JP2008113192A - Wireless communication apparatus and method - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a radio communication apparatus and method capable of receiving BCMCS distribution data using BCMCS as much as possible and effectively using radio resources by reducing reception of BCMCS distribution data by unicast as much as possible.
A control unit sets a predetermined channel in a communication unit, and the communication unit performs a receiving operation of data distributed by broadcast / multicast. When the communication unit 1 cannot receive the data distributed by broadcast / multicast at the distribution time of the data distributed by broadcast / multicast, the control unit 5 sets a channel different from the set channel in the communication unit 1, The communication unit 1 performs an operation of receiving data distributed by broadcast / multicast.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a wireless communication apparatus and method for receiving content transmitted from a base station to a plurality of destinations.

  In a mobile communication system using code division multiple access (CDMA), a high-speed data communication function, for example, a communication service using 1x and 1xEV-DO (1x evolution-data optimized) in CDMA2000 is provided.

  In a mobile communication system using 1xEV-DO, content composed of moving images or the like is simultaneously transmitted to a plurality of wireless communication devices (for example, wireless communication terminals and car navigation systems) using a communication channel (for example, a traffic channel). BCMCS (broadcast / multicast services) distributed toward a connected wireless communication card module) is also planned (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

  In BCMCS, BCMCS distribution information and BCMCS distribution data are distributed from a wireless base station through a communication channel in response to a content transmission request from a wireless communication apparatus or according to a content transmission schedule. The BCMCS distribution data is actual data distributed using the BCMCS, and the BCMCS distribution information indicates detailed information about the BCMCS distribution data. The BCMCS distribution data starts to flow before the BCMCS distribution data starts to flow (before the distribution). Distribution starts) and BCMCS distribution data flows (distributes) at the same time.

  When distribution of content has already been started in BCMCS, the wireless communication apparatus may receive the content from the middle by broadcast (or multicast) and start reproduction.

  Further, in a mobile communication system using 1xEV-DO, a radio communication terminal AT (Access Terminal) as a radio communication device is connected to a base station AN (Access Network) of a communication partner in accordance with a change in reception intensity of a pilot signal. ) To switch off. Each base station AN is connected to a packet control device PCF (Packet Control Function) as a BCMCS server.

  Such handoff includes a handoff between ANs under the same PCF (inter-AN handoff) and a handoff between ANs under different PCFs (inter-PCF handoff).

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the inter-AN handoff is that the AT 10a hands off from the AN 21a under the same PCF 30a to the AN 22a. Further, the inter-PCF handoff means that the AT 10b hands off from the AN 23a under the PCF 30a to the AN 21b under the PCF 30b.

Further, a mobile communication system using CDMA has been proposed that uses a plurality of band classes. For example, in a wireless communication system using CDMA2000 1x, the Japanese specification 800 MHz band is currently used in Japan, but this band class is scheduled to be reorganized into the new 800 MHz band, which is a global standard specification. The old 800 MHz band and the new 800 MHz band are different in allocation of uplink and downlink in the band class to be used. In recent years, multi-band compatible terminals capable of communication in the current band class (old 800 MHz band), new band class (new 800 MHz band) and high frequency band class (2 GHz band) have been developed.
“CDMA2000 High Rate Broadcast-Multicast Packet Data Air Interface Specification (C.S0054-0 Version 1.0)-Section 1.4: Broadcast Channels”, 3GPP2, February 2004

  In BCMCS, BCMCS distribution information that should originally flow (distributed) due to failure of AN, failure of PCF connected to AN, movement to BCMCS non-compliant AN by handoff that is not between PCFs, etc. It does not flow (cannot be distributed), it may flow due to an AN failure, a delay due to congestion on the network side to which the AN is connected, an error in setting the BCMCS distribution channel set in the BCMCS distribution information, etc. BCMCS distribution data that should be (distributed) may not flow (not be distributed) through the BCMCS channel.

  FIG. 8 is a time chart of the reception operation of the conventional wireless communication apparatus. In this case, BCMCS distribution information and BCMCS distribution data are not flowing (not distributed) in the band class BCI channels CHA and CHB, the band class BCII channel CHC, and the band class BCIII channel CHE, but the band class BCII BCMCS distribution information and BCMCS distribution data are flowing (distributed) on the channel CHD and the channel CHF of the band class BCIII.

  When a BCMCS standby channel is set for channel CHB, reception of BCMCS distribution data is waited from the distribution time of BCMCS distribution data until the reception processing timer expires. Therefore, an opportunity to receive BCMCS distribution data is missed even though BCMCS distribution data is flowing (distributed) in other band classes or other channels. As a result, it is necessary to acquire all BCMCS distribution data (for example, BCMCS distribution data acquired using channel CHD) using unicast.

  Since unicast performs one-to-one communication between AN and AT, one user occupies radio resources. The purpose of BCMCS is to distribute the same data to many users (destinations) using as few radio resources as possible. Therefore, it is desirable to receive BCMCS distribution data using BCMCS as much as possible, and it is necessary to effectively use radio resources by reducing reception of BCMCS distribution data by unicast as much as possible.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a radio communication apparatus and method capable of receiving BCMCS distribution data using BCMCS as much as possible, and effectively using radio resources by reducing reception of BCMCS distribution data by unicast as much as possible. It is to be.

A first wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention includes:
Receiving means for receiving data distributed by broadcast / multicast;
Storage means for storing a distribution time of data distributed by the broadcast / multicast;
If the receiving means cannot receive the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast on the set channel at the distribution time stored by the storage means, a channel different from the set channel is set and the broadcast is set. / The control means which controls to perform the reception operation | movement of the data delivered by multicast.

A second wireless communication device according to the present invention is:
The control means sets the different channel, and when the receiving means receives the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast, the control means determines data that has not been received from the received data. The data that cannot be received is acquired by unicast.

A third wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention includes:
Receiving means for receiving data distributed by broadcast / multicast;
Storage means for storing a distribution time of data distributed by the broadcast / multicast;
When the receiving unit cannot receive the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast at the distribution time stored by the storage unit, the band class different from the set band class is set. And control means for controlling to receive data distributed by the broadcast / multicast.

A fourth wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention includes:
The control means sets the different band class, and when the receiving means receives the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast, the control means determines data from which the distributed content has not been received. The data that cannot be received is obtained by unicast.

A first wireless communication method according to the present invention includes:
Set a predetermined channel to receive data distributed by broadcast / multicast,
If the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast cannot be received at the distribution time of the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast, a data different from the set channel is set, and the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast The receiving operation is performed.

A second wireless communication method according to the present invention includes:
When the different channel is set and data distributed by the broadcast / multicast is received, it is determined from the received data whether the distributed content has not been received, and the data that has not been received is unidirectionally received. It is obtained by casting.

A third wireless communication method according to the present invention includes:
Set a predetermined band class, perform the receiving operation of data distributed by broadcast / multicast,
If the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast cannot be received at the distribution time of the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast, a band class different from the set band class is set and distributed by the broadcast / multicast. The data receiving operation is performed.

A fourth wireless communication method according to the present invention includes:
When the different band class is set and data distributed by the broadcast / multicast is received, it is determined from the received data that the distributed content has not been received, and the data that has not been received Acquired by unicast.

  According to the present invention, a predetermined channel is set or a predetermined band class is set, a reception operation of data distributed by broadcast / multicast (BCMCS) is performed, and a distribution time of data distributed by broadcast / multicast In addition, when data distributed by broadcast / multicast cannot be received, a channel different from the set channel is set or a band class different from the set band class is set, and data distributed by broadcast / multicast is received. Perform the action. As a result, even if data distributed by broadcast / multicast does not flow through the set channel (not distributed by the set channel), it is possible to make a transition to the channel distributed by broadcast / multicast. Or, even when the data distributed by broadcast / multicast does not flow to the set band class (not distributed by the set band class), the transition to the band class distributed by broadcast / multicast is performed. be able to. As a result, data distributed by broadcast / multicast can be received using BCMCS as much as possible, and reception of data by unicast can be reduced as much as possible to effectively use radio resources.

A wireless communication apparatus and method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. The radio communication apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used as, for example, the AT of the mobile communication system shown in FIG. 1, and a plurality of band classes each having at least one channel (in this case, a band class BCI having channels CHA and CHB). , Band class BCII with channels CHC and CHD and band class BCIII with channels CHE and CHF).

  1 includes a communication unit 1 that receives BCMCS distribution information and BCMCS distribution data, a display unit 2 that displays the content of BCMCS distribution data received by the communication unit 1, and a distribution included in the BCMCS distribution information. A storage unit 3 that stores time and the like, an input unit 4 on which an input operation is performed by a user, a communication unit 1, a display unit 2, a storage unit 3, and a control unit 5 that controls the input unit 4 are provided.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the receiving operation of the first embodiment of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. This routine is started when the distribution time of BCMCS content, that is, BCMCS distribution data is reached. Then, it is determined whether or not the BCMCS distribution data can be received by the communication unit 1 during the standby period set in advance on the channel set by the control unit 5 (step S1). Such a standby period is set for each channel in consideration of the time difference (maximum delay value) between the wireless communication device and the base station in order to confirm the presence of BCMCS distribution data, for example. By setting the time from the delivery time to the transition between channels in consideration of the time difference between the wireless communication device and the base station, it is possible to accurately determine whether BCMCS delivery data exists in the channel or band class. Judgment can be made.

  If reception is possible, the control unit 5 controls the communication unit 1 to start reception of BCMCS distribution data, and ends this routine. On the other hand, if reception is not possible, it is determined whether a reception processing timer (not shown) has expired, that is, whether a predetermined time has elapsed from the BCMCS content distribution time (step S2). Note that the waiting period is set to be significantly shorter than the time from the delivery time until the reception processing timer expires.

  When the reception processing timer expires, the control unit 5 controls the communication unit 1 to end the BCMCS distribution data reception processing, and ends this routine. Therefore, the reception process is terminated when the reception process timer expires and the BCMCS distribution data is not successfully received. On the other hand, if the reception processing timer has not expired, it is determined whether a channel other than the channel set by the communication unit 1 is in the same band class (step S3).

  If another channel is in the same band class, another channel is set as a BCSCM standby channel in order to attempt to receive BCMCS distribution information and BCMCS distribution data, and the process returns to step S1. On the other hand, when another channel is not in the same band class, it transits to another band class (step S5), and it is determined whether or not a BCMCS standby channel exists in another band class (step S6). If there is a standby channel, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if there is no standby channel, the process returns to step S5.

  3 and 4 are time charts of the receiving operation of the wireless communication apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, BCMCS distribution information and BCMCS distribution data are not flowing (not distributed) in the band class BCI channels CHA and CHB, the band class BCII channel CHC, and the band class BCIII channel CHE. BCMCS distribution information and BCMCS distribution data flow (distributed) through the BCII channel CHD and the band class BCIII channel CHF.

  If a BCMCS standby channel is set for channel CHA and it is determined that the BCMCS distribution data cannot be received even at the distribution time, the BCMCS distribution data is distributed on another channel or band class after a preset standby period has elapsed. In order to confirm whether or not it has been changed, channel transition or band class transition is performed. In this case, first, channel transition from the channel CHA to the channel CHB is performed in the band class CHI. If it is determined that the expected BCMCS distribution data cannot be received on all the channels CHA and CHB in the band class CHI, a band transition from the band class CHI to the band class CHII is performed. During the band transition, the transition from the channel CHB of the band class CHI to the channel CHC of the band class CHII is performed. Thereafter, channel transition from channel CHC to channel CHD is performed in band class CHII.

  If the expected BCMCS distribution data can be received at the transition destination, the reception is continued as it is. Here, BCMCS distribution data can be received on channel CHD. Therefore, the amount of data to be acquired by unicast is the amount of data distributed from the distribution time to the start of reception on the channel CHD, and is greatly reduced compared to the data amount distributed from the distribution time to the end of distribution. To do.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where BCMCS distribution information exists in the channel CHA set as the BCMCS standby channel, but BCMCS distribution data does not flow (is not distributed) to the channel CHA even at the distribution time. Also in this case, as in FIG. 3, first, channel transition from channel CHA to channel CHB is performed in band class CHI, and then band transition from channel CHB in band class CHI to channel CHC in band class CHII is performed. Next, channel transition from channel CHC to channel CHD is performed in band class CHII.

Next, a second embodiment of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention will be described. The configuration of the wireless communication apparatus according to the second embodiment is the same as that shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the receiving operation of the second embodiment of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. This routine is started when the distribution time of BCMCS content, that is, BCMCS distribution data is reached. Then, it is determined whether the BCMCS distribution information can be received by the communication unit 1 during the standby period set in advance on the channel set by the control unit 5 (step S11).

  If the BCMCS distribution information can be received, it is determined whether or not the BCMCS distribution data can be received by the communication unit 1 through the channel set by the control unit 5 (step S12). On the other hand, if the BCMCS distribution information cannot be received, step S12 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S13.

  If the BCMCS distribution data can be received in step S12, the control unit 5 controls the communication unit 1 to start receiving the BCMCS distribution data, and ends this routine. On the other hand, when it cannot receive, it progresses to step S13. Steps S13 to S17 correspond to steps S2 to S6 in FIG.

  In this embodiment, the standby period is set to an initial value of zero, for example, taking into account the time difference (maximum delay value) between the wireless communication apparatus and the base station in order to confirm the presence of BCMCS distribution data. Updated in S12 and S15. Also, the waiting period is set to be significantly shorter than the time from the distribution time until the reception processing timer expires.

  FIG. 6 is a time chart of the second embodiment of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 6, as in FIG. 3, BCMCS distribution information and BCMCS distribution data do not flow (distributed) in the channel CHA and CHB of the band class BCI, the channel CHC of the band class BCII, and the channel CHE of the band class BCIII. However, BCMCS distribution information and BCMCS distribution data are flowing (distributed) in the channel CHD of the band class BCII and the channel CHF of the band class BCIII.

  When a BCMCS standby channel is set for channel CHA and it is determined that BCMCS distribution information does not flow (not distributed) to channel CHA, the channel CHB immediately transitions to channel CHA at the distribution time. As described above, when the BCMCS distribution information does not flow through the channel (not distributed), the channel CHA can be changed immediately without changing the channel CHA regardless of the presence of the BCMCS distribution information as in the first embodiment. The amount of data to be acquired by unicast is reduced compared to the case where a standby time is provided when transitioning from to CHB.

  Second reception of the embodiment of the wireless communication apparatus according to the present invention when BCMCS distribution information exists in channel CHA set as a BCMCS standby channel, but BCMCS distribution data does not flow to channel CHA even at the distribution time. When the operation is applied, the waiting time from the distribution time to the transition between the channels CHA-CHB takes into account the time difference (maximum delay) between the wireless communication device and the base station in order to confirm the existence of BCMCS distribution data. Therefore, a time chart similar to that in FIG. 4 is obtained.

  According to the first and second embodiments, when BCMCS distribution data cannot be received, channel transition is performed in the same band class, and it is determined that BCMCS data cannot be received in all channels of the same band class. Control is performed so as to transition to another band class, perform channel transition in the other band class, and perform a reception operation on a channel in which BCMCS distribution data is flowing (distributed). Thus, even when BCMCS distribution data is not flowing (not distributed) in the set channel, it is possible to make a transition to a channel where BCMCS distribution data is flowing (distributed). Can be received using BCMCS as much as possible.

  Further, since BCMCS distribution data can be acquired from the middle, it is sufficient to acquire it by unicast only during the period from the distribution time to the start of reception of BCMCS distribution data, leading to effective use of radio resources.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and many changes and modifications can be made.
For example, in the above embodiment, the case where both channel transition and band transition are performed has been described. However, the present invention can also be applied to a case where channel transition is performed in one band class, and each band class has one channel. The present invention can also be applied to the case where only the band class transition is performed.

1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a wireless communication device according to the present invention. It is a flowchart of the reception operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of the radio | wireless communication apparatus by this invention. It is a time chart of the reception operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of the radio | wireless communication apparatus by this invention. It is a time chart of the reception operation | movement of 1st Embodiment of the radio | wireless communication apparatus by this invention. It is a flowchart of reception operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment of the radio | wireless communication apparatus by this invention. It is a time chart of the reception operation | movement of 2nd Embodiment of the radio | wireless communication apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the mobile communication system in which 1xEV-DO is used. It is a time chart of the reception operation | movement of the conventional radio | wireless communication apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication part 2 Display part 3 Memory | storage part 4 Input part 5 Control part 10a, 10b Wireless communication terminal (AT)
21a, 22a, 23a, 21b Base station (AN)
30a, 30b Packet control device (PCF)

Claims (8)

Receiving means for receiving data distributed by broadcast / multicast;
Storage means for storing a distribution time of data distributed by the broadcast / multicast;
If the receiving means cannot receive the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast on the set channel at the distribution time stored by the storage means, a channel different from the set channel is set and the broadcast is set. A wireless communication apparatus comprising: control means for controlling to receive data distributed by multicast.   The control means sets the different channel, and when the receiving means receives the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast, the control means determines data that has not been received from the received data. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data that has not been received is acquired by unicast. Receiving means for receiving data distributed by broadcast / multicast;
Storage means for storing a distribution time of data distributed by the broadcast / multicast;
When the receiving unit cannot receive the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast at the distribution time stored by the storage unit, the band class different from the set band class is set. And a control means for controlling to receive data distributed by the broadcast / multicast.   The control means sets the different band class, and when the receiving means receives the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast, the control means determines data from which the distributed content has not been received. 4. The wireless communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the data that cannot be received is obtained by unicast. Set a predetermined channel to receive data distributed by broadcast / multicast,
If the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast cannot be received at the distribution time of the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast, a data different from the set channel is set, and the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast A wireless communication method characterized by performing a receiving operation.   When the different channel is set and data distributed by the broadcast / multicast is received, it is determined from the received data whether the distributed content has not been received, and the data that has not been received is unidirectionally received. The wireless communication method according to claim 5, wherein the wireless communication method is obtained by casting. Set a predetermined band class, perform the receiving operation of data distributed by broadcast / multicast,
If the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast cannot be received at the distribution time of the data distributed by the broadcast / multicast, a band class different from the set band class is set and distributed by the broadcast / multicast. A wireless communication method characterized by performing a data receiving operation.   When the different band class is set and data distributed by the broadcast / multicast is received, it is determined from the received data that the distributed content has not been received, and the data that has not been received The wireless communication method according to claim 7, wherein the wireless communication method is obtained by unicast.

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