10/9/2023

AIN SHAMS UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING
i-CREDIT HOURS ENGINEERING PROGRAMS
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM ENGINEERING PROGRAM

ECE 461: Selected Topics in Signals and

Communication Systems

Lecture (4)
VoTDM & Signaling Protocols

Dr. Wagdy Anis Aziz

Wagdy.anis@orange.com
ECE491 Lecture (4) 1

Core Signaling Protocols Fundamentals

1.Why Signaling ?
2.Signal System #7 (SS7) Introduction.
3.SS7 Network types and protocol stack.
4.SS7 Protocols.

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Why Signaling ?
A lot of information is needed between the entities of the
telephonic network to make it work. All this dialogue between
these entities is called “ Signaling”.

Signal System #7 (SS7) Introduction

• Common Signaling System #7 (SS7 or C7) began deployment in 1983,

and gradually phased out SS6. It was initially used only in the interoffice
network (from central office to central office), but has gradually expanded.

• SS7 provides a global standard for call setup, routing, and control.

• SS7 is a worldwide telecommunications protocol for wire, wireless

networks. (language)

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Common Channel Signaling (CCS)

CCS employs a separate, dedicated path for signaling. Voice trunks
are used only when a connection is established, not before. Call
setup time is quicker because resources are more efficiently used.
CCS is the technology that makes ISDN (Integrated Service Digital
Network) and SS7 possible.

SS7 network types and protocol Stack

SS7 Protocol Stack:

The hardware and software functions of the SS7 protocol are

divided into functional abstractions called "levels".

These levels map closely to the Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) 7-

layer model defined by the International Standards Organization
(ISO).

There are two types of SS7 network:

1. SS7 over TDM.
2. SS7 over IP (SIGTRAN)

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Famous SS7 Parameters

• DPC Destination Point Code: used to identify the destination signalling point in the SS7 network.
• OPC Originating Point Code: used to identify the originating signalling point in the SS7 network.
Global titles: • SLS Signalling Link Selection: identify the signalling link to be used for message transmission when
there are multiple links between signalling points.
it's a unique address
which refers to only • CIC -> Time slot number lw shayla voice ,, COC -> Time slot number lw shayla signaling
one destination.
------------------------ • GT
within an ISDN network • SSN Subsystem Number: used to identify a specific subsystem within a signalling point.
The routing address

is termed the point

code. • SL Signaling Link: a unique identifier for the physical or logical channels that connect signaling points in
the network

While GT identifies end • SLC Signalling Link Code: the number of the SL to which SS7 MTP management messages are related
terminals that may be
beyond the ISDN
• SL load Signaling link load: It represents the level of traffic or activity on a signaling link
network or
telecommunications
• LS Link Set: one or more signaling links that connect two signaling points (network elements)
network.

--->
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SS7 over TDM Protocol Stack

M C I B D
A A N S T I
P P A S A S
P M P U
A P
P
TCAP

SCCP

MTP 3

MTP 2

MTP 1

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SS7 over TDM Protocol Stack with OSI Layers

7 Application B M I
I
N
A
S P
A
S P S
6 Presentation
M T
C
U
5 A A
Session P P
P
4 Transport SCCP

3 Network MTP Level 3

2 Data Link MTP Level 2

1 Physical MTP Level 1

SS7 Protocols
• MTP1,2,3 ( Message Transfer Part)

• ISUP (ISDN User Part)

• SCCP (Signaling Connection Control Part)

• TCAP
• (Transaction Capabilities Application Part)

• MAP (Mobile Application Part)

• CAP (CAMEL Application Part)

• INAP (Intelligent Network Application Part)

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MAP Messages: Send
Routing Information (SRI)
message, which is used to
obtain routing information for
a subscriber, and the Provide
Roaming Number (PRN)
message, which is used to
retrieve a temporary roaming
number for a subscriber. MAP (Mobile Application Part)
• MAP has ben developed for
GSM. It is enabling dialogue
1. Home Location Register: between:
stores permanent subscriber
information for all network users. ✓HLR
3. Mobile Switching Center: a central
component of the GSM network
2. Visitor Location Register: ✓VLR responsible for call routing,
stores temporary location switching, and mobility management.
data (while a subscriber is ✓MSC
on the move) for
subscribers within a
• MAP Messages (SRI , PRN,….)
specific area by a MSC. • MAP Version correspond to different
releases of the GSM standard
• Application Context -> specific scenario
• Operation Code indicates operation or
action to be performed.
• Common Problems (App.
Context not Supp.)
ex: does not support the specific
application context or scenario being used.

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ISUP (ISDN User Part)

• The ISDN User Part (ISUP) defines the

protocol used to set-up, manage, and
release trunk circuits that carry voice
and data between terminating line
exchanges (e.g., between a calling
party and a called party).

• ISUP is used for both ISDN and non-

ISDN calls.

• Calls that originate and terminate at

the same switch do not use ISUP
signaling. -> When a call originates and terminates
at the same switch or within the same
local network, there is no need for the call
to pass through multiple network
12 elements. In such cases, the call can be
set up and managed purely within the
local switch, without the involvement of
ISUP signalling.

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CAP (CAMEL Application Part)

• Used for:

• CAP Phases

• CAP messages (IDP, Cont., ……)

• Common Problems (charging)

-> variation in the charging process - incorrect billing.

CAP messages:

- IDP (Initial Detection Point): Used to initiate the processing of a call or session.
- Cont (Continue): Used for ongoing interaction between the network and the subscriber.
- Rel (Release): Used to release the call or session when it's completed.
- ApplyCharging: Used to initiate charging for a service.
- CallInformation: Conveys call-related information

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SS7 (MTP & ISUP) in Details

• SS7 system principle

• Message transfer part (MTP) principle
• ISDN user part (ISUP) message and
application

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Signaling System No.7 (SS7)

• Signaling is used for connection control,

work coordination and “session”
between communication devices
protocol • SS7 is formulated by CCITT and is widely
(language)
applied in switched circuit networks (e.g.
PSTN).

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SS7 Functional Structure

• SS7 has two parts:
– User Part (UP)
– Message Transfer Part (MTP).
• MTP : enables reliable transfer of signaling
messages between user functions.
– SS7 messages can be transmitted over
• narrowband TDM transmission network (i.e. MTP),
• over broadband IP network (the protocol used for
transmitting SS7 over IP network is SIGTRAN.)
• UP :
– the independent user part of different users
– it is the functional entity for various call services

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MTP

• Overview, MTP1, MTP2

• MTP3

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MTP - Overview
• The main function
– to provide reliable signaling message transfer in
the signaling network
• Feature : has measures to avoid or reduce
– message loss
– repetition
– loss of sequence
• MTP consists of three function levels:
– signaling data link (MTP1) ~ Datalink layer

– signaling link function (MTP2) ~ Physical Layer

– signaling network function (MTP3). ~ Network Layer

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ISUP - Overview
CCS SS7
• ISUP is one of UPs of Common Channel Signaling
System No.7.

• It provides necessary signal functions for supporting

basic bearer services and supplementary services of
voice and non-voice purposes in the Integrated
Service Digital Network (ISDN).

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Protocol Stack
ISUP
User part

Message transfer part

MTP3 M3UA

M2UA
MTP2 SCTP
IP
MTP1 MAC

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ISUP Signaling
• Overview
• Message structure
• Call process

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ISUP Message Type Codes

Co Abbre Meaning
de viation
0000 IAM Initial address message: A message sent in the forward direction to
0001 initiate occupancy of an outgoing circuit and to transmit number and
other information relating to the routing and handling of a call.
0000 SAM Subsequent address message: A message that may be sent in the
0010 forward direction following an initial address message, to convey
additional called number information.
0000 INR Information request: A message sent by an exchange to request for
0011 channel associated information of a call.

0000 INF Information: A message sent to convey channel associated

0100 information of a call, which may have been requested in an
information request message.

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ISUP Message Type Codes(Cont.)

Code Abbreviati Meaning
on

0000 COT Continuity message: A message indicating whether

0101 or not there is continuity on the preceding circuit as
well as of the selected circuit to the following
exchange, including verification of the
communication path across the exchange with the
specified degree of reliability.
0000 ACM Address complete message: A message indicating
0110 that all the address signals required for routing the
call to the called party have been received.
0000 CON Connect message: A message indicating that all the
0111 address signals required for routing the call to the
called party have been received and that the call has
been answered.

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ISUP Message Type Codes(Cont.)

Code Abbreviation Meaning
0000 FOT Forward transfer: A message sent in the forward
1000 direction on semi-automatic calls when the outgoing
international exchange operator wants the help of an
operator at the incoming international exchange. The
message will normally serve to bring an assistance
operator into the circuit if the call is automatically set
up at the exchange. When the call is completed via an
operator at the incoming international exchange, the
message should preferably cause this operator to be
recalled.
0000 ANM Answer message: it indicates that the call has been
1001 answered. In semi-automatic phone set, this message
has a supervisory function. In automatic phone set,
this message is used in conjunction with charging
information.

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ISUP Message Type Codes(Cont.)

Code Abbreviation Meaning
0000 REL Release message: A message sent in either forward or
1100 backward direction to indicate that the circuit is being
released due to the cause supplied and is ready to be put
into the idle state on receipt of the release complete
message. Where the call is to be redirected the message will
also carry the redirection number.
0000 RES Resume message: A message sent in either direction
1110 indicating that the calling or called party, after having been
suspended, is reconnected.
0001 RLC Release complete message: A message sent in either
0000 direction in response to the receipt of a release message, or
if appropriate, to a reset circuit message, when the circuit
concerned has been brought into the idle condition.

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ISUP Signaling
• Overview
• Message structure
• Call process

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Successful Call Setup

Originationg Destination
Transit Called Party
Calling Party Exchange Exchange

Setup IAM
Dial IAM
Setup

Address Complete Address Complete

(no indication) (no indication)

Call Progress Alerting

Call Progress Ring
(Alerting)
(Alerting)
Alerting
Ring

Connect Answered
ANM (off hook)
ANM Connect Ack
Connect
Connect Ack
Speech or Data

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Successful Call Release (1)

Calling Party Originationg Transit Destination Called Party

Exchange Exchange

REL REL
OnHook Disconnect
Disconnect
Release RLC
RLC
RLC

Call ing Pa rty

Clea rs

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Successful Call Release (2)

Calling Party Originationg Transit Destination Called Party
Exchange Exchange

REL REL Disconnect

OnHook
Disconnect
RELEASE
RLC
RLC

Called Party Clears

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Summary

• SS7 signaling includes two parts: Message

Transfer Part (MTP) and User Part (UP).

• The MTP consists of MTP1, MTP2 and MTP3

• ISUP is one of UPs of SS7. It provides necessary

signal functions for supporting basic bearer
services and supplementary services of voice
and non-voice purposes in the integrated
service digital network.

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Thank You

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