Signaling System

Reference (1/2)
[1] Wireless and Mobile Network ArchitecturesY-Bing
Lin and Imrich ChlamtacWiley Computer Publishing
Chapters 2 and 5.

[2]

[3] Telephone Network and PBX Software Yi-Bing Lin

[4] Mobile and Wireless NetworksUyless Black

Prentice HallAppendix A.

Reference (2/2)
[5] SS7
[6] Carrier Grade Voice over IP2ndDaniel Collins
Mc Graw-Hill Companies Inc.
[7]Signaling System #7, 2nd, Travis Russell, McGraw-Hill.

Outlines

Introduction
Signaling System Number 7
Components and Links of SS7
SS7 Protocol Stack
SS7 Messages
PCS/PSTN Call Control Using ISUP
Summary

Introduction

PSTN
SS7 Network Architecture
SS7 Components

PSTN Architecture

Components in PSTN
Customer premises equipment (CPE)
Telephone set, PBX (Private Branch Exchanges), ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network) PBX, ISDN
Adaptor

Transmission facilities
Trunks and subscriber lines

Switching system
Central offices (CO) or exchange, tandems, ISDN CO

Call Setup and Release

A call requires a communications circuit between
two subscribers.
The setup and release of connection is triggered
by signals.

Signaling Systems (1/2)

Besides delivering subscriber voice and data
information, telecommunication network
requires a signaling system.
Signaling is the communication of control
information between the signaling elements via
some prescribed protocol.
For call setup control, administration, disconnect of
the circuit

Signaling Systems (2/2)

Two types of signaling functions:
Supervisory signals initiate a call request, to hold or
release an established connection
Supervising signals: recognize if subscriber lines/interoffice
trunks are busy or idle
Call progress signals: provide call status information
Alerting signals: provide warning to a subscriber

Address signals

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Customer-Line Signaling

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Dial Pulse vs. Dual Tone Multi-Frequency

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Interoffice Trunk Signaling

Control information exchange among the
switches is achieved by interoffice trunk
signaling.
Two approaches:
Channel associated signaling (CAS)
Signaling and voice share the same inband channel.

Common channel signaling (CCS)

A separate out-of-band signaling network to carry
signaling message.

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CAS v.s. CCS

Channel Associated Signaling
Signaling and voice share the same channel

Common Channel Signaling

Separation of signaling and call paths
Signaling System 7 (SS7)

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The Advantages of CCS

Signaling packets can be efficiently delivered
using signaling links, which reduces the call setup
time.
Since the ineffective call attempts are released by
the signaling links, better utilization of voice
trunks can be expected.
Signaling can be performed during conversation.

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Signaling System No. 7 (1/2)

The first CCS system is signaling system number 6
developed in the 1970s.
The modern CCS system is SS7.
SS7 is the foundation for Intelligent Network (IN)
services.
SS7 is a dedicated data communication network
and similar to the packet network.
SS7 follows OSI 7 layer architecture.
Message-based signaling protocol
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Signaling System No. 7 (2/2)

To enable a wide range of services to be provided
to the end-user
Caller ID, toll-free calling, call screening, number
portability, etc.
Signaling between a PCS network and the PSTN
are typically achieved by the SS7 network.

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Components and Links of SS7

Signaling Point (SP)

Each node in an SS7 network is an signal point
(SP).
The signaling address of the SP is known as a
signaling point code.
Linkset
Group of signaling links directly connecting two
adjacent SPs
For capability and security reasons

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Basic Components
SSP/Service Switching Point
switching, service invocation

STP/Signal Transfer Point

signal routing

SCP/Service Control Point

service logic execution

IP/Intelligent Peripheral
resources such as customized voice announcement,
voice recognition, DTMF digit collection
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Service Switching Point (SSP)

Trunks connects SSPs to carry user data/voice
information.
Signaling links connect SCPs to STPs, and STPs to
SSPs.

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Signal Transfer Point (STP)

To transfer messages from one SPC to another

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Service Control Point (SCP)

A network entity that contains additional logic
and that can be used to offer advanced services
The switch sends a message to the SCP asking for
instructions.
The SCP, based upon data and service logic that is
available, will tell the switch which actions need to be
taken.

An good example toll-free 080 number

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Typical SS7 Network arrangement

A typical SS7 network arrangement.
Two switches do not communicate signaling to
each other via direct paths.
The quad arrangement ensures great robustness.

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The Telephone Network

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Types of Signaling Links in SS7

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SS7 Protocol Stack

The SS7 Signaling Protocol

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Message Transfer Part (1/2)

MTP Level 1
Defines the physical, electrical and functional characteristics of
the signaling.
100111010110000011100111001.....

MTP Level 2
Dealing with the transfer of messages on a given link from one
node to another
Provides reliable transfer of signaling messages between two
directly connected signaling points
Error detection and correction, flow control, signal unit
delimitation, etc.

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Message Transfer Part (2/2)

MTP Level 3
Provides the functions and procedures related to
message routing and network management.

Signaling message handling

Providing message routing between signaling points
in the SS7 network

Signaling network management

Rerouting traffic to other SS7 signaling links in the
case of link failure, congestion or node failure
Load-sharing
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ISUP
ISDN User Part
Used as the protocol for setting up and tearing
down phone calls between switches
Initial Address Message (IAM)
To initiate a call between two switches

Answer Message (ANM)

To indicate that a call has been accepted by the called
party

Release Message (REL)

To initiate call disconnection
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SCCP
Signaling Connection Control Part
Used as the transport layer for TCAP-based
services
Both connection-oriented and connectionless
Mostly connectionless signaling

Global title translation (GTT) capabilities

The destination signaling point and subsystem
number is determined from the global title

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TCAP
TCAP (Transaction Capabilities Applications Part)
Supporting the exchange of non-circuit related
information between signaling points
Queries and responses sent between SSPs and
SCPs are carried in TCAP messages
Freephone (800/888), calling card, wireless
roaming

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MAP and OMAP

Operations, Maintenance, and Administration
Part (OMAP)
Mobile Application Part (MAP)
Application of TCAP
IS-41 & GSM MAP are implemented in MAP layer.

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SS7 Messages

MTP2 Messages

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ITU-T Message Signal Unit

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Message Signal Unit (MSU)

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ISUP Message Format

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ISUP Message
ISUP messages
Establishes circuit-switched network connections
Call setup/release between the PSTN and a PCN.

ISUP messages that are delivered by MTP

routing.

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ISUP Messages (1/2)

IAM (Initial Address Message)
called number, calling number, transmission
requirement, type of caller, other information

ACM (Address Complete Message)

One-way path from destination to calling switch
Note: Called switch generates the ring-back tone.

ANM (Answer Message)

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ISUP Messages (2/2)

REL (Release) Message
To release the call

RLC (Release Complete) Message

Complete the call

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Basic Call Setup

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Basic Call Release

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MTP Layer Routing (1/2)

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MTP Layer Routing (2/2)

Destination Point Code (DPC) = actual address of
the destination node.
Lookup tables is used in the MTP
Routing based on DPC

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SCCP Layer Routing

Global Title Translation (GTT) is a function
defined within SCCP.
Performed at a STP or MSC.

GTT is the process of translating a network layer

address, dialed digits, or a service subsystem
number (SSN), to the point code of the
destination SSP.
ASE
SSN
Reserved
00000101
Routing based on GT translations
HLR
00000110
Called Party Address (PC+SSN+GT)
Calling Party Address (PC+SSN+GT)

VLR
MSC
EIR
AuC

00000111
00001000
00001001
00001010
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SCCP Message Embedded TCAP Message

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GTT Example

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PCS/PSTN Call Control Using ISUP

Land-to-Mobile Call Setup and Release

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Mobile-To-Land Call Setup and Release

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Performance Requirements for SS7

A given route set should not be out of service for
more than 10 minutes per year.
No more than 1x10-7 messages should be lost.
No more than 1x10-10 messages should be
delivered out of sequence.
In ISUP, numerous timing requirements must be
met.

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Summary
SS7: out-of-band signaling method
Components and Links of SS7
3 components: STP, SSP and SCP
6 links: A-F links.

PCN/PSTN Call Control Using ISUP

Land-to-Mobile Call Setup/Release Procedures
Mobile-to-Land Call Setup/Release Procedures

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