An inter-zone connection communication method and system

Abstract: An inter-zone connection communication method for carrying out general connection communication and inter-zone connection communication at the same time, using general connection channels (G1) for the general connection communication between connection stations (11, 12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18a), and using inter-zone connection channels (Z1) which are used for the inter-zone connection communication between a connection station (12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18a) and another connection station (22) in another relay station (28a), comprising a step of carrying out line control by changing an assignment ratio of the general connection channels (G1) to the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) according to respective traffic quantities of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication.

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention relates to an inter-zone connection communication system which, for example, carries out communication connection of intra-zones and inter-zones of a mobile radio communication system. Description of the Prior Art FIG. 15A, 15B show block diagrams of a construction of a communication system in a conventional large zone system described in the paper "The Technical Development Report of The inter-zone connection in a MCA System", the Foundation of Tokai Mobile Radio Center, September, 1994. FIG. 15B shows a block diagram of a construction of channels and reservation queues. The communication system comprises a general connection mobile station 11 which is a connection station, an inter-zone connection mobile station 12 which is the other connection station and a line control unit 18. The line control unit 18 is arranged in a relay station and comprises a general connection receiver/transmitter 13, an inter-zone connection receiver/transmitter 14, an inter-zone interface apparatus 15. The communication system further comprises a communication region 19 of this system. The general connection receiver/transmitter 13 comprises a general connection channel 31 and a general connection reservation queue 33. The inter-zone connection receiver/transmitter 14 comprises an inter-zone connection channel 32 and an inter-zone connection reservation queue 34. The number of channels and the number of reservation queues are kept constant. The communication system in FIG. 15A further comprises a general connection mobile station 21, an inter-zone connection mobile station 22 and a line . control unit 28. The line control unit 28 is arranged in the relay station and comprises a general connection receiver/transmitter 23, an inter-zone connection receiver/transmitter 24 and an inter-zone interface apparatus 25. The communication system further comprises a communication region 29 of this system. Further, the general connection receiver/transmitter 23 comprises a general connection channel 41 and a general connection reservation queue 43. The inter-zone connection receiver/transmitter 24 comprises an inter-zone connection channel 42 and an inter-zone connection reservation queue 44. The number of channels and the number of reservation queues are kept constant. An operation of the system is explained below using FIG. 15A, 15B. The general connection receiver/transmitter 13 assigns a channel to the general connection mobile station 11, thereby the general connection communication can be carried out separately from the inter-zone connection communication. The inter-zone connection receiver/transmitter 14 assigns a channel to the inter-zone connection mobile station 12, thereby the inter-zone connection is carries out. When arranging this inter-zone connection call, a series of operations are carried out as follows: the inter-zone interface apparatus 15 in the line control unit 18 is connected to the inter-zone interface apparatus 25 in the line control unit 28, and then the inter-zone connection receiver/transmitter 24 assigns a channel to the inter-zone connection mobile station 22. The general connection receiver/transmitter 23 assigns a channel to the general connection mobile station 21, thereby the general connection communication is carried out separately from the inter-zone connection communication. With regard to a channel assignment in the intra-communication region 19, the general connection channel 31 and the inter-zone connection channel 32 are independent to each other. Therefore, channel assignment can be carried out using the general connection channel 31 and the inter-zone connection channel 32. When channels are fully occupied, new requests for connection are preserved temporally in the general connection reservation queue 33 and the inter-zone connection reservation queue 34, which are independently equipped. The same operation is also carried out in the line control unit 28. Since a conventional MCA (Multi-Channel Access) communication system is constructed as described above, a general connection communication and an inter-zone connection communication are assigned to separate channels and reservation queues independently. Therefore, it is difficult to assign calls to each empty channels effectively when imbalance is occurred between the general connection traffic density and the inter-zone connection traffic density. It is an object of the present invention to eliminate an inconvenience of the conventional art, and to provide an inter-zone connection communication method for assigning channels and reservation queues which have possibility of a general connection communication and an inter-zone connection communication, according to the traffic density which indicates an index of traffic congestion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an inter-zone connection communication method for carrying out general connection communication and an inter-zone connection communication at the same time using general connection channels for the general connection communication between connection stations in a radio communication area of one relay station, and using inter-zone connection channels for the inter-zone connection communication between a connection station in a radio communication area of one relay station and another connection station in another relay station, characterised in that the method comprises carrying out line control by changing an assignment ratio between the general connection channels and the inter-zone connection channels according to respective traffic quantities of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication. According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an inter-zone connection communication method for carrying out a general connection communication and an inter-zone connection communication at the same time using general connection channels for the general connection communication between connection stations in a radio communication area of one relay station, and using inter-zone connection channels for the inter-zone connection communication between a connection station in a radio communication area of one relay station and another connection station in another relay station, characterised in that the method comprises carrying out line control by changing an assignment ratio between general connection reservation queues, for storing reservations when the general connection channels are fully occupied, and inter-zone connection reservation queues, for storing reservations when the inter-zone connection channels are fully occupied, according to respective traffic quantities of the general connection communication and the inter-zone communication. Preferably, the general connection reservation queues are used. to store reservations when the general connection channels are fully occupied, and in that inter-zone connection reservation queues are used to store reservations when the inter-zone connection channels are fully occupied; an assignment ratio between the general connection reservation queues and the inter-zone connection reservation queues, and an assignment ratio between the general connection channels and the inter-zone connection channels being changed at the same time according to the respective traffic quantities of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication. Preferably also, in the inter-zone connection communication method, the respective traffic quantities are traffic densities of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication, respectively. Preferably also, the respective traffic quantities are reservation quantities of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication, respectively. Preferably also, more channels of the general connection channels or of the inter-zone connection channels are assigned to a communication area when congestion has occurred in any of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A, 1B show block diagrams of an inter-zone connection communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows an assignment condition of operation channels in an inter-zone connection communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows variations of assignment ratio of operation channels in an inter-zone connection communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a relation between reservation queues and operation channels in the inter-zone connection communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows an assignment condition of operation channels in the inter-zone connection communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows variations of assignment ratio of operation channels in the inter-zone connection communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows variations of assignment ratio of operation channels in the inter-zone connection communication system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows variations of assignment ratio of reservation queues in the inter-zone connection communication system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows an assignment condition of reservation queues in the inter-zone connection communication system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows variations of assignment ratio of reservation queues in the inter-zone connection communication system according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 shows variations of assignment ratios of reservation queues in the inter-zone connection communication system according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 shows variations of assignment ratios of operation channels and reservation queues in the inter-zone connection communication system according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 shows variations of assignment ratios of operation channels and reservation queues in the inter-zone connection communication system according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows variations of assignment ratios of operation channels and reservation queues in the inter-zone connection communication system according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15A, 15B show conventional block diagrams of the inter-zone connection communication system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1. A first embodiment of the present invention is explained below using figures. FIG. 1A, 1B are block diagrams which show a construction of an inter-zone connection communication system of the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a hardware construction, and FIG. 1B shows a construction of channels and reservation queues. The reference numbers in FIG. 1A, 1B are the same as those used in FIG. 15A, 15B for the same portions or the corresponding portions. In FIG. 1A, 1B, a receiver/transmitter 16 in the line control unit 18a is used commonly for the general connection and the inter-zone connection. A common channel 35 is used commonly for the general connection channel and the inter-zone connection channel, and a reservation queue 36 is used commonly for the general connection and the inter-zone connection. In the general connection communication or the inter-zone connection communication, assignment can be changed flexibly in both the common channel 35 and the common reservation queue 36. A receiver/transmitter 26 in the line control unit 28a is used commonly for the general connection and the inter-zone connection. A common channel 45 is used commonly for the general connection and the inter-zone connection, and a reservation queue 46 is used commonly for the general connection and the inter-zone connection. In the general connection communication or the inter-zone connection communication, the assignment of both the channel 45 and the reservation queue 46 can be changed flexibly. An operation is explained below using FIG. 1A, 1B. The line control units 18a and 28a assign channels and reservation queue to the receivers/transmitters 16 and 26 used for the general connection and inter-connection in common. A system for determining the assignment ratio for assigning the general connection channel and inter-zone channel to the general connection and the inter-zone connection common channels 35, 45 (referred to as operation channels hereinafter) in the receivers/transmitters 16 and 26, respectively, is explained using FIG. 2. Here, the communication region 19 is explained as an example of the system. FIG. 2 explains an assignment condition of operating channels in an inter-zone connection communication system of a first embodiment. In FIG. 2, the numeral G0 denotes a general connection traffic density according to a plurality of the general connection mobile stations 11. The numeral Z0 denotes an inter-zone connection traffic density according to a plurality of the inter-zone connection mobile stations 12. G1 denotes the number of the general connection channels to which the operation channel 35 is assigned. Z1 denotes the number of the inter-zone connection channels to which the operation channel 35 is assigned. The ratio of the general connection traffic density G0 to the inter-zone connection traffic density Z0 usually varies according to the operation time zone. The line control units 18 and 28 change the number of the general connection channels and the inter-zone connection channels according to the ratio of the traffic density generated inside its own zone by following formulas. The number of channels is set according to the following equation. General connection traffic density G0 : inter-zone connection traffic density Z0 = number of the general connection channels G1: number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 Therefore, the number of the general connection channel and the number of the inter-zone connection channel are calculated as follows. Number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 = number of operation channels × inter-zone connection traffic density Z0 / (general connection traffic density G0 + inter-zone connection traffic density Z0), Number of the general connection channels G1 = number of operation channels - number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 FIG. 3 shows variations of assignment ratio of the operating channel 35 in the inter-zone connection communication system of the first embodiment. In FIG. 3, the number of the general connection channels G1 and the number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 are defined respectively according to the predetermined channel assignment ratio. If the ratio of the general connection traffic density G0 to the inter-zone connection traffic density Z0 varies to one to two, the line control units 18a and 28a change the ratio of the number of the general connection channels G1 to the number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 to one to two, accordingly. After then, if the ratio of the general connection traffic density G0 to the inter-zone connection traffic density Z0 varies to three to one, the line control units 18a and 28a change the ratio of the number of the general connection channels G1 to the number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 to three to one, accordingly. According to the above mentioned construction of the inter-zone connection communication system, the line control units 18a and 28a carry out line control by changing the assignment ratio of the general connection stations 11 and 21 to the inter-zone connection stations 12 and 22 for the operation channels 35 and 45 comprised of a plurality of channels according to the traffic density of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication, especially in this embodiment, according to respective assignment ratios of the general connection traffic density G0 to the inter-zone connection traffic density Z0. Accordingly, the number of channels increases at the connection communication side having a large traffic density, and thus the traffic processing capability of the system can be improved. Embodiment 2. The inter-zone connection communication system using reservation queues in a second embodiment is explained below using figures. A determination system for assigning the general connection channels or the inter-zone connection channels in the operation channels 35 and 45 is explained by FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Although the system construction is the same as that of FIG. 1A, 1B, the line control units 18a and 28a operate differently from the system of FIG. 1A, 1B. FIG. 4 shows a relation between the reservation queues and the operation channels in the inter-zone connection communication system of a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, a mobile station 2 transmits a connection request signal (referred to as "call", hereafter) to a relay station 13. The relay station 13 receives the call from the mobile station 2 and reserves a general connection call at the head of the general connection reservation queue 70, since the general connection channel 69 is fully occupied (in FIG. 4, "G" means that the general connection is occupied). If an un-occupied portion is generated in the general connection channel 72 in its own zone, the relay station 13 assigns the general connection reservation 70 to the general connection channels. Then, the general connection communication is started, and the general connection reservation 70 is cleared. When the inter-zone connection channel is fully occupied, the calls are also reserved in the same way in the inter-zone connection reservation 71 and the operation of the zone channel communication is the same as that of the general connection communication. Therefore, the ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone connection traffic density varies according to the operation time zone from time to time, and thus the number of accumulated reservation also varies, accordingly. FIG. 5 shows an assignment condition of operating channels in an inter-zone connection communication system of the second embodiment. In FIG. 5, the numeral GR0 denotes a general connection reservation quantity according to a plurality of the general connection mobile stations 11. The numeral ZR0 denotes an inter-zone connection reservation quantity according to a plurality of the inter-zone connection mobile stations 12. G1 denotes the number of the general connection channels to which the operation channel 35 is assigned. Z1 denotes the number of the inter-zone connection channels to which the operation channel 35 is assigned. The line control units 18a and 28a monitor the number of reservations generated inside their respective zones and change the number of the general connection channels G1 and the inter-zone connection channels Z1 according to a ratio of generated reservations. The number of channels is set according to the following equation. General connection reservation quantity GR0 : inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0 = number of the general connection channels G1: number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 Therefore, the number of the general connection channels and the number of the inter-zone connection channels are calculated as follows. Number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 = number of operation channels × the inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0 / (the general connection reservation quantity GR0 + the inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0), Number of the general connection channels G1 = number of operation channels - number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 FIG. 6 shows variations of assignment ratio of the operating channels in the inter-zone connection communication system of the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the number of the general connection channels and the number of the inter-zone connection channels are defined respectively according to the predetermined channel assignment ratio. If the ratio of the general connection reservation quantity GR0 to the inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0 varies to one to two, the line control units 18a and 28a change the ratio of the number of the general connection channels G1 to the number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 to one to two accordingly. After then, if the ratio of the general connection reservation quantity GR0 to the inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0 varies to three to one, the line control units 18a and 28a changes the ratio of the number of the general connection channels G1 to the number of the inter-zone connection channels Z1 to three to one accordingly. According to the above mentioned construction of the inter-zone connection communication system, the line control units 18a and 28a carry out line control by changing the assignment ratio of the general connection stations 11 and 21 to the inter-zone connection stations 12 and 22 for the operation channels 35 and 45 comprised of a plurality of channels according to the traffic density of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication, especially in this embodiment, according to respective ratios of the general connection reservation quantity GR0 to the inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0. Accordingly, the number of channels increases at the connection communication side having a large traffic density, and thus the traffic processing capability of the system can be improved. Embodiment 3. One example of the inter-zone communication system, which is responsible to channel congestion generated in either the general connection communication or the inter-zone connection communication, is explained below. The congestion state occurs when either the general connection communication or the inter-zone connection communication channels, and also the reservation queues are fully occupied. The line control units 18a and 28a assign more channels of the general connection and the inter-zone connection, respectively, to any one of the general connection communication or to the inter-zone connection communication where the congestion have occurred. Although the construction of the system of the third embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1A, 1B, the line control units 18a and 28a operate differently from that of FIG. 1A, 1B. FIG. 7 shows variations of assignment ratio of operating channels in an inter-zone connection communication system of the third embodiment. In FIG. 7, the number of the general connection channels and the number of the inter-zone connection channels are respectively defined according to the predetermined channel assignment. If the inter-zone connection calls increase sharply to be in a congested condition, the line control units 18a and 28a increase the inter-zone connection channels more than the general connection channels. Then after, if the general connection calls increase sharply to be in a congested condition, the line control units 18a and 28a increase the general connection channels more than inter-zone connection channels. According to the above mentioned construction of the inter-zone connection communication system, the line control units 18a and 28a carry out line control by changing the assignment ratio of the general connection stations 11 and 21 to the inter-zone connection stations 12 and 22 for the operation channels 35 and 45 comprised of a plurality of channels and by assigning more channels to either congested communication stations. Accordingly, the number of channels increases at the congested connection communication side having a large traffic density, and thus the traffic processing capability of the system can be improved. Embodiment 4. An embodiment of an inter-zone communication system, which changes the number of the general connection reservation cues and the inter-zone connection reservation queues according to the traffic density of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication, is explained below. The ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone traffic density varies according to the operation time zone and so on. The line control units 18a and 28a change the number of the general connection reservation queues and the number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues according to the ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone connection traffic density generated in their own zones. Although the construction of the system of the fourth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1A, 1B, the line control units 18a and 28a operate differently from that of FIG. 1A, 1B. FIG. 8 shows variations of assignment ratio of the reservation queues 36 and 46 in an inter-zone connection communication system of the fourth embodiment. In FIG. 8, the number of the general connection reservation queues and the number of the interzone connection reservation queues are defined respectively according to the predetermined reservation queue assignment. If the ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone connection traffic density varies to one to two, the line control units 18a and 28a change the ratio of the number of the general connection reservation queues to the number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues to one to two, accordingly. After then, if the ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone connection traffic density varies to three to one, the line control units 18a and 28a changes the ratio of the number of the general connection reservation queues to the number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues, accordingly. According to the above mentioned construction of the inter-zone connection communication system, the line control units 18a and 28a carry out line control by changing the assignment ratio of the general connection reservation queues to the inter-zone connection reservation queues according to the ratio of the general connection communication traffic density to the inter-zone connection communication traffic density, especially in this embodiment, according to the assignment ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone connection traffic density. Accordingly, the number of reservation queues increases at the connection communication side having a large traffic density, and thus the traffic processing capability of the system can be improved. Embodiment 5. An embodiment of an inter-zone communication system, which changes the number of reservation queues of the general connection reservation and the inter-zone connection reservation according to reservation quantity of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication, is explained below. The ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone traffic density usually varies according to the operation time zone and so on, thereby accumulation quantity of reservation queues of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication change. Although the construction of the system of the fifth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1A, 1B, the line control units 18a and 28a operate differently from that of FIG. 1A, 1B. FIG. 9 shows an assignment condition of reservation queues in an inter-zone connection communication system of the fifth embodiment. In FIG. 9, the numeral GR0 denotes a general connection reservation quantity according to a plurality of the general connection mobile stations 11. The numeral ZR0 denotes an inter-zone connection reservation quantity according to a plurality of the inter-zone connection mobile stations 12. The numeral GR1 denotes the number of the general connection reservation queues to which the reservation queues 36 and 46 are assigned. The numeral ZR1 denotes the number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues to which the reservation queues 36 and 46 are assigned. The line control units 18a and 28a monitor the number of reservation queues of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication generated in their own zones, and change the ratio of the number of the general connection reservation queues GR1 to the number of the interzone connection reservation queue ZR1 according to a ratio of generated reservation numbers. The number of channels is set according to the following equation. General connection reservation quantity GR0 : inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0 = number of the general connection reservation queues GR1: number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues ZR1. Therefore, the number of the general connection channel and the number of the inter-zone connection channel are calculated as follows. Number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues ZR1 = whole sum of reservation queues × inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0 / (general connection reservation quantity GR0 + inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0), Number of the general connection reservation queues GR1 = whole sum of reservation queues - number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues ZR1. FIG. 10 shows variations of assignment ratio of reservation queues in an inter-zone connection communication system of the fifth embodiment. The number of the general connection reservation queues GR1 and the number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues ZR1 are defined respectively according to the predetermined reservation cue assignment. After then, if the ratio of the general connection reservation quantity GR0 to the inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0 varies to one to two, the line control units 18a and 28a change the ratio of the number of the general connection reservation queues GR1 to the number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues ZR1 to one to two. After then, if the ratio of the general connection reservation quantity GR0 to the inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR0 varies to three to one, the line control units 18a and 28a change the ratio of the number of the general connection reservation queues GR1 to the number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues ZR1 to three to one, accordingly. According to the above mentioned construction of the inter-zone connection communication system, the line control units 18a and 28a carry out line control by changing the assignment ratio of the general connection communication to the interzone connection communication of the reservation queues 36 and 46 according to the ratio of the general connection communication traffic density to the inter-zone connection communication traffic density, especially in this embodiment, according to the assignment ratio of the general connection reservation quantity GR1 to the inter-zone connection reservation quantity ZR1. Accordingly, the number of reservation queues increases at the connection communication side having a large traffic density, and thus the traffic processing capability of the system can be improved. Embodiment 6. Other example of the inter-zone communication system, which is responsible to congestion of reservation queues generated in either the general connection communication or the inter-zone connection communication, is explained below. The congestion state occurs when either the general connection communication or the interzone connection communication channels, and also the reservation queues are fully occupied. The line control units 18a and 28a assign the general connection reservation cues and the inter-zone connection cues to any one of the general connection communication or to the inter-zone connection communication where the congestion have occurred. Although the construction of the system of the sixth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1A, 1B, the line control units 18a and 28a operate differently from that of FIG. 1A, 1B. FIG. 11 shows variations of assignment ratio of reservation queues in an inter-zone connection communication system of the sixth embodiment. In FIG. 11, the number of the general connection reservation queues and the number of the inter-zone connection reservation queues are defined respectively according to the predetermined reservation queue assignment. If the inter-zone connection calls increase sharply to be in a congested condition for the reservation queues, the line control units 18a and 28a increase the inter-zone connection reservation queues more than the general connection reservation queues. Then after, if the general connection calls increase sharply to be in a congested condition, the line control units 18a and 28a increase the general connection reservation queues more than the inter-zone connection reservation queues. According to the above mentioned construction of the inter-zone connection communication system, the line control units 18a and 28a carry out line control by changing the assignment ratio of the general connection stations to the inter-zone connection stations for the reservation queues 36 and 46 to either congested communication side. Accordingly, the number of reservation queues increases at the congested connection communication side, and thus the traffic processing capability of the system can be improved. Embodiment 7. A seventh embodiment of an inter-zone communication system, which changes the assignment ratio of operation channels together with the assignment ratio of reservation queues according to the traffic density of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication, is explained below. In general, the ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone traffic density varies according to the operation time zone and so on, and an occupied state of the connection channels and an accumulation quantity of the reservation queues varies, accordingly. The line control units 18a and 28a change the ratio of the general connection channels to the inter-zone connection channels together with the ratio of the general connection reservation cues to the inter-zone connection reservation queues according to respective generated traffic quantities. Although the construction of the system of the seventh embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1A, 1B, the line control units 18a and 28a operate differently from that of FIG. 1A, 1B. FIG. 12 shows variations of assignment ratio of operation channels and reservation queues in the inter-zone connection communication system of the seventh embodiment. In FIG. 12, the number of the general connection channels and the inter-zone connection channels and the number of the general connection reservation queues and the inter-zone connection reservation queues are assigned respectively by the predetermined same ratios. After then, if the ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone connection traffic density varies to one to two, the line control units 18a and 28a changes the above mentioned predetermined ratio to one to two accordingly. After then, if the ratio of the general connection traffic density to the inter-zone connection traffic density varies to three to one, the line control units 18a and 28a changes the above mentioned predetermined ratio to three to one. According the above mentioned construction of the inter-zone connection communication system, the line control units 18a and 28a carry out line control in order to change an assignment ratio of the operation channels 35 and 45 together with an assignment ratio of the reservation queues 36 and 46 according to the traffic density of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication. Accordingly, the number of the channel and the number of the reservation queues increase at the connection communication side having a large traffic density, and thus the traffic processing capability of the system can be improved. Embodiment 8. An eighth embodiment of an inter-zone communication system, which changes the assignment ratio of operation channels together with the assignment ratio of reservation queues according to the ratio of the reservation quantity of the general connection communication, to the inter-zone connection communication, is explained below. In general, the ratio of the general connection traffic density to inter-zone traffic density varies according to the operation time zone and so on, and occupied state of the connection channels and an accumulation quantity of the reservation queues varies, accordingly. The line control units 18a and 28a monitor the ratio of the general connection reservation quantity to the inter-zone connection reservation quantity in its own zone, and change the ratio of the general connection channels to the inter-zone connection channels together with the ratio of the general connection reservation queues to the interzone connection reservation queues, according to the respective generated reservation ratios. Although the construction of the system of the eighth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1A, 1B, the line control units 18a and 28a operate differently from that of FIG. 1A, 1B. FIG. 13 shows variations of assignment ratio of operation channels and reservation queues in the inter-zone connection communication system of the eighth embodiment. In FIG. 13, the number of the general connection channels and the inter-zone connection channels and the number of the general connection reservation queues and the inter-zone connection reservation queues are assigned respectively by the predetermined same ratios. After then, if the ratio of the general connection reservation quantity to the inter-zone connection reservation quantity varies to one to two, the line control units 18a and 28a changes the above mentioned predetermined ratio to one to two, accordingly. After then, if the ratio of the general connection reservation quantity to the inter-zone connection reservation quantity varies to three to one, the line control units 18a and 28a changes the above mentioned predetermined ratio to three to one. According the above mentioned construction of the inter-zone connection communication system, the line control units 18a and 28a carry out line control in order to change an assignment ratio of the operation channels 35 and 45 together with an assignment ratio of the reservation queues 36 and 46 according to the traffic density of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication, especially according to a ratio of the reservation quantity in this embodiment. Accordingly, the number of the channel and the number of the reservation queues increase at the connection communication side having a large traffic density, and thus the traffic processing capability of the system can be improved. Embodiment 9. Other example of the inter-zone communication system, which is responsible to channel congestion generated in either the general connection communication or the inter-zone connection communication, is explained below. The congestion state occurs when either the general connection communication or the inter-zone connection communication channels, and also the reservation queues are fully occupied. The line control units 18a and 28a assign more channels of the general connection and interzone connection, and more general and inter-zone connection reservation queues, respectively, to any one of the general connection communication or the inter-zone connection communication where the congestion have occurred. Although the construction of the system of the ninth embodiment is the same as that of FIG. 1A, 1B, the line control units 18a and 28a operate differently from that of FIG. 1A, 1B. FIG. 14 shows variations of assignment ratios of operation channels and reservation cues in an inter-zone connection communication system of the ninth embodiment. In FIG. 14, the number of the general connection channels and the inter-zone connection channels and also the number of the general connection reservation queues and the inter-zone connection reservation queues are defined respectively according to the predetermined same ratios. If the inter-zone connection calls increase sharply to be in a congested condition, the line control units 18a and 28a increase the inter-zone connection channels and the inter-zone connection reservation queues more than the general connection channels and the general connection reservation queues, respectively. Then after, if the general connection calls increase sharply to be in . a congested condition, the line control units 18a and 28a increase the general connection channels and the general connection reservation queues more than the interzone connection channels and the inter-zone connection reservation queues, respectively. According to the above mentioned construction of the inter-zone connection communication system, the line control units 18a and 28a assign more operation channels 35 and 45 and more reservation queues 36 and 46 to either of the congested general connection communication side or the congested inter-zone connection communication side. Accordingly, the number of channels and the number of reservation queues increase at the congested connection communication side having a large traffic density, and thus the traffic processing capability of the system can be improved. In the above mentioned respective embodiments, the traffic density and the reservation quantity are used as the traffic density of each communication which determines an assignment ratio of the operation channels or the reservation queues. However, other quantities, for example, a sum of the traffic density and the reservation quantity, a congestion generation rate, and call regulation time which regulates the generated calls when the congestion occurs, could be used as the traffic density if it could show a congestion index of the communication. In the above mentioned respective embodiments, a connection station is explained as a mobile station. However, a connection station could also be a fixed station.

Claims: An inter-zone connection communication method for carrying out general connection communications and inter-zone connection communications at the same time, using general connection channels (G1) for the general connection communication between connection stations (11, 12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18), and using inter-zone connection channels (Z1) for the inter-zone connection communication between a first connection station (12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18a) and a second connection station (22) in the communication area of another relay station (28a), characterised in that the method comprises carrying out line control by: (a) defining - in the communication area of each relay station - an assignment ratio between the maximum number of channels which can be used as general connection channels (G1) and the maximum number of channels which can be used as inter-zone connection channels (Z1); and (b) changing said assignment ratio of each communication area, according to the ratio - in each respective area - between traffic quantities of the general connection communications and traffic quantities of the inter-zone connection communications. An inter-zone connection communication method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the respective traffic quantities are traffic densities (G0, Z0) of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication, respectively. An inter-zone connection communication method as claimed in Claim 1, characterised in that the respective traffic quantities are reservation quantities (GR0, ZR0) of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication, respectively, said reservation quantities (GR0, ZR0) being requests for connection which are stored in reservation queues when all the general connection channels (G1) or the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are fully occupied. An inter-zone connection communication method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that more channels of the general connection channels (G1) or of the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are assigned to a communication area where congestion has occurred in any of the genera! connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication. An inter-zone connection communication method for carrying out general connection communications and inter-zone connection communications at the same time, using general connection channels (G1) for the general connection communication between connection stations (11, 12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18a), and using inter-zone connection channels (Z1) for the inter-zone connection communication between a first connection station (12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18a) and a second connection station (22) in the communication area of another relay station (28a), characterised in that the method comprises carrying out line control by: (a) defining - in the communication area of each relay station - an assignment ratio between the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in a general connection reservation queue (70) when all the general connection channels (G1) are fully occupied and the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in an inter-zone connection reservation queue (71) when all the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are fully occupied; and (b) changing said assignment ratio of each communication area, according to the ratio - in each respective area - between traffic quantities of the general connection communications and traffic quantities of the inter-zone connection communications. An inter-zone connection communication method as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that the respective traffic quantities are traffic densities (G0, Z0) of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication, respectively. An inter-zone connection communication method as claimed in Claim 5, characterised in that the respective traffic quantities are reservation quantities (GR0, ZR0) of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication, respectively, said reservation quantities (GR0, ZR0) being requests for connection which are stored in reservation queues when all the general connection channels (G1) or the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are fully occupied. An inter-zone connection communication method as daimed in Claim 5 to 7, characterised in that the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in a general connection reservation queue (70) or in an inter-zone connection reservation queue (71) is increased in a communication area when congestion has occurred in any of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication. An inter-zone connection communication method as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 3, characterised in that : a second assignment ratio is defined - in the communication area of each relay station - between the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in a general connection reservation queue (70) when all the general connection channels (G1) are fully occupied and the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in an inter-zone connection reservation queue (71) when all the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are fully occupied; and said second assignment ratio is also changed in each communication area, according to the ratio - in each respective area - between traffic quantities of the general connection communications and traffic quantities of the inter-zone connection communications. An inter-zone connection communication method as claimed in Claim 9, characterised in that when congestion has occurred in any of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication of a communication area: more channels of the general connection channels (G1) or of the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are assigned to said area ; and the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in a general connection reservation queue (70) or in an inter-zone connection reservation queue (71) is increased. An inter-zone connection communication system for carrying out general connection communications and inter-zone connection communications at the same time, comprising general connection channels (G1) for general connection communication between connection stations (11, 12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18a); and inter-zone connection channels (Z1) for inter-zone connection communication between a first connection station (12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18a) and a second connection station (22) in the communication area of another relay station (28a); characterised in that a line control circuit (16, 26) is provided for carrying out line control by: (a) defining - in the communication area of each relay station - an assignment ratio between the maximum number of channels which can be used as general connection channels (G1) and the maximum number of channels which can be used as inter-zone connection channels (Z1); and (b) changing said assignment ratio of each communication area, according to the ratio - in each respective area - between traffic quantities of the general connection communications and traffic quantities of the inter-zone connection communications. An inter-zone connection communication system as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that the respective traffic quantities are traffic densities (G0, Z0) of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication, respectively. An inter-zone connection communication system as claimed in Claim 11, characterised in that the respective traffic quantities are reservation quantities (GR0, ZR0) of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication, respectively, said reservation quantities (GR0, ZR0) being requests for connection which are stored in reservation queues when all the general connection channels (G1) or the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are fully occupied. An inter-zone connection communication system as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the line control circuit (16, 26) is adapted to assign more of the general connection channels (G1) or of the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) to a communication area when congestion has occurred in any of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication. An inter-zone connection communication system for carrying out general connection communications and inter-zone connection communications at the same time, comprising general connection channels (G1) for general connection communication between connection stations (11, 12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18a); and inter-zone connection channels (Z1) for the inter-zone connection communication between a first connection station (12) in a radio communication area of one relay station (18a) and a second connection station (22) in the communication area of another relay station; characterised in that a line control circuit (16, 26) is provided for carrying out line control by: (a) defining - in the communication area of each relay station - an assignment ratio between the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in a general connection reservation queue (70) when all the general connection channels (G1) are fully occupied and the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in an inter-zone connection reservation queue (71) when all the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are fully occupied; and (b) changing said assignment ratio of each communication area, according to the ratio - in each respective area - between traffic quantities of the general connection communications and traffic quantities of the inter-zone connection communications. An inter-zone connection communication system as claimed in Claim 15, characterised in that the respective traffic quantities are traffic densities (G0, Z0) of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication, respectively. An inter-zone connection communication system as claimed in Claim 15, characterised in that the respective traffic quantities are reservation quantities (GR0, ZR0) of the general connection communication and of the inter-zone connection communication, respectively, said reservation quantities (GR0, ZR0) being requests for connection which are stored in reservation queues when all the general connection channels (G1) or the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are fully occupied. An inter-zone connection communication system as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17, characterised in that the line control circuit (16, 26) is adapted to increase the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in a general connection reservation queue (70) or in an inter-zone connection reservation queue (71) in a communication area when congestion has occurred in any of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication. An inter-zone connection communication system as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13, characterised in that the line control circuit (16, 26) is adapted: to define a second assignment ratio - in the communication area of each relay station - between the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in a general connection reservation queue (70) when all the general connection channels (G1) are fully occupied and the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in an inter-zone connection reservation queue (71) when all the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) are fully occupied; and to change also said second assignment ratio in each communication area, according to the ratio - in each respective area - between traffic quantities of the general connection communications and traffic quantities of the inter-zone connection communications. An inter-zone connection communication system as claimed in Claim 19, characterised in that , when congestion has occurred in any of the general connection communication and the inter-zone connection communication of a communication area: the line control circuit (16, 26) is adapted: to assign more channels of the general connection channels (G1) or of the inter-zone connection channels (Z1) to said area; and to increase the maximum number of connection requests which can be stored in a general connection reservation queue (70) or in an inter-zone connection reservation queue (71).

Inventors: IKEUCHI SEIKO, SEKI NAOKI, IKEUCHI, SEIKO, SEKI, NAOKI, Ikeuchi, Seiko, c/o Mitsubishi Denki K.K., Seki, Naoki, c/o Mitsubishi Denki K.K.
Applicants: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP, MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1996
Main classification: H04B7
IPC codes: H04B7, H04W16