Description
Title of Invention
COMMUNlCATION CONTROL APPARATUS, TERMINAL APPARATUS,
5 COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD, PROGRAM, AND
COMMUNICATION CONTROL SYSTEM
Technical Field
[OOOl]
10 The present disclosure relates to a communication control apparatus, a
terminal apparatus, a communication control method, a program, and a
communication control system.
Background Art
15 [0002]
A recent radio communication environment has been facing the problem of
depletion of frequency resources due to a rapid increase in data traffic. Accordingly,
as one of measures against the depletion of the frequency resources, a heterogeneous
network has been attracting attention. The heterogeneous network is a network that
20 is formed by allowing various cells different in a radio access technology, a cell size
or a fiequcncy band to coexist. For example, there is proposed that, for the fifthgeneration
(5G) radio communication system after the 3GPP Release 12, a relatively
low frequency band is allocated to a macro cell and a relatively high freqncncy band
is allocated to a small cell to allow the macro cell and the small cell to be overlapped
25 with each other (see Non-Patent Literature 1 below). Accordingly, network density
can be enhanced and use efficiency of the freq~~cncreys ources can be improved.
Citation List
Non-Patent Literature
30 [0003]
Non-Patent Literature 1: NTT DOCOMO, INC., "Requirements,
Candidate Solutions & Technology Roadmap for LTE Rel-12 Onward", 3GPP
Worlcshop on Release 12 and onwards, Ljubljana, Slovenia, June 11-12, 2012
Summary of lnvention
5 Technical Problem
[0004]
However, large economical costs are required for arranging the cells.
Therefore, it cannot be expected into the future that everywhere a mobile station can
be located is involved in coverages of a number of thc cells. In practice, there
10 would be a casc where the mobile station can be connected to the various cells, or
there would be a case where it can be connected to the single cell or no connectable
cells exist, depending on a place and a time.
[0005]
Therefore, under the heterogeneous network environment, it is desirable that
15 a system enabling flexible radio networking according to a situation of the mobile
station is provided.
Solution to Problem
[0006]
20 According to the present disclosure, there is provided a communication
control apparatus including a determination unit that, when a mobilc station
communicates with any of one or more cells, determines whether the mobile station
should communicate via an access point, a selection unit that, when it is determined
that the mobile station should communicate via the access point, selects an apparatus
25 that operates as the access point for the mobile station, and a signaling unit that
instructs the apparatus selected by the selection unit to operate as the access point,
and instructs the mobile station to communicate via the apparatus.
[0007]
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a terminal apparatus
30 including a radio communication unit capable of operating as an acccss point, and a
communication control unit that exchanges signaling between the cominunication
control unit and a control node that determines whether a mobile station should
communicate via the access point when the mobile station communicates with any of
one or more cells. The communication control unit, when being instructed to
operate as the access point from the control node, allows the radio communication
5 unit to operate as the access point.
[OOOS]
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a communication
control method including in a control node that controls formation of a radio network
within one or more cells, determining whether a mobile station should communicate
lo via an access point when the mobile station communicates with any of the one or
more cells, selecting an apparatus that operates as the access point for the mobile
station when it is determined that the mobile station should communicate via the
access point, instructing the selected apparatus to operate as the access point, and
instructing the mobile station to communicate via the selected apparatus.
15 [0009]
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a program for causing
a computer of a control node that controls formation of a radio network within one or
more cells to function as a determination unit that determines whether a mobile
station should communicate via an access point when the mobile station
20 communicates with any of the one or more cells, a selection unit that selects an
apparatus that operates as the access point for the mobile station when it is
detennined that the mobile station should communicate via the access point, and a
signaling unit that instructs the apparatus selected by the selection unit to operate as
the access point, and instructs the mobile station to communicate via the apparatus.
25 [OOlO]
According to the present disclosure, there is provided a communication
control system including one or more terminal apparatuses capable of operating as an
access point, and a communication control apparatus including a determination unit
that determines whether a mobile station should communicate via the access point
30 when the mobile station communicates with any of one or more cells, a selection unit
that selects an apparatus that operates as the access point for the mobile station from
the one or more terminal apparatuses when it is determined that the mobile station
should communicate via the access point, and a signaling unit that instructs the
terminal apparatus selected by the selection unit to operate as the access point, and
instructs the mobile station to communicate via the terminal apparatus.
5
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[OOll]
According to the present disclosure, under a heterogeneous networlc
environment, a flexible radio networking according to a situation of a mobile station
10 becomes possible.
Brief Description of Drawings
[OO12]
[FIG. 11 FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining one example of a
15 configuration of a heterogeneous network.
[FIG. 21 FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for explaining examples of various radio
connections formed in the heterogeneous network.
[FIG. 3A] FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a first example of
utilization of a dynamic access point.
20 [FIG. 3B] FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second example of
utilization of a dynamic access point.
[FIG. 3C] FIG. 3C is an explanatory diagram for explaining a third example of
utilization of a dynamic access point.
[FIG. 41 FIG. 4 is a bloclc diagram illustrating one example of a configuration of a
25 networlcing control node according to an embodiment.
[FIG. 51 FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a processing flow that can
be executed by the networking control node shown in FIG. 4.
[FIG. 61 FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a detailed flow of the
connection-destination determination processing shown in FIG. 5.
30 [FIG. 7A] FIG. 7A is a flow chart illustrating a first exanlple of a detailed flow of the
access point selection processing shown in FIG. 5.
[FIG. 7B] FIG. 7B is a flow chart illustrating a second example of a detailed flow of
the access point selection processing showu in FIG. 5.
[FIG. 7C3 FIG. 7C is a flow chart illustrating a third example of a detailed flow of the
access point selection processing shown in FIG. 5.
5 [FJG. 83 FIG. 8 is a block diagram illuslrating one example of a configuration of a
dynamic AP according to an embodiment.
[FIG. 91 FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a processing flow that can
be executed by the dynamic AP shown in FIG. 8.
[FIG. 103 FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating one example of a processing
10 flow in a communication control system according to an embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
[OO 1 31
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be
15 described in detail with reference to the appended drawings. Note that, in this
specification and the drawings, elements that have substantially the same function
and structure are denoted with the same reference signs, and repcated explanation is
omitted.
[OO 141
20 Note that description will be provided in the following order.
1. Outline of technology
1-1. Example of heterogeneous network
1-2. Explanation of problems
2. Configuration of networking control node
25 2-1. Configuration sample of apparatus
2-2. Example of processi~lgfl ow
3. Configuration of dynamic AP
3-1. Configuration example of apparatus
3-2. Example of processing flow
30 4. Overall processing sequence
5. Sum~nary
[0015]
4. Outline oftechnology>
First, an outline of a technology according to the present disclosure will be
discussed using FIG. 1 to FIG. 3C.
5 [0016]
[I-1. Example of heterogeneous network]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram for explaining one example of a
configuration of a heterogeneous networlc. With reference to FIG. 1, a
heterogeneous networlc 1 as one example is illustrated. The heterogeneous networlc
10 1 includes a macro cell 11, and small cells 12a-12d. The macro cell 11 and the
small cells 12a-12d are partially overlapped with each other.
[0017]
The macro cell I I is a large-sized cell operated by a base station BSl. As
one sample, a radius of the macro cell 11 may be in a range from hundreds of meters
15 to tens of kilometers. When the base station BS I operates according to a long term
evolution (LTE) system, the base station BSl can be called an evolved node B (eNB).
Note that the base station BSI is not limited to such an example, and may operate
according to other cellular communication systems such as an LTE-advanced (LTEA)
system, a WiMAX system or a wideband-code division multiple access (W-
20 CDMA) system. The base station BSl is connected to a core network 13. The
core networlc is colinected to the lnternet 14.
[OO 1 81
A small cell is a small-sized cell compared with the macro cell. A small
cell 12a is operated by a base station BS2a. A small cell 12b is operated by a base
25 station BS2b. A small cell 12c is operated by a base station BS2c. A small cell
12d is operated by a basc station BS2d. The small cell herein means a concept
including various kinds of relatively small cells such as a felnto cell, a nano cell, a
pico cell and a micro cell. Classification of the small cells as one sample is shown
in Table 1. Note that the technology according to the present disclosure can be also
30 applied to types of cells not shown in Table 1.
[00 191
[Table I ]
Table 1. Classification of small cells
[0020]
In Table 1, the "category" shows a small cell itself or a type of a small cell
5 base station. The "IF sample" shows an example of a communication interface (or
a communication medium) usable by the small cell bdse station to communicate with
a macro cell station or other control nodes. The pico cell can communicate, for
example, with a control node within a core network via the S1 interface, and with
other base stations via the X2 interface. The femto cell can communicate with other
10 base stations by using the X2 tunneling protocol. The remote radio head (RRH) can
Category
Pico cell
Femto cell
RRH
Hot zone
Relay station
communicate with the macro cell base station via the optical fiber. Similarly to the
pico cell, the hot zone base station can communicate with the control node within the
core network via the S1 interface, and with other base stations via the X2 interface.
The relay station can communicate with the macro cell base station via the air
15 interface. The "MS receiving rate" is an index indicating how many mobile stations
(corresponding to IJEs in the LTE system) one cell can receive. The MS receiving
rate of the femto cell is slightly lower compared with those ofthe pico cell, the RRH,
IF sample
S1, X2
X2 tunneling
Optical fiber
S1, X2
Air IF
the hot zone base station and the relay station. The "access type" is classification
relating to acceptance of access from the mobile station. All of the mobile stations
MS receiving
rate
High
Middle
High
I-ligh
High
20 can be connected to the cells of the open access type in principle, while the only
Access type
Open
Open/Closed
Open
Open
Open
previously-registered mobile stations can be connected to the cells of the closed
access type in principle.
[0021]
[I-2. Explanation of problems]
25 In the heterogeneous network 1 exemplified in FIG. 1, which of the cells the
respective mobile stations can be connected to is dependent upon points where the
mobile stations exist. For example, a point P1 and points P4-P8 are included in the
macro cell 11, while a point P2 is included in the macro cell 11 and the small cell 12a.
A point P3 is included in the macro cell 11, the small cell 12c and the small cell 12d.
When the mobile stations located at these points are connected to the cells having
5 best communication quality, respectively, the radio connection as shown in FIG. 2
can be formed.
[0022]
In an example of FIG. 2, a mobile station MSa forms a radio connection Ca
between itself and the base station BS1 of the macro cell 11. A mobile station MSb
10 forms a radio connection Cb between itself and the base station BS2a of the small
cell 12a. A mobile station MSc forms a radio connection Cc between itself and the
base station BS2d of the small cell 12d. Mobile stations MSd, MSe, MSf, MSg and
MSh form radio connections Cd, Ce, Cf, Cg and Ch between themselves and the base
station BSl of the macro cell 11, respectively.
15 [0023]
In the connection relationship exemplified in FIG. 2, although it seems that
the respective mobile stations select optimum connection-destination cells, some
disadvantages that can have adverse effects on system capacity or service quality
have been actually generated. For example, since the mobile station MSd is located
20 around the cell edge of the macro cell 11, the mobile station MSd is likely to obtain
only poor communication quality even if it is connected to the maclo cell 11.
Although the base station BS2d of the small cel! 12d is located closer to the mobile
station MSd than the base station BSl of the macro cell 11, since the small cell 12d
has a radius shorter than that of the macro cell 11, the mobile station MSd cannot be
25 directly connectcd to the small cell 12d. A transmission signal from the mobile
station MSd is likely to cause harmful interference with a signal received within the
small cell 12d. Further, for example, since the mobile station MSe is located behind
an obstacle 15, the mobile station MSe is liltely to obtain only poor communication
quality, even if it is connected to the macro cell 11. Moreovet; for example, the
30 mobile stations MSf, MSg and MSh are located adjacent to each other. Therefore, it
is difficult to spatially separate these mobile stations by beam forming or antenna
directional control. Further, transmission signals from the mobile stations MSf,
MSg and MSh are also liltely to have harmful interference with a signal received
within the small cell 12a.
[0024]
5 In order to overcome such disadvantageous situations, the technology
according to the present disclosure utilizes a terminal apparatus operable as an access
point (AP), that is, a dynamic AP. Classification of the dynamic APs as one
example is shown in Table 2. Note that the technology according to the present
disclosure can be also applied to dynamic APs not shown in Table 2.
10 [0025]
[Table 21
[0026]
In Table 2, the "category" shows a type of the dynamic AP. The "IF
15 example" shows an example of a communication interface usable by the dynamic AP
to communicate with the base station or other control nodes. Both of the mobile
router terminal and the general terminal can communicate with the base station via
the air interface. The air interface herein may be a radio interface of a cellular
system provided by the macro cell or the small cell. Instead, the dynamic AP may
20 communicate with the base station via the air interface (and a wired network beyond
the air interface) of a non-cellular systcm such as a wireless LAN, Bluetooth
(registered trademark), or Zigbee. The "AP function" shows how to realize a
function for operating as the access point. The mobile router terminal is a terminal
previously mounting a unique access point function. The general terminal is a
25 terminal operable as the access point by downloading a function module for the
access point function in an ex-post manner. The "battety" shows an average size of
Table 2. Classification of dynamic access points (AP)
Category
Mobile router
terminal
General
terminal
Battery
Large
Small
IF
example
Air IF
Air IF
MS
receiving
rate
Low
Low
AP
function
Unique
Download
Access type
Openlclosed
Openiclosed
battery capacity of the terminal. The battery capacity of the mobile router terminal
is often greater than that of the general terminal. The "MS receiving rate" is an
index showing how many base stations one AP can receive. Compared with the
various base stations described above, typically, the MS receiving rate of the
5 dynamic AP is low. The "access type" is classification relating to acceptance of
access from the mobile station. The access type of the dynamic AP may be the
open access type, or may be the closed access type.
[0027]
FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram for explaining a first example of
10 utilization of the dynamic AP. With reference to FIG. 3A, the enlarged one portion
of the heterogeneous network 1 shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated. Here, the mobile
station MSc is connected to the small ccll 12d, and operates as the access point.
The mobile station MSd is connected to the mobile station MSc to form an access
link Ld (also referred to as a localized network), and indirectly communicates with
15 the base station BS2d ofthe small cell 12d. As a result, the mobile station MSd can
obtain successful communication quality. Moreover, there is also avoided the
problem that the transmission signal from the mobile station MSd has harmful
interference with the signal received within the small cell 12d.
[0028]
20 FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram for explaining a second example of
utilization of the dynamic AP. With reference to FIG. 3B, the hetclogeneous
network 1 shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated again. Here, the mobile station MSa is
connected to the macro cell 11, and operates as the access point. The mobile station
MSe is connccted to the mobile station MSa to form an access link Le (also referred
25 to as a localized network), and indirectly communicates with the base station BSI of
the macro cell 11. As a result, the mobi!e station MSe can obtain successful
communication quality.
LO0291
FIG. 3C is an explanatory diagram for explaining a third example of
30 utilization of the dynamic AP. With reference to FIG. 3C, the enlarged one portion
of the heterogeneous network 1 shown in FIG. 2 is illustrated. Iiere, the mobile
station MSg is connected to the macro cell 11, and operates as the access point. The
mobile station MSf is connected to the mobile station MSg to form an access link Lf,
and indirectly communicates with the base station BS1 of the macro cell 11. The
mobile station MSh is also connected to the mobile station MSg to form an access
5 link Lh, and indirectly communicates with the base station BSI ofthe macro cell 11.
Since, when the mobilc station MSg is a reference, the mobile stations MSf and MSh
are located on sides opposite to each other, it is easy to spatially separate these
mobile stations by the beam forming or the antenna directional control. Since
distances between the mobile station MSg and the mobile stations MSf and MSh are
10 short, there is also avoided the problem that the transmission signals from the mobile
stations MSf and MSh have harmful interference with the signal received within the
small cell 12a.
[0030]
In this manna; there are many advantages in terms of system capacity or
15 service quality in utilization of the dynamic AP under the heterogeneous network
environment. However, since the formation of the optimal localized network
demands understanding of a topology of the network and capability of the respective
apparatuses, this is not easy for the respective mobile stations. Therefore, the
technology according to the present disclosure introduces a networking control entity
20 (NCE) as a novel function entity for supporting the formation of the localized
network described above. The networking control entity, when the molxle station
performs radio communication, determines the necessity of communication via the
access point in addition to determination of the cell to be connected by the mobile
station. Moreover, the networking control entity, when determining that the
25 communication via the access point is necessary, coordinates such communication.
A node mounting the networlting control entity is referred herein to as a networlting
control node. In the next section, there will be discussed a configuration of the
networlcing control node.
[003 I]
30 <2. Configuration of networking control node>
The networking control node may be mounted in any communication node.
In terms of accessibility from the mobile station, it is advantageous that the
networking control node is mounted as one function of the base station, the control
node on the core network, or a server on the internet. In this section, as one
example, the networking control node is mounted on the control node (for example, a
5 mobility management entity (MME), a serving gateway (S-GW) or a PDN gateway
(P-GW), or a dedicated node for the NCE) on the core networlc 13.
100321
[2-1. Configuration example of apparatus]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating one example of a configuration of a
10 networking control node 100 according to an embodiment. With reference to FIG. 4,
the networking control node 100 includes a communication unit 11 0, a storage unit
120, and a control unit 130.
[0033]
(I) Communication unit
15 The communication unit 110 is a communication interface allowing the
networking control node 100 to communicate with other apparatuses. The
communication unit 110 con~municatesw ith, for example, the various base stations
connected to the core network 13 or the Internet 14. Further, the communication
unit 110 communicates with the mobile station via these base stations.
20 [0034]
(2) Storage unit
The storage unit 120 stores a program and data for operation of the
networking control node 100 by using a storage medium such as a hard disk or a
semiconductor memory. The data stored by the storage unit 120 can include
25 information on the cell, information on the mobile station and the dynamic AP, and a
measurement result of comlnunication quality, which will be discussed later.
[0035]
(3) Control unit
The control unit 130 controls overall operations of the networlting control
30 node 100 by using a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a digital
signal proccssor (DSP). In this embodiment, the control unit 130 includes a
connection-destination determination unit 132, an AP selection unit 134, and a
signaling unit 136.
[0036]
(3-1) Connection-destination determination unit
5 The connection-destination determination unit 132 determines the cell to be
communicated with the mobile station among the one or more cells that can include
the macro cell and the small cell, when the mobile station performs radio
communication. More specifically, the connection-destination determination unit
132 determines the cell to be communicated with the mobile station (that is, the
10 connection-destination cell) according to a predetermined determination criterion.
The determination criterion here may be a criterion relating to at least one of
communication quality, a traffic load and power consumption efficiency. For
example, the connection-destination determination unit 132 may determine, as the
connection-destination cell, the cell in which the best communication quality (latency,
15 a bit rate, throughput, reception signal intensity, a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or a
signal-to-interference noise ratio (SINR), or the like) can be expected. The SNR
can be calculated from a noise floor of the cell, and the reception signal intensity for
the cell. The SINR can be calculated by further adding an interference level from
the adjacent cell to the calculation of the SNR. Further, the connection-destination
20 determination unit 132 may determine, as the connection-destination cell, the cell in
which communicaiion quality sufficient to fulfill a requirement of se~viccq uality
(QoS) for each mobile station can be expected. Further, the connection-destination
determination unit 132 may determine, as thc connection-destination cell, the cell
that uses a frequency band having a wide bandwidth, for dispersing a load. Further,
25 the connection-destination determination unit 132 may determine, as the connectiondestination
cell, the cell having the best power consumption efficiency, for
contributing to energy saving.
[0037]
The connection-destination determination unit 132, when the only one cell
30 satisfies the detennination criterion, determines the cell as the connection-destination
cell. On the other hand, the connection-destination determination unit 132, when
the plurality of cells satisfy the determination criterion, may determine, as the
connection-destination cell, for example, the cell having the least traffic load at that
time. The load for each cell can be calculated, for example, according to a simple
calculation formula of Li=Wi/Nj, where Wj is a bandwidth of a frequency band of the
5 i-th cell, and Ni is the number of mobile stations being connected. In this case, the
cell representing the largest value of Li is the cell having the lowest load
[0038]
Moreover, the connection-destination determination unit 132, when no cells
satisfy the determination criterion, that is, when no cells of the respective cells with
10 which the mobile station directly communicates satisfy the determination criterion,
determines that the mobile station should communicate via the access point. In this
case, the connection-destination determination unit 132 instructs the AP selection
unit 134 to select the access point to be operated for the mobile station.
[0039]
15 (3-2) AP selection unit
The AP selection unit 134, when the connection-destination detennination
unit 132 determines that the mobile station should communicate via the access point,
selects the apparatus to be operated as the access point for the mobile station. More
specifically, the AP selection unit 134 specifies the dyrlamic AP that exists adjacent
20 to the mobile station. Then, the AP selection unit 134, when the one or more
dynamic APs exist ad.jacent thereto, selects the dynamic AP to be operated as the AP
for the mobile station, from these dynamic APs as a candidate.
[0040]
As a first method, the AP selection unit 134 may select the AP for the
25 mobile station on the basis of a position of the adjacent dynamic AP. The position
of the dynamic AP may be measured by each dynamic AP and reported to the
networking control node 100. Instead, the base station or other apparatuses may
measure the position of the dynamic AP. A method for measuring the position may
be a global positioning system-based positioning method, or a method based on
30 signal intensity, quality or an incoming time difference of a radio signal. or the like.
The AP selection unit 134 may select, for example, the AP having the best
communication quality between itself and the base station among the dynamic APs
adjacent to the mobile station. Accordingly, as is described using FIG. 3A and FIG.
3B, there can be achieved improvement in communication quality and prevention of
interference in the mobile station. Further, the AP selection unit 134, when the
5 plurality of dynamic APs exist within a certain limited region, may select the
dynamic AP located closer to the center of the region. Accordingly, as is described
using FIG. 3C, there can be achieved spatial separation and prevention of
interference in the mobile station. Note that the AP selection unit 134 may select
the dynamic AP according to a more complicated geographic condition, such as the
10 dynamic AP located at a higher altitude, or the dynamic AP securing a linc of sight
from more mobile stations.
[0041]
When the plurality of dynamic APs suitable to be selected exist, the AP
selection unit 134 can select the one dynamic AP on the basis of at least one
15 parameter of performance, mobility, a remaining battery level and availability of a
communication link of each dynamic AP. For example, when the AP relaying the
traffic largely moves, communication by the mobile station is adversely affected.
Therefore, the AP selection unit 134 may select the dynamic AP having lower
mobility. Note that the mobility can be determined by monitoring a temporal
20 change in position of each dynamic AP. Moreover, the AP selection unit 134 may
select the dynamic AP being the highest in performance of hardware \rich as a
processor, a memory or an RF circuit, or coinmunication performance. The
communication performance here includes performance for communication between
each dynamic AP, and the connection-destination cell and the networlting control
25 node 100, and can be determined on the basis of a guaranteed QoS level, or the like.
The QoS level may be determined only for the air interface used by each dynamic AP,
or may be determined for end-to-end communication that can include the air
interface and the wired network. Moreover, the AP selection unit 134 may select
the dynamic AP having the highest remaining battery level (or being connected to a
30 fixed power supply). Further, the AP selection unit 134 may select the dynamic AP
having a wired baclthaul link. These selection conditions may be combined in any
manner.
[0042]
As a second method, the AP selection unit 134 may select the AP for the
mobile station on the basis of quality measured in the mobile station for the radio
5 signal transmitted from the dynamic AP adjacent to the mobile station. In this case,
the AP selection unit 134 may notice the dynamic AP and the mobile station via the
signaling unit 136 of parameters such as timing, a period, a frequency band and a
device ID for the quality measurement. The notification to the dynamic AP may he
shared with uplink permissioi (UL grant) for uplink transmission from the dynamic
10 AP operating as the MS. The AP selection unit 134 may save resources rcquired for
the quality measurement by allowing the plurality of mobile stations to
simultaneously execute the quality measurement. The mobile station reports to the
networking node 100 the measurement result including the measurements and the
device ID for each dynamic AP. The AP selection unit 134 selects the optimum
15 dynamic AP on the basis of the reported measurement result. The AP selection unit
134 may select, for example, the dynamic AP having the best quality measured by a
certain mobile station, for the mobile station. Accordingly, as is described using
FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, there can be achieved improvement in communication quality
in the mobile station. Further, the AP selection unit 134 may select the dynamic AP
20 having the best quality as a total of quality measured by the plurality of mobile
stations (probably, the dynamic AP being geographically located at the center of the
plurality of mobile stations). Accordingly, as is described using FIG. 3C, there can
be achieved spatial separation and prevention of interference in the mobile station.
Also in the second method, when the plurality of dynamic APs suitable to be selected
25 exist, the AP selection unit 134 may select any one dynamic AP on the basis of at
least one parameter of the performance, the mobility, the remaining battery level and
the availability of the communication link of each dynamic AP.
j00431
As a third method, the AP selection unit 134 may select the dynamic AP
30 specified on the basis of the measurement result of the communication quality by the
mobile station, as the AP for the mobile station. The measurement of the
coinmunication quality by the mobile station can be performed similarly to the
second method. In the third method, the mobile station specifies the optimum
dynamic AP for its own mobile station on the basis of the measurement result of the
communication quality. Then, the mobile station reports the device ID of the
5 specified dynamic AP to the networking control node 100. The AP selection unit
134 determines whether to approve the specified dynamic AP in the report from the
mobile station. The dynamic AP approved here is selected as the AP operating for
the mobile station. The AP selection unit 134, when, for example, the MS receiving
rate of the specified dynamic AP reaches a limit, need not approve the specified
10 dynamic AP. Further, the AP selection unit 134, also when any other dynamic AP
more suitable in terms of the topology of the whole network exists, need not approve
the dynamic AP specified by the mobile station. When another dynamic AP
recommended exists, the AP selection unit 134 can select another dynamic AP
instead of the specified dynamic AP. In the third method, when the plurality of
15 dynamic APs suitable to be selected exist, the AP selection unit 134 may select any
one dynamic AP on the basis of at least one parameter of the performance, the
mobility, the remaining battery level and the availability of the communication link
of each dynamic AP.
[0044]
20 Note that, in any method, the dynamic AP selected by the AP selection unit
134 may refuse the operation as the AP. In this case, the AP selection unit 134 can
select again the AP operating for the mobile station from the remaining dynamic APs.
[0045]
(3-3) Signaling unit
25 The signaling unit 136 executes signaling between the networking control
node 100 and other apparatuses. The signaling executed by thc signaling unit 136
may be encrypted according to a secure protocol such as an IPsec. For example, the
signaling unit 136 previously acquires information on the one or more cells within
the heterogeneous network 1. The information on the cell can include, for example,
30 a radio access technology, a cell ID, a position and a type of the base slation, a cell
size, a ffequency band, an upper liinit and a lower limit of transmission power, a
minimum receiving sensitivity, an acceptable interference level, a noise figure, an IP
address, and a supported secure protocol, and the like. Further, the signaling unit
136 acquires information on the mobile station. The signaling unit 136 may acquire
the information on the mobile station from the mobile station itself, or may acquire
5 the information on the mobile station from a subscriber information database on the
core network 13. The information on the mobile station can include, for example, a
device JD, a position, capability information (operability as the AP, and an MS
receiving capacity when operable, and the like), and battery information, and the like.
[0046]
10 Moreover, the signaling unit 136 recognizes a trigger for networlting control.
The trigger for the networlcing control may be the reception of a control request from,
for example, the mobile station newly starting the radio communication or the mobile
station experiencing poor communication quality. Further, the trigger may be the
reception of a control request from the base station that desires improvement in
15 throughput or suppression of a Load. Further, the trigger may be the detection of a
change in the network topology, the detection of movement, operation stop or battery
shortage of the dynamic AP already operating as the access point, or the coming of
periodical timing, or the like. When the trigger is recognized, the connectiondestination
determination processing by the connection-destination determination
20 unit 132, and the AP selection processing by the AP selection unit 134 can be
executed.
[0047]
The signaling unit 136, when, in the result of the connection-destination
determination processing, it is determined that the mobilc station can communicate
25 with any cell not via the access point, notices the mobile station of identification
information of the determined connection-destination cell. As one example, in the
LTE system, a cell group number and a cell number of a primary synchronization
sequence (PSS) and a seconda~ys ynchronization sequence (SSS) can constitute the
identification information of the cell. Instead, the identification information of the
30 cell may be configured from other information such as, for example, an orthogonal
code or a rrequency pattern ID. The mobile station can be synchronized with the
cell selected by the networking control node 100 to establish the radio connection by
using such identification information. The signaling unit 136 may notice the mobile
station of other information on the connection-destination cell (for example, a radio
access technology and a frequency band, and the like).
5 [0048]
Moreover, the signaling unit 136, when the AP selection processing is
executed by the AP selection unit 134, instructs the dynamic AP selected by the AP
selection unit 134 to operate as the access point. Further, the signaling unit 136
notices the dynamic AP of the identification information of the connection-
10 destination cell. In response to the instruction from the signaling unit 136, the
dynamic AP establishes the radio connection between itself and the connectiondestination
cell, and starts operating as the access point for the mobile station. The
signaling unit 136 may instruct parameters to be used for relaying traffic by the
dynamic AP (for example, a frequency band, timing, maximum transmission power,
15 a radio access technology, a spectrum mask or an encryption scheme, or the like) to
the selected dynamic AP. Further, the signaling unit 136 instructs the mobile station
to communicate via the dynamic AP. The signaling unit 136 notices the mobile
station of the identification information of the dynamic AP starting operating as the
access point. Accordingly, the mobile station is connected to the connection-
20 destination cell via the dynamic AP to form the localized network as described using
FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C.
[0049]
Note that, when the phantom cell described in Non-Patent Literature 1
described above is arranged, the signaling unit 136 need not notice the mobile station
25 of the identification information of the connection-destination cell or the
identification information ofthe dynamic AP.
[0050]
[2-2. Example of processing flow]
(I) Overall flow
30 FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a processing flow that can
be executed by the networking control node 100. With reference to FIG. 5, lirst, the
signaling uuit 136 collects the information on the one or more cells within the
heterogeneous network 1 (Step S110). Further, the signaling unit 136 collects the
information on the mobile station (Step S1 15). Then, the signaling unit 136 waits
for the trigger for the control (Step S120).
5 [0051]
When the trigger for the control is recognized, the connection-destination
determination unit 132 executes the connection-destination determination processing
(Step S130). One example of a detailed flow of the connection-destination
determination processing will be discussed in detail later. Next, the connection-
10 destination determination unit 132 determines whether the mobile station should
communicate via the access point (Step S150). I-Iere, when it is determined that the
mobile station should communicate via the access point, the AP selection unit 134
executes the access point selection processing (Step S160). Some examples of a
detailed flow of the access point selection processing will be discussed in detail later.
15 Then, the signaling unit 136 instructs the dynamic AP selected as a result of the AP
selection processing to operate as the access point (Step S180). When thc mobile
station can directly communicate with the connection-destination cell, the processing
at Step S160 and Step St80 can be skipped. Next, the signaling unit 136 performs
signaling of the result of the connection-destination determination processing (and, if
20 necessary, the result of the access point selection processing) to the mobile station
(Step S190).
[0052]
(2) Connection-destination dctermination processing
FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a detailed flow of the
25 connection-destination determination processing shown in FIG. 5. With reference
to FIG. 6, first, the connection-destination determination unit 132 evaluates each of
the one or more cells according to the predetermined determination criterion. The
determination criterion here, as described above, may be a criterion related to at least
one of communication quality, a traff~c load and power consumption efficiency.
30 The subsequent processing is branched according to the number of cells satisfying
the determination criterion. When no cells satisfying the determination criterion
exist, the processing proceeds to Step S140 (Step S134). When the plurality of cells
satisfying the determination criterion exist, the processing proceeds to Step S138
(Step S136). When only the one cell satisfying the determination criterion exists,
the cell is determined as the connection-destination cell.
5 [0053]
At Step S138, the connection-destination determination unit 132 determines
the connection-destination cell from the plurality of cells satisfying the determination
criterion at Step S132, according to an additional criterion (Step S138). The
additional criterion may be a criterion related to the load for each cell described
10 above, or the like.
[0054]
At Step S140, the connection-destination determination unit 132 determines
that the mobile station should communicate via the access point (Step S140). In
this case, the mobile station is indirectly connccted to the cell connected by the
15 dynamic AP selected in the access point selection processing that will be discussed
later.
[OOSS]
(3) Access point selection processing
FIG. 7A is a flow chart illustrating a first example of a detailed flow of the
20 access point selection processing shown in FIG. 5. With reference to FIG. 7A, first,
the AP selectio~l unit 134 identifies the apparatus operable as the dynamic AP by
using, for example, the capability information of the mobile station (Step S162).
Next, the AP selection unit 134 specifies the one or more dynamic APs located
adjacent to the mobile station to be controlled (Step S164). Then, the AP selection
25 unit 134 selects the dynamic AP to be operated for the mobile station on the basis of
the position and other parameters (for example, performance, mobility, a remaining
battery level and availability of a communication link, and the like) of the spccified
dynamic APs and the mobile station (Step S166).
[0056]
30 FIG. 7B is a flow chart illustrating a second example of a detailed flow of
the access point selection processing shown in FIG. 5. With reference to FIG. 7B,
first, the AP selection unit 134 identifies the apparatus operable as the dynamic AP
by using, for example, the capability information of the mobile station (Step S162).
Next, the AP selection unit 134 instructs the mobile station to perform sensing of the
radio signal transmitted from the dynamic AP, via the signaling unit 136 (Step S168).
5 Next, the AP selection unit 134 acquires the sensing result reported from the mobile
station, that is, the measurement result of the communication quality for each
dynamic AP (Step S170). Then, the AP selection unit 134 selects the dynamic AP to
be operated for the mobile station on the basis of the acquired sensing result and
other parameters (Step S172).
10 [0057]
FIG. 7C is a flow chart illustrating a third example of a detailed flow of the
access point selection processing shown in FIG. 5. With reference to FIG. 7C, first,
the AP selection unit 134 identifies the apparatus operable as the dynamic AP by
using, for example, the capability information of the mobile station (Step S162).
15 Next, the AP selection unit 134 instructs the mobile station to perform sensing of the
radio signal transmitted from the dynamic AP, via the signaling unit 136 (Step S168).
Note that the instruction here may be omitted and the sensing may be autonomously
executed by the mobile station. Next, the AP selection unit 134 acquires the device
LD of the dynamic AP specified by the mobile station on the basis of the sensing
20 result (Step S174). Then, the AP selection unit 134 appro;es the dynamic AP
specified by the niobile station (or selects another dynamic AP without apploving the
dynamic AP) (Step S176).
[005S]
<3. Configuration of dynamic AP>
25 In this section, the configuration of the dynamic AP that normally operates
as the mobile station, and, if necessary, operates as the access point, will be discussed.
LO0591
[3-1. Configuration example of apparatus]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating one example of the configuration of a
30 dynamic AP 200 according to an embodiment. With reference to FIG. 8, the
dynamic AP 200 includes a radio communication unit 210, a storage unit 220, an
input unit 230, a display unit 240, and a control unit 250.
[0060]
(1) Radio communication unit
The radio communication unit 21 0 is a radio con~munication interface for
5 executing the radio communication by the dynamic AP 200. When the dynamic AP
200 operates as the mobile station, the radio communication unit 210 establishes the
radio connection between itsclf and any base station to transmit and receive the radio
signal. When the dynamic AP 200 operates as the access point, the radio
communication unit 210 further establishes the access link betwecn itself and the
10 mobile station to transmit and receive the radio signal on the access link. The
access link, as one example, may be operated by a time division duplex (TDD)
system on a time-frequency resource that can be assigned by the networking control
node 100 or the base station. The radio communication unit 210 may have a
duplexer for preventing interference between the transmission signal and the
15 reception signal within a radio frequency (RF) circuit when relaying traffic.
[0061]
The radio communication unit 210 may previously have a unique mobile
router function for operating as the access point. instead, the radio communicatio~i
unit 210 may operate as the access point by allowing a communication control unit
20 254 described later to execute a function module downloaded from an external server.
[0062]
(2) Storage unit
The storage unit 220 stores a program and data for the operation of the
dynamic AP 200 by using a storage medium such as a hard disk or a semiconductor
25 memory. The data stored by the storage unit 220 can include the information on the
mobile station, and the infomation on the connection-destination cell, and the like.
The program stored by the storage unit 220 can include the function module for the
mobile router function.
[0063]
30 (3) lnput unit
The input unit 230 includes one or more input devices for inputting
information to the dynamic AP 200 by a user. The input unit 230 may include, for
example, a touch sensor integrated with the display unit 240. Further, the input unit
230 may include other types of input devices such as a key pad, a button, a switch, or
a wheel.
5 [0064]
(4) Display unit
The display unit 240 is a display module configured by a liquid crystal
display (LCD) or an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), or the like. The display
unit 240 displays, for example, a setting screen for setting the operation of the
10 dynamic AP 200 by a user.
[0065]
(5) Control unit
The control unit 250 controls the overall operation of the dynamic AP 200
by using the processor such as the CPU or the DSP. In this embodiment, the control
15 unit 250 includes an application unit 252, and the communication control unit 254.
[0066]
(5-1) Application unit
The application unit 252 executes an application. The application executed
by the application unit 252 can include, for example, a communication application
20 such as a voice call client, an Internet browser, a mailer or an SNS client.
100671
(5-2) Communication control unit
The communication control unit 254 controls the radio com~nunication by
the dynamic AP 200. For example, the communication control unit 254, when the
25 dynamic AP 200 operates as the mobile station, allows the radio com~nunication unit
210 to transmit an uplink signal and allows the radio con~munication unit 210 to
receive a downlink signal. Further, the co~nmunicationc ontrol unit 254 exchanges
ihe signaling between itself and the networking control node 100 described above.
For example, the comlnunicatio~l control unit 254, when sufficient communication
30 quality for the co~nmunication application is not obtained, !nay transmit the control
request to the networking control node 100.
[0068]
Moreover, the communication control unit 254, when being instructed to
operate as the access point from the nctworking control node 100, allows the radio
communication unit 210 to operate as the access point. The communication control
5 unit 254, when the radio communication unit 210 has no unique mobile router
function, may download the function module of the mobile router function from the
external server to execute the downloaded function module, thereby allowing the
radio communication unit 210 to operate as the access point. The communication
control unit 254, when operating as the access point, acquires the identification
10 information of thc connection-destination cell from the networking control node 100.
Then, the communication control unit 254 allows the radio communication unit 210
to relay the traffic of the mobile station between the connection-destination cell
identified by the obtained identification information and the mobile station. The
communication control unit 254 can also acquire other parameters (for example, a
15 frequency band, timing, maximum transmission power, a radio access technology, a
spectrum mask or an encryption scheme, or the like) from the networking control
node 100.
[0069]
Moreover, the communication control unit 254, when being instructed to
20 transmit the radio signal for the sensing by the adjacent mobile station from the
networliing control node 100, allows the radio communication unit 210 to transmit
the radio signal at thc instructed timing, period and frequency band, thereby allowing
the sensing, that is, the measurement of the communication quality by the adjacent
mobile station.
25 [0070]
The communication control unit 254, when the dynamic AP 200 opcrates as
the mobile station, may execute the sensing for the radio signal from the adjacent
dynamic AP in response to the instruction froin the networking control node 100.
Furlher, the communication control unit 254 may specify the optimum apparatus to
30 be operated as the AP among the ad.jacent one or more dynamic APs on the basis of
the sensing result. The communication control unit 254 can report the sensing
result, or the device ID of the specified dynamic AP to the networking control node
100.
1007 11
Note that the report from the mobile station to the networlting control node
5 100 may be performed via any type of communication means such as an air interface,
an internet protocol (IP)-based backhaul link, a mesh network of IEEE802. l Is, or an
ad hoc network utilizing Bluetooth (registered trademark) and Zigbee.
[0072]
[3-2. Example of processing flow]
10 FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating one example of a processing flow that can
be executed by the dynamic AP 200 shown in FIG. 8.
[0073]
With reference to FIG. 9, first, the communication control unit 254 transmits
information on its own apparatus that can include the device ID, the position, the
15 capability information and the battery information and the like, to the networking
control node 100 (or the database on the core network 13) (Step S210). Then, the
communication control unit 254 allows the dynamic AP 200 to operate as the mobile
station (Step S220). The operation as the mobile station may be continued while
the dynamic AP 200 is operating. The uplink signal transmitted from the radio
20 communication unit 210 can be subjected to the sensing by the adjacent mobile
station, if necessary.
[0074]
When being instructed to operate as the access point from the networking
control node 100 (Step S230), the dynamic AP 200 starts operating as the access
25 point. When the dynamic AP 200 is already operating as the access point, the
subsequent processing from Step S250 to Step S270 can be skipped (Step S240).
When the dynamic AP 200 does not operate as the access point, the communication
control unit 254 determines whether the radio communication unit 210 has the
mobile router function (Step S250). When the radio communication unit 210 does
30 not have the mobile router function, the communication control unit 254 downloads
the function module of the mobile router function from the external servcr, and
executes the downloaded function module (Step S260). Next, the communication
control unit 254 acquires the identification information of the connection-destination
cell from the networlcing control node 100 (Step S270). Then, the communication
control unit 254 is connected to the connection-destination cell identified by the
5 acquired identification information, and operates as the access point (Step S280).
[0075]
Although not shown in FIG. 9, the communication control unit 254 may
confirm whether the operation as the access point is allowcd, to a user via a user
interface provided by the input unit 230 and the display unit 240, before Step S280.
10 100761
<4. Overall processing sequence>
FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating one example of a processing flow
in a communication control system according to an embodiment. The
communication control system can include one or more mobile stations (MSs), one
15 or more dynamic access points (DAPs), one or more base stations (BSs) for cells,
and a networking control entity (NCE). The dynamic access point may be
physically the same apparatus as the mobile station.
100771
The networlcing control entity first collects the information on the cells from
20 each of the mobile stations (Step SlO). Further, the networking control entity
collects the infortnntion on the mobile stations from the dynamic access points and
the other mobile stations (Steps S15 and S20).
[0078]
Next, the networking control entity, when recognizing the trigger for the
25 control, executes the control-destination determination processing (Step S30). After
that, when it is determined that the mobile station can be directly connected to the
connection-destination cell as the result of the control-destination determination
processing, the sequence surrounded by the box B1 is executed. On the other hand,
when it is determined that the mobile station should communicate via the access
30 point, the sequence surrounded by the box B2 is executed.
100791
When it is determined that the mobile station can be directly connected to
the connection-destination cell, the networking control entity notifies the mobile
station of the identification information and other information of the connectiondestination
ccll determined to communicate with the mobile station (Step S40).
5 Then, the mobile station executes ccll search, is synchronized with the connectiondestination
cell by using the identification information in the notice, and is connected
to the connection-destination cell (Step S45).
[0080]
When it is determined that the mobile station should communicate via the
10 access point, the networking control entity further executes the AP election
processing (Step S50). The dynamic AP can support the AP selection processing by
transmitting the radio signal for measuring the communication quality by the mobile
station (Step S55). The mobile station measures the communication quality for the
radio signal transmitted from each of the dynamic APs (Step S60). The
15 measurement result here or the device ID of the dynamic AP specified by the mobile
station is reported to the networking control entity.
[0081]
The networlting control entity instructs the dynamic AP selected as the
result of the AP selection processing to operate as the access point (Step S70). Then,
20 the dynamic AP establishes the radio connection between itself and the connectiondestination
cell to start operating as the access point for the mobile station (Step S75).
Further, the networking control entity notifies the mobile station of the identification
information and other information of the selected dynamic AP (Step S80). Then,
the mobile station is synchronized with the dynamic AP by using the identification
25 information in the notice, and is connected to the dynamic AP (Step S85).
[0082]

Up to here, an embodiment of a technology according to the present
disclosure has been discussed in detail by using FIG. 1 to FIG. 10. According to an
30 embodiment described above, when the mobile station located within the one or
more cclls cornmunicatcs, thc networking control entity determines whether the
mobile station communicates via the AP. Then, when it is determined that the
mobile station should communicate via the A e the mobile station is connected to any
cell via the AP selected from the one or more dynamic APs. The networking
control node instructs the selected dynamic AP to operate as the AP. Accordingly,
5 under the heterogeneous network environment, the connection relationship between
the mobile station and the cell, which is more suitable in terms of, for example,
system capacity or service quality, can be dynamically constructed. That is, the
flexible radio networking according to a situation of the mobile station becomes
possible.
lo [0083]
Moreover, according to an embodiment described above, the networking
control entity notifies the selected dynamic AP of the identification information of
the connection-destination cell. Accordingly, when the plurality of cells that can be
connected by the dynamic AP exist, the dynamic AP can be connected to the
15 optimum cell determined by the networlcing control entity to operate as the AP for
the lnobile station.
[0084]
Moreover, according to an embodiment described above, the dynamic AP to
be operated as the AP for the mobile station can be selected on the basis of the
20 position of the one or more dynamic APs. Accordingly, in such a case where the
mobile stations operable as the AP within a certain limited region are denscly located,
allowing one of the mobile stations to operate as the AP can facilitate the spatial
separation of the mobile stations, and can prevent these mobile stations from
generating the harmful inter-cell interference. Further, an offloading effect of traffic
25 can be also expected by changing the radio access technology of the AP.
[0085]
Moreover, according to an elnbodirnent described above, the dynamic AP to
be operated as the AP for the mobile station can be selected on the basis of the
quality of the radio signal from the one or more dynamic APs. Accordingly, the
30 access link having better comlnunication quality call be provided to the nlobile
station that is experiencing poor communication quality due to the reason of being
located around a cell edge or behind an obstacle, or the like.
[0086]
Note that the series of control processing by the respective apparatuses
described herein may be implemented by using any of software, hardware, and a
5 combination or software and hardware. Programs constituting the software are
previously stored in, for example, a recording medium (or a non-transitory recording
medium) provided in the inside or the outside of the respective apparatuses. And
the respective programs are, for example, rcad into a random access memory (RAM)
during execution and executed by the processor such as the CPU.
10 [0087]
The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described
above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst the present invention is
not limited to the above examples, of course. A person skilled in the art may find
various alterations and modifications within the scope of the appended claims, and it
15 should be understood that they will naturally come under the technical scope of the
present invention.
[OOSS]
Additionally, the present technology may also be configured as below.
(1)
20 A communication control apparatus including:
a determination unit that, when a mobile station communicates wilh any of
one or more cells, determines whethcr the mobile station should communicate via an
access point;
a selection unit that, when it is determined that the mobile station should
25 communicate via the access point, selects an apparatus that operates as the access
point for the mobile station; and
a signaling unit that instructs the apparatus selected by the selection unit to
operate as the access point, and instructs the mobile station to communicate via the
apparatus.
30 (2)
The communication control apparatus according to (I),
wherein the apparatus that operates as the access point is a terminal
apparatus capable of operating as the access point that exists adjacent to the mobile
station.
(3)
5 The communication control apparatus according to (2),
wherein the determination unit determines the cell that should
communicate with the mobile station out of the one or more cells according to a
predetermined determination criterion, and
wherein the signaling unit notifies the apparatus selected by the selection
10 unit of identification information ofthe cell determined by the determination unit.
(4)
The communication control apparatus according to (2) or (3),
wherein the selection unit selects the apparatus that operates as the access
point on the basis of positions of one or more terminal apparatuses capable of
15 operating as access points.
( 5 )
The communication control apparatus according to (2) or (3),
wherein the selection unit selects the apparatus that operates as the access
point on the basis of quality measured for radio signals transmitted from one or more
20 terminal apparatuses capable of operating as access points.
(6)
The communication control apparatus according to ( S ) ,
wherein the selection unit selects the apparatus that operates as the access
point further on the basis of at least one parameter of performance, mobility, a
25 remaining battery level and availability of a communication link of the one or morc
terminal apparatuses.
(7)
The communication control apparatus according to (2) or (3),
wherein the selection unit selects a terminal apparatus specified by the
30 mobile station on the basis of a measurement result of communication quality as the
apparatus that operates as the access point.
'The co~nmunicationc ontrol apparatus.
(8)
The communication control apparatus according to (3),
wherein the dctcrmination unit determines that the mobile station should
5 co~nmunicatev ia the access point in a case where, when the mobile station directly
communicates with the respective cells, no cells satisfy the determination criterion.
(9)
The communication control apparatus according to (S),
wherein the determination criterion is related to at least one of
10 communication quality, a load oftraffic and power consumption eff~ciency.
The communication control apparatus according to any one of ( I ) to (9),
wherein the one or more cells include a macro cell and a small cell.
15 A terminal apparatus including:
a radio communication unit capable of operating as an access point; and
a communication control unit that exchanges signaling between the
communication control unit and a control node that determines whether a mobile
station should com~nunicate via the access point when the mobile station
20 co~nmunicatews ith any of one or more cells,
wherein thc communication control unit, when being instructed to operate as
the access point from the control node, allows the radio communication unit to
operate as the access point.
(12)
25 The terminal apparatus according to (1 I),
wherein the communication control unit acquires identification information
of the cell that co~nmunicates with the mobile station, from the control node, and
allows the radio communication unit to relay traftic of the mobile station between the
cell identified by the acquired identification information and the mobile station.
30 (13)
The communication control apparatus according to (1 1) or (12),
wherein the radio communication unit has a unique mobile router [unction.
(14)
The co~nmunicationc ontrol apparatus according to (1 1) or (1 2),
wherein the radio communication unit operates as the access point by
5 executing a function module downloaded from an external server.
(15)
A communication control method including:
in a control node that controls formation of a radio network within one or
more cells,
10 determining whether a mobile station should connnunicate via an access
point when the mobile station communicates with any ofthe one or more cells;
selecting an apparatus that operates as the access point for the mobile stat~on
when it is determined that the mobile station should communicate via the access
point;
15 instructing the selected apparatus to operate as the access point; and
instructing the mobile station to communicate via the selected apparatus.
(16)
A program for causing a computer of a control node that controls formation
of a radio network within one or Inore cells to function as:
20 a determination unit that determines whether a mobile station should
communicate via an access point when the mobile station communicates with any of
the one or more cells;
a selection unit that selects an apparatus that operates as the access point for
the mobile station when it is determined that the mobile station should communicate
25 via the access point; and
a signaling unit that instructs the appzratus selected by the selection unit to
operate as the access point, and instructs the mobile station to communicate via the
apparatus.
(17)
30 A communication control system including:
one or Inore terminal apparatuses capable or operating as an access point;
and
a communication control apparatus including
a determination unit that determines whether a mobile station
should communicate via the access point when the mobile station communicates with
5 any of one or more cells,
a selection unit that selects an apparatus that operates as the access
point for the mobile station from the one or more terminal apparatuses when it is
determined that the mobile station should communicate via the access point, and
a signaling unit that instructs the terminal apparatus selected by the
10 selection unit to opcrate as the access point, and instructs the mobile station to
communicate via the terminal apparatus.
Reference Signs List
[0089]
15 100 communication control apparatus (networking control node)
132 determination unit
134 selection unit
136 signaling unit
200 terminal apparatus (dynamic AP)
20 210 radio communication unit
254 cornmu~licationc ontrol unit
CLAIMS
Claim 1
A communication control apparatus comprising:
a determination unit that, when a mobile station communicates with any of
5 one or more cells, determines whether the mobile station should communicate via an
access point;
a selection unit that, when it is determined that the mobile station should
communicate via the access point, selects an apparatus that operates as the access
point for the mobile station; and
10 a signaling unit that instructs the apparatus selected by the selection unit to
operate as the access point, and instructs the mobile station to communicate via the
apparatus.
Claim 2
15 The communication control apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the apparatus that operates as the access point is a terminal
apparatus capable of operating as the access point that exists adjacent to the mobile
station.
20 Claim 3
The colnmunication control apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the determination unit determines the cell that should
communicate with the mobile station out of the one or more cells according to a
predetermined determination criterion, and
25 wherein the signaling unit notifies the apparatus selected by the selection
unit of identification information ofthe cell determined by the determination unit.
Claim 4
The communication control apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the selection unit selects the apparatus that operates as the access
point on the basis of positions of one or more tenninal apparatuses capable of
operating as access points
Claim 5
The communication control apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the selection unit selects the apparatus that operates as the access
point on the basis of quality measured for radio signals transmitted from one or more
terminal apparatuses capable of operating as access points.
Claim 6
10 The communication control apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the selectioli unit selects the apparatus that opcrates as the access
point further on the basis of at least one parameter of performance, mobility, a
remaining battery level and availability of a communication link of the one or more
temiinal apparatuses.
15
Claim 7
The communication control apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the selection unit selects a terminal apparatus specified by the
mobile station on the basis of a measurement result of conlmunication quality as the
20 apparatus that operates as the access point.
The communication control apparatus.
Claim 8
The communication control apparatus according to claim 3,
wherein the determination unit determines that the mobile station should
communicatc via the access point in a case where, when the mobile station directly
communicates with the respective cells, no cells satisfy the determination criterion.
Claim 9
30 The communicalion control apparatus according to claim 8,
wherein the determination criterion is rclated to at least one of
communication quality, a load of traffic and power consumption eficiency
Claim 10
The coinmunication control apparatus according to claim 1,
5 wherein the one or more cells include a macro cell and a small cell.
Claim 11
A terminal apparatus comprising:
a radio communication unit capable of operating as an access point; and
10 a communication control unit that exchanges signaling bctween the
colnmunication control unit and a control node that determines whether a mobile
station should communicate via the access point when the mobile station
communicates with any of one or more cells,
wherein the communication control unit, when being instructed to operate as
15 the access point from the control node, allows the radio communication unit to
operate as the access point.
Claim 12
The terminal apparatus according to claim 11,
20 wherein the communication control unit acquires identification information
of the cell that cc~inmunicates with the mobile station, from the control node, and
allows the radio communication unit to relay traffic of the mobile station between the
cell identified by the acquired identification information and the mobile station.
25 Claim 13
The communication control apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein the radio corn~nunicationu nit has a unique mobile router function.
Claim 14
30 The co~ninunicationc ontrol apparatus according to claim 11,
wherein the radio coininunication unit operates as the access point by
executing a function module downloaded from an external server.
Claim 15
A communication control method comprising:
5 in a control node that controls formation of a radio networlc within one or
more cells,
determining whether a mobile station should communicate via an access
point when the mobile station communicates with any ofthe one or more cells;
selecting an apparatus that operates as the access point for the mobile station
10 when it is determined that the mobile station should communicate via Lhe access
point;
instructing the selected apparatus to operate as the access point; and
instructing the mobile station to communicate via the selected apparatus.
15 Claim 16
A program for causing a computer of a control node that controls formation
of a radio networlc within one or more cells to function as:
a determination unit that determines whether a mobile statiotl should
communicate via an access point when the mobile station communicates with any of
20 the one or more cclls;
a selection unit that selects an apparatus that operates as the acce\\ point for
the mobile station when it is determined that the mobile station should communicate
via the access point; and
a signaling unit that instructs the apparatus selected by the selection unit to
25 operate as the access point, and instructs the mobile station to comn~unicate via the
apparatus.
Claim 17
A co~n~nunicatioconn trol system comprising:
one or more terminal apparatuses capable of operating as an access point;
and
a communication control apparatus including
a determination unit that deternlines whether a mobile station
should communicate via the access point when the mobile station communicates with
any of one or more cells,
5 a selection unit that selects an apparatus that operates as the access
point for the mobile station from the one or more terminal apparatuses when it is
determined that the mobile statiol~s hould comnlunicate via the access point, and
a signaling unit that instructs the terminal apparatus selected by the
selection unit to operate as the access point, and instructs the mobile station to
10 colnmunicate via the terminal apparatus.