BugFix

SURPASS hiS 700

Signaling System No. 7 (SS7)

Contents
Signaling network
Structure of SS7
Message transfer part (MTP)
Signal units
Addressing of the signal units
Functions
User parts (UP)
ISDN user part (ISUP)

Benefits

Introduction
Communication networks generally connect two subscriber terminating equipment units together via several line sections for message network node (e.g.
speech, data, text or images). Control information has
to be transferred between the network nodes for call
control and for the use of features. In analog communication networks, channel-associated signaling systems
have so far been used to carry the control information.
Faultfree operation is guaranteed with the channel-associated signaling systems in analog communication
networks, but the systems do not meet the requirements in digital, processor-controlled communication
networks. Such networks offer a considerably larger
scope of performance as compared with the analog
communication networks, due, for instance, to a number of new services and facilities. The amount and variety of the control information to be transferred is
accordingly larger. The information can no longer be
economically transported by the conventional channelassociated signaling systems. For this reason, a more
efficient signaling system is required in digital, processor-controlled communication networks.

internationally standardized
(national variations possible)
suitable for the national and international/
intercontinental network level
suitable for various communication
services such as telephony, text/data
and other services
suitable for service-specific communication
networks and for the ISDN
high performance and flexibility along with
a future-oriented concept which will meet
new requirements
high reliability for message transfer
signaling on separate signaling links;
the bit rate of the circuits is therefore
exclusively for communication
signaling links always available, even
during existing calls
use of the signaling links for transferring
user data also
used on various transmission media:
cable (copper, optical fiber), radio relay,
satellite (up to 2 satellite links)
use of the transfer rate of 64 kbit/s typical
in digital networks
used also for lower bit rates and for
analog signaling links if necessary
automatic supervision and control of the
signaling network (signaling links + SPs)

The ITU-T (formerly CCITT) has therefore specified the

signaling system no. 7 (SS7). SS7 is optimized for
application in digital networks.
1

Signaling network

ICN

In contrast to the standard channel-associated signaling, in SS7 the signaling messages are sent via separate signaling links. One signaling link can convey the
signaling messages for many circuits.
The SS7 signaling links connect signaling points in a internal communication network (ICN). The signaling
points and the signaling links form an independent signaling network which is overlaid over the circuit network.

Circuits

ICN

Signaling
link

Signaling
link
terminal

Signaling
link
terminal

Control

Control

Signaling points
A distinction is made between:
signaling points (SP) and
signaling transfer points (STP)
The signaling points are the sources (originating
points) and the sinks (destination points) of signaling
traffic. In a communication network these are primarily
the network nodes.
The signaling transfer points switch signaling messages received to another signaling transfer point or to
a signaling point on the basis of the destination address. No call processing of the signaling messages
occurs in a signaling transfer point. A signaling transfer
point can be integrated in a signaling point (e.g. in an
network node) or can form a node of its own in the signaling network. One or more levels of signaling transfer
points are possible in a signaling network according to
the size of the network.
All signaling points in the signaling network are identified by means of a code within the framework of a corresponding numbering plan and can therefore be
directly addressed in a signaling message.
Signaling links
A signaling link consists of a signaling data link (two
data channels operating together in opposite directions
at the same data rate) and its transfer control functions.
A channel of an existing transmission link (e.g. a pulse
code modulation system with 30 channels (PCM30)
link) can be used as the signaling data link. Generally,
more than one signaling link exists between two signaling points in order to provide redundancy. In the case
of failure of a signaling link, functions of the SS7 ensure
that the signaling traffic is rerouted to fault-free alternative routes. The routing of the signaling links between
two signaling points can differ. All the signaling links between two signaling points are combined in a signaling
link set.

Signaling modes
Two different signaling modes can be used in the signaling network for SS7.
In the associated mode of signaling, the signaling
link is routed together with the circuit group belonging
to the link. In other words, the signaling link is directly
connected to signaling points which are also the terminal points of the circuit group. This mode of signaling is
recommended when the capacity of the traffic relation
between the signaling points (SP) A and B is heavily utilized.
Signaling
point A

Signaling
point B
Circuit group
Signaling link

Associated mode of signaling

In the quasi-associated mode of signaling, the signaling link and the circuit group run along different
routes, the circuit group connecting the signaling point
(SP) A directly with the signaling point B. For this mode
the signaling for the circuit group is carried out via one
or more defined signaling transfer points (STP). This
signaling mode is favorable for traffic relations with low
capacity utilization, as the various signaling links can
be used for several destinations.

Signaling
point A

Circuit group
(with quasi-associated signaling A-C-B)
Signaling links

Circuit group
(with associated
signaling)

Circuit group
(with associated
signaling)
Signaling point C/
Signaling transfer point

Quasi-associated mode of signaling

Signaling
point A

Signaling routes

Structure of SS7

The route defined for the signaling between an originating point and a destination point is called the signaling
route. The signaling traffic between two signaling points
can be distributed over several different signaling
routes. All signaling routes between two signaling
points are combined in a signaling group.

The signaling functions in SS7 are distributed among

the following parts:
Message transfer part (MTP)
User parts (UP)

Network structure
The signaling network can be designed in different
ways because of the two signaling modes. It can be
constructed either with a uniform mode of signaling (associated or quasi-associated) or with a mixed mode
(associated and quasi-associated).
The worldwide signaling network is divided into two levels that are functionally independent of each other: an
international level with an international network and a
national level with many national networks. Each network has its own numbering plans for the signaling
points.

The message transfer part (MTP) represents a userneutral means of transport for messages between the
users. The term user is applied here for all functional
units which use the transport capability of the MTP.
Each user part (UP) encompasses the functions, protocols and coding for the signaling via SS7 for a specific
user type (e.g. data service, ISDN). In this way, the user
parts control the set-up and release of circuit connections, the processing of facilities as well as administration and maintenance functions for the circuits.
The functions of the message transfer part (MTP) and
the user parts (UP) of SS7 are divided into 4 levels.
Levels 1 to 3 are allotted to the MTP while the UP form
level 4.

Planning aspects
Economic, operational and organizational aspects
must be considered in the planning of the signaling network for SS7.
An administration should also have discussions with
the other providers at an early stage before SS7 is introduced into international routing in order to make decisions, for example, on the following points:
signaling network
mode of signaling, selection of the STPs, signaling
type (end bloc or overlap), assignment of the addresses to SPs
signaling data links
e.g. 64 kbit/s digital or 4,8 kbit/s analog
safety requirements
load sharing between signaling links, diverting the
signaling traffic to alternative routes in the event of
faults, error correction
adjacent traffic relations

Examples of the user parts (UP)

ISUP,
level 4

other UP,
level 4

Signaling network functions,

level 3
Signaling link functions,
level 2
Signaling data link functions,
level1
Message transfer part (MTP)

Message transfer part (MTP)

(ITU-T, Recommendations Q.701 to Q.707)
The message transfer part (MTP) is used in SS7 by all
user parts (UP) as a transport system for message exchange. Messages to be transferred from one UP to
another are given to the MTP. The MTP ensures that
the messages reach the addressed user part in the correct order without information loss, duplication or sequence alteration and without any bit errors.

User part
(e.g. ISUP)

User
message

User
message
Signaling
data link
Signal unit

User
information

Address

Message
transfer part

MTP
component

User message

Signal units
The MTP transports messages in signal units of varying
length. A signal unit is formed by the functions of level
2. In addition to the message it also contains control information for the message exchange. There are three
different types of signal units:
message signal units (MSU)
With MSU, the MTP transfers user messages,
i.e.,messages from user parts (level 4) and messages from the signaling network management
(level 3).
link status signal units (LSSU)
LSSUs contain information for the operation of the
signaling link (e.g. for the alignment).
fill-in signal units (FISU)
FISUs are used to maintain the acknowledgement
cycle and quality control when no user messages
are to be sent in one of the two directions of the signaling link.

LI

FIB FSN BIB BSN

CK

SF

LI

FIB FSN BIB BSN

LSSU

CK

LI

FIB FSN BIB BSN

FISU

User part
(e.g. ISUP)

MTP
component

SIO

Signaling point B
Circuits

Message
transfer part

SIF

MSU

F
Signaling point A

CK

Direction of transfer

Flag (F)
The signal units are of varying length. In order to clearly
separate them from one another, each signal unit begins and ends with a flag. The closing flag of one signal
unit is usually also the opening flag of the next signal
unit. However, in the event of overloading of the signaling link, several consecutive flags can be sent. The flag
is also used for the purpose of alignment. The bit pattern of a flag is 01111110.
Backward sequence number (BSN):
The backward sequence number (BSN) is used as an
acknowledgment carrier within the context of error control. It contains the forward sequence number of a signal unit in the opposite direction whose reception is
being acknowledged. A series of signal units can also
be acknowledged with one backward sequence number.
Backward indicator bit (BIB):
The backward indicator bit (BIB) is needed during general error correction (see Correction of transmission error). With this bit, faulty signal units and the backward
sequence number are requested to be retransmitted for
error correction.
Forward sequence number (FSN):
A forward sequence number (FSN) is assigned consecutively to each signal unit to be transmitted. On the receive side it is used for supervision of the correct order
for the signal units and for safeguarding against transmission errors. The numbers 0 to 127 are available for
the forward sequence number.
Forward indicator bit (FIB):
The forward indicator bit (FIB) is needed during general
error correction. It indicates whether a signal unit is being sent for the first time or whether it is being retransmitted.

Length indicator (LI):

The length indicator (LI) gives the number of octets
(one octet = 8 bits) between the length indicator field
and the check-bit field, and is used to differentiate between the three signal units. The length indicator field
contains different values according to the type of signal
unit:
0 = fill-in signal unit
1 or 2 = link status signal unit (LSSU)
greater than 2 = message signal unit (MSU)
The maximum value in the LI field is 63 even if the signal information field contains more than 62 octets. (The
message signal unit is invalid for longer message signal units. However, it is possible to calculate the exact
length of the MSU.
Service information octet (SIO):
The service information octet (SIO) only exists in
MSUs. It contains the service indicator and the network
indicator. A service indicator is assigned to each user
of the MTP. It informs the MTP which UP has sent the
message and which user part is to receive it. The network indicator indicates whether the traffic is national or
international. The MTP evaluates both items of information.
Signal information field (SIF):
The signal information field (SIF) only exists in message signal units. It contains the actual user message
as well as the addresses. The maximum length of the
signalling information field is 272 octets. The format
and the coding of the user message are separately defined for each UP.
Check bits (CK):
The check bits (CK) are formed on the transmission
side from the contents of the signal unit and are added
to the signal unit as redundancy. On the receive side,
the MTP can determine with the check bits whether the
signal unit was transferred without any errors. The signal unit is acknowledged as either positive or faulty on
the basis of the check.
Status field (SF):
The status field (SF) only exists in link status signal
units. It contains status indications for the signaling
links for the alignment of the transmit and receive directions.
Addressing of the signal units
The routing label of a signal unit is transported in the
signal information field (SIF). It consists of the following:
destination point code (DPC)
originating point code (OPC)
signaling link selection (SLS)

A code is assigned to each signaling point in the signaling network according to a numbering plan. The MTP
uses the code for message routing. The destination
point code (DPC) in a message signal unit (MSU) identifies the signaling point (SP) to which this message is
to be transferred. The originating point code specifies
the signaling point from which the message originates.
The contents of the signaling link selection (SLS) determine the signaling route along which the message is to
be transmitted. In this way, the SLS is used for load
sharing on the signaling links between two signaling
points (SPs).
The service information octet (SIO) contains additional
address information. Using the service indicator, the
destination MTP identifies the user part (UP) for which
the message is intended. The network indicator, for example, enables a message to be identified as being for
national or international traffic.
Link status signal units and fill-in signal units require no
routing label as they are only exchanged between level
2 of adjacent MTP.

Address
User information

SLS

OPC

DPC

Signal information field (SIF)

Functions
The MTP is responsible for transmitting and receiving
signal units, for correcting transmission errors, for the
signaling network management and for the alignment.
Its functions are spread over the following functional
levels:
Level 1 (signaling data link)
defines the physical, electrical and functional characteristics of a signaling data link and the access
units. Level 1 represents the bearer for a signaling
link. In a digital network, 64-kbit/s channels are
generally used as signaling data links. In addition,
analog channels (preferably with a bit rate of
4.8 kbit/s) can also be used via modems as a signaling data link.
Level 2 (signaling link)
defines the functions and procedures for a correct
exchange of user messages via a signaling link.
The following functions must be carried out in
level 2:
delimitation of the signal units by flags,
elimination of superfluous flags,
error detection using check bits,
error correction by retransmitting signal units,
error rate monitoring on the signaling data link,
restoration of fault-free operation, for example,
after disruption of the signaling data link
5

Level 3 (signaling network)

defines the interworking of the individual signaling
links. A distinction is made between the two following functional areas:
message handling, i.e. directing the messages
to the desired signaling link, or to the correct UP,
management, i.e. control of the message traffic,
for example, by means of changeover of signaling
links if a fault is detected and change back to normal operation after the fault is corrected.
The various functions of level 3 operate with one
another, with functions of other levels and with corresponding functions of other signaling points.

The transmission of a message signal unit is described here as an example. The user sends the following separate parameter to the MTP for transmission:
originating point code (OPC), destination point code
(DPC), signaling data link selection, service information
octet, as well as user data/message.
The processing of a user message to be transmitted in
the MTP begins in level 3.
Message routing
The message routing (level 3) determines the signaling link on which the user message is to be
transmitted. To do this, it analyzes the destination
point code and the signaling link selection (SLS) in
the routing label of the user message, and then
transfers the message to the appropriate signaling
link (level 2).
Transmission control
The transmission control (level 2) assigns the next
forward sequence number and the forward indicator
bit to the user message. In addition, the backward
sequence number and the backward indicator bit as
an acknowledgment for the last received message
signal unit are included. The transmission control
simultaneously enters the part of the message signal unit formed so far in the transmission and retransmission buffers. All message signal units to be
transmitted are stored in the retransmission buffer
until their fault-free reception is acknowledged by
the receive side. Only then are they deleted.

Check bit and flag generator

The check bit and flag generator (level 2) generates
check bits for safeguarding against transmission errors for the message signal unit and sets the flag for
separating the signal units. In order that any section
of code identical to the flag (01111110) occurring
by chance is not mistaken for the flag, the user
messages are monitored before the flag is added to
see if five consecutive ones (1) appear in the message. A zero (0) is automatically inserted after five
consecutive 1s. On the receive side, the zero following the five 1s is then automatically removed
and the user message thereby regains its original
coding.
The check-bit and flag generator transfers a complete message signal unit to level 1. In level 1, the
message signal unit is sent on the signaling data
link.

UP
level 4

MTP
level 3

ISUP

other UP

Signaling network
message handling
management
Signaling traffic
management

Message
distribution

Signaling route
management
Message
discrimination

Message
routing

MTP
level 2

Signaling link
management
other
signaling
links

Signaling link
Signaling link
status control
Error rate
monitoring
Transmission control,
transmission buffer,
retransmission buffer

Receive
control

Control for the

initial alignment
Check bit
and flag
generator

MTP
level 1

Flag,
alignment
and error detection

Signaling data link

Reception of a signal unit

The bit stream along a signaling data link is received in
level 1 and transferred to level 2.
Flag detection
Flag detection (level 2) examines the received bit
stream for flags. The bit sequence between two
flags corresponds to one signal unit.
Alignment detection
The alignment detection (level 2) monitors the synchronism of the transmit and receive sides with the
bit pattern of the flags.
Error detection
Using the check bits also transmitted, error detection (level 2) checks whether the signal unit was
correctly received. A fault-free signal unit is transferred to the receive control, while a faulty signal
unit is discarded. The reception of a faulty signal
unit is reported to error rate monitoring, in order to
keep a continuous check on the error rate on the receive side of the signaling link. If a specified error
rate is exceeded, this is reported to the signaling
link status control by error rate monitoring. The signaling link status control then takes the signaling
link out of service and sends a report to level 3.
Receive control
The receive control (level 2) checks whether the
transferred signal unit contains the expected forward sequence number and the expected forward
indicator bit. If this is the case and if it is a message
signal unit (MSU), the receive control transfers the
user message to level 3 and causes the reception
of the MSU to be positively acknowledged. If the
forward sequence number of the transferred MSU
does not agree with that expected, the receive control detects a transmission error and causes all
messages received since the last correctly received
message to be retransmitted (see Correction of
transmission error).
Message discrimination
The message discrimination (level 3) accepts the
correctly received user message. It first determines
whether the user message is to be delivered to one
of the immediately connected user parts or to be
transferred to another signaling link (quasi-associated message). This preselection is achieved in the
message discrimination by evaluation of the DPC.
A user message which only passes through a signaling point (signaling transfer point) is transferred
by the message discrimination to the message
routing, where it is treated as a user message to be
transmitted.

Message distribution
If a received user message is intended for one of
the connected user parts (signaling point), it is
transferred to the message distribution (level 3).
The message distribution evaluates the service information octet (SIO), thereby determining the user
part concerned, and delivers the user message
there.

Correction of transmission errors

As signal mutilations in the signaling can bring about
faulty reactions particularly in call processing, transmission errors must be reduced to a minimum. In SS7 two
methods exist for this purpose: basic error correction
method and preventive cyclic retransmission (PCR)
error correction method. Both methods are based on
retransmitting received faulty message signal units. For
the basic error correction method, all message signal
units (MSU) from the received faulty MSU onwards are
specifically requested to be retransmitted. For the preventive cyclic retransmission method, on the other
hand, all the MSUs in the retransmission buffer are cyclically retransmitted as a preventive measure. The error correction takes place in level 2.
Basic error correction method
The basic error correction method is applied for signaling links with small propagation delays (<15 ms,
e.g. terrestrial links). It functions with both positive
and negative acknowledgements. For this method,
an acknowledgement comprises the backward sequence number (BSN) and the backward indicator
bit (BIB). For a positive acknowledgement, the BIB
has the same value as the BIB in the previous acknowledgement. For a negative acknowledgement,
the BIB is the inverse of the BIB in the previous acknowledgement.
When a positive acknowledgment is received, the
receive control on the originating side causes the
corresponding MSU (or a sequence of message
signal units) in the retransmission buffer to be deleted. In the case of a negative acknowledgment, the
receive control on the originating side requests the
transmission control to stop the transmission of
new signal units and to retransmit the negatively
acknowledged message signal unit (MSU). Then all
further MSUs still in the retransmission buffer are
retransmitted in the order they were first transmitted. After detecting a transmission error the receive
control on the destination side discards all incoming
MSUs until it receives the negatively acknowledged
MSU correctly. Only then does it resume evaluation
of the message signal units. This ensures that user
messages do not overtake one another. The receive control at the destination recognizes the retransmitted MSUs by the forward indicator bit (FIB).
The FIB is inverted for the retransmitted message
signal units and for all later newly transmitted message signal units with regard to the MSUs transmitted before the error.
7

Preventive cyclic retransmission (PCR) error

correction method
The PCR error correction method is applied for signaling links with large propagation delays (15 ms,
e.g. long terrestrial links, satellite links). Unlike the
basic error correction method, the PCR method
works only with positive acknowledgments. The retransmission of the message signal units (MSU)
does not first occur on request after a transmission
error; instead, all the MSU in the retransmission
buffer are cyclically retransmitted as a preventive
measure whenever no new MSUs are available for
transmission. The acknowledgment for correctly received MSUs consists of the backward sequence
number (BSN) only. The backward indicator bit
(BIB) and the forward indicator bit (FIB) are not required for this method. To keep the format of the
signal units almost identical for both error correction
methods, the backward and forward indicator bits
receive a fixed value and are transmitted with every
signal unit without alteration.
As in the case of basic error correction, when the
receive control on the originating side receives an
acknowledgement it causes the corresponding
MSU (or a sequence of MSUs) in the retransmission buffer to be deleted. If, with the preventive cyclic retransmission method, the receive control at
the destination detects a transmission error, it continues to acknowledge the last correctly received
message signal unit and waits until it receives the
faulty MSU correctly by cyclic retransmission. The
retransmitted MSUs are then accepted, processed
and acknowledged on the destination side until the
retransmission has reached the first transmission
of new signal units. Thus, with the preventive cyclic
retransmission method, automatic error correction
occurs. It is dependent on the usage of the signaling link (on average approx. 20%). The smaller the
load, the greater the free capacity for retransmitting
the MSUs.

Signaling equipment
at the origin

Signaling
data link

Signaling equipment
at the destination

Transmission control

Receive control

MSU number 36
BSN
BIB
FSN
FIB

BSN
BIB
FSN
FIB
CK

1 36 1 11 F CK

1 35 1 10 F CK

Retransmission
buffer
36 1
35 1
34 1
33 1
32 1

F 32 1 11 1

1 34 1 9 F

Retransmission
buffer
1 9
1 10
1 11
1 12
1 13

CK F 33 1 12 1

FIB
FSN
BIB
BSN

CK F 34 1 13 1

CK

FIB
FSN
BIB
BSN
MSU number 13

Receive control

Transmission control

Signaling network management

The signaling network management is a function of level 3. It controls the operation and the interworking of the
individual signaling links in the signaling network. To
this end, the signaling network management exchanges messages and control instructions with the signaling
links of level 2, sends messages to the user parts (UP)
and works together with the signaling network management in adjacent signaling points (SP). For the interworking with other signaling points the signaling
network management uses the transport function of the
message transfer part (MTP). Management messages
are transferred in message signal units like user messages. For discrimination, the management messages
have their own service indicator. The signaling network
management contains the following three function
blocks:
signaling link management
The signaling link management controls and monitors the individual signaling links. It receives the
messages concerning the alignment and status of
the individual signaling links, or concerning operating irregularities and effects any change in status
which may be necessary. In addition, the signaling
link management controls the putting into service of
signaling links, including initial alignment and automatic realignment of signaling links after failures or
alignment losses due to persistent faults. If necessary, the signaling link management transfers messages to the signaling traffic management or
receives instructions from there.

signaling route management

The signaling route management controls and
monitors the operability of signaling routes. It exchanges messages with the signaling route management in the adjacent signaling transfer points
(STP) for this purpose. The signaling route management receives, for example, messages concerning the failure or re availability of signaling
routes or the overloading of STPs. In cooperation
with the signaling traffic management, it initiates
the appropriate actions in order to maintain the signaling operation to the signaling destinations involved.
signaling traffic management
The signaling traffic management controls the diversion of the signaling traffic from faulty signaling
links or signaling routes to fault-free signaling links
or signaling routes. It also controls the load distribution on the signaling links and signaling routes. To
achieve this it can initiate the following actions:
changeover on failure of a signaling link the signaling traffic management switches the signaling traffic from the failed signaling link to a fault-free
signaling link,
change back when a signaling link becomes available again after a fault has been corrected, the signaling traffic management reverses the effect of the
changeover,
rerouting when a signaling point (SP) can no longer be reached on a normal route, the signaling traffic management diverts the signaling traffic to a
predefined alternative route.
When overloading occurs, the signaling traffic management sends messages to the users in its own
SP in order that they reduce the load. The management also informs the adjacent SPs of the overloading in its own SP and requests them to also reduce
the load.
The signaling traffic management accomplishes its
functions by
receiving messages from the signaling link and
signaling route managements,
sending control instructions to the signaling link
and signaling route managements,
directly accessing the signaling links, e.g. during
emergency alignment,
modifying the message routing on failure of signaling routes,
exchanging management messages with the signaling traffic management in adjacent SPs.

Alignment
For fault-free transmission of user messages via a signaling link it is necessary for the transmit and receive
directions to operate at the same rate. For this purpose,
an initial alignment is carried out when putting a signaling link into service.
The initiation of the initial alignment is possible from
either end of the signaling link. The alignment is done
by exchanging status indications. The alignment itself
all takes place in level 2, while the initiation comes from
level 3. Several stages are provided for the initial alignment. Each stage is assigned a special type of status
indication. The status indications are transmitted in link
status signal units (LSSU).
Status indication (SI)
SIO
SIN
SIE
SIOS

Explanation
out of alignment
normal alignment
emergency alignment
out of service

Signaling point A
Transmission control

Receive
control

Signaling point B
Receive
control

Status:
out of service

Status:
out of service

not
aligned
aligned
proving
period

Transmission control

SIO

SIO

SIO
SIO

SIN not aligned

SIN

SIN

SIN aligned

SIN
SIN

SIN
SIN

proving
SIN period
SIN

SIN
SIN
FISU

SIN
FISU

MSU

MSU
service

service

Signaling data link

At the start of the initial alignment the control for the

alignment on the initiation side causes the transmission
control to send SIO status indications. The opposite
side receives these signals and replies to them with
SIN status indications. After receiving the first SIN status indication, the initiation side also sends SIN indications. This is the start of the proving period for the
signaling link. The initial alignment control records any
signal errors occurring during the proving period (8.2 s
for a signaling link with 64 kbit/s) and decides whether
the link can be released for normal service. It reports
the result of the proving period to level 3. With the transition to normal service both ends of the signaling link
first send fill-in signal units (FISU) until the first message signal unit (MSU) is to be transmitted. If the proving period yields a negative result, the initial alignment
can be repeated.
The initial alignment can also be carried out in emergency form if necessary. Emergency alignment can be
applied, for example, when a non-aligned standby signaling link has to be put into service. SIE status indications are then sent in place of SIN status indications.
The proving period is drastically reduced (to 0.5 s for a
signaling link with 64 kbit/s) and the requirements for
the error rate are lessened.
In the event that, following successful initial alignment
the signaling link is able to send or receive fill-in signal
units (FISU) but, for other reasons, e.g. errors in level
3, no message signal units (MSU) can be processed,
LSSUs containing SIOS are sent instead of the fill-in
signal units. In this way the signaling link is taken out of
service again and the alignment procedure is restarted.
Level 3 detects errors by testing the aligned signaling
link before MSUs are transmitted (signaling link test).
The maintenance of the alignment is ensured by the
flags between the signal units on the basis of their bit
patterns. The alignment can be lost for a few signal
units at most, but it is recovered immediately with the
next correct signal unit received and its corresponding
flags.
If a signaling link is taken out of service due to an overly
large signal error rate, an attempt is first made to put
the signaling link into service again with the initial alignment.

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User parts (UP)

Each user part (UP) provides the functions for using the
message transfer part (MTP) for a particular user type.
The following UPs are currently specified by the ITU-T:
ISDN user part (ISUP)
Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP)
For more detailed information about the SCCP, refer to
the description Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP). The figure shows the users of the message transfer part (MTP) as well as their relationship to one
another and to the MTP. SS7 can be adapted to all requirements due to the modular structure. Expansion for
future applications is also possible. Each SS7 user can
specify its own user part; for example, the mobile user
part (MUP) is Siemens' own specification for the mobile
telephone network.
The Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP)
is an application signaling protocol (OSI layer 7, application layer). The TCAP communicates directly with the
SCCP, because the intermediate service part (ISP) is
empty. The TCAP, with its services, is used by applications such as the mobile application part (MAP). For
more detailed information about the TCAP, refer to the
description Transaction Capabilities Application Part
(TCAP).

SS7 users

TCAP users

ISUP

TCAP

SCCP

Message transfer part (MTP)

Other
MTP users
e.g. MUP

ISDN user part (ISUP)

(ITU-T, Recommendations Q.761 to Q.767)
The ISDN user part (ISUP) covers the signaling functions for the control of calls, for the processing of services and features and for the administration of circuits
in ISDN. The ISUP has interfaces to the message
transfer part (MTP) and the signaling connection control part (SCCP) for the transport of MSUs. The ISUP
can use SCCP functions for end-to-end signaling.
Structure of an ISUP message
The general structure of an ISUP message for link-bylink transmission.

Message signal unit (MSU)

Signal information field

(SIF)

Optional Variable
Fixed
Message
Routing
Circuit
part mandatory mandatory
type
identifica- label in
part
part
tion code the MTP
(CIC)
Direction of transmission

The routing label comprises the destination point code

(DCP), the originating point code (OPC) and the signaling link selection.
The circuit identification code (CIC) assigns the
message to a specific circuit. A circuit identification
code is permanently assigned to each circuit.
The message type defines the function and the format
of an ISUP message. There are different message
types for the call set-up, the call release and the administration of circuits.
Message types for the call set-up (examples):
Initial address message (IAM)
The IAM is the first message sent to the next network node during call set-up. It is used for seizing a
circuit and contains all information necessary for
routing to the terminating network node.
Subsequent address message (SAM)
The SAM transports the digits which were not yet
contained in the IAM.
Address complete message (ACM)
The calling network node is informed with the ACM
that the terminating network node was reached.
Answer message (ANM)
The ANM informs the calling network node that the
called party has answered. The call charge registration normally begins with the ANM.

Message types for call release (examples):

Release message (REL)
The REL initiates the release of a circuit connection. Any unsuccessful circuit connection set-up is
likewise released with REL. It also includes the
cause of the failure of the call set-up.
Release complete message (RLC)
With the RLC the disconnection of the set-up of a
circuit is indicated and the reception of the RLC is
acknowledged. After the transmission or reception
of the RLC the circuit is released and becomes
available for a new call set-up.
Message types for the administration of circuits (examples):
Blocking message (BLO)
The BLO is used for blocking a circuit.
Unblocking message (UBL)
The UBL is used for canceling a block on a circuit.
The fixed mandatory part of the ISUP message contains parameters which must be present for a certain
message type and which have a fixed length. For the
IAM these are, for example, parameters for:
the type of connection
(e.g. connection via a satellite link)
the requirements for the transmission link
(e.g. 64 kbit/s end-to-end)
the requirements for the signaling system
(e.g. ISUP end-to-end)
the type of the calling party
(ISDN subscriber = normal subscriber)
The variable mandatory part of the ISUP message
contains parameters of variable length. An example of
one such parameter for the IAM is: the directory number or at least part of the number which is required for
routing to the terminating network node.
If a message has an optional part, the parameters that
can be transmitted in the optional part are specified for
the message. These may be parameters of fixed or
variable length. Examples for the IAM are:
directory number of the calling party
parameters for the message type (e.g. closed user
group)
user information
Signaling procedures
As examples of signaling procedures for the ISUP, a
call set-up and a call release are described in more detail.

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Call set-up begins after a sufficient number of digits

from the calling party have arrived in the originating network node. First of all the routing is completed and an
idle circuit is seized. The first message sent by the
ISUP in the originating network node for setting up a
call is the initial address message (IAM). The IAM contains all the digits that have already arrived. With a subsequent address message (SAM) the ISUP transfers
the subsequent digits.
After receiving the IAM the transit network node carries
out routing. After successful routing, the transit network
node seizes an idle circuit and the ISUP sends an IAM
to the terminating network node. The IAM from the
ISUP in the transit network node contains all dialing information that has arrived up to that time (from the IAM
received and from the following SAM if it has also arrived). SAMs arriving at the transit network node after
the IAM has been sent are forwarded unchanged by the
ISUP.
The terminating network node analyses the dialing information contained in the IAM and waits, if necessary,
for further digits arriving with SAM. When all information is present, the called line is determined, its status
interrogated and an authorization check is carried out
for the service requested. With the address complete
message (ACM) the terminating network node informs
the originating network node that the call set-up was
successful up to the terminating network node. For the
telephone service, the ringing tone is sent via the circuit
from the terminating network node to the called party if
the called party is free. When the called party answers,
the ringing tone is disconnected and the call is switched
through. Afterwards the ISUP in the terminating network node sends the answer message (ANM) to the
originating network node, which then starts call charge
registration.

Called party

Calling party
Originating
network
node

Transit
network
node

Terminating
network
node

IAM
*)

IAM
SAM
Ringing

SAM
ACM
ACM
ANM

Answer

ANM

*) Start of call set-up, transfer of the dialing information

Call release can be initiated by the calling party or by

the called party. For this purpose the ISUP in the initiating network node sends the release message (REL) to
the transit network node. The transit network node immediately transfers the REL to the appropriate end network node. Each REL received is acknowledged with
the release complete message (RLC) as soon as the
circuit concerned is released.

Calling party

Release
of the
circuit

Called party

Originating
network
node

Transit
network
node

Terminating
network
node

REL
REL
RLC

Release
of the
circuit

RLC

Copyright (C) Siemens AG 2002

Issued by Information and Communications Group Hofmannstrae 51 D-81359 Mnchen
Technical modifications possible. Technical specifications and features are binding only insofar as they are specifically and expressly agreed upon in a written contract.
Order Number: A30828-X1156-H100-2-7618

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