Telephonic communications – Plural exchange network or interconnection
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-14
2004-08-10
Tieu, Benny (Department: 2642)
Telephonic communications
Plural exchange network or interconnection
C370S467000, C370S469000, C370S401000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06775373
ABSTRACT:
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a system and method for performing channel-associated signaling backhaul of non-ISDN formatted signals in an open network gateway routing system.
2. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Due to the convergence of data and voice networks in today's advanced telecommunications industry, open network gateway (ONG) routing systems must provide processing (also known as “switching”) of a variety of call signals. However, the desire to increase routing system throughput while reducing complexity continues to drive companies toward efficiency and scalability.
In the past, telephony switches and routing systems were designed as monolithic systems that became very expensive as they were scaled to handle large numbers of connections. However, as the evolution of network technology increases in pace, the cost of such systems can no longer be amortized over long periods of time, and rapid upgrades in performance and functionality are required for operators to remain competitive. In addition, operators are now more reluctant to tie their fortunes to a single vendor and prefer system architectures that are modular and based on open protocols and standards.
Organizations such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Multiservice Switching Forum (MSF), and the International Softswitch Consortium (ISC) have begun to develop architectures and protocols that address these needs. These developments come at a time of converging voice and data networks and growing demand for larger and more sophisticated routing systems, such as open network gateways that can adapt various forms of media for transport over IP networks.
Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) is the preferred signaling protocol for call management in large, digital networks because of its efficiency, scalability, and supported features. SS7 provides an architecture for performing out-of-band signaling in support of the call-establishment, billing, routing, and information-exchange functions of the public switched telephone network (PSTN). In service areas where SS7 signaling is not available, most ONG routing systems are capable of processing Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) signals with little difficulty, due to the compatibility of signal software protocols associated with the ONG system. However, in less-developed areas of the world that continue to employ analog technology, ISDN signaling may also be unavailable. Instead, these public switched telephone networks use channel-associated signaling (CAS), which is not easily integrated with ONG software protocols.
Currently, routing systems, such as network access systems (NAS), are being used in networks that employ a variety of call management signaling. Such systems typically include embedded hardware and software modules that implement complex algorithms used to identify, route, and process call signals. These routing systems must support the totality of signaling protocols used throughout the market area or must be manufactured and/or configured to support the unique requirements of particular submarkets. In addition, the processing of complex call signals often consumes valuable resources that degrade the overall performance of the routing system. The complexity of network access systems and similar devices greatly increases the associated development, manufacturing, and maintenance costs. What is needed is a way to reduce the complexity of a routing system.
As the demand placed on an individual network grows, additional capacity must be added. For example, as our economy and society become more connected, network access nodes must be added to accommodate the increase in traffic, as well as an expanding customer base. However, monolithic routing systems do not scale well because each additional access node replicates the complex call signaling subsystems embedded within them. Although traffic handling may be enhanced via distribution across multiple systems, call management is often adversely affected due to its centralized nature and need to access common databases. There is a need in the art for a way to easily scale the configuration of routing systems.
Many different types of call signaling protocols are used throughout the world. Even when a common protocol is used throughout a wide geographical area, different countries and regions often use national variations that must be certified by accredited organizations. SS7 signaling is used in most developed nations and is the preferred protocol implemented by open network gateway (ONG) systems. Such systems are typically optimized to use SS7 signaling. Where SS7 is not used, increased overhead results in slower processing, thus degrading ONG system throughput. There is a need in the art for a way to provide an ONG system to networks that do not have dedicated SS7 signaling.
3. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a method of channel-associated signaling backhaul. The method generally includes the step of receiving communication data over a first communication link. The method further includes the step of determining whether the received communication data supports SS7 signaling. The step of determining whether the received communication data supports SS7 signaling further includes identifying the presence of CAS signaling protocol identifiers in a media channel or associated subchannel. Where received communication data does not support SS7 signaling, the method further includes accomplishing a set of steps of transmitting a setup message to a DMS1 service interface and converting DMS1 signals to Q.931 messages and backhauling such messages to a signaling station. In one embodiment the Q.931 messages are compatible with an ISDN Q.921 user adaptation layer.
The step of receiving communication data over a first communication link may be accomplished by a Public Switched Telephone Network line supervision driver. Additionally, the step of receiving communication data over a first communication link includes monitoring and controlling ABCD signaling bits accessed via a second T1 framer in accordance with a provisioned line supervision procedure.
In another embodiment, the step of receiving communication data over a first communication link may include receiving a SETUP_IND signal. The step of receiving communication data over a first communication link further includes proceeding in accordance with a provisioned address registration procedure. Additionally, if a DSP resource is required for tone detection and generation, the step of receiving communication data over a first communication link further includes allocating such DSP resource.
In another embodiment, the step of receiving communication data over a first communication link includes the step of receiving a SETUP_CONF signal. The step of receiving communication data over a first communication link further includes acknowledging the line seizure by generating a wink-start or delay-dial signal on a second T1 line. Additionally, if dial pulse registration has been provisioned, PSTN line supervision driver monitors ABCD signaling and reports address digits to PSTN DM using INFO_IND signals.
If tone registration has been provisioned, the method of channel-associated signaling backhaul may include the steps of detecting DTMF tones. Additionally, if tone registration has been provisioned, the method of channel-associated signaling backhaul includes collecting address digits in accordance with a provisioned number plan. Furthermore, when the address information is complete, the method includes the step of signaling SETUP_IND to DMS1 service interface, constructing a SETUP message, and passing called and calling numbers enbloc to a user adaptation layer.
The step of accomplishing a set of steps of transmitting a setup message to a DMS1 service interface and converting DMS1 signals to Q.931 messages and backhauling such messages to a signaling station is accomplished by providing conversion services between a DMS1 service interface and Q.921 service interface. Additionall
Ericsson Inc.
Tieu Benny
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