Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

Chapter 4 Signalling
4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Objectives ...................................................................................................................44 Introduction.................................................................................................................44 User-Line Signalling....................................................................................................46 Channel-Associated Inter-Exchange Signalling............................................................48 4.4.1 Audio-Frequency Circuits..............................................................................48 4.4.2 Outband Signalling in FDM Carrier Systems .................................................48 4.4.3 Inband Voice Frequency Signalling ...............................................................49 4.4.4 PCM Signalling Systems ...............................................................................50 4.4.5 Inter-Register Signalling................................................................................51 Common-Channel Signalling.......................................................................................54 4.5.1 General..........................................................................................................54 4.5.2 Signalling Networks ......................................................................................56 4.5.3 CCITT Signalling System No. 7 ....................................................................57 4.5.4 Digital User Line Signalling ..........................................................................63 4.5.5 Private Network Common-Channel Signalling ..............................................65 Summary .....................................................................................................................66

4.5

4.6

V3.0

Page 43

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

4.1 Objectives
Identify different types of signalling system. Understand the difference between forward and backward signals. Appreciate which signalling systems are used on users lines. Identify which signalling systems are used between exchanges. Understand what inband and outband signalling systems are. Understand the differences between channel-associated and common-channel signalling. Appreciate the meaning of PCM signalling systems. Understand inter-register signalling. Understand the detail of common-channel signalling. Appreciate the make-up of the Common Channel Signalling System No. 7. Understand which common-channel signalling systems are available for use in private networks.

4.2 Introduction
Signalling systems in telecommunications networks are just as important as switching and transmission systems. Indeed in most networks, without signalling the networks would be unable to offer any services. Signalling systems must not only be compatible with switching systems in order to ensure that the latter operate correctly, but must also be compatible with transmission systems to ensure that the signals actually get to the switching systems. As a result, the design of signalling systems has a major influence on both switching and transmission systems. For a local telephone call confined to a single exchange it is necessary for the signals to pass from the caller to the exchange and from the exchange to the caller. Likewise, signals must also pass from the exchange to the called person and vice versa. In a call involving more than one exchange, the signals must pass between all exchanges in both directions. Definitions: Forward signals Signals from the calling to called user. Backward signals Signals from the called to the calling user. Transmitted signals may be either continuous signals or intermittent pulse signals. A simple example of the former is when a caller lifts the receiver of their telephone off its rest. This completes a direct current path to the exchange, which remains in place until the user restores the handset onto its rest. Pulse signals may be either a single pulse or a coded group of pulses. An example of the latter would be the dialled digits transmitted from a telephone equipped with a rotary dial. This is demonstrated in Figure 4.1. Signals may also be acknowledged or unacknowledged. Dialling signals transmitted by a caller are generally unacknowledged. It could be said however that the first dialled digit is acknowledged as this causes the dial tone to be removed. In other words receipt of the first dialled digit is acknowledged by the removal of the dial tone. In a similar manner to transmitted signals, acknowledgement signals may be continuous or pulse. In a pulse signalling system the pulse signal may

Page 44

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

be repeated until acknowledged. In a continuous signalling system the signal is sent until an acknowledgement signal is received and the latter persists until the former is removed. This is termed compelled signalling and is the most reliable as the transmission and reception of the signals is positive. Unfortunately, although the compelled signal is reliable, when the circuit over which the signalling is transmitted has a long transmission time, compelled signalling is slow. It is for this reason that it is not used over earth satellite circuits.
telephone instrument users line telephone exchange

pulse dial contact

exchange power supply dial pulse detection relay

Switch-hook contact

Figure 4.1: Typical sources of continuous and pulse signals

Exercise 4.1 Explain why compelled signalling is the most reliable transmission method, using a simple diagram. Historically exchanges have signalled over the same circuits used for speech. This is termed channel associated signalling. Definition: Channel associated signalling Where the controlling and routing signals use the same channel as the speech signals. The signals associated with simple telephone calls are: Signal meaning Call request or seizure Address signal or dialling Answer Clear signals Signal type Forward Forward Backward Forward and Backward

V3.0

Page 45

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

Although initially channel associated signalling did not possess many drawbacks, the arrival of stored-program control (SPC) opened up the possibility of a wider range of services, many of which required signalling to take place during conversations. While it is possible to transmit signals outside the voice frequency range over the same circuits used for speech without the users detecting this, a much more suitable method is to use a separate signalling channel. This is termed common-channel-signalling because a single channel is used for all speech circuits, Common channel signalling is now widely used in national and international public networks, as well as in private networks between PBXs. It is also used in conjunction with the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) over users lines. Definition: Common channel signalling Where the controlling and routing signals use the separate signalling channel.

4.3 User-Line Signalling

In the local telephone network, now known as the local loop or last kilometre, the initial signalling system used was termed loop/disconnect. This was because for the call request signal, the users line was looped through the process of removing the handset from its rest. The dial periodically disconnecting the loop achieved the dial signals and the clear signal was a permanent disconnection caused when the handset was restored to its rest. Because loop/disconnect relied on a direct current path between the user and the exchange, the electrical resistance of the copper wires limited the length of the line. This was because there was a minimum line current that the exchange could detect. This effectively meant that users lines were limited to a resistance of 1,000 ohms when connected to electromechanical exchanges. With the economic need to utilise thinner and thinner copper wire, this meant that the distance that a user could be from the exchange became less and less. Fortunately, lines up to 2,000 ohms can be tolerated when used in conjunction with modern digital exchanges. The dial signals used in the loop/disconnect system are effectively one pulse of disconnection for every digit. The speed of this is 10 pulses per second. The exchange must also be able to detect when one digit ends. Therefore the dial arranges for an inter-digital pause of between 400 and 500 milliseconds. The period when the line is disconnected must be long enough for the exchange to detect the disconnection, but not so long that the exchange interprets it as a clear signal. All of these parameters result in a disconnect period of 33.3 milliseconds and a connected period of 66.6 milliseconds. As the pulse dials were mechanical devices, it was quite difficult to ensure they retained the characteristics to produce the required signals, especially as they suffered mechanical wear. This generated a need for another, more reliable type of dial signal. This resulted in a tone system where two tones were transmitted to represent each digit. The tones used are in the voice frequency range as shown in Figure 4.2.

Page 46

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

Frequency (Hertz) 697 770 852 941

1,209 Digit 1 Digit 4 Digit 7 Digit *

1,336 Digit 2 Digit 5 Digit 8 Digit 0

1,477 Digit 3 Digit 6 Digit 9 Digit #

1,633 Spare Spare Spare Spare

Figure 4.2: Dual-tone multi-frequency coding used in pushbutton telephones Exercise 4.2 What is the difference between pulse and tone dialling? The use of tone signalling was not economic with earlier Strowger exchanges, where each selector had to be capable of accepting pulse dial signals. The use of register control system exchanges resulted in a reduction in dial pulse receivers. The same applied to tone dial receivers, which permitted the economic introduction of tone dial telephones. Of course the latter needed additional circuitry in the telephone instrument to generate the required tones, but by then the development of electronics was advanced enough to render this economic. Thus the push-button telephones, using dual-tone multi-frequency signalling (DTMF) came into being. The decision to use two tones for each signal, instead of one, was for reasons of security i.e. it was less likely that ambient sounds would simulate a combination of two frequencies, especially if they were not harmonically related. As can be seen from Figure 4.2, provision was made for additional signals other than the digits 0 to 9. These are the * and # signals which are now used to allow the user to send special messages to SPC exchanges, in order to set features such as call diversion. When two users connected to the same exchange call each other, a number of actions are performed in response to signals. As will be seen from Figure 4.3, this uses a handshake protocol, where every signal results in a response, thus verifying correct operation. When the call involves more than one exchange the corresponding signals are sent between the exchanges.

Figure 4.3: Local exchange call signals

V3.0

Page 47

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

4.4 Channel-Associated Inter-Exchange Signalling

A variety of different types of line existed between exchanges, so it was necessary to use different types of signalling, even though all were associated with the communications channel. The types of line which needed to be taken account of were: Audio frequency circuits. Outband Frequency Division Multiplex (FDM) carrier systems. Inband Voice Frequency (IVF). Pulse Code Modulation (PCM). Inter-register.

4.4.1

Audio-Frequency Circuits

It is possible to use loop/disconnect signalling on both two-wire inter-exchange circuits and on four-wire amplified circuits. In the latter, an arrangement using centre tapping of the line transformers to provide a pseudo or phantom direct current DC circuit is used. As will be appreciated from Figure 4.3, signalling between the caller and the exchange and the called person and the exchange is via different circuits. On an inter-exchange link this is not possible and all signals must be over the same circuit. This is achieved by the originating exchange sending standard loop/disconnect signals, whereas the terminating exchange sends back its answer signal by reversing the battery and earth connections, and thus the line current. This was recognised by the originating exchange through the use of a special polarised relay. The backward clear signal was sent by the terminating exchange removing this polarity reversal. It was also possible to increase the repertoire of signals by using pulse in addition to continuous signals. This allowed the address signals sent to register control systems to be delayed until the register was connected at the receiving exchange, by storing the address signals until a backward proceed-to-send signal was received.

4.4.2

Outband Signalling in FDM Carrier Systems

As shown in Chapter 3, in Frequency-Division-Multiplex (FDM) systems each communications channel is spaced at 4 KHz intervals and each speech band extends from 300 Hz to 3.4 KHz. It is thus possible to insert a narrowband signalling channel above the speech band i.e. between 3.4 KHz and 4 KHz. In this band, frequencies of 3.7 KHz and 3.85 KHz have been used to constitute an outband signalling system. Definition: Outband signalling system A signal system, which uses voice frequency signals which are located just outside the 300 Hz to 3.4 KHz band.

Page 48

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

An outband signalling system is demonstrated in Figure 4.4. A direct current signal on input lead M at one terminal causes the signal frequency to be sent over the transmission channel. This is detected by the distant terminal to allow a corresponding DC signal to be sent over the E lead.
outgoing switching equipment outgoing transmission terminal static relay line incoming transmission terminal signal receiver incoming switching equipment

M lead

DC signals

DC-AC

AC-DC

DC signals

E lead

3825 Hz AC signals

speech

speech

AC signals 3825 Hz

E lead

DC signals

AC-DC

signal receiver

static relay

DC-AC

DC signals

M lead

Figure 4.4: Outband signalling for FDM carrier systems Exercise 4.3 What types of signalling systems can be used with the channel associated signalling technique? Summarise the key benefits of each.

4.4.3

Inband Voice Frequency Signalling

Another signalling system used within the baseband of FDM systems is one where the transmitted signals are within the voice frequency. These are known as inband signalling systems or voice-frequency signalling systems. Definition: Inband or voice frequency signalling systems Signalling systems that operate using frequency within the 300 Hz to 3.4 KHz. speech-band. The main advantage of these systems is that they will function over any circuit that provides satisfactory speech transmission. The major disadvantage is that signal imitation is possible, because it is present in transmitted speech. To minimise this likelihood the following measures are adopted. The signal frequency used is one in which the energy in speech is low, for example 2280 Hz in Europe and 2600 Hz in North America. The duration of signals are made longer than is normally experienced in speech, for example greater than 50 milliseconds. Utilising the fact that it is unlikely that the signal frequency would be available in speech without other frequencies.

Some systems use a combination of two voice frequencies to minimise imitation.

V3.0 Page 49

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

A typical system is demonstrated in Figure 4.5.

outgoing signalling terminal transmit line split VF receiver incoming signalling terminal receive line split

forward

buffer amplifier

four-wire circuit

buffer amplifier

receive line split

backward

transmit line split

VF receiver

Figure 4.5: Voice-frequency signalling system To avoid interfering with speech, the VF signals must not be transmitted while conversation is in progress. To avoid this, two signalling methods are used: tone-on-idle; pulse signalling.

Exercise 4.4 Explain the main difference between inband and outband signalling.

4.4.4

PCM Signalling Systems

PCM primary multiplexers were originally designed to inherently accommodate signalling. Sampling the DC signals associated with the audio frequency baseband and transmitting these samples within the frame of the PCM channel, achieve this. A 2 Mbits/s PCM system has 32 8-bit time slots of which only 30 are used for speech. Time slot zero is set aside for frame alignment and time slot 16 is reserved for signalling. This is shown in Figure 4.6.

Page 50

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

Figure 4.6: Use of multiframe for signalling in a 30-channel PCM system The 8 bits of time slot 16 are shared between the 30 communications channels, using a process known as multiframing. Figure 4.6 demonstrates how 16 successive appearances of channel 16 form a multiframe of 8-bit time slots. The first contains a multiframe alignment signal and each of the subsequent 15 time slots contains four bits for each of two channels. Thus every speech circuit can have, in each direction, up to four independent signalling channels of 5,000 bits/s each. This enables a much larger number of signals to be exchanged than is possible with the DC signalling methods described in Section 4.4.1. In North America the standard PCM system runs at 1.544 Mbits/s and has a frame every 193 bits. The frame contains 24 8-bit time slots, all of which are used for speech. The 193rd bit in each frame is used for frame alignment. In every 6th frame the 8th bit of each channel is used for signalling instead of for speech. This technique termed bit stealing causes a negligible increase in quantisation distortion. A 12-frame multiframe is used. Associated with each speech channel are two independent signalling channels at 650 bits/s or a single channel at 1.3 kbits/s. The 193rd bit of the PCM frame is used on alternative frames for multiframe alignment, instead of frame alignment.

4.4.5

Inter-Register Signalling

In a network of register-controlled exchanges each successive register must receive and transmit addressing information until the connection reaches the terminating exchange. In order to avoid addressing delays, a more rapid method of sending routing information than loop/disconnect signalling is needed and, as a result, inband multifrequency (MF) signalling systems were developed. As the register is not in circuit at the initiation and final termination of a call, the interregister signalling system cannot be used for seize, answer and clear signals. Therefore, in conjunction with an inter-register signalling system a line signalling system is also needed. These were usually one of those described in 4.4.1 to 4.4.4.

V3.0

Page 51

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

Definition: Line signalling system A signalling system used to condition lines in preparation to accept routing signals. Inter-register signalling used either en-bloc, or overlap signalling. In en-bloc signalling the complete address information is transferred from one register to the next as a single string of digits. This means that no digits can be transmitted until the complete address has been received. In overlap signalling, digits are sent out as soon as they are received. This means that signalling can take place on two links simultaneously, in other words the signals overlap. This effectively reduces post-dialling delay times. Either link-by-link or end-to-end signalling may be used. Link-by-link has the advantage of not requiring all registers to be modified simultaneously when network modernisation is taking place. However link-by-link causes registers to be held for longer, therefore requiring more to handle the same degree of traffic, than when endto-end signalling is being used. An end-to-end system has the disadvantage that all registers must be compatible with the originating register. Also signals suffer degradation when transmitted over several links in tandem. An advantage of end-toend signalling is that each intermediate register need only receive and retransmit part of the address. Figure 4.7 shows a link-by-link system and Figure 4.8 an end-to-end system.

Figure 4.7: Link-by-link inter-register signalling

Page 52

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

Figure 4.8: End-to-end inter-register signalling. Figure 4.9 demonstrates a multi-frequency inter-register system. Each digit is sent as a combination of two out of a choice of six frequencies. As inter-register signalling occurs before speech occurs, signal imitation is not possible and therefore speech immunity measures, such as long pulses, are not needed. Exercise 4.5 What other signalling must be used with an inter-register signalling system? Explain why this other system must be used.

F1

gates

forward signal

F1

F2 F3 F4 F5 F6

Transmit Receive

Receive Transmit

F2 F3 F4 F5 F6

F7

backward signal

gates

F7

F8 F9 F10 F11 F12

inter-exchange link

F8 F9 F10 F11 F12

Figure 4.9: Multifrequency inter-register signalling system

V3.0

Page 53

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

4.5 Common-Channel Signalling

4.5.1 General

If channel associated signalling, as demonstrated in Figure 4.10, is used over a network of exchanges, it is entirely possible for all circuits between exchanges to be simultaneously in use ineffectively, if the required users are all simultaneously busy. If however common-channel signalling is used, as shown in Figure 4.11 no communications channels are taken into use until it has been established that the required user is free to take the call. This results in a much more economic network. If a high-speed data link is provided to link the processors of the exchanges shown in Figure 4.10, it can provide a signalling channel for all signals between exchanges A and B.
junction Exchange A switching network forward signals Exchange B switching network

backward signals

processor

processor

Figure 4.10: Channel-associated signalling principle

Exchange A junction Exchange B

switching network

switching network

processor signalling link

processor

Figure 4.11: Common-channel signalling principle Common-channel signalling (CCS) offers the following advantages: Information can be exchanged between the processors much more rapidly than when channel-associated signalling is used. As a result, a much wider repertoire of signals can be used and this enables more services to be provided to customers. Signals can be added or changed by software modification to provide new services.
NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Page 54

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

There is no longer any need for line-signalling equipment on every junction, which results in a considerable cost saving. Since there is no line signalling, the junctions can be used for calls from B to A in addition to calls from A to B. (Both-way working requires fewer circuits to carry the traffic than if separate groups of junctions are provided from A to B and from B to A). Signals relating to a call can be sent while the call is in progress. This enables customers to alter connections after they have been set up. For example, a customer can transfer a call elsewhere, or request a third party to be connected into an existing connection. Signals can be exchanged between processors for functions other than call processing, for example for maintenance or network management.

The error rate for common-channel signalling must be low and the reliability required is greater than for channel-associated signalling. Failure of the data link in Figure 4.11 would prevent any calls from being made between exchanges A and B, whereas failure of line signalling equipment, or even of an inter-register signalling system, would only result in the loss of a small fraction of the traffic. Consequently, duplicate CCS links are provided, either being able to carry the full signalling traffic. The error rate of each link is monitored and if it exceeds a pre-set rate (for example 10-4) a fault report is generated and the link is automatically withdrawn from service. When channel-associated signalling is used, the successful exchange of signals over a circuit proves that the circuit is working. CCS does not provide this checking facility, so a separate means (for example automatic routine testing) must be provided to ensure the integrity of the speech circuits. CCS systems use message-based signalling. Definition: Message based signalling Message based signalling is where text control messages in mnemonic form are digitised and transmitted between exchanges in order to set up and control communications links. Successive messages exchanged between the processors usually relate to different calls. Each message must therefore contain a label, called the circuit-identity code, indicating to which speech circuit, and thus to which call, it belongs. Since messages pass directly between central processors, no connection is required to an incoming junction before an address signal is received. The address signal can therefore be the first message sent and there is no need for a seize signal. In a multilink connection, signalling takes place from one transit exchange to the next without involving the originating exchange. Thus, link-by-link signalling is inherent with CCS. Exercise 4.6 What are the advantages of common channel signalling over channel associated signalling? In a CCS system, messages from a processor queue for transmission over the signalling link. The number of speech circuits that can be handled by a CCS system is

V3.0

Page 55

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

therefore determined by the acceptable delay. A signalling link operating at 64 Kbit/s normally provides signalling for between 1,000 and 1,500 speech circuits. However, more may be handled (with increased delays) when the load of a link which has failed is added to the existing load on a back-up link. The use of CCS for inter-exchange signalling has been followed by its application to customers' lines in Integrated-Services Digital Networks (ISDN). Common-channel signalling is also used between processor-controlled PBXs in digital private networks.

4.5.2

Signalling Networks

Figure 4.12 shows a direct CCS link between two exchanges.

communications channel

switching

switching

signalling

CCS link

signalling

Figure 4.12: Direct CCS link system While this method would be economic for a small network, with only a few exchanges, for most networks it would be uneconomic and as a result a signalling network, as shown in Figure 4.13 is used.

Figure 4.13: CCS signalling network

Page 56

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

In principle, CCS signals can follow different routes from the communications channels which they control and they can pass through several intermediate nodes in the signalling network. As signal messages entering the network may be destined for any other exchange, the messages must include labels containing their destinations. Therefore the network used for this type of signalling network is a form of packetswitched network. In practice, CCS messages are usually only routed through one intermediate node, as shown in Figure 4.13. This is known as quasi-associated signalling and the intermediate node is called a signal-transfer point (STP). In Figure 4.13, the CCS equipment in exchange C handles signalling for connections between exchanges A and B in addition to signalling for connections between C and A and between C and B. Since CCS signals may be routed via an STP, each message contains a destinationpoint code to enable it to be routed to the correct exchange. It also contains an originating-point code to enable the returned messages to be routed correctly. If the CCS system in an exchange recognises the destination-point code of an incoming message as its own, the message is accepted and passed to the central processor. If the code is that of another exchange, the CCS system looks up a translation table to determine the route for onward transmission of the message. Quasi-associated signalling is used when there are few circuits between A and B and thus little signalling traffic between them. It is then economic to share a single signalling link from A to C between the route from A to B and routes from A to other exchanges. When there are many circuits between A and B, and thus much signalling traffic, it is economic to use associated signalling. However, an alternative route via an STP is normally provided in case the associated-signalling link fails. The transmission bearers used for a CCS network are channels in the main transmission-bearer network. The first generation of CCS systems (Common Channel Signalling System Number 6) used modems to transmit at 2.4 Kbit/s or 4.8 Kbit/s over analogue telephone channels. The current CCS systems (Common Channel Signalling System Number 7) uses 64 Kbits/s channel provided by time slot 16 in a 2 Mbit/s PCM system, or time slot 24 in a 1.5 Mbit/s PCM system.

4.5.3

CCITT Signalling System No. 7

A block schematic diagram of the CCS No. 7 signalling system is shown in Figure 4.14. Signal messages are passed from the central processor of the sending exchange to the CCS system. This consists of three microprocessor-based sub-systems the signalling-control subsystem, the signalling-termination subsystem and the errorcontrol subsystem. The signalling-control subsystem structures the messages in the appropriate format and queues them for transmission. When there are no messages to send, it generates filler messages to keep the link active. Messages then pass to the signalling-termination subsystem, where complete Signal Units (SU) are assembled using sequence numbers and check bits generated by the error control sub-system. At the receiving terminal, the reverse sequence is carried out.

V3.0

Page 57

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

The system can be modelled as a stack of protocols in a similar manner to the ISO seven-layer model. However, the system was specified before the ISO model was published and the layers are referred to as levels in its literature. The levels are as follows: Level 1: the physical level. Level 2: the data-link level. Level 3: the signalling-network level. Level 4: the user part.

Figure 4.14: Common Channel Signalling System No. 7 The relationship between these levels and the layers of the OSI model is shown in Figure 4.15. The user part encompasses Layers 4 to 7 of the OSI model.

Page 58

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

OSI Model

User of (TC)

ISDN User part (ISUP) National User part (NUP) BT

Application Layer (7) TC Layers 4-6

Layer 7 TCAP

Telephony User Part (TUP)

Layers 4 - 6 Intermediate service parts (ISP)

Telephony User Part plus (TUP+) Europe

Level 4

SCCP Level 7 Layers 1-3 Message Transfer Part (MTP) Levels 1 - 3

Figure 4.15: Relationship between the functional levels of the CCS No. 7 system and layers of the OSI seven-layer network model Level 1 is the means of sending bit streams over a physical path. It uses time slot 16 of a 2 Mbit/s PCM system, or time slot 24 of a 1.5 Mbit/s system. Level 2 performs the functions of error control, link initialisation, error rate monitoring, flow control and delineation of messages. Level 3 provides the functions required for a signalling network. Each node in the network has a signal-point code, which is a 14-bit address. Every message contains the point codes of the originating and terminating nodes for that message. Levels 1 to 3 form the message-transfer part (MTP) of the Common-Channel Signalling System 7. Level 4 is the user part. This consists of the processes for handling the service being supported by the signalling system. The message-transfer part is capable of supporting many different user parts. These include the telephone-user part (TUP), the data-user part (DUP), the mobile-user part (MUP) and the ISDN-user part (ISUP). CCS systems are now being used for messages, which are not directly associated with call establishment, for example: To update a location register in a cellular-mobile-radio network. To interrogate a remote database in an intelligent network. For traffic management. For operations, maintenance and administration.

V3.0

Page 59

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

This has led to the specification of the part known as the transaction capabilities (TC). Since this was designed after publication of the OSI model, its protocols were specified to conform to it. As shown in Figure 4.15, a signalling-connection control part (SCCP) has been added to level 3 to make it fully compatible with layer 4 of the OSI model. The intermediate service part (ISP) performs the functions of layers 4-6 of the OSI model and the transaction-capabilities application part (TCAP) provides for Layer 7. The level-2 protocol used in the CCS No. 7 uses the international standard known as High-level Data-Link Control (HDLC). Packets contained within frames having the format shown in Figure 4.16 send messages.
first bit

flag

address

control

information

check

flag

1 octet

1 or 2 octets

1 octet

variable

2 octets

1 octet

Figure 4.16: Frame structure for the HDLC protocol The beginning and end of each HDLC message is indicated by a unique combination of digits (01111110), known as a flag. Of course, this sequence of digits can occur in messages and must then be prevented from being interpreted as a flag. This is done by a technique known as zero-bit insertion and deletion, or bit stuffing and unstuffing. When sending digits of a message between the two flags, the sending terminal inserts a 0 after every sequence of five consecutive ls. The receiving terminal deletes any 0 which occurs after five consecutive ls and so restores the original message. Bit fields for address and control information follow the opening flag. The data field containing the message information follows these. Between this and the closing field, there is an error-check field, which enables the receiving system to detect that a frame is in error and request re-transmission. The error-check field contains 16 bits generated as a Cyclic Redundancy-Check (CRC) code. Information to be sent is structured by the signalling-control unit (Level 2) into a Signal Unit (SU). The SU is based on the HDLC protocol described above.

Page 60

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

MTP CHECK

USER FIELDS SERVICE IND. OCTET S F P I A LENGTH B R IND. E

40 BIT MPT LABEL B I B

LENGTH >2

CLOSING FLAG

CHECK

FSN

BSN

OPENING FLAG

(a)

INFORMATION MESSAGE MTP CHECK S F P I A LENGTH B R IND. E 40 BIT MPT LABEL B I B

LENGTH 1 OR 2

CLOSING FLAG

CHECK

ONE OR TWO STATUS OCTETS

FSN

BSN

OPENING FLAG

(b)

STATUS MESSAGE MTP CHECK S F P I A LENGTH B R IND. E 40 BIT MPT LABEL B I B

LENGTH 0

CLOSING FLAG

CHECK

FSN

BSN

OPENING FLAG

(c)

FILL-IN MESSAGE

BIB BSN FIB FSN LI SF SIF SIO

= backward -indicator bit = backward -sequence number = forward-indicator bit = forward-sequence number = length indicator = status field = signalling -information field = service -information octet

(a) Message signalling unit (b) Link-status signalling unit (c) Fill-in unit

Figure 4.17: CCS No. 7 signal unit formats Signal units, as shown in Figure 4.17, are of three types: Message Signal Unit (MSU) this transfers information between two signalling nodes. The length indicator is set to three or more octets. Link-Status Signal Unit (LSSU) this is used to set up or close down the signalling link or indicate and adjust its status. For example, it can indicate that the stores at the distant end are congested, or that the processor is faulty. A pair of these messages is used to reset the link when necessary. The length indicator is set to one or two octets. Fill-In Signal Unit (FISU) when there are no information or status messages to send, fill-in messages are transmitted to establish that the link is activated and to provide a bit-error check on the link. The length indicator is set to zero.

The format of the MSU is shown in part (a) of Figure 4.17. Messages are of variable length and are sent in 8-bit bytes (octets) as follows: Opening and closing flags are used to delimit a signal unit. They have the code pattern '01111110'. The Forward Sequence Number (FSN), Backward Sequence Number (BSN), Forward Indicator Bit (FIB) and Backward Indicator Bit (BIB) are used for error correction, as described below. The Length Indicator (LI) gives the length of the signal unit. A value of LI greater than two indicates that the SU is a message-signal unit. The Service-Information Octet (SIO) indicates the user part appropriate to the message (e.g. TUP, ISUP, DUP etc.). The Signalling-Information Field (SIF) may consist of up to 272 octets and contains the information to be transmitted. Its format is defined by the user part, as previously described.

V3.0

Page 61

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

If there has been an error and the message has been discarded, the comparison of FSNs at the receiving end indicates a discrepancy. The BIB is then inverted to provide a negative acknowledgement and the BSN has the value of the last correctly received MSU. On receipt of the negative acknowledgement, the sending CCS system stops sending further SUs and retransmits previous MSUs in their original order. A message from the user part occupies the signal information field (SIF) of the MSU shown in part (a) of Figure 4.17. The preceding control field has signalled the relevant user part. The MSU can transmit a large number of different Layer-3 messages. Those for the telephone-user part (TUP) are listed in Figure 4.18. Abbreviation Description
Used to establish a call or supplementary service IAM Initial Address Message SAM Subsequent Address Message FAM Final Address Message IFAM Initial and Final Address Message ACI Additional Call Information SIM Service Information Message SNM Send N Digits/Send All Digits SASUI Send Additional Set-Up Information ASUI Additional Set-Up Information Indicates a call has been successfully established ACM Address Complete Message Indicates that a call has been answered ANS Answer RE-ANS Re-Answer Indicates that a call has failed CON Congestion TERM CON Terminal Congestion CAN Connection Not Admitted SUB-ENG Subscriber Engaged SUB-OOO Subscriber Out-Of-Order SUB-TFRD Subscriber Transferred RA Repeat Attempt Used to release call REL Release CLEAR Clear CCT-FREE Circuit Free Used to pass information during a call UUD User-User Data NEED Nodal End-to-End Data Used to change from voice to data and vice-versa during a call SWAP Swap Used to remove channels from service BLKG Blocking Message Miscellaneous CFC Coin-and-Fee Checking HLR Howler TKO Trunk Offer

Figure 4.18: Messages used in Common Channel Signalling System No. 7 An example is the Initial Address Message (IAM). This is the first message to be sent, since there is no separate seize signal. The format is shown in Figure 4.19. Its fields, in order of transmission, are as follows:
Page 62 NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

A label of 40 bits (5 octets) containing: the destination-point code (14 bits); the originating-point code (14 bits); the circuit-identity code (12 bits). The H0/H1 octet. The H0 field (4 bits) identifies a general category of message (e.g. forward address message). The H1 field completes the definition of the message (for example variable-length IAM). The calling party category (for example ordinary customer or operator). The message indicator. This indicates any special requirements (for example whether a satellite link or echo suppressors will be used). The number of address signals (4 bits). This gives the number of address digits in the IAM. The address signal itself.

The check bits and the closing flag to complete the MSU then follow this signallinginformation field.

Figure 4.19: TUP Initial-Address Message format in CCS No. 7 Exercise 4.7 What type of network is used by the CCS No. 7 signalling system? Explain why.

4.5.4

Digital User Line Signalling

Digital transmission is used on customers' lines to provide access to the ISDN. Each line may give access to several terminals on the customer's premises and commonchannel signalling is used to serve them. Basic-rate access provides, in each direction, two B channels at 64 Kbit/s and a D channel at 16 Kbit/s for signalling. Primary-rate access provides, in each direction, 30 channels (in a 2 Mbit/s-based network) or 23 channels (in a 1.5 Mbit/s-based network), together with a 64 Kbit/s signalling D channel. The CCITT has defined the Digital Subscriber Signalling System No. 1 (DSS1) for signalling over the D channel. The transfer of information in each direction between the customer's premises and the exchange is by messages, called frames, which are similar to the CCS No. 7 signal units described above. The form of HDLC protocol used is known as LAPD (link-access protocol for the D channel).
V3.0 Page 63

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

The format of a frame was shown in Figure 4.16. Each frame begins and ends with an 8-bit flag and there is a 16-bit cyclic redundancy check field. The address field is not used for routing in the network; it selects ports at either end of the line. Its first octet contains the service-access-point identifier; this indicates the exchange terminal to be used (for example for a circuit-switched call or a packet-switched call). The second octet contains the terminal-endpoint identifier; this identifies the equipment on the customer's premises to which the message refers. Each octet begins with an extension bit. If this is '0', it indicates that another octet is to follow; if it is '1', it indicates that the octet is the last. Normally, the extension bit of the first octet is '0' and that of the second octet is '1'. However, the latter can be changed to '0' to add a third octet, or more. The second bit in the address field is the command/response bit. If the frame is a command, it indicates the receiver (i.e. either the exchange or the customer). If the frame is a response, it indicates the sender. The control field (one or two octets) indicates the type of frame being transmitted. There are three types of frame: I-format for information transfer; S-format for supervisory functions; U-format for un-numbered transfers.

The I frame and the S frame contain a send sequence number and a receive sequence number to ensure that frames are not lost. The U frame does not. The information field contains the layer-3 information to be transferred between customer and exchange. Signals to be transmitted for establishing and controlling connections have been recommended by the CCITT. For example, I.451 messages are for basic call control and I.452 messages to control supplementary services. A list of messages used is given in Figure 4.20.
ABBREVIATION Used to establish call SET-UP SET-UP ACKNOWLEDGE INFORMATION CALL PROCEEDING Used to indicate that the called party is being alerted (e.g. rung) ALERTING Indicates that the call has been answered CONNECT CONNECT ACKNOWLEDGE Used to pass information back to the originating exchange or PBX during call establishment PROGRESS est. Used to release a call RELEASE RELEASE COMPLETE DISCONNECT

Figure 4.20: Messages used in I series

Page 64

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

4.5.5

Private Network Common-Channel Signalling

Primary-rate access with common-channel signalling is used between digital PBXs and public exchanges. Common-channel signalling based on similar principles can also be used between PBXs in a digital private network. A system known as DigitalPrivate-Network Signalling System (DPNSS) is widely used in the UK and other countries. When this system is applied to a private network, its PBXs appear to users as a single large PBX, with all its supplementary services available, regardless of where the user is located. The messages used are listed in Figure 4.21. The DPNSS system was developed from a UK proprietary ISDN signalling system known as the Digital Access Signalling System No 2 (DASS2), which was used for primary-rate access signalling in the UK until superseded by I.421 in the 1990s. The two forms of signalling can co-exist in channel 16, and inter-PBX private circuits can be mixed with circuits connected to the PSTN on the same 30-channel multiplex. The lack of compatibility between DPNSS and I.421 is inconvenient and a successor was clearly needed. The European Computer Manufacturers Association (ECMA) took the initiative in this regard and developed a signalling system known as Q-Sig, which was offered for international standardisation. Abbreviation Description
Used to establish a call or supplementary service ISRM Initial Service Request Message SSRM Subsequent Service Request Message Indicates a call has been successfully established NAM Number Acknowledge Message Indicates that a call has been answered CCM Call Connected Message Used to release call CRM Clear Request Message CIM Clear Indication Message Used to pass information back to the originating PBX during a call NIM Network Indication Message Used to signal between the originating and terminating PBXs without affecting intermediate transit PBXs EEM End-to-End Message Used to change from voice to data and vice-versa during a call SM Swap Message Used to signal between adjacent PBXs LLM Link-by-Link Message LLRM Link-by-Link Request Message Used to establish a second call on a channel, for example an enquiry call RM Recall Message RRM Recall Reject Message ERM End-to-End Recall Message Used to release a second call on a channel SCRM Single-Channel Clear Request SCIM Single-Channel Clear Indication

Figure 4.21: Messages used in DPNSS

V3.0

Page 65

Enterprise Networking

Chapter 4 Signalling

4.6 Summary
In this chapter we have covered the different types of signalling systems and reviewed their importance to telecommunications networks. In particular we have looked at the signalling systems used within the local loop and the different types of signalling that can be used between exchanges. The differences between inband and outband signalling systems have been explained, as have the key differences between channel-associated and common-channel signalling. The network economics that common-channel signalling can bring about have been described. We have also looked at the current generation of common-channel signalling systems (Common Channel Signalling System Number 7) and compared the relationship between its functional levels and those of the OSI 7-layer network model. Finally we discussed the common-channel signalling systems that are available for use in private networks.

Page 66

NCC Education. All rights reserved. Unauthorised duplication is prohibited.