Abstract:
In a radio network controller (RNC) ( 2 ), a control portion ( 22 ) reads ciphering parameter from a protocol processing portion ( 231 ) for performing a protocol processing of FP (Frame Protocol) and MAC (Medium Access Control) and sets the ciphering parameter in another protocol processing portion ( 232 ). By handing over the ciphering parameter from the protocol processing portion ( 231 ) to the other protocol processing portion ( 232 ), a telephone call is continued and a user equipment (UE)  41  is not conscious of handover of processing.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority to prior Japanese patent application JP 2004-163933, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention relates to a radio network controller, a mobile communications system, and an operation control method thereof and, in particularly, to a switching method in a protocol processing portion of the radio network controller for use in a wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA) communications system.  
         [0003]     The W-CDMA communications system, which is defined by a 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) as a world standard of mobile communications systems, comprises a radio network controller (RNC). The radio network controller (RNC) has, as one of functions, a protocol processing for processing user data in a radio interface.  
         [0004]     The radio network controller (RNC) comprises a plurality of protocol processing portions. It will be assumed that a particular protocol processing portion is subjected to firmware renewal or hardware renewal. In this event, there is a method of renewing the particular protocol processing portion by putting the particular protocol processing portion into a blockade state so as to do not receive a new call. However, this method is disadvantageous in that it takes a long time at work because it is necessary to wait for completion of a call during communications.  
         [0005]     There is another method of forcibly turning a call for the particular protocol processing portion out. However, this method is disadvantageous in that it results in degradation of service quality for the call during communications.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, according to the 3GPP, there is a processing called relocation as a processing for handing over the protocol processing. However, the relocation processing is disadvantageous in that a user equipment (UE) serving as a mobile communication terminal must consciously operate.  
         [0007]     Various other techniques related to this invention are already known. By way of example, United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0009773A1 discloses “MOBILE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND OPERATION CONTROL METHOD THEREOF.” According to US 2004/0009773A1, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) network used in a radio access network (RNA) is IP (Internet Protocol)-networked. The radio access network (RAN) comprises a C plane processing device for signaling processing and a plurality of U plane processing devices for user data processing which are provided in a physically separated manner. With the U plane processing devices, a backup U plane processing device is prepared independently from one or more active U plane processing devices. When congestion occurs in the active U plate processing device, part of processing is switched to and inherited by the backup U plane processing device. However, the technique disclosed in US 2004/0009773A1 intends to perform load distribution processing in order to expel processing from concentrating and does not intend to renew firmware or hardware of a particular protocol processing portion by completely putting the particular protocol processing portion into a blockade state.  
         [0008]     Furthermore, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication of Tokkai No. Hei 5-244,225 or JP-A 5-244255 discloses “UNINTERRUPTIBLE SYSTEM CHANGEOVER METHOD” to attain the changeover between an active system and a standby (backup) system without interruption during communication by allowing both the active system and the standby (backup) system to take over a protocol processing state with each other during the changeover between the active system and the standby (backup) system. However, the technique disclosed in JP-A 5-244255 does not give consideration to application to the protocol processing portion of the radio network controller (RNC) in the mobile communication system. More specifically, the protocol processing portion of the radio network controller (RNC) in the mobile communication system includes a function for performing a ciphering processing on user data. On carrying out firmware renewal or hardware renewal of the protocol processing portion in the radio network controller (RNC), it is necessary to changeover between the active system and the standby (backup) system in consideration of ciphering parameter which is a parameter for the ciphering processing. Inasmuch as the technique disclosed in JP-A 5-244255 does not intend to apply to the mobile communication system, the technique disclosed in JP-A 5-244255 cannot really be applied to in a case of carrying out the firmware renewal or the hardware renewal of the protocol processing portion in the radio network controller (RNC).  
         [0009]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,668,170 issued to Costa et al. discloses “MOBILE RADIO TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM WITH SYNCHRONIZED HANDOVER.” According to Costa et al., in a mobile radio network such as the Universal Mobile Telephone System, for handover or relocation of control of a mobile from a serving RNC (Radio Network Controller) to a target RNC, the target RNC sends a request to the serving RNC over the lur link, and the serving RNC returns frame timing information. The target RNC synchronizes the user plane with the serving RNC for this uplink, so that both controllers are also able to send the same packets in synchronism. The core network can suppress the duplicated packet. However, Costa et al. merely discloses the handover or relocation of control of the mobile from the serving RNC to the target RNC, Costa et al. neither discloses nor teaches handover of ciphering parameter from a protocol processing portion to another protocol processing portion in the radio network controller (RNC).  
         [0010]     Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication of Tokkai No. 2001-144,806 or JP-A 2001-144806 discloses “NETWORK ADDRESS TAKEOVER METHOD FOR DUPLEX SYSTEM, DUPLEX SYSTEM HAVING NETWORK ADDRESS TAKEOVER FUNCTION AND RECORDING MEDIUM” to provide a network address takeover (handover) method of a duplex system. However, JP-A2001-144806 merely discloses the takeover (handover) of the network address, JP-A 2001-144806 neither discloses nor teaches handover of ciphering parameter from a protocol processing portion to another protocol processing portion in the radio network controller (RNC).  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     It is an object of this invention to provide a radio network controller which is capable of continuously communicating without interrupting a telephone call (user data) in a case of switching from one of a plurality of protocol processing portions to another.  
         [0012]     It is another object of this invention to provide a radio network controller of the type described, wherein switching of the protocol processing portions does not make a mobile communication terminal consciously operate.  
         [0013]     Other objects of this invention will become clear as the description proceeds.  
         [0014]     According to an aspect of this invention, a radio network controller is for use in a mobile communications system. The radio network controller comprises a plurality of protocol processing portions each for performing a ciphering processing on user data according to a predetermined protocol. A control portion controls a protocol processing portion for the user data so as to hand over ciphering parameter in a first protocol processing portion from the first protocol processing portion to a second protocol processing portion when the protocol processing portion for the user data is switched from the first protocol processing portion to the second protocol processing portion.  
         [0015]     According to another aspect of this invention, a mobile communications system includes at least one radio network controller. The at least one radio network controller comprises a plurality of protocol processing portions each for performing a ciphering processing on user data according to a predetermined protocol, and a control portion for controlling a protocol processing portion for the user data so as to hand over ciphering parameter in a first protocol processing portion from the first protocol processing portion to a second protocol processing portion when the protocol processing portion for the user data is switched from the first protocol processing portion to the second protocol processing portion. The second protocol processing portion may be provided in another radio network controller.  
         [0016]     According to still another aspect of this invention, an operation control method in a mobile communications system including at least one radio network controller. The at least one radio network controller comprises a plurality of protocol processing portions each of which performs a ciphering processing on user data according to a predetermined protocol. The operation control method comprises the step of controlling a protocol processing portion for the user data so as to hand over ciphering parameter in a first protocol processing portion from the first protocol processing portion to a second protocol processing portion when the protocol processing portion for the user data is switched from the first protocol processing portion to the second protocol processing portion.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a mobile communications system according to a first embodiment of this invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a sequence diagram for use in describing operation of the mobile communications system illustrated in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  shows a block diagram of a mobile communications system according to a second embodiment of this invention; and  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  shows a block diagram of a mobile communications system according to a third embodiment of this invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the description will proceed to a mobile communications system according to a first embodiment of this invention. The illustrated mobile communications system comprises a radio access network RAN. The radio access network RAN comprises a radio network controller (RNC)  2  and first through m-th radio base stations (Node B)  31  through  3   m,  where m represents a first positive integer which is not less than two. The radio network controller (RNC)  2  is connected to a core network (CN)  1  via an Iu interface. In addition, the radio network controller (RNC)  2  is connected to the first through the m-th radio base stations (Node B)  31  through  3   m  via Iub interfaces. The mobile communications system comprises first through k-th mobile units (UE)  41 ,  42 , . . . , and  4   k  serving under the first through the m-th radio base stations (Node B)  31  through  3   m,  where k represents a second positive integer which is not less than two. In other words, the first through the m-th radio base stations (Node B)  31  through  3   m  are connected to the first through the k-th mobile units via radio interfaces.  
         [0022]     The mobile unit (UE) is called a user equipment or a mobile communications terminal.  
         [0023]     The radio network controller (RNC)  2  comprises an Iu-IF portion  21 , a control portion  22 , first through n-th protocol processing portions  231 ,  232 , . . . , and  23   n , and an Iub-IF portion  24 , where n represents a third positive integer which is not less than two. The control portion  22  has a function for calling ciphering parameter from each of the first through the n-th protocol processing portions  231  through  23   n,  a function for setting the ciphering parameter in each protocol processing portion, a function for instructing the Iub-IF portion  24  and the Iu-IF portion  21  to change a connection destination of user data.  
         [0024]     Each of the first through the n-th protocol processing portion  231  through  33   n  has a function for terminating each protocol of a frame protocol (FP) and media access control (MAC) defined in the 3GPP, a ciphering and deciphering function for the user data, a function for informing the ciphering parameter according to an instruction of the control portion  22 , and a function for performing a ciphering setting according to a request of the control portion  22  and for replying after ciphering start.  
         [0025]     The Iub-IF portion  24  has a function for transferring user data on an uplink to a corresponding protocol processing portion according to an instruction of the control portion  22 , a function for transferring user data on a downlink transmitted from the protocol processing portion to a corresponding radio base station (Node B), and a function for switching a transfer destination of those user data (for example, a function for switching the transfer destination transferred to the first protocol processing portion  231  to the second protocol processing portion  232 ).  
         [0026]     In this event, the Iub-IF portion  24  has a function for transferring the user data on the uplink transmitted from the radio base station (Node B) to one of the first through the n-th protocol processing portions  231 - 23   n  according to the instruction of the control portion  22  and for receiving the user data on the downlink transmitted from all of the first through the n-th protocol processing portions  231 - 23   n  to transfer to the radio base station (Node B). That is, the Iub-IF portion  24  has a function for allowing reception of a plurality of radio base stations on receiving and for transmitting to only one radio base station on transmitting.  
         [0027]     The Iu-IF portion  21  has a function for transferring user data on the downlink to a corresponding protocol processing portion according to an instruction of the control portion  22 , a function for transferring user data on the uplink transmitted from the protocol processing portion to a corresponding core network (CN)  1 , and a function for switching a transfer destination of those user data (for example, a function for switching the transfer destination transferred to the first protocol processing portion  231  to the second protocol processing portion  232 ).  
         [0028]     In this event, the Iu-IF portion  21  has a function for transferring the user data on the downlink transmitted from the core network (CN)  1  to one of the first through the n-th protocol processing portions  231 - 23   n  according to the instruction of the control portion  22  and for receiving the user data on the uplink transmitted from all of the first through the n-th protocol processing portions  231 - 23   n  to transfer to the core network (CN)  1 . That is, the Iu-IF portion  24  has a function for allowing reception of a plurality of core networks on receiving and for transmitting to only one core network on transmitting.  
         [0029]     Inasmuch as the Iub-IF portion  24  and the Iu-IF portion  21  have a function for allowing reception of a plural on receiving and for transmitting to only one on transmitting, it is possible to perform a switching processing of the first through the n-th protocol processing portions  231 - 23   n  without interruption.  
         [0030]     Furthermore, it is possible to realize the lub interface for the radio base station (Node B), the Iu interface for the core network (CN), and interface between functions in the radio network controller (RNC) at both of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) and internet protocol (IP). Inasmuch as the core network (CN)  1 , the first through the m-th radio base stations (Node B)  31 - 3   m,  and the first through the k-th mobile units (UE)  41 - 4   k,  which are components in the mobile communication system illustrated in  FIG. 1 , are known components defined by the 3GPP and do not directly related to this invention, detailed structure thereof are omitted.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , description will be made as regards peculiar operation of the radio network controller (RNC)  2  illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  is a sequence diagram showing operation of the radio network controller. The description will proceed to operation in a case where user data currently processed in the first protocol processing portion  231  is transferred to the second protocol processing portion  232  in order to execute a firmware renewal or a hardware exchange of the first protocol processing portion  231 .  
         [0032]     Under the circumstances, the first protocol processing portion  231  executes ciphering processing on the user data (step  100 ), a connection destination for the core network (CN)  1  in the Iu-IF portion  21  is the first protocol processing portion  231  (step  101 ), and a connection destination for the mobile units (UE) in the Iub-IF portion  24  is the first protocol processing portion  231  (step  102 ).  
         [0033]     In this state, when the transfer is started (step  200 ), the control portion  22  carries out a calling request of ciphering parameter for the first protocol processing portion  231  (step  201 ), and the first protocol processing portion  231  notifies the ciphering parameter of the control portion  22  by a calling reply of the ciphering parameter (step  202 ).  
         [0034]     In this event, the notified ciphering parameter is parameters for the ciphering processing that are a cipher sequence number of 32 bits long, a hyper frame number HFN of a long sequence number, a connection frame number CFN of a short sequence number which are defined in the 3GPP. The hyper frame number HFN and the connection frame number CFN are counted in the first protocol processing portion  231 . The control portion  22  holds the hyper frame number HFN and the connection frame number CFN of the ciphering parameter which is called from the first protocol processing portion  231  (step  203 ).  
         [0035]     Subsequently, the control portion  22  sends a resource capture request to the second protocol processing portion  232  (step  204 ). Responsive to the resource capture request, the second protocol processing portion  232  transmits “DL Transport Channel Synchronization” defined by the 3GPP TS25.402 (step  205 ), receives “UL Transport Channel Synchronization” from the first radio base station (Node B) (step  206 ), and sends a resource capture reply to the control portion  22  (step  207 ).  
         [0036]     The “Transport Channel Synchronization” may be executed if the second protocol processing portion  232  recognizes a transmission timing of the connection frame number CFN to be transmitted. In the example being illustrated, the “Transport Channel Synchronization” is executed in order to determine a correct transmission timing. In addition, it is assumed that the Iub-IF portion  24  transmits/receives data to/from the second protocol processing portion  232  on transmitting/receiving the “Transport Channel Synchronization.” It is necessary for the Iub-IF portion  24  to identify whether the frame is a data frame or the control frame and to always conduct if the frame is the control frame. In addition, identification of the data frame and the control frame may be carried out by referring a frame type FT described in the 3GPP TS25.427.  
         [0037]     Subsequently, the control portion  22  adds a preset margin value to the held connection frame number CFN to obtain or generate a new hyper frame number HFN and a new connection frame number CFN for cipher setting (step  208 ). In this event, if a result obtained by adding the margin value to the connection frame number CFN spreads 0 over, the control portion  22  increments the hyper frame number HFN by one to obtain the hyper frame number HFN for the cipher setting.  
         [0038]     This reason is as follows. Inasmuch as the connection frame number CFN has the value between 0 and 255, 255 is incremented to 0. It is necessary to increment the hyper frame number HFN by 1 in a case where the connection frame number CFN spreads 0 over so as to shift from 255 to 0 when the ciphering process is executed. Accordingly, in order to hand the ciphering parameter over, this disposal is required. Specifically, it is assumed that the held hyper frame number HFN and the held connection frame number CFN are equal to one and two hundred and fifty-four, respectively, namely, HFN=1 and CFN=254, and the margin value is equal to four. In this event, the set hyper frame number HFN and the set connection frame number CFN are two and two, respectively, namely, HFN=2 and CFN=2.  
         [0039]     Now, the description will proceed to a reason to add the margin value to the connection frame number CFN. It is necessary to designate a time for starting a ciphering processing, namely, an “Activation Time.” It is necessary for the “Activation Time” to take into account an internal processing delay on switching the protocol processing portions. Accordingly, it is necessary to generate a future “Activation Time” so that the internal processing delay is taken into consideration for a current connection frame number CFN.  
         [0040]     Subsequently, the control portion  22  sends a cipher set request to the second protocol processing portion  232  with the calculated hyper frame number HFN and the calculated connection frame number CFN for the cipher setting carried on the cipher set request (step  209 ). After starting the ciphering processing using the set hyper frame number HFN and the set connection frame number CFN (step  210 ), the second protocol processing portion  232  sends a cipher set reply to the control portion  22  (step  211 ). In this event, the set connection frame number CFN is called the “Activation Time” for stating the ciphering processing in the manner which is described above. The second processing portion  232  counts the connection frame number CFN therein. When the connection frame number CFN reaches the “Activation Time”, the ciphering processing is started.  
         [0041]     Subsequently, the control portion  22  confirms that the ciphering processing is started in the second protocol processing portion  232  on the basis of the cipher set replay sent from the second protocol processing portion  232  and sends a connection destination switching request to the Iu-IF portion  21  and the Iub-IF portion  24  (steps  212  and  213 ).  
         [0042]     Although the Iu-IF portion  21  operates with the connection destination for the core network (CN)  1  set in the first protocol processing portion  231 , the Iu-IF portion  21  changes the connection destination for the core network (CN)  1  to the second protocol processing portion  232  in accordance with the connection destination switching request sent from the control portion  22  and sends a connection destination switching reply to the control portion  22  (step  214 ).  
         [0043]     Although the Iub-IF portion  24  operates with the connection destination for the first mobile unit (UE)  41  set in the first protocol processing portion  231 , the Iub-IF portion  24  changes the connection destination for the first mobile unit (UE)  41  to the second protocol processing portion  232  in accordance with the connection destination switching request sent from the control portion  22  and sends a connection destination switching reply to the control portion  22  (step  215 ).  
         [0044]     Finally, the control portion  22  sends a resource release request to the first protocol processing portion  231  (step  216 ). Responsive to the resource release request, the first protocol processing portion  231  releases resource in question and sends a resource release reply to the control portion  22  (step  217 ). Therefore, the connection destination for the core network (CN)  1  in the Iu-IF portion  21  is switched to the second protocol processing portion  232  (step  104 ) while the connection destination for the first mobile unit (UE)  41  in the Iub-IF portion  24  is switched to the second protocol processing portion  232  (step  105 ). And, the second protocol processing portion  232  executes ciphering processing on the user data (step  103 ).  
         [0045]     Inasmuch as a series of operation and control described above is performed within the radio network controller (RNC)  2 , the mobile units (UE) and the core network (CN) do not require processing with the operation of this invention.  
         [0046]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the description will proceed to a mobile communication system according to a second embodiment of this invention. The illustrated mobile communication system is similar in structure and operation to the mobile communication system illustrated in  FIG. 1  except that the radio access network RAN is modified from that illustrated in  FIG. 1  as will later become clear. Similar portions in  FIG. 1  are depicted at the same reference symbols. In the radio access network RAN, functions of the Iub-IF portion and the Iu-IF portion are taken out from components in a radio network controller (RNC)  2 A to the mobile units (UE) side and the core network (CN) side.  
         [0047]     More specifically, the radio access network RAN comprises the Iu-IF portion  21 , the radio network controller (RNC)  2 A, first through m-th Iub-IF portions  241 - 24   m,  and the first through the m-th radio base stations (Node B)  31 - 3   m.  The radio network controller (RNC)  2 A comprises the control portion  22  and the first through the n-th protocol processing portions  231 - 23   n.  The first through the m-th Iub-IF portions  241 - 24   m  are not components in the radio network controller (RNC)  2 A and have a one-to-one correspondence with the first through the m-th base stations (Node B)  31 - 3   m.  The Iu-IF portion  21  is not a component in the radio network controller (RNC)  2 A and corresponds to the core network (CN)  1 . The operation of the mobile communication system illustrated in  FIG. 3  is similar to that described in conjunction with  FIG. 2 .  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the description will proceed to a mobile communication system according to a third embodiment of this invention. The illustrated mobile communication system is similar in structure and operation to the mobile communication system illustrated in  FIG. 1  except that the radio access network RAN is modified from that illustrated in  FIG. 1  as will later become clear. Similar portions in  FIG. 1  are depicted at the same reference symbols.  
         [0049]     The radio access network RAN comprises a primary radio network controller (RNC)  2   a,  a subsidiary radio network controller (RNC)  2   b,  first through m-th primary radio base stations (Node B)  31   a - 3   ma,  and first through m-th subsidiary radio base stations (Node B)  31   b - 3   mb.    
         [0050]     The primary radio network controller (RNC)  2   a  is connected to the core network (CN)  1  via the Iu interface. The primary radio network controller (RNC)  2   a  is connected to the first through the m-th primary radio base stations (Node B)  31   a - 3   ma  via the Iub interfaces. Likewise, the subsidiary radio network controller (RNC)  2   b  is connected to the core network (CN)  1  via the Iu interface. The subsidiary radio network controller (RNC)  2   b  is connected to the first through the m-th subsidiary radio base stations (Node B)  31   b - 3   mb  via the Iub interfaces. The primary radio network controller (RNC)  2   a  and the subsidiary radio network controller (RNC)  2   b  are connected to each other via an Iur interface.  
         [0051]     The primary radio network controller (RNC)  2   a  comprises a primary Iu-IF portion  21   a,  a primary control portion  22   a,  first through n-th primary protocol processing portions  231   a,    232   a,  . . . , and  23   na,  a primary Iub-IF portion  24   a,  and a primary Iur-IF portion  25   a.  Similarly, the subsidiary radio network controller (RNC)  2   b  comprises a subsidiary Iu-IF portion  21   b,  a subsidiary control portion  22   b,  first through n-th subsidiary protocol processing portions  231   b,    232   b,  . . . , and  23   nb,  a subsidiary Iub-IF portion  24   b,  and a subsidiary Iur-IF portion  25   b.    
         [0052]     The primary Iur-IF portion  25   a  and the subsidiary Iur-IF portion  25   b  are connected to each other via the lur interface. The primary Iur-IF portion  25   a  has a function for interfacing with the subsidiary radio network controller (RNC)  2   b  while the subsidiary Iur-IF portion  25   b  has a function for interfacing with the primary radio network controller (RNC)  2   a.    
         [0053]     In the manner which is similar to operation described in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , it is possible to hand over processing from a protocol processing portion in the primary radio network controller (RNC)  2   a  to another protocol processing portion in the subsidiary radio network controller (RNC)  2   b  and to hand over processing in the opposite direction thereto.  
         [0054]     The first through the n-th primary protocol processing portions  231   a - 23   na  are controlled by the primary control portion  22   a  while the first through the n-th subsidiary protocol processing portions  231   b - 23   nb  are controlled by the subsidiary control portion  22   b.  The primary control portion  22   a  and the subsidiary control portion  22   b  have functions for going by way of control each other. Accordingly, the primary control portion  22   a  does not directly control the first through the n-th subsidiary protocol processing portions  231   b - 23   nb  in the subsidiary radio network controller (RNC)  2   b  but controls the first through the n-th subsidiary protocol processing portions  231   b - 23   nb  via the subsidiary control portion  22   b.  Similarly, the subsidiary control portion  22   b  does not directly control the first through the n-th primary protocol processing portions  231   a - 23   na  in the primary radio network controller (RNC)  2   a  but controls the first through the n-th primary protocol processing portions  231   a - 23   na  via the primary control portion  22   a.    
         [0055]     While this invention has thus far been described in conjunction with a few embodiments thereof, it will readily be possible for those skilled in the art to put this invention into practice in various other manners.