Bearer Independent Call Control - BICC

Switching Core Network Signalling M14/U4

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BICC in 3GPP R4

Control plane

BICC CS-2 IP MSC Server Nc

MSC Server/ GCS

H.248 IP

User plane

Nb MGW AAL2/AAL5 RTP ATM or IP MGW

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H.248 IP

Mc

Mc

Bearer Independent Call Control - BICC

- call control protocol - based on ISUP - Separate set of procedures for call control signalling and transport of
bearer control signalling - independent of - bearer technology (e.g. IP, ATM) - signalling message transport (e.g. MTP, MTP3b, SIGTRAN)

BICC MTP3 MTP2 MTP1 MTP3b SAAL ATM M3UA SCTP IP

BICC over TDM

BICC over ATM

BICC over IP

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BICC in 3GPP R4
For IP backbones: bearer-information is transferred between MSSs in BICC
through APM-mechanism

Bearer information carried inside call control messages MSC Server IAM MSC Server

. . IP address: 192.168.3.2 Port: 5964 Codec: AMR mode 7 . .

BICC IP: 192.168.3.2 port: 5964 MGW Sigtran M3UA SCTP IP

MGW

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BICC Functional Blocks

SN Control plane Call Control CMN Call Control Signalling SN

CSF
Call Bearer Control Signalling (CBC)

Signalling

CSF

CSF
Call Bearer Control Signalling (CBC)

BIWF
User plane

BIWF
Bearer Control Signalling

BCF

BCF

Bearer

Bearer

SN : CMN : BIWF :

Serving Node Call Service Function (CSF) with associated Bearer Control Function (BCF) Call Mediation Node CSF without associated BCF Bearer Inter-working Function, provides BCF and media mapping/switching function

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Bearer Establishment Modes

MSS
BICC:IAM

MSS

Forward
ATM and IP bearers Bearer establishment direction

MSS
BICC:IAM

MSS

Backward
ATM bearers IP bearers only if originating side is another vendor Bearer establishment direction

MGW
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MGW

Two ways to establish a bearer

1) ATM: separate bearer control signalling: AAL-Type-2 Signalling 2) IP: bearer information tunneled in call control and call bearer control messages: IPBCP MSS
Call Control Signalling BICC or SIP

MSS
IP backbone: the IPBCP protocol is tunneled inside H.248 and BICC (or SIP) via the MSC Servers.

H.248

H.248 ATM backbone: separate bearer control signalling: AAL-Type-2 signalling Bearer Control Signalling e.g: AAL2 signalling

MGW
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MGW
Presentation / Author / Date / Document Number

Main BICC call control related messages -1 Q1902.3

Message ACM ANM APM CPG CON IAM IDR IRS INF INR Code 0000 0110 0000 1001 0100 0001 0010 1100 0000 0111 0000 0001 0011 0110 0011 0111 0000 0100 0000 0011 Description Address Complete Message Answer Message Application Transport Message Call Progress Connect Initial Address Message Identification Request Identification Response Information Information Request

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Main BICC call control related messages -2 Q1902.3

Message REL RES RLC SAM SGM SUS USR

Code 0000 1100 0000 1110 0001 0000 0000 0010 0011 1000 0000 1101 0010 1101

Description Release Resume Release Complete Subsequent Address Message Segmentation Suspend User-to-User Information

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Main BICC Maintenance related messages -1 Q1902.3

Message CGB CGBA GRS GRA CGU CGUA CFN RSC Code 0001 1000 0001 1010 0001 0111 0010 1001 0001 1001 0001 1011 0010 1111 0001 0010 Description Circuit / CIC Group Blocking Circuit / CIC Group Blocking Acknowledgement Circuit / CIC Group Reset Circuit / CIC Group Reset Acknowledgement Circuit / CIC Group Unblocking Circuit / CIC Group Unblocking Acknowledgement Confusion Reset Circuit / CIC message

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General BICC PDU format (ASN1)

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Format of BICC messages

Formats and codes for BICC protocols are specified in ITU-T Q.1902.3 They are very similar to ISUP messages.

CIC Message type code Mandatory fixed part Mandatory variable part Optional part

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CIC (Call Instance Code)

CIC in the BICC protocol is used to identify a signalling relation between peer BICC
entities and to associate all the PDUs to that relation. CIC allocates a signalling message to the (virtual) channel, carrying the call. Bilateral agreement is required with regard to the CIC values provisioned.

5 CIC CIC CIC

1
LSB

1 2 3 4

MSB

CIC

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Application Transport Mechanism APM -1 APM (ITU-T Q.765.5) is used to transmit bearer related information in BICC
messages The application, using APM for bearer control, is called Bearer Association Transport Application Service Element (BAT- ASE) The application is running in parallel to call control instance in the node Application specific data may be sent in CC messages or as a separate APM message.

appl CC

appl CC CC message + application data (e.g. BICC:IAM) application data

(e.g. BICC:APM)

CC message + application data (e.g. BICC:CPG)

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Application Transport Mechanism APM -2 APM for BICC carries among others
Action indicator (forward/backward) BNC ID (reference used to associate the bearer with a call) BIWF address (MGW address) Codec(s) Tunneling related information (used/not used, bearer control payload) Carried in APP parameter of various BICC call control messages: ACM, ANM, APM, CPG, CON, IAM, PRI

MSS BAT-ASE
param

MSS
APP
param

IAM

BAT-ASE

e.g. IAM or APM message

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Application Transport Parameter (APP)

ext=0 octet 1a present

000010= BAT ASE application used

8 ext. ext.
Sequence Indicator 1=New sequence 0=Subsequent

7 MSB

1 LSB 1 1a 2 3 3a n
Send Notification 1=send notification 000000=Final segment 000001 to 001001= segment number Release Call Indicator 1=Release call

Application Context Identifier (BAT-ASE) spare SI APM Segmentation Indicator Segmentation local reference APM user information SNI

ext. ext. ext.

RCI

4 Indicator

Identifier 1 Length indicator 1 Compatibility information 1 Content 1 Identifier 2 Length indicator 2 Compatibility Information 2 Content 2 :
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1 2 3 4 m

Presentation / Author / Date / Document Number

Contents of APM identifiers -1Value 0000 0001 0000 0010 IE name Action Indicator Backbone Network Connection Identifier (BNC_ID) Bearer Interworking Function address (BIWF) Codec list Single codec Information Can have codes like connect forward, connect backward etc. Identifies the logical connection between a local and remote termination. (Similar to the port in the IP technology) ATM AAL2 level address which is needed for the ATM AAL2 connection setup. (Similar to the IP address in the IP technology) NSAP format In the codec list, single codec information elements are listed in decreasing order of preference level. Has a field called Organization identifier and codec information subfield. Subfield has information about the codec type and codec configuration. Identifies the bearer used e.g. IP/RTP, AAL1, AAL2, TDM etc.

0000 0011

0000 0100 0000 0101

0000 0111

Bearer Network Connection Characteristics

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Contents of APM identifiers -2Value IE name Information

0000 0110 0000 1000 0000 1001 0000 1010

BAT compatibility report Bearer Control information Bearer control tunnelling Bearer Control Unit identifier

Instructions on received, unrecognized information Contains PDU (Protocol Data Unit) of BCTP Indicates whether tunnelling is used or not Contains information about the BCU. It includes Network ID and Local BCU-ID. A logical MGW identifier which can be used for optimal MGW selection purposes. Signal to be applied Indicates the signal type e.g. DTMF tones, dial tone, ringing tone, busy tone etc. Indicates whether bearer redirection capability is supported at sending node and also indicates options within the capability. Duration of a signal in milliseconds.

0000 1011 0000 1110 0000 1100

Signal Signal type Bearer redirection capability Duration

0000 1000

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Action Indicator: used for a lot of indications

Bearer Setup Control, for example

no indication connect backward connect forward connect forward, no notification connect forward plus notification required

Bearer Setup Indication, for example

connected

Codec Selection and Modification, for example

selected codec modify codec successful codec modification codec modification failure mid-call codec negotiation

DTMF Interaction, for example

start signal, notify start signal, no notify stop signal, notify stop signal, no notify

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Action Indicator (AI): usage in BICC:IAM and BICC:APM

IAM contains one of the following action indicator values:
connect forward or connect backward

APM (as IAM response) without codec negotiation:

connect forward, no notification

APM (as IAM response) with codec negotiation:

connect forward, no notification + selected codec, selected codec

APM, if the out of band bearer establishment notification is requested from the peer MSS without codec negotiation (i.e. BICC:APM notifies the peer MSS about an established bearer):
connect forward, plus notification

APM, if the out of band bearer establishment notification is requested from the peer MSS with codec negotiation:
connect forward, plus notification + selected codec

APM as out of band bearer establishment notification to the peer MSS:

connected

APM transferring only Bearer Control Information (IPBCP) in case of IP tunneling:

no action indicator.
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Codec list
CODEC LIST
Single codec IE Single Codec IE

Organization ID 0x00 0x01 0x02 no indication ITU-T ETSI

Organization Identifier

Single codec IE Codec type (codec ID)

Single codec IE

Codec configuration

Codec Type (Codec ID)

ITU-T
0x00 0x01 No indication G.711 (64 kbps, A-law) G.711 (64 kbps, u-law) 0x00 0x01 0x02 0x03 0x04 0x05 0x06

ETSI
GSM FR GSM HR GSM EFR GSM FR AMR GSM HR AMR UMTS AMR UMTS AMR2

Only if codec negotiation is used ZJFI:

0x02

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Tunneling bearer information

IPBCP
(Q.1970)

SDP
(RFC2327) MSS MSS

BCTP
(Q.1990)

Nc IPBCP Mc
(Q.1970)

APM
(Q.765.5)

BICC
(Q.1902.2)

Mc

SDP
(RFC2327)

M3UA SCTP IP
MGW MGW IP_BB

BCTP
(Q.1990)

MEGACO
(H.248)

SCTP IP

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IPBCP IP Bearer Control Protocol

Establishes and allows the modification of IP bearers. Encoded by Session Description Protocol (SDP; text) Four messages:

Request Accepted Confused

- Sent by a BIWF to initiate an IP bearer establishment or modification request. - Sent by a BIWF that receives an IP bearer establishment or modification message if it accepts the request. - Sent by a BIWF in response to an IP bearer establishment or modification message if it cannot process the received message. - Sent by a BIWF in response to an IP bearer establishment or modification message if it rejects the request

Rejected

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IPBCP in SDP format

SDP version (v) : 0 Owner/Creator, Session ID (o) : Owner Username : - (not used by IPBCP) Session ID : 0 (not used by IPBCP) Session Version : 0 Owner Network Type : IN (internet) Owner Address Type : IPv4 or IPv6 Owner Address : IP address of the MGW Session name (s): Session type (ignored when received) Connection Information (c): Connection Network Type : IN Connection Address Type : IPv4 or IPv6 Connection Address : IP address of the MGW Time Description, active time (t) : Session Start Time : 0 Session Stop Time : 0
(0 indicate permanent session)

v= 0 SDP o= - 0 0 IN IP4 10.33.16.136 s= IP Tunneling c= IN IP4 10.33.16.136 t= 0 0 a= ipbcp:1 Request m= audio 1026 RTP/AVP 96 a= rtpmap: 96 VND.3GPP.IUFP/16000

Media Description, name and address (m): Media Type : audio or video Media Port : port number value Media Proto: RTP/AVP Media Format : Media Attribute (a) : Media Attribute Fieldname : rtpmap or fmtp Media Format : Multi-Purpose Internet Mail Extension Type :

Session Attribute (a) : Session Attribute Fieldname : IPBCP protocol version : 1

IPBCP command type : Request/Accepted/Confused/Rejected

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Codecs represented in SDP

Codec AMR SDP representation m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 96 a=rtpmap:96 AMR/8000 a=fmtp:96 mode-set=1,2,3,4,5,6,7 m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 103 a=rtpmap:103 GSM-EFR/8000 m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 3 a=rtpmap:3 GSM/8000 m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 8 a=rtpmap:8 PCMA/8000 m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 0 a=rtpmap:0 PCMU/8000 m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 4 a=rtpmap:4 G723/8000 Codec G.723.1 Annex A SDP representation m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 4 a=rtpmap:4 G723/8000 a=fmtp:4 annexa=yes m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 18 a=rtpmap:18 G729A/8000 m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 18 a=rtpmap:18 G729A/8000 a=fmtp:18 annexb=yes m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 97 a=rtpmap:97 iLBC/8000 m=audio 1234 RTP/AVP 100 a=rtpmap:100 CLEARMODE/8000

EFR FR G.711 A-law G.711 u-law G.723.1

G.729a G.729a Annex B

iLBC Clearmode

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Terms, describing call setup scenarios (1)

Forward call setup:

The bearer connection at Nb is established in the same direction as the initial call setup message at Nc (from A-side MGW towards B-side MGW; SAI=FORW). The bearer connection at Nb is established in the opposite direction as the initial call setup message at Nc (from B-side MGW towards A-side MGW; SAI=BACK). MGW selection method in the originating MSC Server when the originating MGW is selected after the succeeding MSC Server has selected the MGW (originating MGW selection is based on the MGW of the succeeding MSS). Forward bearer establishment. SAI=DFORW, supported only with ATM bearer currently

Backward call setup:

Delayed MGW selection:

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Terms, describing call setup scenarios (2)

Forward tunnelling: The initial bearer control protocol message (IPBCP:Request) is tunneled in the same direction as the initial call setup message at Nc (from A-side MGW towards B-side MGW). The initial bearer control protocol message (IPBCP:Request) is tunneled in the opposite direction to the initial call setup message at Nc (from B-side MGW towards A-side MGW). The initial bearer control protocol message (IPBCP:Request) is exchanged in the first IAM APM message pair. The initial bearer control protocol message (IPBCP:Request) is exchanged in the second and third APM messages (i.e. after the first IAM APM message pair).

Backward tunnelling:

Fast tunnelling:

Delayed tunnelling:

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Forward IP bearer establishment with fast forward tunneling, no codec negotiation

SAI = FORW UPD.STOM = DC
5. IAM(APP ( "connect forward", BCU-ID1, BNC Char: IP/RTP BCI = IPBCP1, BCT = Tunneling to be used)) 10. APM(APP ( "connect forward, no notifification", BCU-ID2, BCI = IPBCP2)) 18. ACM 19. ANM 16. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 16. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 11.ModdReq(IPBCP2) 3. NotifyReq(IPBCP1) 8. NotifyReq(IPBCP2) 6. AddReq(T2, Event=Tunnel Ind, TunOpt=1, IPBCP1)

UPD.STOM = DC

1. AddReq(T1, Event=Tunnel Ind. TunOpt=1)

17. NotifyReply

13. User Plane established. Note: The AddReply and NotifyReq commands are conveyed in the same H.248 message. 14. NbUP Init 15. NbUP Init Ack

Note: The AddReply and NotifyReq commands are conveyed in the same H.248 message.

Fast forward tunneling is initiated only without codec negotiation and only with forward bearer establishment.
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The purple parts are the IP tunneling specific items.

17. NotifyReply

4. NotifyReply

9. NotifyReply

12. ModReply

2. AddReply

7. AddReply

ACM depends on the terminating side call setup in MSS2.

Forward IP bearer establishment with delayed forward tunneling and codec negotiation
SAI = FORW UPD.STOM = CN
3. IAM(APP ( "connect forward", BCU-ID1, BNC Char: IP/RTP, BCT = Tunneling to be used, supported codec list)) 6. APM(APP ( "connect forw, no notif+sel cdc", BCUID2, selected codec, available codec list)) 11. APM(APP (BCI = IPBCP1)) 16. APM(APP (BCI = IPBCP2)) 24. ACM 2. AddReply 7.ModdReq(Establish BNC, selected codec, Event=Tunnel Ind.) 1. AddReq(T1, no codec, TunOpt=2) 25. ANM 22. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 22. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 4. AddReq(T2, codec, TunOpt=2) 14. NotifyReq(IPBCP2) 9. NotifyReq(IPBCP1) 17.ModReq(IPBCP2) 12.ModReq(IPBCP1, Event=Tunnel Ind,) 10. NotifyReply 23. NotifyReply 15. NotifyReply 23. NotifyReply

UPD.STOM = CN

18. ModReply

ACM depends on the terminating side call setup in MSS2.

19. User Plane established. 20. NbUP Init 21. NbUP Init Ack

Delayed forward tunneling is initiated only with codec negotiation.

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13. ModReply

8. ModReply

5. AddReply

The purple parts are the IP tunneling specific items.

Forward ATM bearer establishment, no codec negotiation

SAI = FORW UPD.STOM = DC
3. IAM(APP ( "connect forward", BCU-ID1, BIWF1, BNC Char: ATM AAL2)) 6. APM(APP ( "connect forward, no notification", BCU-ID2, BNC-ID2, BIWF2)) 15. ACM 16. ANM 4. AddReq(T2, Requesting BIWF2, BNC-ID2) 7.ModdReq(BIWF2, BNC-ID2, Est. Bearer signal) 13. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 13. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 1. AddReq(T1, codec, Requesting BIWF1) 2. AddReply(BIWF1)

UPD.STOM = DC

14. NotifyReply

8. AAL2 ERQ 10. AAL2 ECF 11. NbUP Init 12. NbUP Init Ack

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14. NotifyReply

9. ModReply

ACM depends on the terminating side call setup in MSS2.

5. AddReply(BIWF2, BNC-ID2)

Forward ATM bearer establishment, with codec negotiation

SAI = FORW UPD.STOM = CN
3. IAM(APP ( "connect forward", BCU-ID1, BIWF1, BNC Char: ATM AAL2, supported codecs list)) 6. APM(APP ( "connect forw, no notif + selected codec", BCU-ID2, BNC-ID2, BIWF2, sel codec, avail. codecs list)) 15. ACM 16. ANM 13. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 7.ModdReq(BIWF2, BNCID2, codec, Est. Bearer signal) 9. ModReply 4. AddReq(T2, Requesting BIWF2, BNCID2) 5. AddReply(BIWF2, BNC-ID2) 13. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 1. AddReq(T1, no codec, Requesting BIWF1) 2. AddReply(BIWF1)

UPD.STOM = CN

14. NotifyReply

8. AAL2 ERQ 10. AAL2 ECF 11. NbUP Init 12. NbUP Init Ack

Differences in red compared to the previous slide.

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14. NotifyReply

ACM depends on the terminating side call setup in MSS2.

Backward ATM bearer establishment, no codec negotiation

SAI = BACK UPD.STOM = DC UPD.STOM = DC
3. IAM(APP ( "connect backward", BCU-ID1, BIWF1, BNC-ID1, BNC Char: ATM AAL2)) 12. ACM 13. ANM 4. AddReq(T2, BIWF1, BNCID1, Establish Bearer signal) 6. AddReply

10. NotifyReq(BNC Est.)

1. AddReq(T1, codec, Requesting BIWF1, BNCID1) 2. AddReply(BNC-ID1, BIWF1)

11. NotifyReply

NbUP (IuUP also) initialisation is executed end-toend and it is always done in forward direction regardless of the bearer establishment direction.

5. ERQ 7. ECF 8. NbUP Init 9. NbUP Init Ack

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11. NotifyReply

ACM depends on the terminating side call setup in MSS2.

10. NotifyReq(BNC Est.)

Backward ATM bearer establishment with codec negotiation

SAI = BACK UPD.STOM = CN
3. IAM(APP ( "connect backward", BCU-ID1, BNC-ID1, BIWF1, BNC Char: ATM AAL2, supported codec list)) 8. APM(APP ( selected codec", selected codec, available codec list)) 15. ACM 16. ANM 1. AddReq(T1, no codec, Requesting BIWF1, BNCID1) 2. AddReply(BNC-ID1, BIWF1) 13. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 13. NotifyReq(BNC Est.) 4. AddReq(T2, BIWF1, BNC-ID1, Establish Bearer signal)

UPD.STOM = CN

9.ModdReq( selected codec)

14. NotifyReply

5. ERQ 7. ECF 11. NbUP Init 12. NbUP Init Ack

Differences in red compared to the previous slide.

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14. NotifyReply

10. ModReply

6. AddReply

ACM depends on the terminating side call setup in MSS2.

Codec Selection : Tandem Free Operation (TFO) vs Transcoder Free Operation (TrFO)
- TFO

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Codec Selection : Tandem Free Operation (TFO) vs Transcoder Free Operation (TrFO)
- TrFO : Codec negotiation using BICC APP parameter

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Successful BICC codec negotiation

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