Digital Signalling (Important)

All, the systems discussed so far, basically, are on per line or per trunk basis, as the signals are carried
on the same line or trunk. With the emergence of PCM systems, it was possible to segregate the
signaling from the speech channel.
Inter exchange signalling can be transmitted over a channel directly associated with the speech
channel, channel-associated signalling (CAS) , or over a dedicated link common to a number of
channels, common channel signalling (CCS). The information transmitted for setting up and release
of calls is same in both the cases. Channel associated signalling requires the exchanges, to have access
to each trunk via the equipment which may be decentralised, whereas, in common channel signalling,
the exchange is connected to only a limited number of signalling links through a special terminal.
5.4.1 Channel- Associated signalling (CAS)—Not Economic
In the PCM systems the signalling information is conveyed on a separate channel which is rigidly
associated with the speech channel. Hence, this method is known as channel associated signalling
(CAS). Though the speech sampling rate is 8 Khz, the signals do not change as rapidly as speech and
hence, a lower sampling rate of 500 Hz, for digitisation of signals can suffice. Based on this concept,
TS 16 of each frame of 125 microseconds is used to carry signals of 2 speech channels, each using 4
bits.
Hence, for a 30 channel PCM system, 15 frames are required to carry all the signals. To constitute a 2
millisecond multiframe of 16 frames. F 0 to F 15 TS 16 of the frame F 0 is used for multiframe
synchronisation. TS 16 of F1 contains signal for speech channels 1 and 16 being carried in TS 1 and
TS 17, respectively, TS16 of F2 contains signals of speech channels 2 and 17 being carried in TS2 and
TS 18, respectively and so on, Both line signals and address information can be conveyed by this
method.
Although four bits per channel are available for signalling only two bits are used. As the transmission
is separate in the forward and backward direction, the bits in the forward link are called af and bf, and
those in the backward link are called ab and bb. Values for these bits are assigned as shown in Table
6.
As the Dialing pulses are also conveyed by these conditions, the line state recognition time is
therefore, above a threshold value. The bit bf is normally kept at 0, and the value 1 indicates a fault.
However, the utilisation of such a dedicated channel for signalling for each speech channel is highly
inefficient as it remains idle during the speech phase. Hence, another form of signalling known as
common-channel signalling evolved.

State Bit Value

Forward Backward.
af bf ab bb
Idle 1 0 1 0
Seizure 0 0 1 0
Seizure acknowledge 0 0 1 1
Answer 0 0 0 1
Clear Forward 1 0 0/1 1
Clear Back 0 0 1 1

COMMON CHANNEL SIGNALING SYSTEM No. 7 (CCS#7)

1. Introduction
Communication networks generally connect two subscriber terminating equipment units together via
several line sections and switches for message exchange (e.g. speech, data, text or images). Control
information has to be transferred between the exchanges for call control and for the use of facilities. In
analog communication networks, channel-associated signaling systems have so far been used to carry
the control information. Fault free operation is guaranteed with the channel-associated signaling
systems in analog communication networks, but the systems do not meet requirements in digital,
processor-controlled communication network. 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 information to be transferred is accordingly
larger. The information can no longer be economically transported by the conventional channel-
 associated signaling systems. For this reason, a new, efficient signaling system is required in digital,
processor-controlled communication networks.
The CCITT has, therefore, specified the common channel signalling system no.7 (CCS-7). CCS-7 is
optimized for application in digital networks. It is characterized by the following main features:
 Internationally standardized (national variations possible).
 Suitable for the national, international and intercontinental network level.
 Suitable for various communication services such as telephony, text services, data services
digital network (ISDN).
 High performance and flexibility along with a future-oriented concept which well meet new
requirements.
 High reliability for message transfer.
 Processor-friendly structure of messages (signal units of multiples of 8 bits).
 Signalling on separate signalling links; the bit rate of the circuits is, therefore, exclusively for
communication.
 Signalling links always available, even during existing calls.
 Use of the signalling 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 signalling links if necessary.
 Automatic supervision and control of the signalling network.
2. CC#7 Signalling terminology
2.1 Signalling Network
In contrast to channel-associated signalling, which has been standard practice until now, in CCS7 the
signalling messages are sent via separate signalling links (See Fig. 1). One signalling link can convey
the signalling messages for many circuits The CCS7 signalling links connect signalling points (SPs) in
a communication network. The signalling points and the signalling links form an independent
signalling network which is overlaid over the circuit network.
Fig 1. Signalling via a Common Channel Signalling link
2.2. Signalling Points (SP)
A distinction is made between signalling points (SP) and signalling transfer points (STP).
The SPs are the sources (originating points) and the sinks (destination points) of signalling traffic. In a

communication network these are primarily the exchanges.

The STPs switch signalling messages received to another STP or to a SP on the basis of the destination
address. No call processing of the signalling messages occurs in a STP. A STP can be integrated in a
SP (e.g. in an exchange) or can form a node of its own in the signalling network. One or more levels of
STPs are possible in a signalling network, according to the size of the network.
 All SPs in the signalling network are identified by means of a code within the framework of a
corresponding numbering plan and, therefore, can be directly addressed in a signalling message.
2.3. Signalling links
A signalling link consists of a signalling 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 PCM30 link) is used as the signalling data link. Generally, more than one
signalling link exists between two SPs in order to provide redundancy. In the case of failure of a
signalling link, functions of the CCS7 ensure that the signalling traffic is rerouted to fault-free
alternative routes. The routing of the signalling links between two SPs can differ. All the signalling
links between two SPs are combined in a signalling link set.
2.4. Signalling Modes
Two different signalling modes can be used in the signalling networks for CCS7, viz. associated mode
and quasi-associated mode.
In the associated mode of signalling, the signalling link is routed together with the circuit group
belonging to the link. In other words, the signalling link is directly connected to SPs which are also the
terminal points of the circuit group (See Fig.2). This mode of signalling is recommended when the
capacity of the traffic relation between the SPs A and B is heavily utilized.

Fig. 2 Associated Mode of Signalling

In the quasi-associated mode of signalling, the signalling link and the speech circuit group run along
different routes, the circuit group connecting the SP-A directly with the SP-B. For this mode, the
signalling for the circuit group is carried out via one or more defined STPs (See Fig. 3.3). This
signalling mode is favorable for traffic relations with low capacity utilization, as the same signalling
link can be used for several destinations.
 Fig. 3 Quasi-associated
mode
2.5 Signalling Routes
The route defined for the signalling between an originating point and a destination point is called the
signalling route. The signalling traffic between two SPs can be distributed over several different
signalling routes. All signalling routes between two SPs are combined in a signalling route set.
2.6 Network Structure
The signalling network can be designed in different ways because of the two signalling modes. It can
constructed either with uniform mode of signalling (associated or quasi-associated) or with a mixed
mode (associated and quasi-associated).