JP2003174403A - Wireless base station apparatus and wireless base station apparatus recovery method - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] When a failure occurs in an operating transmission unit, when switching operation to a spare transmission unit,
To provide a wireless base station device that does not lose synchronization with a communication terminal device. A monitoring unit (103) monitors whether a failure has occurred in a transmission unit (101-1 to 101-N) that forms a transmission signal. When a failure is detected, the detection result is notified to the higher-level control unit 104 and the standby transmission unit 102
Switch the operation to. The upper control unit 104 notifies the backup transmission unit 102 of resource information of the transmission unit in which the failure has been detected. The standby transmission unit 102
The setting of the common control channel required for synchronization with the communication terminal device 107 is performed with the highest priority, the common control channel is generated more quickly, and the common control channel is wirelessly transmitted via the wireless unit 105 and the antenna 106.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a radio base station apparatus in a mobile communication system and a method for recovering from a radio base station apparatus failure.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a radio base station apparatus used in a mobile communication system has a redundant structure in which a transmission system unit for operation and a transmission system unit for backup are duplicated. When the operating transmission system unit cannot operate normally due to device failure or the like (hereinafter simply referred to as “failure”), the control operation should be performed on the spare transmission system unit that can execute the normal control operation. Switching is performed on behalf of the user, and this switching is performed in a short time.
As a technique for switching the operation to the standby transmission system unit when a failure occurs in the transmission system unit in operation, there is one described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-46422.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for briefly explaining a conventional technique. In FIG. 9, the motherboard 11
Is equipped with an operational transmission system unit 12 for an operational purpose and a standby transmission system unit 13 for a preliminary purpose. The active transmission system unit 12 and the standby transmission system unit 13 have essentially the same configuration, and the operation switching at the time of occurrence of a failure is performed via the bus provided in the motherboard 11.
At the time of switching the operation, the switching control signal and the signal for monitoring the operation state of the unit are exchanged directly between the units via the bus, whereby the operation can be switched quickly.

[0004]

However, when a failure occurs in the transmitting system unit in operation, the operation is immediately switched to the spare transmitting system unit, but the downlink transmitted to the communication terminal device is momentarily disconnected. . Normally, both the base station device and the communication terminal device do not interrupt the user's conversation due to strong error correction. However, there is a possibility that the wireless line may be disconnected to such a degree that error correction cannot be achieved depending on the magnitude of the failure, which may hinder the provision of a good communication service.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a radio base station capable of switching the operation from a transmission system unit in which a failure has occurred to a standby transmission system unit without losing synchronization with the communication terminal device. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, a radio base station apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of transmission system units each forming a transmission signal, and a monitoring means for monitoring a failure of the transmission system unit. When a failure is detected by the monitoring unit in the operating transmission system unit of the transmission system units, a control unit that switches the operation to the standby transmission system unit provided in the backup of the transmission system units. However, when the operation is switched by the control means, the backup control unit preferentially transmits the common control channel over other channels for a predetermined period from the start of transmission.

According to this configuration, when a failure occurs in the transmission system unit of the radio base station apparatus, when switching the operation to the standby transmission system unit, the common control channel required for synchronization acquisition with the communication terminal apparatus is given the highest priority. By transmitting from the standby transmission system unit, it is possible to synchronize with the communication terminal device more quickly, and to minimize the interruption time of the wireless line between the wireless base station device and the communication terminal device during communication. You can

In the radio base station apparatus of the present invention, the monitoring means is
Each transmission system unit is equipped with a configuration for monitoring the fault of its own unit.

According to this structure, since it is necessary to monitor only its own transmission system unit, it is possible to detect a failure earlier than in the case of monitoring a plurality of transmission system units. The operation can be switched to.

The radio base station apparatus according to the present invention has a configuration including a setting means for setting its own resource in a spare transmission system unit when a failure occurs in its own unit.

According to this structure, since it is necessary to monitor only its own transmission system unit, it is possible to detect a failure earlier than in the case of monitoring a plurality of transmission system units. Operation can be switched to the unit. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a host control means, the configuration of the wireless base station device can be simplified.

A method of restoring a radio base station apparatus according to the present invention monitors a failure that causes an abnormal state in which a transmission system unit, which is a unit mounting a circuit for forming a transmission signal, cannot operate normally during operation, When the failure occurs in the transmitting system unit in operation, when switching the operation to the transmitting system unit provided as a backup, the common control channel of the transmitting system unit provided as a backup is given priority over other channels. The wireless transmission was started.

According to this method, when a failure occurs in the transmission system unit of the radio base station apparatus, when the operation is switched to the standby transmission system unit, the common control channel required for synchronization acquisition with the communication terminal apparatus is given the highest priority. By transmitting from the standby transmission system unit, it is possible to synchronize with the communication terminal device more quickly, and to minimize the interruption time of the wireless line between the wireless base station device and the communication terminal device during communication. You can

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present inventor came to the present invention by paying attention to a common control channel required for a communication terminal device to synchronize with a wireless base station device in order to minimize a momentary interruption of a wireless line. It was That is, the essence of the present invention is that, when the operation is switched from the transmission system unit to the standby transmission system unit, the standby transmission system unit transmits the common control channel with priority over other channels.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG.1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a radio base station apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, transmission system units 101-1 to 10
1-N are units each mounted with a circuit that forms a transmission signal, and can process signals to be transmitted to a predetermined number of users. Further, a specific signal is output from the monitoring unit 103, which will be described later, and if there is no failure, the specific signal is returned to the monitoring unit 103.

The standby transmission system unit 102 has essentially the same configuration as the transmission system units 101-1 to 101-N and substitutes the processing of the operating transmission system unit in which a failure has occurred. Transmission system units 101-1 to 101-N
In any of the above cases, the system is in a standby state (standby mode) until a failure occurs. Details of the standby transmission system unit 102 will be described later.

The monitoring section 103 is provided for each transmission system unit 101.
-1 to 101-N monitors whether or not a failure has occurred in the operating state. Specifically, each transmission system unit 101-
Output a specific signal to each of 1 to 101-N,
Recognize that a failure occurred in the sending unit that did not reply. Transmission system units 101-1 to 101-
When some failure occurs in N, the host controller 104
And the operation is immediately switched to the standby transmission system unit 102. That is, the standby transmission system unit 102 is switched from the standby mode to the operation mode.

The upper control unit 104 sets the resource information of the transmission system unit in which the failure has occurred (the resource amount and the resource remaining amount allocated to the communication terminal device in communication) in the standby transmission system unit 102.

The radio section 105 is composed of each transmission system unit 101.
Predetermined wireless processing is performed on the signals output from −1 to 101-N, and the signals are transmitted to the communication terminal apparatus 107 via the antenna 106. When a failure occurs, the signal output from the standby transmission system unit 102 is also processed.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the standby transmission system unit 102. Unit control unit 201
Controls the common control channel processing unit 203 in accordance with an instruction from the upper control unit 104, thereby performing call processing control within the unit. In addition, the resource information output from the upper control unit 104 is stored in the memory 202.

The memory 202 stores the resource information output from the unit controller 201 and outputs it to the common control channel processor 203 and the user channel processor 204.

The common control channel processing unit 203 receives the control of the unit control unit 201, and uses the resource information stored in the memory so that the communication terminal device 107 can establish synchronization with the radio base station device. Generate the required common control channels.

The user channel processing unit 204 accommodates a fixed amount of individual users and performs call processing. It also creates a user channel.

The generated common control channel and user channel are multiplexed and output to the radio section 105.

Next, the operation of the radio base station apparatus having the above configuration will be explained using FIG. 1 and FIG. The monitoring unit 103 outputs a specific signal to each of the transmission system units 101-1 to 101-N, and receives a reply from the transmission system unit having no failure. If there is a transmission system unit that does not return a reply, the monitoring unit 103 recognizes that a failure has occurred, and notifies the upper control unit 104 of the detection result. Further, the operation of the transmission system unit in which the failure has occurred is stopped, and the standby transmission system unit 102 is switched from the standby mode to the operation mode.

Upon receiving the failure detection result from the monitoring section 103, the upper control section 104 notifies the standby transmission system unit 102 of the resource information of the transmission system unit in which the failure is detected.

The unit control unit 201 of the standby transmission system unit 102, which has received the notification from the upper control unit 104, stores the resource information of the transmission system unit in which the failure is detected in the memory 20.
2 and the common control channel processing unit 203
Set.

The common control channel processing unit 203, which has been set, sets the user channel processing unit 204.

The standby transmission system unit 102 transmits the common control channel for a predetermined period in priority to other channels without waiting for all resources to be set. That is, transmission of the common control channel is started immediately when the setting of the common control channel processing unit 203 for generating the common control channel is completed. Here, the predetermined period is a time sufficient for the communication terminal device to establish synchronization. As a result, even if a failure occurs in the transmitting system unit in operation, the communication terminal device 107 communicating with the transmitting system unit can more quickly use the common base channel by the common control channel transmitted from the standby transmitting system unit 102. It is possible to synchronize with the station device.

The user channel processing section 204 starts wireless transmission when the resource setting is completed.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, when a failure occurs in the operating transmission system unit, the failure can be detected by the monitoring unit, and the standby transmission system unit can detect the resource from the upper control unit. By making the setting and transmitting the setting of the common control channel, which is the minimum required for the synchronization acquisition with the communication terminal device, in preference to other channels, the instantaneous interruption time of the wireless line can be shortened.

(Embodiment 2) FIG.3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a radio base station apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, transmission system units 301-1 to 30-30
1-N and the standby transmission system unit 302 have essentially the same configuration. Each unit can monitor the states of other units and detect a fault if a fault occurs.

Each unit recognizes whether it is in the operation mode or the standby mode (standby transmission system unit) depending on the position mounted on the motherboard of the radio base station device. When it is determined that the own unit is the standby transmission system unit 302, the unit monitors all the states of the transmission system units 301-1 to 301-N in the operation mode other than the own unit. Specifically, each transmission unit 301
A specific signal is output to each of -1 to 301-N, and it is recognized that a failure has occurred in the transmission system unit that has not returned.

The upper control section 303 notifies the operating transmission system units 301-1 to 301-N of the resource information.

Next, referring to FIG. 4, the standby transmission system unit 3
The internal configuration of 02 will be described. However, in FIG. 4, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The transmission system unit in FIG. 4 recognizes that it is the standby transmission system unit 302 from the position where it is mounted on the motherboard of the radio base station apparatus, and the other transmission system units 301-1 to 301-N in operation. To monitor.

The monitoring unit 401 is a transmission system unit 301-
A specific signal is output to each of 1 to 301-N, and a reply is received from the transmission system unit having no failure. If there is a transmission system unit that does not return a reply, the monitoring unit 401 recognizes that a failure has occurred, and notifies the upper control unit 303 of the detection result. Then, the resource information of the transmission system unit in which the failure has occurred is acquired. The unit control unit 201 is notified of the acquired resource information.

Next, the operation of the radio base station apparatus having the above configuration will be explained using FIG. 3 and FIG. The monitoring unit 401 outputs a specific signal to each of the transmission system units 301-1 to 301-N, and if there is no reply from the transmission system unit in operation, recognizes that a failure has occurred. The standby transmission system unit 302, which is being monitored, immediately switches its own unit to the operation mode and acquires the resource information of the unit in which the failure has occurred from the upper control unit 303. In addition, stop the operation of the transmission system unit in which the failure occurred.

The unit controller 201 of the standby transmission system unit 302 which has obtained the resource information from the upper controller 303.
Writes the resource information of the transmission system unit in which the failure is detected in the memory 202 and sets the common control channel processing unit 203.

The common control channel processing unit 203, which has been set, also sets the user channel processing unit 204.

The standby transmission system unit 302 transmits the common control channel for a predetermined period in priority to other channels without waiting for all resources to be set. That is, transmission of the common control channel is started immediately when the setting of the common control channel processing unit 203 for generating the common control channel is completed. Here, the predetermined period is a time sufficient for the communication terminal device to establish synchronization. As a result, even if a failure occurs in the operating transmission system unit, the communication terminal device 107 in communication with the transmission system unit can avoid losing synchronization due to the common control channel transmitted from the standby transmission system unit. be able to.

The user channel processing section 204 starts wireless transmission when the resource setting is completed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when a failure occurs in the transmission system unit in operation, the failure can be detected by the monitoring unit provided in the backup transmission system unit, and the backup transmission is performed. The system unit itself acquires the resource information from the upper control unit, sets the resources, and the communication terminal device preferentially transmits the common control channel, which is the minimum required for synchronization acquisition, to other channels, thereby transmitting the wireless channel. The interruption time can be shortened.

(Embodiment 3) FIG.5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a radio base station apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the transmission system unit 501-in operation
Each of 1 to 501-N monitors whether or not a failure has occurred in its own unit, and can detect a failure when a failure has occurred in its own unit. Also, the operation of its own unit is stopped and its resource information is notified to the standby transmission system unit 502.

Upon receiving the resource information notification, the standby transmission system unit 502 switches from the standby mode to the operation mode and sets the resource.

Next, the transmission system unit 501 will be described with reference to FIG.
The internal configuration of -1 to 501-N will be described. In the figure, the transmission system unit 501-N is shown. However, FIG.
2, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The monitoring unit 601 monitors whether or not a failure has occurred in the transmission system unit. Specifically, the unit control unit 201 and the like output a specific signal via each functional block, and recognize that a failure has occurred in the functional block that has not returned. When a failure occurs, the memory 202 is caused to notify the standby transmission system unit 502 of the resource information via the unit controller 201. As a result, since it is sufficient to monitor only its own transmission system unit, it is possible to detect a failure earlier than in the case of monitoring a plurality of transmission system units of the first or second embodiment. Operation can be switched to the system unit.

Next, the operation of the radio base station apparatus having the above configuration will be explained using FIG. 5 and FIG. The internal configuration of the standby transmission system unit 502 is substantially the same as the configuration of FIG.

The monitoring unit 601 recognizes that a failure has occurred when there is a functional block that does not respond to the output specific signal. Then, the memory 202 is notified of the resource information from the memory 202 via the unit controller 201. Also, stop the operation of its own unit.

The standby transmission system unit 502 which has received the resource information notification from the transmission system unit in which the failure has occurred switches from the standby mode to the operation mode and sets the common control channel processing unit 203.

The common control channel processing unit 203, which has been set, sets the user channel processing unit 204.

The standby transmission system unit 502 transmits the common control channel for a predetermined period of time in preference to other channels without waiting for all resources to be set. That is, the common control channel processing unit 203 that generates the common control channel
Transmission of the common control channel is started immediately when the setting of is completed. Here, the predetermined period is a time sufficient for the communication terminal device to establish synchronization. As a result, even if a failure occurs in the operating transmission system unit, the communication terminal device 107 communicating with the transmission system unit is prevented from losing synchronization due to the common control channel transmitted from the standby transmission system unit 502. can do.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, when a failure occurs in the transmitting system unit in operation, the monitoring unit provided in the operating mode transmitting system unit detects the failure occurring in the self unit. Since the standby transmission system unit is switched to the operation mode by itself, there is no need to provide a higher-order control means, and the configuration of the wireless base station device can be simplified. Further, the communication terminal device preferentially transmits the common control channel, which is the minimum necessary for synchronization acquisition, over other channels, so that it is possible to shorten the instantaneous interruption time of the wireless line.

(Embodiment 4) FIG.7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radio base station apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the transmission system unit 701-1 in operation
˜701-N can monitor whether or not a failure has occurred in each of its own units. The fault detection method is the same as that in the third embodiment. When a failure occurs in its own unit, the failure is detected and the detection result is notified to the upper control unit 703. Also, stop the operation of its own unit.

Upon receiving the resource information notification, the standby transmission system unit 702 switches from the standby mode to the operation mode and sets the resources.

Upon receiving the notified failure detection result, the upper control unit 703 notifies the standby transmission system unit 702 of the resource information of the transmission system unit in which the failure has occurred.

Next, the transmission system unit 701 will be described with reference to FIG.
The internal configuration of -1 to 701-N will be described. In the figure, the transmission system unit 701-N is shown. However, FIG.
2, the same components as those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The monitoring section 801 monitors whether or not a failure has occurred in the transmission system unit including the unit control section 201. When a failure occurs, the upper control unit 703 is notified of the detection result.

Next, the operation of the radio base station apparatus having the above configuration will be explained using FIG. 7 and FIG. The internal configuration of the standby transmission system unit 702 is substantially the same as that of FIG.

When some failure occurs in the transmitting system unit which is in operation, the monitoring unit 801 which is being monitored is controlled by the upper control unit 7.
03 is notified of the result of detecting the failure. Also, stop the operation of its own unit.

The upper control unit 703 notifies the unit control unit 201 of the standby transmission system unit 702 of the resource information of the transmission system unit in which the failure has occurred from the monitoring unit 801.
This is because, for example, the detected fault is large, and the third embodiment
The spare transmission system unit 702 that owns the resources described in
This is effective when you cannot directly notify.

Upon receiving the resource information notification, the standby transmission system unit 702 switches from the standby mode to the operation mode, and sets the common control channel processing unit 203.

The common control channel processing unit 203, which has been set, sets the user channel processing unit 204.

The standby transmission system unit 702 transmits the common control channel for a predetermined period in priority to other channels without waiting for all resources to be set. That is, transmission of the common control channel is started immediately when the setting of the common control channel processing unit 203 for generating the common control channel is completed. Here, the predetermined period is a time sufficient for the communication terminal device to establish synchronization.

As a result, even if a failure occurs in the operating transmission system unit, the communication terminal device 107 communicating with the transmission system unit loses synchronism due to the common control channel transmitted from the standby transmission system unit 702. You can avoid that.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when a failure occurs in the transmitting system unit in operation, the monitoring unit provided in the transmitting system unit in the operation mode detects the failure occurring in the self unit. The upper control unit sets the state resource, and the communication terminal device prioritizes transmission of the common control channel, which is the minimum required for synchronization acquisition, over other channels, reducing the instantaneous interruption time of the wireless line. can do.

In the first to fourth embodiments, when the monitoring section outputs a specific signal as a failure detection method and there is no reply from each transmission system unit or each functional block, it is recognized that a failure has occurred. The present invention is not limited to this,
For example, from each transmission system unit or each functional block,
The specific signal may be output to the monitoring unit, and if the monitoring unit cannot detect the specific signal, it may be recognized that a failure has occurred.

In the third and fourth embodiments, an algorithm for monitoring the state of the own unit may be used instead of the monitoring unit for monitoring the state of the own unit.

[0070]

As described above, according to the present invention, when a failure occurs in the transmitting system unit in operation of the radio base station apparatus, when the operation is switched to the standby transmitting system unit, the standby transmitting system unit is commonly used. By setting the control channel with the highest priority and transmitting the wireless line immediately when the setting of the common control channel is completed, the wireless interruption time can be minimized and the synchronization with the communication terminal device is lost. It is possible to provide a good communication service without the need.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a radio base station apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a standby transmission system unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radio base station apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a standby transmission system unit according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a radio base station apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a transmission system unit according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a radio base station apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a transmission system unit according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for briefly explaining a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

101-1 to 101-N, 301-1 to 301-N, 5
01-1 to 501-N, 701-1 to 701-N Transmission system units 102, 302, 502, 702 Backup transmission system units 103, 401, 601, 801 Monitoring units 104, 303, 703 Upper control unit 105 Radio unit 106 Antenna 107 Communication terminal device 201 Unit control unit 202 Memory 203 Common control channel processing unit 204 User channel processing unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of transmission system units each forming a transmission signal, monitoring means for monitoring a failure of the transmission system unit, and failure of the operating transmission system unit of the transmission system units by the monitoring means. And a control means for switching operation to a spare transmission system unit provided as a spare among the transmission system units, and when the operation is switched by the control means, a predetermined period from the start of transmission A radio base station device, wherein a common control channel is transmitted from the standby transmission system unit with priority over other channels. 2. The radio base station apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the monitoring means is provided in each transmission system unit and monitors a fault of its own unit. 3. The radio base station apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising setting means for setting its own resource in a spare transmission system unit when a failure occurs in the own unit. 4. A transmission system unit, which is a unit in which a circuit that forms a transmission signal is mounted, is monitored for a failure that causes an abnormal state in which the transmission system unit cannot operate normally during operation, and the transmission system unit that is in operation receives the error. When a failure occurs, when the operation is switched to the spare transmission system unit, the common control channel of the spare transmission system unit is prioritized over other channels to start wireless transmission. Wireless base station device recovery method.