP address (“192.168.1.100”) of the O & M core 130-1-1 as the master operating address 1632 in the register 163 (S165). By this writing, the hardware is synchronized and the master operating address 1632 for O & M is simultaneously written to the registers 121-1 to 121-K of the highway unit 120 (S166, S167).

  On the other hand, when the O & M core 130-1-1 starts operating normally (S161), it transmits a connection request to the OPS 500 (S1611). By this connection request, for example, in the OPS 500, the core 130-1-1 can be recognized as a core performing O & M in the base station 100.

  Thereafter, the highway unit 120 refers to the operating address (O & M core IP address “192.168.1.100”) and transfers the signal received from the OPS 500 to the O & M core 130-1-1 (S168). Thereafter, the O & M core 130-1-1 performs monitoring control in the base station 100 (S169).

  In this case, the O & M core 130-1-1 monitors the cores (call processing core, LB core, etc.) of all the cards 130-1 to 130-3. If the E-side card 130-2 does not operate during normal operation, the cores of the cards 130-1 and 130-3 other than the E-side card 130-2 are monitored.

  On the other hand, the switching control unit 161 may receive a response indicating that the activation is not performed normally from the O & M core 130-1-1 that requested activation ("NG" in S163). Also in this case, similarly to the operation example of the LB core, the switching control unit 161 updates the operation list 162, and selects the O & M core 130-2-1 for master based on the updated operation list 162. The switching control unit 161 requests activation of the O & M core 130-2-1 (S170). When the O & M core 130-2-1 starts normally, the switching control unit 161 registers the IP address (“192.168.1.101”) of the O & M core 130-2-1 in the register 163 as the master operation address 1632. To do. Due to the synchronization by hardware, the IP address of the O & M core 130-2-1 is also written to the registers 121-1 to 121-K of the highway 120, and the highway 120 transfers the signal from the OPS 500 to the O & M core 130-2-1. To do.

  Furthermore, when the O & M core 130-2-1 does not operate normally, the switching control unit 161 may select the O & M core 130-3-U as the master O & M core. In this case, the switching control unit 161 performs the same operation on the O & M core 130-3-U as the operation on the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1. When the selected O & M core does not operate normally, the switching control unit 161 continues to select the master O & M core until there is no target operation address in the operation list 162.

  On the other hand, when operating the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 as the master O & M core, the switching control unit 161 uses the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 for standby. (S171 to S173).

  This operation is also the same as the operation example for the LB core, for example. That is, after the master operation address is written (S165), the switching control unit 161 requests the next-priority O & M core 130-2-1 to start activation based on the operation list 162 (S170). Then, the O & M core 130-2-1 starts to start (S172, S173).

  Start operation normally. Since the O & M core 130-1-1 is registered as the O & M master operating address 1632, the O & M core 130-2-1 is not recognized by the highway unit 120, and no signal is transferred. .

  Further, when the switching control unit 161 operates the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 as the master O & M core, the switching control unit 161 operates the O & M core 130-2-1 of the other call processing card 130-3. It can also be operated for standby. The switching control unit 161 performs the same operation on the O & M core 130-3-U as when the O & M core 130-2-1 is operated for standby.

<2-2. O & M switching>
FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the switching operation when the master O & M core 130-1-1 fails.

  This operation example is almost the same as the operation example of the LB core. That is, when the O & M core 130-1-1 fails, the O & M core 130-1-1 outputs monitoring information to that effect (S201, S202). On the other hand, the O & M cores 130-2-1 and 130-3-U output monitoring information indicating that they are operating normally (S203, S204).

  The switching control unit 161 creates the operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S205). In this case, the switching control unit 161 deletes the IP address (“192.168.1.100”) of the O & M core 130-1-1 from the operation list 162.

  The switching control unit 161 selects the IP address with the highest priority (“192.168.1.101”) based on the operation list 162 after deletion, and the O & M core 130-2-1 having the IP address. An activation request is made to (S207).

  When the O & M core 130-2-1 starts to start normally (S208), a response indicating that is output to the switching control unit 161 (S210). When the switching control unit 161 receives the response (“OK” in S211), the switching control unit 161 rewrites the master operating address 1632 for O & M. In this case, the switching control unit 161 switches from the IP address of the O & M core 130-1-1 ("192.168.1.100") to the IP address of the O & M core 13-2-1 ("192.168.8.1."). 101 ").

  By this rewriting, the hardware is synchronized, and the IP addresses (“192.168.1.101”) are simultaneously rewritten in the registers 121-1 to 121-K of the highway unit 120 (S213, S214).

  The highway unit 120 transfers the signal from the OPS 500 to the O & M core 130-2-1 (S215), and the O & M core 130-2-1 performs monitoring control in the base station 100 (S216).

  In this case, the O & M core 130-2-1 monitors cores (call processing core and LB core) of the E side card 130-2 and the other call processing card 130-3. In the N-side card 130-1, when only the O & M core 130-1-1 fails and other cores are operating, monitoring is performed including the other cores.

  Further, the O & M core 130-2-1 that has started normally starts a connection request to the OPS 500 (S209). Thereby, for example, the O & M core 130-2-1 notifies the OPS 500 that the own core operates as the O & M core in the base station 100.

  On the other hand, even if the switching control unit 161 makes a startup request to the O & M core 130-2-1, the switching control unit 161 may not start up normally (S211: “NG”). In this case, the switching control unit 161 deletes the IP address of the O & M core 130-2-1 from the operation list 162 and selects the IP address of the O & M core 130-3-U (“192.168.1.102”). (S220).

  The switching control unit 161 outputs an activation request to the selected O & M core 130-3-U (S217), and causes the O & M core 130-3-U to operate as a master O & M core (S218). Also in this case, the switching control unit 161 writes the IP address (“192.168.1.102”) of the O & M core 130-3-U as the master operating address 1632 in the register 163 (S222). By this rewriting, the hardware is synchronized, and the registers 120-1 to 120-K of the highway unit 120 are also rewritten to the IP address of the O & M core 130-3-U all at once (S223, S224).

  In this case, when the switching control unit 161 receives a response from the O & M core 130-3-U indicating that it does not operate normally (“NG” in S221), the operation list 162 is updated. The IP address of the target O & M core is not registered. Therefore, the switching control unit 161 ends the series of processes without operating the master O & M core (S225).

  On the other hand, when operating the O & M core 130-2-1 as a master O & M core, the switching control unit 161 operates the O & M core 130-3-U as a standby O & M core based on the operation list 162. The switching control unit 161 makes a startup request to the O & M core 130-3-U (S217). In this case, since the master operating address 1632 is not rewritten, no signal is transferred to the O & M core 130-3-U, and the O & M core 130-3-U can operate as a standby O & M core.

<2-3. O & M switchback>
Next, an operation example in which the failed O & M core 130-1-1 is recovered and the master O & M core is switched back will be described.

  FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram showing such an operation example. The O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 has failed, and the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 is operating as the master O & M core (S200, S230). Further, the O & M core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 operates for standby (S231).

  This operation example is also almost the same as the operation example of the LB core. That is, the O & M cores 130-1-1, 130-2-1 and 130-3-U of each card 130-1 to 130-3 output monitoring information (S232 to S234). The switching control unit 161 creates an operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S235). The signal input to the highway unit 120 is transferred to the O & M core 130-2-1 according to the operation list 162 stored in the registers 121-1 to 121-K (S236).

  When the failed O & M core 130-1-1 is recovered (S240), the O & M core 130-1-1 outputs monitoring information indicating the recovery to the switching control unit 161 (S241), and the switching control unit 161 Creates an operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S243). Further, the O & M core 130-1-1 that has started operating normally makes a connection request to the OPS 500 (S242).

  Based on the operation list 162, the switching control unit 161 requests the O & M core 130-1-1 to start activation as O & M (S244). In response to the request, the O & M core 130-1-1 starts activation and outputs a response indicating that the activation has started normally (S245).

  When receiving the response (“OK” in S246), the switching control unit 161 rewrites the master operating address 1632 to the IP address of the O & M core 130-1-1 (“192.168.1.100”) ( S247). By this rewriting, the hardware is synchronized, and the highway unit 120 and the registers 121-1 to 121-K are rewritten to the IP address of the O & M core 130-1-1 (S248, S249).

  The O & M core 130-1-1 is recognized as a master O & M core in the base station 100 by hardware synchronization (S246), and the highway unit 120 inputs a signal from the OPS 500 to the O & M core 130-1-1. Transfer (S250). In this case, the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 operating as the master is operated as it is, and the switching control unit 161 does not particularly output a signal. As the master operating address is rewritten, the signal from the OPS 500 is not transferred to the O & M core 130-2-1 and can operate for standby.

  However, the switching control unit 161 requests the O & M core 130-3-U that has been operated for standby to stop (S251), and the O & M core 130-3-U stops operation according to the request. (S251).

  As described above, the O & M core 130-1-1 of the N-side card 130-1 starts to operate as a master O & M core, and the O & M core 130-2-1 of the E-side card 130-2 operates as a standby. The O & M core 130-1-1 monitors the cores (call processing core and LB core) of all the cards 130-1 to 130-3. When the E-side card 130-2 does not operate during normal operation, the cores of the two cards 130-1 and 130-2 are monitored.

  Note that operations other than those described above in FIG. 15 can be performed in the same manner as the operation example (FIG. 10) for the LB core, for example.

<2-4. Switching to other than N / E card>
Next, an operation example when switching to a card other than the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating an operation example in such a case.

  This operation example is also substantially the same as the operation example in the LB core (for example, FIG. 11). That is, while the base station 100 is in operation (S200), the O & M core 130-1-1 that has been operating as a master fails, and the O & M core 130-2-1 that has been operating as a standby also fails (S260, S261).

  Each card 130-1 to 130-3 outputs monitoring information (S262 to S264), and the switching control unit 161 creates an operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S265). Since the IP address (“192.168.1.102”) of the O & M core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 is registered in the operation list 162, the switching control unit 161 stores the O & M core 130. A startup request is made to -3-U (S267).

  In response to the request, the O & M core 130-3-U starts operation as the O & M core (S268), and outputs a response indicating that the startup has started normally to the switching control unit 161 (S269). The core 130-3-U can operate as an O & M core by reading and executing a program from the external memory 170.

  In addition, the O & M core 130-3-U transmits a connection request to the OPS 500 (S265). As a result, the O & M core 130-3-U can notify the OPS 500 that the own core operates as an O & M in the base station 100.

  Upon receiving the response (“OK” in S270), the switching control unit 161 rewrites the master operating address 1632 (S271). That is, the switching control unit 161 uses the IP address (“192.168.100”) of the O & M core 130-1-1 as the master operating address 632, and the IP address (“192” of the O & M core 130-3-U). .168.1.102 ").

  By this rewriting, the hardware is synchronized, and the operating addresses of the registers 121-1 to 121-K of the highway unit 120 are also rewritten simultaneously (S272, S273).

  The highway unit 120 refers to the operating address and transfers the signal from the OPS 500 to the O & M core 130-3-U (S274), and the O & M core 130-3-U performs monitoring control of the base station 100 (S275). In this case, the O & M core 130-3-U monitors the call processing core of the other call processing card 130-3. When only the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail in the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 and other cores are operable, the core including the core Monitor.

  On the other hand, the switching control unit 161 may receive a response indicating that the O & M core 130-3-U has not started up normally ("NG" in S269 and S270). In this case, the switching control unit 161 deletes the IP address of the O & M core 130-3-U from the operation list 162, but after the deletion, there is no target O & M core IP address in the operation list 162. In such a case, the switching control unit 161 ends the series of processes without operating the master O & M core (S276).

  Note that operations other than those described above in FIG. 16 can be performed in the same manner as the operation example (FIG. 11) for the LB core, for example.

<2-5. Switch back from cards other than N / E cards>
Next, an example of switching back to the N-side card 130-1 after switching to a card other than the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram illustrating an operation example in such a case. This operation example is also substantially the same as the operation example in the LB core (FIG. 12).

  That is, both the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 of each card 130-1 and 130-2 fail (S260, S261), and the O & M core 130-3 of the other call processing card 130-3. -U operates as a master O & M (S280).

  The O & M cores 130-1-1, 130-2-1, and 130-3 -U of each card 130-1 to 130-3 output monitoring information to the switching control unit 161 (S 281 to S 283), and the switching control unit 161. Creates an operation list 162 based on the monitoring information (S284).

  When the O & M core 130-1-1 recovers from the failure (S285), monitoring information indicating the recovery is output to the switching control unit 161 (S286), and the switching control unit 161 updates the operation list 162 (S287). ).

  The switching control unit 161 outputs an activation request to the recovered O & M core 130-1-1 (S288), and the O & M core 130-1-1 starts activation as O & M, indicating that the activation has started normally. The response shown is output (S289). Further, when the O & M core 130-1-1 starts normally, it transmits a connection request to the OPS 500 (S290). By this transmission, for example, the OPS 500 can recognize that the O & M core 130-1-1 operates as O & M in the base station 100.

  When the switching control unit 161 receives a response indicating that the recovered O & M core 130-1-1 has started operating normally ("OK" in S291), the master operating address 1632 is set to the O & M core 130-1. -1 to the IP address (“192.168.1.100”) (S282). By this rewriting, the hardware is synchronized (S293), and the operating addresses of the registers 121-1 to 121-K of the highway unit 120 are also rewritten all at once (S294). The highway unit 120 transfers the signal from the OPS 500 to the O & M core 130-1-1 according to the rewritten operating address (S295).

  Thereafter, the O & M core 130-1-1 operates as a master O & M core and monitors the cores (call processing core, LB core, etc.) of all the cards 130-1 to 130-3. When the E-side card 130-2 does not operate during normal operation, the O & M core 130-1-1 monitors the cores of the N-side card 130-1 and the other call processing card 130-3.

  In addition, the switching control unit 161 can output a signal to wait for the O & M core 130-3-U that is no longer the master O & M core to wait (S296). However, since the master operating address is rewritten to the IP address of the O & M core 130-1-1, the switching control unit 161 does not need to transmit a signal to the O & M core 130-3-U.

  On the other hand, even if the switching control unit 161 makes a startup request to the O & M core 130-1-1, the switching control unit 161 may not be able to start up normally ("NG" in S291). In such a case, the switching control unit 161 deletes the IP address of the O & M core 130-1-1 from the operation list 162, and ends the series of processes without particularly operating (S299). In this case, it is assumed that the O & M core 130-1-1 has returned to the failure state, and the O & M core 130-3-U is operated as it is.

  Note that the operation example other than the above in FIG. 17 can operate in the same manner as the operation example (FIG. 12) for the LB core, for example.

  The operation example of the LB core and the operation example of the O & M core have been described above. In the base station 100, for example, the following effects can be obtained.

  First, when both cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 of the two cards 130-1 and 130-2 fail, the base station 100 calls the call processing core 130-3 of the other card 130-3. -U is operated as a master LB core or O & M core (S118 in FIG. 11, S268 in FIG. 16).

  Thereby, for example, even if both the LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 of the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 fail, the function as a load balancer in the base station 100 Can be continued. By distributing the signals, the call processing core normally performs processing related to the call, and there is no interruption of signal transmission. Therefore, the base station 100 can continuously provide a service to the terminal 300 (or user).

  Further, for example, even if both of the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 of the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 fail, the O & M conference is continued in the base station 100. Can be done. In this case, the O & M core 130-3 -U transmits monitoring information to the OPS 500, so that the OPS 500 generates and causes the failure such as which part of the base station 100 located at a remote location has failed. You can easily identify the specifics. By easily generating the cause and identifying the cause, for example, the time required for service restoration can be shortened.

  Thus, while the call processing core 130-3-U is operating as an LB core or an O & M core, the cause can be identified and the service can be restored. Accordingly, the core 130-3-U can be considered as an emergency evacuation core. After the exchange, for example, the base station 100 can perform continuous service provision by performing the operations shown in FIGS.

  In the base station 100, the master operating address 1631 for LB and the master operating address 1632 for O & M are simultaneously set to the registers 121-1 to 121-K of the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120. Rewriting is performed (S121 to S123 in FIG. 11, S271 to S273 in FIG. 16, etc.).

  In this case, for example, the master operating addresses 1631 and 1632 can be written in the shared memory to share information with the baseband unit 110 and the highway unit 120. However, when a plurality of baseband units 110 and highway units 120 access the shared memory all at once, it may take time to access the shared memory of each baseband unit 110 and highway unit 120 due to exclusive control. Accordingly, it may take time to provide the service. However, in this base station 100, by performing simultaneous rewriting of the operating address, exclusive control is eliminated and prompt service provision can be performed.

  In addition, a signal indicating that the switched LB core or O & M core has been switched for master use is sent to all blocks in the base station 100 (for example, all baseband units 110, all highway units 120, all cards). 130-1 to 130-3) may be notified. However, in this case, all the blocks are notified of the signal, and since the response after the notification is received and confirmed, it takes time to notify all the blocks, and the signal input / output is complicated. Sometimes it becomes. In this base station 100, it is possible to provide a quicker service by rewriting the registers 163, 221-1 to 221-K all at once compared to the case of notifying all blocks, and which core operates as an LB core or O & M. You can easily grasp what you are doing.

[Other embodiments]
Next, other embodiments will be described. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the base station 100. Monitoring registers 150-1 to 150- (S + T + U) are connected to each of the cores 130-1-1-1 to 130-3-U. Monitoring information is stored in the monitoring registers 150-1 to 150- (S + T + U) by the respective cores 130-1-1-1 to 130-3-U. The switching control unit 161 can acquire monitoring information of each of the cores 130-1-1 to 13-(S + T + U) by reading the monitoring registers 150-1 to 15-(S + T + U). For example, in FIG. 8, the cards 130-1 to 130-3 have been described as outputting monitoring information to the switching control unit 161 (S11 to S13). For example, monitoring information can be acquired by reading the monitoring registers 150-1 to 150- (S + T + U) by the switching control unit 161 rather than monitoring information being output from each of the cards 130-1 to 130-3. For example, the monitoring registers 150-1 to 150-3 are connected to the O & M cores 130-1-1, 130-2-1 and 130-3-U of the cards 130-1 to 130-3, and other cores. It is also possible not to be connected to.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example in the base station 100. The CPUs 130-1-1-1 to 130-3-U of the cards 130-1 to 130-3 correspond to, for example, the cores 130-1-1-1 to 130-3-U in the second embodiment.

  The baseband units 110-1 to 110-M and the highway units 120-1 to 120-K are provided with registers 111-1 to 121-K, and operating addresses are stored in the registers 111-1 to 121-K. Is done.

  Further, the clock supply card 160 includes a CPU 165, an FPGA 166, and a memory 164. The CPU 165 corresponds to, for example, the switching control unit 161 in the second embodiment. Further, the FPGA 166 includes a register 163, and master operating addresses 1631 and 1632 are stored in the register 163. The operation list 162 is stored in the memory 164 as in the second embodiment.

  In FIG. 19, instead of the CPU 165, another processor such as a DSP (Digital Signal Processor) may be used.

  In the second embodiment, the example in which the switching control unit 161 is arranged on the clock supply card 160 has been described. For example, the switching control unit 161 may be arranged on another card such as another call processing card 130-3. In that case, the operation list 162 and the master operation addresses 1631 and 1632 may also be stored in a register in another card. Even when arranged on other cards, the same master operating addresses 1631 and 1632 are simultaneously stored in the registers 111-1 to 121 -K by storing the master operating addresses 1631 and 1632 in the registers.

  In the second embodiment, when both the LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail, the call processing core 130-3-U of the other call processing card 130-3 is used as a master. An example of operating as an LB core has been described. An example of operating the call processing core 130-3-U of another call processing card 130-3 as a master O & M core when both of the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail. explained. For example, when two LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail, the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-S of the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2 are used. , 130-2-2 to 130-2-T may be operated as a master LB core. Further, when the two O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail, the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-S of the N-side card 130-1 and the E-side card 130-2. , 130-2-2 to 130-2-T may be operated as a master O & M core. However, it is a condition that the call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-S and 130-2-2 to 130-2-T are operable. In the operation list 162, addresses of call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-S and 130-2-2 to 130-2-T that can operate as LB cores and O & M cores are registered. Then, the switching control unit 161 determines a call processing core that can operate as an LB core or an O & M core based on the operation list 162. The call processing cores 130-1-2 to 130-1-S and 130-2-2 to 130-2-T that have started operating as O & M cores send connection requests to the OPS 500 and perform connection processing with the OSP 500. Do.

  Moreover, in 2nd Embodiment mentioned above, in addition to N side card | curd 130-1 and E side card | curd 130-2, the example provided with another call processing card | curd 130-3 was demonstrated. For example, the base station 100 may be provided with four or more call processing cards. In this case, four or more operation addresses are registered in the operation list 162. Then, when the LB cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail, the switching control unit 161 sets the call processing cores of other call processing cards to LB according to the priority (or registration order) in the operation list 162. You may make it operate | move as a core. In addition, when the O & M cores 130-1-1 and 130-2-1 fail, the switching control unit 161 changes the call processing cores of other call processing cards to O & M according to the priority (or registration order) in the operation list 162. You may make it operate | move as a core.

  The above is summarized as an appendix.

(Appendix 1)
A first control unit that performs signal distribution to the first and third call processing control units that perform processing related to calls or monitors the first and third call processing control units; A second control unit that distributes signals to the second call processing control unit and the third call processing control unit or monitors the second and third call processing control units, and the first control In a wireless communication device that performs signal distribution or monitoring using the second control unit when a unit breaks down,
When the first and second control units fail, the first and second control units to the first call processing control unit, the second call processing control unit, or the third call processing A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a switching control unit that switches to a control unit and performs signal distribution or monitoring using the first, second, or third call processing control unit.

(Appendix 2)
A first memory for storing an address of the first or second or third call processing control unit having the highest priority;
A second memory for storing an address indicating a signal transfer destination,
When the first and second control units fail, the switching control unit writes the address of the first, second, or third call processing control unit having the highest priority in the first memory. The address of the first, the second, or the third call processing control unit having the highest priority written in the first memory is also written in the second memory. Wireless communication device.

(Appendix 3)
The first call processing control unit and the first control unit are accommodated in a first card, the second call processing control unit and the second control unit are accommodated in a second card, and the first 3. The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein the call processing control unit 3 is accommodated in a third card.

(Appendix 4)
The switching control unit switches to the third call processing control unit when the first and second control units fail and a failure occurs in the first and second cards. 4. The wireless communication device according to appendix 3, wherein the call processing control unit is used to distribute or monitor signals.

(Appendix 5)
When the switching control unit switches to the third call processing control unit, the switching control unit switches to one of the plurality of third call processing control units, and the call processing control unit performs the call processing. 2. The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 1, wherein a signal is distributed to or monitored by the third call processing control unit other than the processing control unit.

(Appendix 6)
The wireless communication apparatus according to appendix 5, wherein the switching control unit switches to the call processing control unit having the lowest load among the plurality of third call processing control units.

(Appendix 7)
The switching control unit can perform signal distribution or monitoring operation based on monitoring information output from the first and second control units and the third call processing control unit. 2. The radio according to claim 1, wherein the address of the call processing control unit is stored in a memory as an operation list, and the first, second, or third call processing control unit is switched based on the operation list. Communication device.

(Appendix 8)
The wireless device according to appendix 7, wherein the switching control unit registers addresses of the first to third call processing control units in the operation list according to a priority order.

(Appendix 9)
The first call processing control unit and the first control unit are accommodated in a first card, the second call processing control unit and the second control unit are accommodated in a second card, and the first The third call processing control unit is accommodated in the third card,
The switching control unit, in order from the address of the first call processing control unit accommodated in the first card, the address of the second call processing control unit accommodated in the second card, last The wireless communication device according to appendix 7, wherein an address of the third call processing control unit accommodated in the third card is registered in the operation list.

(Appendix 10)
The first, the second, or the third call processing control unit switched by the switching control unit transmits a connection request to a maintenance management device connected to the base station device. The wireless communication device according to 1.

(Appendix 11)
A first control unit that performs signal distribution to the first and third call processing control units that perform processing related to calls or monitors the first and third call processing control units; A second control unit that distributes signals to the second call processing control unit and the third call processing control unit or monitors the second and third call processing control units, and the first control A switching control method in a wireless communication device that performs signal distribution or monitoring using the second control unit when a unit fails.
When the first and second control units fail, the first and second control units to the first call processing control unit, the second call processing control unit, or the third call processing A switching control method characterized by switching to a control unit and performing signal distribution or monitoring using the first, second, or third call processing control unit.

(Appendix 12)
A first control unit that performs signal distribution to the first and third call processing control units that perform processing related to calls or monitors the first and third call processing control units; A second control unit that distributes signals to the second call processing control unit and the third call processing control unit or monitors the second and third call processing control units, and the first control In a wireless communication device that performs signal distribution or monitoring using the second control unit when a unit breaks down,
When the first and second control units fail, the first and second control units to the first call processing control unit, the second call processing control unit, or the third call processing A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a processor that switches to a control unit and performs signal distribution or monitoring using the first, second, or third call processing control unit.

10: Wireless communication system 100: Wireless communication device (base station)
110 (110-1 to 110-M): baseband unit (radio control unit)
111-1 to 111-M: Register 120 (120-1 to 120-K): Highway unit (transmission control unit)
121-1 to 121 -K: Register 130: Main control unit 130-1: N-side card 130-1-1: LB core, O & M cores 130-1-1 to 130-1 -S: call processing core 130-2 : E side card 130-2-1: LB core, O & M core 130-2-2 to 130-2-T: Call processing core 130-3: Other call processing card 130-3-U: LB core, O & M core 135: Reception buffer 160: Clock supply card 161: Switching control unit 162: Operation list 163: Register 1631: Master operation address for LB 1632: Master operation address for O & M 164: Memory 170: External memory 175: Communication bus 300: Terminal device (terminal)
400: Upper NW 500: OPS

Claims (3)

A first control unit that performs signal distribution to the first and third call processing control units that perform processing related to calls or monitors the first and third call processing control units; A second control unit that distributes signals to the second call processing control unit and the third call processing control unit or monitors the second and third call processing control units, and the first control In a wireless communication device that performs signal distribution or monitoring using the second control unit when a unit breaks down,
When the first and second control units fail, the first and second control units to the first call processing control unit, the second call processing control unit, or the third call processing A wireless communication apparatus comprising: a switching control unit that switches to a control unit and performs signal distribution or monitoring using the first, second, or third call processing control unit. A first memory for storing an address of the first or second or third call processing control unit having the highest priority;
A second memory for storing an address indicating a signal transfer destination,
When the first and second control units fail, the switching control unit writes the address of the first, second, or third call processing control unit having the highest priority in the first memory. 2. The address of the first, the second, or the third call processing control unit having the highest priority written in the first memory is also written in the second memory. The wireless communication device described. A first control unit that performs signal distribution to the first and third call processing control units that perform processing related to calls or monitors the first and third call processing control units; A second control unit that distributes signals to the second call processing control unit and the third call processing control unit or monitors the second and third call processing control units, and the first control A switching control method in a wireless communication device that performs signal distribution or monitoring using the second control unit when a unit fails.
When the first and second control units fail, the first and second control units to the first call processing control unit, the second call processing control unit, or the third call processing A switching control method characterized by switching to a control unit and performing signal distribution or monitoring using the first, second, or third call processing control unit.

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