COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT APPARATUS, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND STORAGE MEDIUM

To estimate the communication quality of the wireless section in real-time, it is provided a communication management apparatus that manages traffic of a wireless communication system that includes a wireless base station communicating with a terminal, and a gateway apparatus coupled to the wireless base station, the communication management apparatus comprising a processor that executes a program and a storage unit accessed by the processor. The communication management apparatus calculates an estimated value of wireless section throughput between the wireless base station and the terminal using communication quality information obtained from data sent and received by the gateway apparatus.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

The present application claims priority from Japanese patent application JP 2015-9153 filed on Jan. 21, 2015, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application.

BACKGROUND

The present invention is related to a communication management apparatus that manages the traffic of a wireless communication system.

A wireless communication system such as a cellular communication system includes a transaction management server (TMS) to monitor and control the traffic in the system. The transaction management server evaluates the congestion level of the base station.

The background arts of this technology include JP 2013-179415 A. JP 2013-179415 A describes a wireless communication system configured such that, when the waiting timer, which was activated after the data bearer was established, is up, if an audio bearer has been established, a base station eNB selects a target base station TeNB for a user equipment UE based on an audio congestion level, and notifies the user equipment. If the audio bearer has not been established, the base station eNB selects a target base station TeNB for the user equipment UE based on a data congestion level, and notifies the user equipment UE (See Abstract).

SUMMARY

Generally, in the wireless communication system, the wireless section throughput is the bottle neck, but it is difficult to directly measure the wireless section throughput in a short cycle. The transaction management server described above monitors the traffic of the base station at a short interval (10 seconds, for example) based on the number of terminals connected to each base station and the data amount transferred by each base station. When the number of terminals connected to each base station and the data amount transferred by each base station exceed predetermined thresholds, respectively, the transaction management server determines that the base station is in a congestion state. However, the load on each base station differs depending on the configuration thereof and usage environment, which makes it difficult to find out an appropriate threshold to judge the congestion level of each base station. To solve this, the congestion level of a base station needs to be determined by obtaining the wireless section throughput of each user in real-time (every several seconds to several tens of seconds) because the wireless section throughput is the indicator that is not affected by the configuration or usage environment of the base station.

If an indicator used to judge the congestion level of the base station differs from a reference indicator used to manage the traffic in the wireless communication system, the respective nodes possibly execute inconsistent controls. For example, in restricting a bandwidth used by a user, if the congestion level of the base station is judged based on the number of connected terminals instead of the user throughput, the bandwidth of the user might be restricted to 500 kbps regardless of the fact that the actual throughput of the user is 1000 kbps. For this reason, a technology that can control the traffic using a single reference indicator for the entire wireless communication system is sought after so that the inconsistent control within the wireless communication system can be prevented.

The representative one of inventions disclosed in this application is outlined as follows. There is provided a communication management apparatus that manages traffic of a wireless communication system that includes a wireless base station communicating with a terminal, and a gateway apparatus coupled to the wireless base station, the communication management apparatus comprising: a processor that executes a program; and a storage unit accessed by the processor. The communication management apparatus calculates an estimated value of wireless section throughput between the wireless base station and the terminal using communication quality information obtained from data sent and received by the gateway apparatus.

According to representative embodiments of the present invention, the communication quality (throughput) of the wireless section can be estimated in real-time. Objects, configurations, and effects other than those described above become apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF EMBODIMENTS

Note that while the following embodiments may be described when necessary in a manner where an embodiment is split into multiple sections or embodiments for the convenience of the description, unless specifically designated as such, they will be understood to complement, modify, relate in detail, and supplement one another.

Also, in the description of the embodiments below, it is understood that the number of each element, or the like (including the number of units, numerical values, quantity, scope, and the like) shall not, unless specified otherwise or clearly necessary in principle, be limited to the specific number used in the description, and they may be greater or smaller than those stated herein.

Further, it goes without saying that in the description of the embodiments below, each constituent element (including elements steps) is not necessarily essential unless specified otherwise or clearly necessary in principle.

In the embodiments herein, LTE which is standardized in 3GPP will be used as an example of a cellular communication system to illustrate a traffic management system configured to acquire the information of an application that caused signaling.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system of a first embodiment.

The wireless communication system of the first embodiment includes an eNodeB111as a base station device, an S-GW131and a P-GW133as gateway apparatuses, a DPI141as a packet analyzer, and a traffic management server143. The wireless communication system may also include a video compressor145. The eNodeB111is connected to a UE101, which is a user terminal.

The S-GW131has the user plane traffic transfer function. The P-GW133has an interface with a PDN134, which is a packet data network providing services to a user. The P-GW133may also include the PCEF (policy and charging enforcement function). The PCEF performs the policy control in accordance with predetermined policies. The S-GW131and the P-GW133are connected to each other, forming a core network (EPC)115.

The packet analyzer141is a device configured to obtain packets transferred through the network as well as the traffic or signaling exchanged between the eNodeB111and the S-GW131. The packet analyzer141sends the information of obtained traffic or signaling to the traffic management server143. Using the information provided by the packet analyzer141, the traffic management server143estimates the state of the traffic (congestion level, for example) of the wireless section between the eNodeB111and a terminal101.

The video compressor145controls the amount of video data sent to the UE101by changing the compression method or resolution of video sent from a video distribution server (not shown in the figure). In the figure, the video compressor145is disposed outside of the EPC115, but may alternatively be disposed inside of the EPC115.

A policy control device (PCRF: policy and charging rule function) may be provided between the traffic management server143and the P-GW133. The PCRF defines the policy for the P-GW133to control the traffic of the UE101based on the wireless section throughput, which was estimated by the traffic management server143.

In the present embodiment, the DPI141is provided for each S-GW131, and obtains the traffic transferred at reference points S1-U and S11. One DPI141may contain a plurality of S-GWs131, or a plurality of DPIs141may contain one S-GW131. The DPI141and the traffic management server143may be included in a single calculator.

FIG. 2is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the packet analyzer (DPI)141of the first embodiment.

The functions of the DPI141are stored in an auxiliary storage unit202of a general computer in the form of programs (software), and a CPU204loads the programs, which were read out from the auxiliary storage unit202, in a memory203and executes the programs. The DPI141obtains the traffic transferred at the respective reference points via a network I/F205. The DPI141communicates with the traffic management server143via the network I/F205. The memory203of the DPI141stores therein a user presence information updating process program211and a base station information updating process program212. The memory203of the DPI141further stores a user information management table221(seeFIG. 3), a base station information management table222(seeFIG. 4), and a session record management table223(seeFIG. 5).

The DPI141sends, to the traffic management server143, the generated user information management table221and base station information control table222.

The program to be executed by the CPU204is provided to the DPI141in a removable medium (such as CD-ROM or flash memory) or through a network, and is stored in the auxiliary storage unit202, which is a non-transitory storage medium. Thus, it is preferable that the DPI141has an interface that reads out data from the removable medium.

The DPI141is a computer system which may be made up of one computer physically or a plurality of computers physically or theoretically, and the above-mentioned programs may operate on separated threads on the same computer, or operate on a virtual computer built on a plurality of physical computer resources.

The features of the DPI141of the first embodiment can be summarized as follows. The DPI141obtains the signaling traffic input to and output from the S-GW131through the S11 interface as well as the user traffic transferred through the S1-U interface, sorts out the user traffic for each UE101and each session, updates the user information management table221and the base station information management table222, and sends out the updated user information and base station information to the traffic management server143.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the user information management table221of the first embodiment.

The user information management table221contains the information of each UE101connected to the wireless communication system. Specifically, the user information management table221includes IMSI2211provided for identifying each UE101, identification information (ECGI, for example)2212for identifying a eNodeB111containing the UE101, identification information (F-TEID)2213for identifying each S11 interface, identification information (F-TEID)2214for identifying each S1-U interface, and identification information2215of application programs used by the UE101. F-TEIDs2213and2214include TEID, which an identifier for IP address and tunnel.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the base station information management table222of the first embodiment.

The base station information management table222contains the information of each eNodeB111in the wireless communication system. Specifically, the base station information management table222contains the information of respective eNodeBs111constituting the wireless communication system. Specifically, the base station information management table222includes identification information (ECGI, for example)2221provided for identifying each eNodeB111, statistical information2222of the eNodeB111, and communication quality information2223of the eNodeB111.

The statistical information2222includes the number of UE101connected to the eNodeB111, and the up and down data transfer amounts (byte counts, for example) transferred by the eNodeB111during a predetermined period of time. The communication quality information2223includes the quality value and the number of samples used in measuring the quality value. The quality value includes throughput (bps) and RTT. If the quality value is throughput, the number of samples is the number of sessions used to measure the throughput. Examples of RTT as the quality value include a ratio of sessions not exceeding a predetermined value (50 msec, for example), and statistical values such as an average value.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the session record management table223of the first embodiment.

The session record management table223contains the information regarding ongoing sessions. Specifically, the session record management table223includes identification information (IMSI, for example)2231for a UE101, identification information2232for a eNodeB111containing the UE101, session information2233for a session involving the UE101, and the statistical information2234of the session.

The session information2233includes start and end times of the session, and the initial direction of the communication. The initial direction of the communication is either from the UE or from the server, and is determined based on the originator of the packets initially received in the session. The session information2233also includes information for identifying a session such as the port number of the UE, IP address of the server, the port number of the server, the host name and the HTTP method. The session information903also includes identification information for an application that uses this session. The statistical information2234includes up and down transfer byte counts, up and down transfer packet counts, and communication quality (such as throughput and RAN RTT).

FIG. 6is a flowchart of the user presence information update process of the first embodiment. In a case of receiving a message from the S11 interface, the user presence information updating process program211performs the user presence information updating process, thereby updating the user information management table221.

First, the CPU204of the DPI141determines the type of the message received through the S11 interface. If the received message is a Create Session Request Message, this means that a new UE101is connected to the eNodeB111, and the process moves to Step602. If the received message is a Modify Bearer Request Message, this means that a UE101is switched to another eNodeB111(hand-over, for example), and the process moves to Step611. If the received message is neither of the two, the user presence information updating process is ended.

In Step602, the CPU204extracts IMSI, ECGI, S11 F-TEID, and S1-U F-TEID from the received Create Session Request Message. Then in Step603, the CPU204creates a new user entry in the user information management table221, and IMSI, ECGI, S11 F-TEID, and S1-U F-TEID are stored in the user information management table221.

On the other hand, in Step611, the CPU204extracts ECGI, S11, and F-TEID from the received Modify Bearer Request Message. In Step612, among the existing user entries in the user information management table221, the CPU204updates ECGI of each entry with a matching S11 F-TEID.

FIG. 7is a flowchart of the base station information updating process of the first embodiment. When receiving a message through the S1-U interface, the base station information updating process program212performs the base station information updating process, and updates the base station information management table222and the session record management table223.

First, the CPU204of the DPI141updates the basic statistical information2222of the base station information management table222based on the message received through the S1-U interface (701). For example, the DPI141extracts TEID from the user traffic of the S1-U interface, and when detecting a connection of a new UE101, increases the number of connected UE. When detecting a disconnection of a UE101, the DPI141reduces the number of connected UE. DPI141counts the data amount transferred by the S-GW131through the S1-U interface.

The CPU204updates the session record management table223based on the message received through the S1-U interface (711). The process to update the session record management table223will be explained below in detail with reference toFIG. 8.

The CPU204then determines whether the measurement of the quality information has been completed or not (712), and if the measurement of the quality information has been completed, the DPI141updates the communication quality information2223of the base station information management table222(713).

Next, the CPU204determines whether the application program used by the UE101has been recognized or not, or whether the session has been ended or not (714), and if the application program has been recognized or the session has been ended, the DPI141updates the application in use2214of the user information management table221.

FIG. 8is a flowchart of the session record updating process of the first embodiment.

First, the CPU204of the DPI141refers to the user information management table221, and identifies the UE101(IMIS, for example) based on the TEID extracted from the user traffic of the S1-U interface (801).

Then the CPU204searches for a session record using the identified IMSI and 5 tulple (sender IP address, recipient IP address, sender port number, recipient IP port number, and protocol type) extracted from the user traffic of the S1-U interface (802).

If the user traffic obtained through the S1-U interface is for a new session (YES in803), the CPU204registers the new session in the session record management table223(804). On the other hand, if the user traffic obtained through the S1-U interface is for the existing session (NO in803), the CPU204updates the session record management table223using the information of the user traffic (805).

Thereafter, the CPU204determines whether the user traffic obtained through S1-U interface includes the information of HTTP method or not (806). If the user traffic includes the HTTP method information, the CPU204updates the HTTP method field of the session record management table223(807).

Next, the CPU204determines whether the application program for the user traffic obtained through the S1-U interface has been recognized or not (808). If the application program has not been recognized, the CPU204performs an application recognition process for recognizing the application program for the user traffic (809).

The CPU204then determines whether the communication quality of the user traffic obtained through the S1-U interface is to be measured or not (810). If the communication quality of the user traffic is to be measured, the CPU204measures the communication quality, and updates the communication quality field of the session record management table223(811).

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating a communication quality measurement timings of the first embodiment.

The communication quality measured in the present invention is measured typically with the following four measurement methods after obtaining the packet transferred between the UE101and the server on the PDN134at a packet obtaining point on the network:

1. RAN RTT measurement using SYN packet (901)

Time difference between the SYN+Ack packet and corresponding Ack packet;

2. RAN RTT measurement using data packet (902)

Time difference between the Data packet and corresponding Ack packet;

Time difference between the Request packet and corresponding HTTP response packet; and

Time difference between the SYN packet and corresponding Fin packet.

Although not shown in the figure, it is also possible to measure the throughput every time a predetermined data transfer amount is reached (100 kb, for example).

FIG. 10is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the traffic management server143of the first embodiment.

The functions of the traffic management server143are stored in an auxiliary storage unit202of a general computer in the form of programs (software), and the CPU204loads the programs, which are read out from the auxiliary storage unit202, in a memory and executes the programs. The traffic management server143communicates with the DPI141through the network I/F205. The memory203of the traffic management server143stores therein a wireless section throughput estimation program1011and a traffic control instruction management program1012. The memory203of the traffic management server143also stores therein a base station communication quality management table1021(seeFIG. 11) and a traffic control instruction management table1022(seeFIG. 12).

The programs to be executed by the CPU204are provided to the traffic management server143in a removable medium (such as CD-ROM or flash memory) or through network, and are stored in the auxiliary storage unit202, which is a non-transitory storage medium. Thus, it is preferable that the traffic management server143has an interface that reads out data from the removable medium.

The traffic management server143is a computer system made up of one computer physically or a plurality of computers physically or theoretically, and the above-mentioned programs may operate on separated threads on the same computer, or operate on a virtual computer built on a plurality of physical computer resources.

The features of the traffic management server143of the first embodiment can be summarized as follows. The traffic management server143obtains the user information and base station information from the DPI141, and sends a traffic control instruction to the P-GW133or the video compressor145based on the obtained user information and base station information.

FIG. 11is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the base station communication quality management table1021of the first embodiment.

The base station communication quality management table1021is a table for recording the estimation results of the communication quality of each UE101. Specifically, the base station communication quality management table1021includes identification information (ECGI, for example)10211provided for identifying each eNodeB111, statistical information10212obtained from the DPI141, and communication quality information10213of the eNodeB111.

The statistical information10212is the same as the statistical information2222of the base station information management table222, and includes the number of UE101connected to the eNodeB111, and the up and down data transfer amounts (byte counts, for example) transferred by the eNodeB111during a predetermined period of time. The communication quality information10213includes quality values and estimated values of the wireless section throughput. The quality values are the same as the quality values of the communication quality information2223of the base station information management table222(HTTP session throughput, TCP session throughput, and RAN RTT). The estimated values of the wireless section throughput are calculated by the CPU204of the traffic management server143in the method described below.

First, the wireless section throughput can be estimated based on the HTTP session throughput using Formula (1).

Coefficient=exp(β0+β1×http_throughput+β2×transfer byte count+β3× the number of connected UE)

By using the HTTP session throughput for the communication quality information, even when the sub-layer is not available, the wireless section throughput can be estimated using the application layer session.

Alternatively, the wireless section throughput can be estimated based on the TCP session throughput using Formula (2).

Coefficient=exp(β0+β1×tcp_throughput+β2×transfer byte count+β3× the number of connected UE)

By using the TCP session throughput for the communication quality information, the wireless section throughput can be estimated using the communication information of a wide variety of protocols of the upper layers. The wireless section throughput can also be estimated based on RTT using Formula (3).

By using RAN RTT of the wireless section for the communication quality information, the wireless section throughput can be estimated with ease.

Parameters0 to3 in Formulae (1) to (3) are predetermined parameters, and may be constants defined by the user, or may be determined based on the statistical information of the communication quality as described in a second embodiment below. The parameters0 to3 may be the common values within the wireless communication system, or may differ depending on the type of eNodeB111(the number of sectors, for example), or differ among respective eNodeBs111.

The estimated value of the wireless section throughput may be calculated by one of the above-described methods, which was selected by the user or selected for having fewest errors, or may be a value obtained by performing a statistical process on the estimated values calculated by a plurality of methods.

FIG. 12is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the traffic control instruction management table1022of the first embodiment.

The traffic control instruction management table1022has stored therein the content of traffic control instructions given by the traffic management server143to the P-GW133or the video compressor145. Specifically, the traffic control instruction management table1022includes identification information (IMSI, for example)10221for identifying each UE101, identification information10222for the application program used by the UE101, identification information (ECGI, for example)10223for identifying each eNodeB111, the wireless section throughput estimated value10224between the UE101and the eNodeB111, and the traffic control status10225of the UE101.

The identification information10222of the application program indicates the application program identified based on the message received by the DPI141through the S1-U interface and recorded in the user information management table221. The throughput estimated value10224is a value calculated by the traffic management server143and recorded in the base station communication quality management table1021.

FIG. 13is a flowchart of the traffic control instruction management process of the first embodiment.

When the traffic control instruction management table1022is to be updated (specifically, in a case where the user information and/or base station information is received from the DPI131), the traffic control instruction management program1012performs the traffic control instruction management process, and updates the traffic control instruction management table1022. The traffic control instruction management program1012may also perform the traffic control instruction management process at a predetermined timing (at a predetermined interval, for example).

First, the CPU204of the traffic management server143updates the application program identification information10222and base station ID10223of the traffic control instruction management table1022using the user information received by the DPI131(1301). Then, using the base station information received by the DPI141, the CPU204updates the wireless section throughput estimated value10224of the traffic control instruction management table1022(1302).

Thereafter, for each UE101, Steps1303and1304are repeated. In the loop, the CPU204determines whether the control bandwidth needs to be updated or not based on the following conditions (1303).

The thresholds 1 and 2 in Conditions 1 and 2 are values for defining the range to update the control bandwidth, and may be freely set by the user.

In a case where one of Conditions 1 and 2 is met, the CPU204updates the applicable control bandwidth to the throughput estimated value× a in Step1304. “a” is a coefficient indicating a margin of the control bandwidth from the throughput estimated value.

After the throughput estimated value updating process is completed for all of the UEs101, the CPU204sends entries with updated control bandwidth to the control apparatus (such as PCRF or PCEF in the P-GW133, or the video compressor145) in Step1305.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to estimate the communication quality (throughput) of the wireless section provided by the eNodeB111in real-time, using a message sent and received by the S-GW131through the S11 interface and the packets sent and received through the S1-U interface.

In the conventional configuration, the wireless section communication quality of the eNodeB111was measured with a long cycle (every 15 minutes, for example), and was not appropriate for a bandwidth control at a shorter cycle (several seconds to several tens of seconds). On the other hand, in the first embodiment, the wireless section communication quality can be estimated for each eNodeB111without delay regardless of the difference in performance due to the type of eNodeB111(such as the number of sectors or bandwidth), and it is possible to detect congestion in each eNodeB111without delay. It is also possible to perform the bandwidth control for each terminal based on the wireless communication quality. Furthermore, the video compressor145can control the amount of video data sent to the UE101by changing the compression method or resolution of a video depending on the wireless communication quality.

In particular, in the first embodiment, it is possible to estimate the wireless section throughput of each user for each eNodeB111in such a manner that the throughput is not affected by the difference in performance due to the type of eNodeB111(such as the number of sectors or bandwidth).

Because the traffic can be controlled using a single reference indicator throughout the wireless communication system, it is possible to prevent the control from being inconsistent within the same system.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 14 to 19. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the wireless communication system has a parameter server146. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment only will be explained. The same configurations and processes as those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference characters, and the descriptions thereof are omitted. In the first embodiment, the parameters0 to3, which are used to estimate the wireless section throughput, were constants set by the user, but in the second embodiment, the parameters are defined based on the statistical information of the past communication quality. In the throughput estimating method of the first embodiment, the parameters0 to3 were freely set by the user, which possibly reduces the accuracy in estimating the wireless section throughput, but in the second embodiment, the throughput estimation accuracy is improved.

FIG. 14is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system of the second embodiment.

The wireless communication system of the second embodiment includes a eNodeB111as a base station device, an S-GW131and a P-GW133as gateway apparatuses, an MME132as a communication control device, an EMS server135, DPI141as a packet analyzer, a traffic management server143, and a parameter server146. The eNodeB111is connected to a UE101, which is a user terminal. Although not shown inFIG. 14, the wireless communication system of the second embodiment may have a video compressor145.

The MME132is a device to control the mobility of the UE101, and sends and receives signaling of control plane. The EMS server135is an element management system that manages the respective nodes involved in the wireless communication system. Specifically, the EMS server135collects the statistical information of each node (such as the amount of data transferred by the eNodeB111and wireless section throughput measured by the eNodeB111).

The parameter server146calculates parameters0 to3, which are used to estimate the wireless section throughput, using the PM statistics (statistical information measured by the eNodeB111) obtained from the EMS server135and DPI statistics (statistical values of the message sent and received by the S11 interface and the message sent and received by the S1-U interface), and outputs the parameters to the traffic management server143. The traffic management server143calculates estimated values of the wireless section throughput, using the parameters0 to3 calculated by the parameter server146.

FIG. 15is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the parameter server146of the second embodiment.

The functions of the parameter server146are stored in an auxiliary storage unit202of a general computer in the form of a program (software), and the CPU204opens the program, which is read out from the auxiliary storage unit202, in a memory and executes the program. The parameter server146communicates with the EMS server135, DPI141, and traffic management server143through the network I/F205. The memory203of the parameter server146stores therein parameters for estimating wireless section throughput generation program1511. The memory203of the parameter server146has stored therein a calculated parameter management table1521(seeFIG. 16), a PM statistics management table1522(seeFIG. 17), and a DPI statistics management table1523(seeFIG. 18).

The program to be executed by the CPU204is provided to the parameter server146in a removable medium (such as CD-ROM or flash memory) or through network, and is stored in the auxiliary storage unit202, which is a non-transitory storage medium. Thus, it is preferable that the parameter server146have an interface that reads out data from the removable medium.

The parameter server146is a computer system made up of one computer physically or a plurality of computers physically or theoretically, and the above-mentioned program may operate on separated threads on the same computer, or operate on a virtual computer built on a plurality of physical computer resources.

The features of the parameter server146of the second embodiment can be summarized as follows. That is, the parameter server146calculates parameters0 to3, which are used to estimate the wireless section throughput, using the measured value of the communication quality information of the eNodeB111obtained from the EMS server135(such as the wireless section throughput) and the communication quality information (such as the number of connected UE and the amount of data transferred) obtained from the DPI141, and outputs those parameters to the traffic management server143.

FIG. 16is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the calculated parameter management table1521of the second embodiment.

The calculated parameter management table1521is a table for recording parameters0 to3 calculated by the parameter server146. Specifically, the calculated parameter management table1521includes identification information (ECGI, for example)15211provided for identifying each eNodeB111, the type of the eNodeB15212, and the calculated parameters15213.

The eNodeB type15212is the number of sectors implemented in the eNodeB11, the bandwidth, and the like. The parameter15213includes0,1,2, and3.

The calculated parameter management table1521shown in the figure includes both the eNodeB identification information15211and the eNodeB type15212, but the calculated parameter management table1521may alternatively include either one of the eNodeB identification information15211and the eNodeB type15212. In a case where the table includes the eNodeB identification information15211only, the parameters15213are calculated for each eNodeB. In a case where the table includes the eNodeB type15212only, the parameters15213are calculated for each eNodeB type.

FIG. 17is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the PM statistics management table1522of the second embodiment.

The PM statistics management table1522is a table for recording the information of each eNodeB111obtained from the EMS server135. Specifically, the PM statistics management table1522includes identification information (ECGI, for example)15221provided for identifying each eNodeB111, the measurement period15222of the wireless section throughput, and the wireless section throughput15223.

The throughput15223is the wireless section throughput actually measured in the eNodeB111. The measurement period15222is a length of time during which the wireless section throughput15223was measured in the eNodeB111.

FIG. 18is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the DPI statistics management table1523of the second embodiment.

The DPI statistics management table1523is a table for recording the information of each eNodeB111obtained from the DPI141. Specifically, the DPI statistics management table1523includes identification information (ECGI, for example)15231provided for identifying each eNodeB111, the measurement period15232of the basic statistical information and communication quality information, statistical information15233of the eNodeB111, and communication quality information15234of the eNodeB111.

In a case where the parameter server146obtains information of a eNodeB111from the DPI141at a regular interval, the regular interval is recorded in the measurement period15232. The statistical information15233includes the number of UE101connected to the eNodeB111, and the up and down data transfer amounts (byte counts, for example) transferred by the eNodeB111during a predetermined period of time. The communication quality information15234includes the quality value and the number of samples used in measuring the quality value. The quality value includes throughput (bps) and RTT. If the quality value is throughput, the number of samples is the number of sessions used to measure the throughput. Examples of RTT as the quality value include a ratio of sessions not exceeding a predetermined value (50 msec, for example), and statistical values such as an average value.

FIG. 19is a flowchart of the process to generate parameters for estimating the wireless section throughput of the second embodiment.

The parameters for estimating the wireless section throughput generation program1511performs a process to generate parameters for estimating the wireless section throughput at a predetermined timing (such as at a regular interval or at a timing selected by the user), and updates the calculated parameter management table1521. The parameters for estimating the wireless section throughput generation program1511may also perform the process to generate parameters for estimating the wireless section throughput when the PM statistics management table1522and/or the DPI statistics management table1523is updated.

First, the CPU204of the parameter server146obtains the period T used for calculating parameters (1901). The period T may be selected by the user or may be an interval at which the process to generate parameters for estimating the wireless section throughput is performed (predetermined interval).

Next, the CPU204obtains a list of base stations for which the parameters are to be calculated. The list of base stations can be obtained from the base station ID15231of the DPI statistics management table1523, or from the server that controls eNodeBs111(such as the EMS server135), for example.

Then, the CPU204selects one eNodeB11from the list of base stations, and repeats the following steps1903to1907.

In Step1903, the CPU204obtains PM statistics and DPI statistics that have Xi for the base station ID and that are included in the measurement period T from the PM statistics management table1522and the DPI statistics management table1523, respectively. Then using the base station ID and measurement period, PM statistics and DPI statistics are associated with each other (1904). Thereafter, the PM statistics and DPI statistics are subjected to a filtering process (1905). In the filtering process, statistics with the sample number being smaller than a predetermined threshold and statistics with the connected user number being smaller than a predetermined threshold are eliminated, so that the variations in the parameters due to abnormal values can be suppressed.

Then with the maximum likelihood estimate with the wireless section throughput being the response variable and the basic statistical information and communication quality information being the explanatory variables, the parameters are calculated (1906), and the calculated parameters are recorded in the calculated parameter management table1521(1907).

After the parameter calculation is completed for all eNodeBs111, the CPU204outputs the calculated parameters to the traffic management server143(1908).

Alternatively, common parameters0 to3 may be calculated for the entire wireless communication system instead of performing the same process repeatedly for the respective eNodeBs111. It is also possible to obtain different parameters0 to3 for the respective types of eNodeB111by repeating the process for the respective types of eNodeB111(such as the sector number).

As described above, in the second embodiment, the parameter server146calculates parameters0 to3, which are to be used for estimating the wireless section throughput, using the PM statistics obtained from the EMS server135and the DPI statistics obtained from the DPI141. Because it is possible to take into consideration the difference due to the installation environment of the eNodeB111(whether UEs101are concentrated at the cell edge or at the cell center, and the like) in calculating the estimated value of the throughput, it is possible to calculate the throughput more accurately. As a result, more appropriate bandwidth control is achieved.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference toFIGS. 20 to 23. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the wireless communication system has a filter server147. In the third embodiment, differences from the respective embodiments above only will be explained. The same configurations and processes as those of the first and second embodiments will be given the same reference characters, and the descriptions thereof are omitted. In the third embodiment, a filter that extracts the communication quality having a greater correlation with the wireless section throughput is generated, and the wireless section throughput is estimated using the communication quality selected by the generated filter. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy in estimating the communication quality.

FIG. 20is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a wireless communication system of the third embodiment.

The wireless communication system of the third embodiment includes a eNodeB111as a base station device, an S-GW131and a P-GW133as gateway apparatuses, an MME132as a communication management device, an EMS server135, a DPI141as a packet analyzer, a traffic management server143, and a filter server147. The eNodeB111is connected to a UE101, which is a user terminal. Although not shown inFIG. 20, the wireless communication system of the third embodiment may also include a video compressor145.

The filter server147generates a filter for selecting communication quality information, using the PM statistics from the EMS server135and the session log information from the S-GW131, and outputs the filter to the DPI141. The DPI141selects session information using the filter obtained from the filter server147, and measures the communication quality.

FIG. 21is a diagram illustrating a configuration of the filter server147of the third embodiment.

The functions of the filter server147are stored in an auxiliary storage unit202of a general computer in the form of a program (software), and the CPU204loads the program, which is read out from the auxiliary storage unit202, in a memory and executes the program. The filter server147communicates with the EMS server135and the DPI141via the network I/F205. The memory203of the filter server147stores therein a filter generation program2111. The memory203of the filter server147has stored therein a generated filter management table2121(seeFIG. 22), a PM statistics management table2122, and a DPI session log management table2123.

The PM statistics management table2122is the same as the PM statistics management table1522of the parameter server146of the second embodiment. The DPI session log management table2123is the same as the session record management table223of the DPI141.

The program to be executed by the CPU204is provided to the filter server147in a removable medium (such as CD-ROM or flash memory) or through network, and is stored in the auxiliary storage unit202, which is a non-transitory storage medium. Thus, it is preferable that the filter server147have an interface that reads out data from the removable medium.

The filter server147is a computer system made up of one computer physically or a plurality of computers physically or theoretically, and the above-mentioned program may operate on separated threads on the same computer, or operate on a virtual computer built on a plurality of physical computer resources.

The features of the parameter server147of the third embodiment can be summarized as follows. That is, the filter server147generates a filter for selecting the communication quality information, using the measured value of the communication quality information of the eNodeB111obtained from the EMS server135(wireless section throughput, for example), and the session log information obtained from the DPI141.

FIG. 22is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of the generated filter management table2121of the third embodiment.

The generated filter management table2121is a table for recording filters generated by the filter server147. Specifically, the generated filter management table2121includes server information21211for identifying each server that terminates a session, the host name21212for the server, the HTTP method21213for the session, identification information21214for identifying the application program for the session, and the data amount21215transferred in the session.

The server information21211includes IP address and port number of a server at which the session is terminated. Under the data amount21215, the range or lower limit value of the amount of data transferred in each session is recorded.

FIG. 23is a flowchart of the filter generation process of the third embodiment.

First, the CPU204of the filter server147obtains a period T required for parameter calculation, and obtains at least one item i included in the filtering conditions (2301). The period T may be selected by the user or may be an interval at which the process to generate parameters for estimating the wireless section throughput is performed (predetermined interval). The items in the filtering conditions may be set by the user.

The CPU204counts the number of sessions having the value of the items i matching the filtering condition, and when the number of session is at least a predetermined number, the value of the item i is set to the filter candidate. In this way, a group of filter candidates is generated (2302). By excluding the filtering process having a small number of sessions, the filtering conditions that result in effective statistical values can be selected. Also, by reducing the number of filters to be generated, the load on DPI141due to the filtering process can be mitigated.

Thereafter, one filter candidate Fi is selected from the group of filter candidates, and Steps2303to2307are repeated for each filter candidate Fi. In Step2303, a representative value of the communication quality values is calculated from the session records that meet the conditions of the filter candidate Fi for each combination of the base station ID and measurement period T (2303). The representative value is a value obtained by statistically processing the communication quality values during the measurement period, and the average value or median value can be used, for example.

Thereafter, using the base station ID and measurement period, the PM statistics (measured value of the wireless section throughput) and the representative value of the communication quality value are associated with each other (2304).

Next, the correlation coefficient between the measured value of the wireless section throughput and the representative value of the communication quality value is calculated (2305), and the correlation coefficient is then compared with a predetermined threshold (2306). If the correlation coefficient is at least the predetermined threshold, the conditions of the filter candidate Fi are correlated to the throughput value, and the filter candidate Fi is considered an effective filter. Thus, the filter candidate Fi is recorded in the generated filter management table2121(2307).

After the correlation with the measured value of the wireless section throughput is determined for all filter candidates Fi, the generated filtering conditions are output to the DPI141(2308).

The DPI141adds, to the base station information management table222, the communication quality measured using a session fulfilling the filtering conditions received in Step713of the base station information updating process (FIG. 7). The base station management table222may be a single common table for all of the filtering conditions, or a plurality of tables may be provided for the respective filtering conditions. Because the respective filtering conditions have different levels of effects on the traffic management, if a different table is provided for each filtering condition, a wide range of traffic management can be achieved.

As described above, in the third embodiment, a filter that extracts the communication quality having a greater correlation with the measured value of the wireless section throughput is generated, and the wireless section throughput is estimated using the communication quality selected by the generated filter. This makes it possible to improve the accuracy in estimating the wireless throughput.

By using the TCP session throughput for the communication quality information, the wireless section throughput can be estimated using the communication information of a wide variety of protocols. Thus, it is desirable to calculate the wireless section throughput estimated value by selecting a session having a greater correlation with the wireless section throughput using a filter. For example, a session with a large transfer data amount such as file download is suitably used for estimating the wireless section throughput, but if TCP session throughput is used, the information of a session with a small transfer data amount would also be used. With the third embodiment, the communication quality information used to estimate the wireless section throughput can be selected by a filter. Also, sessions by an application that controls throughput in the application layer can be excluded in estimating the wireless section throughput.

This invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments but includes various modifications. The above-described embodiments are explained in details for better understanding of this invention and are not limited to those including all the configurations described above. A part of the configuration of one embodiment may be replaced with that of another embodiment; the configuration of one embodiment may be incorporated to the configuration of another embodiment. A part of the configuration of each embodiment may be added, deleted, or replaced by that of a different configuration.

The above-described configurations, functions, processing modules, and processing means, for all or a part of them, may be implemented by hardware: for example, by designing an integrated circuit, and may be implemented by software, which means that a processor interprets and executes programs providing the functions.

The information of programs, tables, and files to implement the functions may be stored in a storage device such as a memory, a hard disk drive, or an SSD (a Solid State Drive), or a storage medium such as an IC card, or an SD card.

The drawings illustrate control lines and information lines as considered necessary for explanation but do not illustrate all control lines or information lines in the products. It can be considered that almost of all components are actually interconnected.