Abstract:
A monitoring device ( 200 ) manages the installation position of a moveable small-sized base station ( 100 ), A message analysis unit ( 202 ) acquires, from the small-sized base station ( 100 ) being managed, peripheral cell information which shows small-sized base stations present in the periphery of the small-sized base station ( 100 ) being managed. A database management unit ( 204 ) divides map information into a plurality of areas, and stores database information which has established whether or not each of the small-sized base stations ( 100 ) can he installed in each area service continuation determination unit ( 205 ) permits the installation of the small-sized base station ( 100 ) being managed, if the installation position for the small-sized base station ( 100 ) being managed, as determined from the acquired peripheral cell information, is an area wherein the installation of the small-sized base station ( 100 ) being managed is permitted, as established in the database information.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a monitoring apparatus and an installation location management method for small cell base stations (hereinafter called small cells), and, more particularly, to a monitoring apparatus and an installation location management method for small cells that restrict installation locations of mobile small cells. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0002]    In recent years, consideration has been given to installing small cells (HeNBs) in homes, offices, shopping malls, and/or the like, as a dead zone countermeasure, or for high-speed communications. The term “small cells” as used above refers to femtocells, Home eNode Bs, and/or the like. Standardization efforts regarding small cells are being made by 3GPP. 
         [0003]    Since such small cells are-mobile and are installed by users, they could interfere with other communications. Accordingly, one practice in recent years has been to set restrictions regarding installation locations for small cells in order to prevent them from interfering with other communications (e.g., Non-Patent Literature 1). 
         [0004]    A method of setting restrictions on installation locations for small cells will now be described using  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a conventional registration process where restrictions are placed on installation locations for small cells.  FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a conventional authentication process where restrictions are placed on installation locations for small cells. In  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , as well as in the descriptions thereof, small cells are referred to as HeNB. 
         [0005]    First, a registration process is described using  FIG. 1 . 
         [0006]    First, once it is powered on, HeNB  10  collects neighboring cell information indicating neighboring macro cells # 30 , # 40 , and # 50 . Neighboring cell information may be, for example, cell IDs for identifying macro cells # 30 , # 40 , and # 50 . 
         [0007]    Next, by means of an HeNB Location registration message, HeNB  10  sends the collected neighboring cell information to AHR  20  (step ST 1 ). 
         [0008]    Next, AHR  20  registers, as location information of HeNB  10 , the neighboring cell information that has been sent by means of the HeNB location registration message. 
         [0009]    Next, if location information registration is completed, AHR  20  sends an HeNB response message to HeNB  10  (step ST 2 ). The registration process is thus concluded. 
         [0010]    Next, an authentication process is described using  FIG. 2 . An authentication process is performed after the above-described registration process. 
         [0011]    First, at a predetermined point in time, HeNB  10  collects neighboring cell information indicating neighboring macro cells # 30 , # 40 , and # 50 . 
         [0012]    Next, by means of an access request message, HeNB  10  sends the collected neighboring cell information to AHR  20  (step ST 3 ). 
         [0013]    Next, AHR  20  compares the neighboring cell information, as location information and as sent by means of the access request message, with the location information of HeNB  10  registered through the registration process in  FIG. 1 , and determines whether or not HeNB  10  is to be permitted connection to the network. Specifically, if the neighboring cell information, as location information and as sent by means of the access request message, matches the registered location information of HeNB  10 , AHR  20  makes a determination to permit network connection. On the other hand, if the neighboring cell information, as location information and as sent by means of the access request message, does not match the registered location information of HeNB  10 , AHR  20  makes a determination not to permit network connection. 
         [0014]    Next, if a determination has been made to permit network connection, AHR  20  sends an access response message to HeNB  10  (step ST 4 ). The authentication process is thus concluded. 
       CITATION LIST 
       [0015]    Non-Patent Literature 
         [0016]    NPL 1 
         [0017]    TR 33.820 v8.3.0 ch7.8 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0018]    However, conventional methods determine whether or not to permit installation of a small cell using the initially registered location information of the small cell. Thus, there is a problem in that, if, for example, a macro cell is added at a location where it is possible to install a small cell, a small cell would not be granted permission for installation even if it sends neighboring cell information of the added macro cell to the AHR. Consequently, there is a problem in that the operator is unable to flexibly control installation locations of small cells. In addition, in connection with the inability to flexibly control installation locations of small cells, there is a problem with conventional methods in that in the above-mentioned case where a macro cell is added, a small cell is unable obtain permission to connect to the network, and would thus suspend service. 
         [0019]    An object of the present invention is to provide a monitoring apparatus and an installation location management method for small cells that enable flexible control over installation locations of small cells, as well as prevent service suspension 
       Solution to Problem 
       [0020]    A monitoring apparatus of the present invention includes a monitoring apparatus that manages an installation location of a mobile small cell base station, the monitoring apparatus including: an acquisition section that acquires neighboring cell information from a small cell base station subject to management, the neighboring cell information indicating small cell base stations located in proximity to the small cell base station subject to management; a storage section that stores database information in which map information is divided into a plurality of areas, and in which whether or not installation is permitted for each small cell base station is identified for each area; and a permission section that grants permission for installation with respect to the small cell base station subject to management if an installation location of the small cell base station subject to management as determined based on the neighboring cell information acquired by the acquisition section is in the area where installation is permitted as identified in the database information with respect to the small cell base station subject to management. 
         [0021]    A small cell installation location management method of the present invention includes a small cell installation location management method for a monitoring apparatus that manages installation locations of mobile small cell base stations, the small cell installation location management method including: acquiring neighboring cell information from a small cell base station subject to management, the neighboring cell information indicating small cell base stations located in proximity to the small cell base station subject to management; storing database information iii which map information is divided into a plurality of areas, and in which whether or not installation is permitted for each small cell base station is identified for each area; and granting permission for installation with respect to the small cell base station subject to management if an installation location of the small cell base station subject to management as determined based on the acquired neighboring cell information is in the area where installation is permitted as identified in the database information with respect to the small cell base station subject to management. 
       Advantageous Effects of Invention 
       [0022]    With the present invention, it is possible to flexibly control restrictions on small cell installation locations, as well as to prevent service suspension. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a conventional registration process where restrictions arc placed on installation locations for small cells; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a conventional authentication process where restrictions are placed on installation locations for small cells; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a small cell with respect to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a block diagram, showing a configuration of a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing operations of a small cell and a monitoring apparatus with respect to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing database information with respect to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing, with respect to a method for a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and of determining whether or not installation of a small cell is to be permitted, a case where installation is permitted; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing, with respect to a method for a monitoring apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and of determining whether or not installation of a small cell is to be permitted, a case where installation is not permitted. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the drawings. 
       Embodiment 
       [0032]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a configuration of small cell  100  with respect to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0033]    Small cell  100  generally includes neighboring cell information collection function section  101 , message generation section  102 , message reception section  103 , message analysis section  104 , and service management function section  105 . 
         [0034]    Through a wireless connection, neighboring cell information collection function, section  101  collects neighboring cell information from unillustrated communications terminal apparatuses or neighboring small cells. Neighboring cell information collection function section  101  outputs the collected neighboring cell information to message generation section  102 . The neighboring cell information above is information of small cells, other than small cell  100  subject to management, that exist in proximity to small cell  100  subject to management. 
         [0035]    Message generation section  102  sequentially stores the neighboring cell information received from neighboring cell information collection function section  101 , while also comparing the newly received neighboring cell information with previously received and stored neighboring cell information if the comparison reveals that the newly received neighboring cell information includes changes relative to the stored neighboring cell information, message generation section  102  generates a message including the newly received neighboring cell information (i.e., an NR report message), and sends it to monitoring apparatus  200  via a wired connection. 
         [0036]    Message reception section  103  receives, from monitoring apparatus  200  and via a wired connection, a message permitting installation (i.e., an NR report response message), and outputs it to message analysis section  104 . 
         [0037]    Message analysis section  104  analyzes the message received from message reception section  103 , and outputs an analysis result to service management function section  105 . 
         [0038]    Based on the analysis result received from message analysis section  104 , service management function section  105  suspends or starts the service provided by small cell  100 . 
         [0039]    Next, a configuration of monitoring apparatus  200  is described using  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing a configuration of monitoring apparatus  200 . Monitoring apparatus  200  may be, for example, an operation and maintenance center (OMC). 
         [0040]    Monitoring apparatus  200  generally includes message reception section  201 , message analysis section  202 , database generation section  203 , database management section  204 , service continuation determination section  205 , and message generation section  206 . 
         [0041]    Message reception section  201  receives, from small cell  100  subject to management and via a wired connection, a message including neighboring cell information (i.e., an NR report message). Message reception section  201  outputs the received message to message analysis section  202 . 
         [0042]    Message analysis section  202  analyzes the message received from message reception section  201 , and thus obtains neighboring cell information. Message analysis section  202  outputs the obtained neighboring cell information to service confirmation determination section  205 . 
         [0043]    Database generation section  203  receives database creation information from outside, and generates database information using the received database creation information. Database generation section  203  generates database information each time it receives database creation information. In other words, database generation section  203  generates database information each time it receives database creation information for altering the database information in part or entirely after having generated the database information. Database generation section  203  Outputs the generated database information to database management section  204 . 
         [0044]    Database management section  204  stores the database information received from database generation section  203 . Details of the database information are provided hereinbelow. 
         [0045]    In the event that neighboring cell information is received from message analysis section  202 , service continuation determination section  205  obtains from database management section  204  the database information stored in database management section  204 . Service continuation determination section  205  matches the obtained database information and the neighboring cell information against each other, and determines whether or not to permit installation of small cell  100  subject to management. For this determination regarding whether or not to permit installation of small cell  100  subject to management, service continuation determination section  205  may, for example, determine whether or not to continue the service by small cell  100  subject to management. Small cell  100  subject to management mentioned above is a small cell  100  that is subject to a determination by monitoring apparatus  200  regarding whether or not to permit installation. A method for determining whether or not to permit installation of small cell  100  is described hereinbelow. 
         [0046]    If a determination is made to permit installation of small cell  100  subject to management, service continuation determination section  205  outputs the determination result to message generation section  206 . 
         [0047]    Message generation section  206  generates a message including the determination result received from service continuation. determination section  205  (i.e., an NR report response message). Message generation section  206  sends the generated message to small cell  100  subject to management via a wired connection. 
         [0048]    Next, operations of small cell  100  and monitoring apparatus  200  are described using  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing operations of small cell  100  and monitoring apparatus  200 . In  FIG. 5 , as well as in the descriptions thereof, small cell  100  subject to management is referred to as HeNB. 
         [0049]    First, HeNB  100  is installed by a user, and starts up (step ST 301 ). 
         [0050]    Next, neighboring cell information collection function section  101  of HeNB  100  collects neighboring cell information (step ST 302 ). 
         [0051]    Next, message generation section  102  of HeNB  100  determines whether or not the newly received neighboring cell information includes any changes relative to the previously received and stored. neighboring cell information (step ST 303 ). 
         [0052]    If the newly received neighboring cell information includes no changes (step ST 303 : No), HeNB  100  determines that there has been no movement, and returns the process to step ST 302 . 
         [0053]    On the other hand, if the newly received neighboring cell information includes changes (step ST 303 : Yes), message generation section  102  sends to monitoring apparatus  200  a message including the neighboring cell information (i.e., an NR report message) (step ST 304 ). 
         [0054]    Database generation section  203  of monitoring apparatus  200  generates database information, and database management section  204  of monitoring apparatus  200  restores the database information (step ST 305 ). 
         [0055]    Message reception section  201  of monitoring apparatus  200  receives the message sent by HeNB  100  in step ST 304 . 
         [0056]    Message analysis section  202  of monitoring apparatus  200  obtains neighboring cell information. 
         [0057]    Service continuation determination section  205  of monitoring apparatus  200  matches the database information stored in database management section  204  and the neighboring cell information with each other, and determines whether or not to permit installation of HeNB  100  (step ST 306 ). 
         [0058]    If installation is permitted (step ST 306 : Yes), message generation section  206  of monitoring apparatus  200  sends to HeNB  100  a message permitting installation tie., an NR report response message) (step ST 307 ). 
         [0059]    Next, message reception section  103  of HeNB  100  receives the message permitting installation (i.e., the NR report response message), and service management function section  105  of HeNB  100  continues service. 
         [0060]    HeNB  100  thereafter repeats the processes of step ST 302  and onwards. 
         [0061]    On the other hand, if installation is not permitted (step ST 306 : No), monitoring apparatus  200  sends to HeNB  100  a message instructing HeNB  100  to suspend service (service suspension instruction message) (step ST 308 ). Thus, HeNB  100  suspends service. 
         [0062]    Next, database information is described using  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a diagram showing database information. 
         [0063]    According to  FIG. 6 , database information is information where map information s divided into a plurality of areas, and where, for each divisional area, it is identified whether or not installation of small cell  100  subject to management is permitted. By way of example, with respect to  FIG. 6 , area X is an area where small cell  100  subject to management currently belongs to, areas A are areas where installation of small cell  100  subject to management is permitted, and areas B are areas where installation of small cell  100  subject to management is not permitted. 
         [0064]    With respect to  FIG. 6 , the black circles (the s shown in  FIG. 6 ) mapped onto the map information indicate, installation locations of small cells  100 . The locations of the black circles on the map information move across the map information as the installation locations of small cells  100  change. In the case of  FIG. 6 , the small cell  100  at the location numbered  0  is the small cell  100  subject to management. Small cells  101  at the locations numbered  1  to  17  are small cells  100  other than small cell  100  subject&#39; to management that are installed in areas A where installation of small cell  100  subject to management is permitted. Small cells  100  at the locations numbered  18  to  35  are small cells  100  other than small cell  100  subject to management that are installed in areas B where installation of small cell  100  subject to management is riot permitted. 
         [0065]    With a determination method that uses the above-mentioned database information, if the neighboring cell information includes one small cell  100  that belongs to area A, service continuation determination section  205  determines that small cell  100  a object to management is installed in area A. Service continuation determination section  205  permits installation with respect to small cell  100  subject to management. On the other hand, if the neighboring cell information includes a plurality of small cells  100  that all belong to areas A, service continuation determination section  205  determines that small cell  100  subject to management is installed in area A. Service continuation determination section  205  permits installation with respect to small cell  100  subject to management. 
         [0066]    On the other hand, if the neighboring cell information includes one small cell  100  that belongs to area B, service continuation determination section  205  determines that small cell  100  subject to management is installed in area B. Service continuation determination section  205  does not permit installation with respect to small cell  100  subject to management. In addition, if the neighboring cell information includes a plurality of small cells  100  that all belong to areas B, service continuation determination section  205  determines that small cell  100  subject to management is installed in area B. Service continuation determination section  205  does not permit installation with respect to small cell  100  subject to management. 
         [0067]    If the neighboring cell information includes a plurality of small cells  100 , some of which belong to areas A and the rest to areas B, service continuation determination section  205  permits installation or does not permit installation in accordance with the operator&#39;s determination. 
         [0068]    With respect to the determination method above, the determination as to what areas the small cells  100  of the neighboring cell information belong to is carried out by comparing the neighboring cell information with the database information. Specifically, service continuation determination section  205  determines which of the installation locations (i.e., the s shown in  FIG. 6 ) of small cells  100  mapped to the map information the small cells  100  of the neighboring cell information correspond to. In other words, service continuation determination section  205  determines which of the small cells numbered  1  to  35  the small cells  100  of the neighboring cell information correspond to. Service continuation determination section  205  then determines the areas to which the small cells  100  of the corresponding installation locations belong. 
         [0069]    The database information mentioned above is generated through the method described below. Specifically, first, installation locations (the s shown in  FIG. 6 ) of HeNBs  100  are mapped to the map information. 
         [0070]    Next, the map information is divided into a plurality of grid-like areas. 
         [0071]    Next, each area is identified as area A, where installation is permitted, or area B, where installation is not permitted. Thus, database information such as that shown in  FIG. 6  is generated. 
         [0072]    The size of areas X, A, and B may be varied in accordance with the tolerable movement range for small cells  100 . By way of example, the wider the permissible movement range for small cells  100 , the larger each of areas X, A, and B may be made. Area X, areas A, and areas B need not all be the same size, and their sizes may be varied. 
         [0073]    Next, using  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , a description is provided with respect to a method for monitoring apparatus  200  and of determining whether or not to permit installation of small cell  100 .  FIG. 7  is a diagram showing, with respect to a method for monitoring apparatus  200  and of determining whether or not installation of small cell  100  is to be permitted, a case where installation is permitted.  FIG. 8  is a diagram showing, with respect to a method for monitoring apparatus  200  and of determining whether or not installation of small cell  100  is to be permitted, a case where installation is not permitted. With respect to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , HeNBs  1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4  are small cells  100  having the same configuration as that in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0074]    First, a case where installation is permitted is described using  FIG. 7 . 
         [0075]    According to  FIG. 7 , upon being newly installed in area A # 750  where installation is permitted, HeNB  1  collects, at neighboring cell information collection function section  101 , neighboring cell information of HeNB  2  and HeNB  3  which are located in proximity. By way of example, HeNB  1  collects neighboring cell information of HeNB  2  of cell # 702 , and HeNB  3  of cell # 703 , which overlap with its own cell # 701 . 
         [0076]    By means of message generation section  102 , HeNB  1  sends to monitoring apparatus  200  a message including the neighboring cell information of HeNB  2  and HeNB  3  (i.e., an NR report message). 
         [0077]    Having referenced the database information at service continuation determination section  205 , monitoring apparatus  200  determines that installation is taking place in area A where installation. is permitted. 
         [0078]    By means of message generation section  206 , monitoring apparatus  200  sends to HeNB  1  a Message permitting installation (i.e., an NR report response message). 
         [0079]    Thus, HeNB  1  starts service. 
         [0080]    Next, a case where installation is not permitted is described using  FIG. 8 . 
         [0081]    According to  FIG. 8 , upon moving front area A # 750 , where installation is permitted, to area B # 751 , where installation is not permitted, HeNB  1  collects, at neighboring cell information collection function section  101 , neighboring cell information of HeNB  4  which is located in proximity. By way of example, HeNB  1  collects neighboring cell information of HeNB  4  of cell # 704 , which overlaps with its own cell # 701 . 
         [0082]    By means of message generation section  102 , HeNB  1  sends to monitoring apparatus  200  a message including the neighboring cell information of HeNB  4  (i.e., an NR report message). 
         [0083]    Having referenced the database information at service continuation determination section  205 , monitoring apparatus  200  determines that installation is taking place in area B where installation is not permitted. 
         [0084]    By means of message generation section  206 , monitoring apparatus  200  sends to HeNB  1  a message not permitting installation (i.e., a service suspension instruction). 
         [0085]    Thus, HeNB  1  suspends service. 
         [0086]    In  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , HeNB  1  collects and sends neighboring cell information of other HeNBs. However, the present invention is by no means limited as such, and may collect and send neighboring cell information of macro cells that exist in proximity to HeNB  1 . 
         [0087]    Thus, with the present embodiment, database information identifying whether permission to install small culls can or cannot be granted is generated and stored by a monitoring apparatus. Thus, with the present embodiment, installation locations of small cells can be controlled flexibly, while at the same time preventing service suspension in the event of a cell addition, and/or the like. 
         [0088]    With the present embodiment, installation locations of small cells are managed using database information in which locations of small cells are mapped to map in Thus, the operator is able to manage installation locations of small cells in terms of absolute locations. 
         [0089]    The disclosure of the specification, drawings, and abstract included in Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-292728, filed on Dec. 28, 2010, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0090]    A monitoring apparatus and installation location management method for small cells according to the present invention are particularly for restricting installation locations of mobile small cells in particular. 
       REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
           200  Monitoring apparatus 
           201  Message reception section 
           202  Message analysis section 
           203  Database generation section 
           204  Database management section 
           205  Service continuation determination section 
           206  Message generation section