Signaling Technology Review

Steve Madden
Technical Marketing Engineer
Agenda

Introduction to Signaling and SS7

SS7 Network Infrastructure
SS7 Protocols
Evolution of Signaling (TDM to IP/SIGTRAN)
Signaling Applications

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What Is Signaling? How Is It used?

SS7 set of protocols used SIGTRAN (SIGnaling TRANsport)

inside networks for wireline IP telephony protocol used to
and wireless services.
transfer SS7 signals over IP
networks.
M3UA M2PA

SCTP

IP

Physical

Using signaling technology, communications systems

developers can
• Build large, scalable core network platforms (HLR, SMS-C, IP…)
• Integrate data and information to enable high-value services
• Manage advanced capabilities such as call forwarding, wireless
roaming, and prepaid billing etc

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Features of SS7
Single signaling channel may control many (voice, data) circuits.
Signaling is on lines physically separated from voice/data.
Network protocol, very reliable and robust
Redundant hardware and routing (primary & alternate) paths to ensure
high reliability
World-wide standard for digital networks, fixed and mobile
Backbone for ISDN, Mobile and Intelligent Networks (IN)

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Agenda

Introduction to SS7
SS7 Network Infrastructure
SS7 Protocols
Evolution of signaling (TDM to IP/SIGTRAN)
Signaling Applications

5
SS7 Network Architecture

Signaling network separate from voice network

Purpose is to transport data messages between nodes for:
• Call control (wireline & wireless)
• Advanced services (e.g. SMS, LNP)
• Network management
All nodes are called Signaling points
• Message discrimination
• Route messages to another Signaling point

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Signaling Points

Uniquely identified by a numeric Point Code

Point codes are carried in messages to identify
• Source
• Destination
Each SP uses a routing table to select a signaling path
3 different types:
• Service Switching Point (SSP)
• Signal Transfer Point (STP)
• Service Control Point (SCP)

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Signaling Points review

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SS7 Terminology

Point Code
• Address of a Signaling Point in an SS7 network
• 14 bits in ITU-T, 24 bits in ANSI
Signaling link
• Logical channel carrying SS7 Signaling traffic
• Low Speed Link: 64 or 56 kb/s timeslot in an E-1/T-1 trunk or
separate V.35 serial connection
• High Speed Link: 1.5 Mb/s (T1) or 2 Mb/s (E1)
• Usually configured to handle 20-40 % of available bandwidth
Link Set
• Collection of up to 16 Signaling links between two adjacent point
codes

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Point Codes, Links and Link sets

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Circuit identification Code

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 Network Architectures
Mobile Applications
Intelligent Networks
Roaming Messaging
800, LNP, Prepaid
Location-based Services
Signaling Signal
Transfer
Service Point
Point (STP)
(SSP)
SS7/PSTN
Network
Mobile Base Station
Switching Subsystem
Center (MSC)

Service
local Control
Switch Point
(SSP) (SCP) Home/Visitor CAMEL Service
Location Register Environment
(HLR/VLR) (CSE)

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Agenda

Introduction to SS7
SS7 Network Infrastructure
SS7 Protocols
Evolution of signaling (TDM to IP/SIGTRAN)
Signaling Applications

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Why SS7 protocols?

SS7 is not just a single protocol

Suite of protocols
Each of the protocols have a defined interface and function

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SS7 Protocols

INAP/AIN IS41/GSM
(INAP- ETSI (IS41
Mobile/Wireless CAMEL-GSM) IS826/WIN)
Messaging and Call
Intelligent ISUP TUP
TCAP Control
Networking

SCCP

MTP3

Message
MTP2 Transfer
Part

MTP1

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MTP 2

The link control layer

Ensures that messages (a.k.a. Signal Units) are sent point to point
error free and in sequence

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MTP 3

Routing messages between various Signaling points in the network

Load sharing
Route failure management

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ISUP

ISDN User Part

Defines messages and procedures to support ISDN calls and
supplementary services inside the network
Media (voice) is carried in a 64kbps timeslot, each timeslot is assigned
a Circuit Identification Code

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Telephony architecture

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SCCP

Signaling Connection Control Part

Provides the capability of exchanging

free format data (other than call
control messages) between nodes in
the SS7 network
Augments MTP3 addressing capabilities
Provides management of the state of
the entities (sub-systems) that
exchange data

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SCCP network architecture

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TCAP

Transaction Capabilities Application Part

Provides a structured interface to

control operations executed between
physically independent nodes in the
SS7 network
Operations and their results are
managed within a session (or a
dialogue/transaction)

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TC Application parts

GSM-MAP: ETSI mobile application part (SMS, HLR interrogation,

USSD …)
IS41-MAP: ANSI mobile application part
INAP: Intelligent networking (1-800, Intelligent call routing …)
CAMEL (Customised Application for Mobile Network Enhanced Logic

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SMS message flow

SMSC

2. MSC routes
4. Message delivered to
1. Mobile sends text message
called subscriber
text message to SMSC

MSC/VLR

MSC/VLR
3. SMSC asks HLR HLR
for current location of
called subscriber

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Agenda

Introduction to SS7
SS7 Network Infrastructure
SS7 Protocols
Evolution of signaling (TDM to IP/SIGTRAN)
Signaling Applications

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The Signaling Future – coming soon!

The network is starting to shift to IP

SS7 is as important as ever – maybe even more so!
SIGTRAN is crucial

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2.5 Generation Network - SS7 signaling

VLR

MSC GMSC

GSM MAP SS7

RAN

EIR

SMSC HLR AuC Prepaid

GMLC

SGSN GGSN

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Typical Next Generation Network
- a mix of signaling technology

HLR/HSS

D/SUA
SIGTRAN/
Media BICC
MSC
Signalling SIP ISUP
ISUP/M3UA Gateway Server
Gateway Gateway M3UA
controller
Sh
C
SUA
ISUP ISUP/M3UA
SIP SIP SMS SIP E/SUA
Gateway CAP
SUA
ISUP/M3UA
SIP
Signalling E/SUA

Converter
ISUP IP Transport SMSC CAP
SS7 over SIGTRAN SUA
Ro
H.248 Prepaid
SIP ISC
Signalling
Ro
DNPSS Converter
RTP RTP
SIP-
Diameter
C5 IWF

Media Media
PSTN G704 RAN
Gateway Gateway

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What is SIGTRAN?

Suite of protocols including:

• SCTP – Stream Control Transmission Protocol
• M3UA – MTP3 User Adaptation Layer
• M2PA – MTP2 Peer to Peer Adaptation Layer
• M2UA – MTP2 User Adaptation Layer
• SUA – SCCP User Adaptation Layer
• IUA – ISUP User Adaptation Layer

Designed to carry SS7 messages over IP in a standards based way.

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SCTP

Common component to all SIGTRAN systems.

Allows point to point pipes to be created M3UA M2PA
• Interfaces directly to IP
• Reliable sequenced delivery SCTP
• Similar to TCP but better
Offers IP resilience ‘SCTP Multihoming’
IP
Fast recognition of link failure
Fast retransmission procedures
Physical
Strong flow control procedures

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M2PA

M2PA unique to SIGTRAN

M3UA M2PA
– it replaces MTP2 links.
Used between two point codes
Used over short or long distances SCTP

IP

Physical

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M3UA, SUA ‘User Adaptation’ layers

M3UA enables MTP3 user Signaling e.g. SCCP, ISUP over SCTP
SUA enables SCCP User Signaling (TCAP) over SCTP

M3UA SUA
• Offer Standards based interface
• Interface to SCTP and SS7 protocols
• Transparently move SS7 from one SCTP
place to the next

IP

Physical

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Agenda

Introduction to SS7
SS7 Network Infrastructure
SS7 Protocols
Evolution of signaling (TDM to IP/SIGTRAN)
Signaling Applications

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Just a Few Applications Using Signaling …

SMS Center SMS Router

Unified Messaging
HLR LBS
(Home Location Register)
(Location Based Service)

Call
Prepaid Control Push to Talk
SoftSwitch
CRBT
(Colour Ring Back Missed Call Alert Roaming
Tone)
AuC Billing
Number Portability (Authentication)

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Color Ring Back Tones

Replacement of traditional ring back tones by

user-defined announcements
(examples: songs, messages, sound effects)
Calling party hears the “color” ring

Called party subscribes to the service

Value added service designed for the youth market

segment

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Color Ring Back Tones Demonstration

Call Enhanced with Color Ring Back Tones

1. Peter dials Maureen’s

mobile number

3. Peter hears Color Ring

Back Tone until Maureen answers

2. CRBT app looks up which

ring tone Maureen has selected
for Peter to hear

SS7G2x Signaling Server with ISUP

36 Or Intelligent Network signaling
Video Call Integration in SS7

Video Messaging
SIP End
Server
Points
MSC

SIP
E1
Video
on
Capable
4M Video
Mobile Gateway IP
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Phone
-

P
3G

SI 1
71
G.
3G 3G – 324M P
RT
(circuit
switched) on E1

Q: How does a Video Service Provider connect to circuit switched mobile

networks to provide Video services?

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A: Using Video Gateway and
Intel NetStructure® Signaling Server

Video SIP End

Messaging Points
MSC
• ‘Video Gateway’ acts Server

as SIU host

SIP
Video
• Enables the Video Capable 3G 324M Using
Video IP
Mobile Gateway
Gateway to be directly Phone
ISDN PRI or SS7
SI
P
1
71
connected with circuit 3G
3G –324M RT
P G.

switched 3G networks!

3G – 324M
P
SI 7 11
G.
P
RT
SS7 ISUP
Signaling
Server Video
SS7G21 Gateway

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Multi Media Ring Back Tones

Circuit switched 3G network using 3G 324m protocol

1. Peter makes a call from a video

enabled handset to Maureen’s mobile
number (3G 324m call)

3. Peter sees and hears MM RBT

until Maureen answers

2. Multi Media RBT app looks up which

Video / audio clip Maureen has selected
for Peter to see and hear!

SS7G2x Signaling Server with ISUP

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+ Intelligent Network signaling
WLAN Authentication

Access WiFi hotspots via SMS commands from mobile phone

WiFi fees are applied to mobile phone bill
End-user benefits
Convenient alternative to using a credit card
Secure method of acquiring WLAN login information – mobile subscriber
authentication uses an operator-supplied mobile phone SIM card to ensure
only legitimate users access the WLAN

Mobile operator benefits

New revenue source
Low volumes of access traffic, no new voice traffic is carried

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WLAN Authentication Sample Implementation

Intel Signaling Server

Wireless Access
EAP Radius
Point
802.1x

5. User is authenticated;
4. User enters password
3. Authentication platform
records are forwarded
to SMS
1. access hotspot
message to
is sentbilling servers
generates password and
2. SMSC forwards request to
requesting hotspot Authentication
sends SMS message
access password GSM authentication Platform
back to user’s mobile
platform
phone

Visiting MSC Home MSC

SMSC
Base
Station VLR HLR
Subsystem

SS7 Link
Wireless Network
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IP Connection
Location-Based Services: Friend Finder

LBS locates friends, family members, and co-workers

Growing application in youth and family market segments

Can be permission-based to protect privacy

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Friend Finder Sample Demonstration
Step 1
Ask your friend to give you
permission to check location
To ask for permission to check
location, just send “add <friend’s Your mobile
mobile number>” to 9085551234. (9735556789)

Step 2
Your friend sends OK to your request
Your friend can simply send an
SMS message “ok <your mobile Friend’s mobile
number>” to 9085551234. (9735552456)

Step 3
Now you can locate your friend
After you get permission as above,
simply send “find <friend’s mobile
number>” Your mobile
to 9085551234. (9735556789)

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Signaling Technology Review

- Hybrid networks developing now

- Hot signaling applications drive revenue growth

- Intel Signaling Solutions meet worldwide customer needs

Questions?

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 Thank You!

[email protected]

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