Scribd
Upload
13 views

L2 - Signalling On The PSTN

Uploaded by

Rod
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
13 views

L2 - Signalling On The PSTN

Uploaded by

Rod
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 30

Switching systems & computer

networks
ETE 4020

LECTURE 2: SIGNALING ON THE PSTN


Objectives

• Explain signaling as applied to the PSTN

• Describe the differences between CAS and CCS signaling

• Describe the working principle of SS7

• Describe the call establishment procedure on the PSTN


Introduction

• Signaling is the mechanism that allows network entities (customer premises or network
switches) to establish, maintain, and terminate sessions in a network

• Signaling refers to the use of signals to control communications on a network.

• For the PSTN, any transmission on the network other than voice is for signaling, such as:

1. Call setup
2. Call termination
3. Billing
4. Caller ID, etc.
Subscriber signaling

• This type of signaling is also called local loop


signaling.
• It is used between a PSTN or PBX switch and a
subscriber terminal as shown below.
Subscriber signalling
Subscriber signaling comes in two forms:
1. Pulse dialling
2. Dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) or simply tone dialling
Pulse dialling
• In pulse dialling, when a digit is dialled, a series of pulses (of the same
frequency) is sent to the exchange.
• If a user dials 1, for example, 1 pulse is transmitted to the exchange
• If a user dials 2, then 2 pulses are sent to the exchange and so on
• If a user dials 0, 10 pulses are sent to the exchange
• Then the exchange will use a pulse counter to decipher the number dialled.
• This method of dialling is not very accurate as the pulses are likely to be
distorted due to attenuation on the local link.
• Most modern switches and telephone handsets do not support pulse dialing.
Dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) dialling

• DTMF is also known as tone dialling or speed dialling

• In DTMF, when a digit is dialled, a combination of two sine waves


of different frequencies is sent to the exchange.

• The combination of two sinewaves forms a tone, which is easier to


detect than the single pulse used in pulse dialling.
Trunk signaling

• This type of signaling is used on trunk links (T1 or


E1 links), such as:

Between PSTN switches,

Between a PBX and PSTN switch

Between PBXs
Types of signaling used on the PSTN

• Supervision signaling (line signaling):

Supervision signaling alerts the central office switch to


the state of the telephone on each local loop such as on
hook, off hook or ringing.

Supervision signaling is used, for example, to initiate a


telephone call request on a line or trunk and to hold or
Types of signaling used on the PSTN

• Address signaling (register signaling):


Used to forward dialed digits to a PBX or
PSTN switch using techniques such as pulse or
tone (DTMF) dialing.

These dialed digits provide the switch with a


connection path to another telephone or customer
premises equipment (CPE).
Types of signals used on the PSTN

• Information signaling:
Includes dial tone, busy tone, reorder tone, and tones
indicating that a receiver is off-hook or that no such
number exists, such as those used with call progress
indicators.

For a telephone call to take place, all three types of


signaling must occur.
Types of signals used on the PSTN

• Network management signals


• These are used to control how circuits and
switches respond when fully loaded such as
routing traffic over another switch connection or
circuit.
Transfer of signalling information

• Signalling systems are classified based on two


principal characteristics:

1. Whether they use the same channel for signaling as for


voice calls

2. Whether they use different channels for signaling from


the one used for voice
In-band signaling

• This is also referred to as channel associated signaling (CAS)

• In in-band signaling systems, signaling information is


exchanged using the same frequency band or same physical
channel as the voice transmission, itself.

Used on analog/digital systems for subscriber signaling on


the local loop
Example is DTMF
Out – band signaling

• This is also referred to as common channel signaling


( CCS)
• In out-band signaling systems, the signaling information
uses a separate dedicated channel or physical path from
the one used for voice communication.
• Example is signaling system 6 (SS6) & Signalling system
7 (SS7)
• Used on digital trunk lines such as E1 lines
Signaling system 7 (SS7)

• This is an international standard adopted in 1988 and last


revised in 1993 to define how network elements on the PSTN
exchange information and control signals using out-band
signaling.

• The system controls how calls are routed, billed and also
enables advanced calling features as well as SMS

• Earlier versions of the system used in-band signaling, but issues


Signaling system 7 (SS7) services

• SS7 is mainly used for trunk signaling ( between switches) for the
following services:
1. Call set up, routing and termination
2. Call forwarding
3. Call waiting
4. Conference calling
5. Automated voicemail
6. Caller ID
7. Mobile phone roaming & tracking
Structure of the SS7 network
• Communication nodes on the SS7 network are called
signaling points.

• There are 3 main types of signaling nodes on the SS7


network

1. Service switching points (SSPs)


2. Signal transfer points (STPs)
3. Service control points
SS7 ARCHITECTURE
Operation of the SS7
• Service switching points (SSPs)
Initial point in the SS7 network
They originate or terminate a call
Are directly connected to subscribers

• Signal transfer points (STPs)


Route control signals and usually operate as a
network of interconnected switches
Operation of the SS7

• Service control points (SCPs)


Determine how to route a call or set up and manage some
special feature.

 Connect to a central service data point (user database and


directory)

• Note: Usually SCPs and STPs operate as a collection of discrete


notes to allow for continuity of service in case one point fails
Operating modes of the SS7

• SS7 allows for the several modes of operation for both


data and voice such as:
1. Massage transfer part – carries SS7 between nodes
2. Telephone user part – carries voice calls between
users
3. Data user part – carries digital data between users
SS7 weaknesses

• Even though SS7 offers many rich features, it was developed before digital
encryption and authentication became popular, thus, massages on the SS7
network can be listened in on.

• The only security feature available on the SS7 network is that only telecom
operators have access to it.

• Even though end users have no access to user signals, unethical practices on
the part telecom providers can still pose as a security threat to user data.
Simple telephone call setup process

• A basic call setup as shown in the diagram below includes


supervisory, address, and information signaling
components.
• Supervisory signaling is used, for example, to detect that a
phone gone off hook.
• Address signaling occurs when a caller dials the digits
• Information signaling is represented by the dial tone heard
by the caller.
Simple telephone call setup process

1. Local loop signaling: The user signals the switch by going off hook and sending
dialed digits through the local loop.

2. Network signaling: The switch makes a routing decision and signals the next, or
terminating, switch through the use of setup messages sent across a trunk.

3. Local signaling: The terminating switch signals the call recipient by sending
ringing current through the local loop to the recipient telephone.

4. Supervisory signaling: A subscriber and telephone company notify each other of


call status with audible tones and an exchange of electrical current.

You might also like