CA2356185A1 - Transport method for the mobile application part (map), and apparatus therefor - Google Patents
Transport method for the mobile application part (map), and apparatus therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2356185A1 CA2356185A1 CA002356185A CA2356185A CA2356185A1 CA 2356185 A1 CA2356185 A1 CA 2356185A1 CA 002356185 A CA002356185 A CA 002356185A CA 2356185 A CA2356185 A CA 2356185A CA 2356185 A1 CA2356185 A1 CA 2356185A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- signalling
- map
- message
- network
- point
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
- H04Q3/0016—Arrangements providing connection between exchanges
- H04Q3/0025—Provisions for signalling
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L69/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services independent of the application payload and not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
- H04L69/18—Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
- Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)
- Small-Scale Networks (AREA)
Abstract
A method of transmitting signalling information between two co-located signalling points of a Public Land Mobile Network. Signalling messages are formulated according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol and are passed to an adaptation layer which determines whether or not an IP address is available for the destination signalling point. If an IP address is available, The MAP messages are transmitted between the two signalling points using a packet switched data network, otherwise an SS7 network is used to transport the messages.
Description
TRANSPORT METHOD FOR THE MOBILE APPLICATION PART (MAP), AND APPARATUS
THEREFOR
Field of the Invention s The present invention relates to a Mobile Application Part transport mechanism for use in a Public Land Mobile Network.
Background to the Invention In existing Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMN), signalling information, e.g.
relating to call set-up procedures, management, and teardown. is generally carried between signalling points by a Signalling System No.7 (SS7) based transport mechanism. SS7 is a widely used transport protocol involving multiple protocol layers.
Information is exchanged between Mobile Switching Centres (MSCs). Home Location Registers (HLRs), and Visitor Location Registers (VLRs) using messages defined by the standardised Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol, messages which are carried by the SS7 transport mechanism. More particularly, the SS7 layers involved in the transport of the MAP messages are:
3o a Message Transport Part (MTP) which handles inter- alin message separation, error detection and correction. as well as an interface to the physical data link:
a Signalling Connection and Control Part (SCCP) which is responsible for controlling signalling connections in the SS7 network as well as for routin~
between signalling points; and ?> a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) which facilitates the use of advanced Intelligent Network (IN) services by providing for the exchange of information between signalling points using a connectionless service of the SCCP.
The complexity of the conventional transport mechanism will be readily apparent, but .so such complexity is required in order to ensure the correct routing and error free transmission of signalling data between the numerous signalling points of a PLMN.
Summarv of the Present Invention ~~ It has been recognised by the inventors of the present invention that the complex SS7 transport mechanism is not necessary for transporting MAP messages between signalling points of a PLMN which are co-located. i.e. which are located in close proximity to one another. Thus, it is possible to employ a "lightweight" transport mechanism which CONFIRMATION COPY
THEREFOR
Field of the Invention s The present invention relates to a Mobile Application Part transport mechanism for use in a Public Land Mobile Network.
Background to the Invention In existing Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMN), signalling information, e.g.
relating to call set-up procedures, management, and teardown. is generally carried between signalling points by a Signalling System No.7 (SS7) based transport mechanism. SS7 is a widely used transport protocol involving multiple protocol layers.
Information is exchanged between Mobile Switching Centres (MSCs). Home Location Registers (HLRs), and Visitor Location Registers (VLRs) using messages defined by the standardised Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol, messages which are carried by the SS7 transport mechanism. More particularly, the SS7 layers involved in the transport of the MAP messages are:
3o a Message Transport Part (MTP) which handles inter- alin message separation, error detection and correction. as well as an interface to the physical data link:
a Signalling Connection and Control Part (SCCP) which is responsible for controlling signalling connections in the SS7 network as well as for routin~
between signalling points; and ?> a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) which facilitates the use of advanced Intelligent Network (IN) services by providing for the exchange of information between signalling points using a connectionless service of the SCCP.
The complexity of the conventional transport mechanism will be readily apparent, but .so such complexity is required in order to ensure the correct routing and error free transmission of signalling data between the numerous signalling points of a PLMN.
Summarv of the Present Invention ~~ It has been recognised by the inventors of the present invention that the complex SS7 transport mechanism is not necessary for transporting MAP messages between signalling points of a PLMN which are co-located. i.e. which are located in close proximity to one another. Thus, it is possible to employ a "lightweight" transport mechanism which CONFIRMATION COPY
2 reduces or eliminates the coding and decoding requirements inherent in the SS7 transport mechanism.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of transmitting signalling information between two signalling points of a Public Land Mobile Network, which signalling points are co-located, the method comprising;
formulating said signalling information into messages according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol; and transmitting the messages between the two signalling points using a packet switched data network.
As the signalling points to which the method of the present invention is applied are co-located. it is possible to couple the two signalling points using a direct connection.
Embodiments of the present invention remove the requirement for processing signalling information using TCAP and SCCP when the information is to be transmitted between co-located signalling points.
Preferably, the above method is used in a network after a signalling point wishing to send 3o a MAP message has determined whether or not the message is destined for a co-located signalling point. In the event that the destination signalling point is not co-located, then a network other than said packet switched data network may be used to transport the message. One such alternative network is an SS7 network.
?a Preferably, the co-located signalling points of a PLMN coupled by the said packet switched data network include two or more of a Mobile Switching Centre (MSC), a Gateway Mobile Switching Centre (GMSC), a Home Location Register (HLR), and a Visitor Location Register (VLR). The signalling points may also include one or more Intelligent Network (IN) nodes.
~o Preferably, the packet switched data network is an IP network, where the MAP
sits on top of the IP layers (including an IP protocol layer, and a TCP and/or UDP layer) at each of the co-located signalling points. Where the co-located signalling points have access to an SS7 network, the MAP at the signalling points may also sit on top of the SS7 protocol layers. More preferably, an adaptation layer is provided between the MAP and the IP and SS7 layers, the adaptation layer responding to a MAP dialogue initiation by determining whether or not the destination address (e.g. Global Title) for the dialogue corresponds to or is associated with a co-located signalling point. If the destination address (e.g. Global
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of transmitting signalling information between two signalling points of a Public Land Mobile Network, which signalling points are co-located, the method comprising;
formulating said signalling information into messages according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol; and transmitting the messages between the two signalling points using a packet switched data network.
As the signalling points to which the method of the present invention is applied are co-located. it is possible to couple the two signalling points using a direct connection.
Embodiments of the present invention remove the requirement for processing signalling information using TCAP and SCCP when the information is to be transmitted between co-located signalling points.
Preferably, the above method is used in a network after a signalling point wishing to send 3o a MAP message has determined whether or not the message is destined for a co-located signalling point. In the event that the destination signalling point is not co-located, then a network other than said packet switched data network may be used to transport the message. One such alternative network is an SS7 network.
?a Preferably, the co-located signalling points of a PLMN coupled by the said packet switched data network include two or more of a Mobile Switching Centre (MSC), a Gateway Mobile Switching Centre (GMSC), a Home Location Register (HLR), and a Visitor Location Register (VLR). The signalling points may also include one or more Intelligent Network (IN) nodes.
~o Preferably, the packet switched data network is an IP network, where the MAP
sits on top of the IP layers (including an IP protocol layer, and a TCP and/or UDP layer) at each of the co-located signalling points. Where the co-located signalling points have access to an SS7 network, the MAP at the signalling points may also sit on top of the SS7 protocol layers. More preferably, an adaptation layer is provided between the MAP and the IP and SS7 layers, the adaptation layer responding to a MAP dialogue initiation by determining whether or not the destination address (e.g. Global Title) for the dialogue corresponds to or is associated with a co-located signalling point. If the destination address (e.g. Global
3 Title) for the dialogue does correspond to a co-located signalling point, then the adaptation layer determines the IP address corresponding to the destination address.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for transmitting signalling information between two signalling points of a Public Land Mobile Network, which signalling points are co-located, the apparatus comprising;
first signal processing means for formulating said signalling information into messages according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
second signal processing means for formulating MAP messages according to a packet switched data transport mechanism; and transmission means for transmitting the formulated packet switched messages between the two signalling points over a packet switched network.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a signalling point within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), the signalling point comprising:
first signal processing means for formulating said signalling information into messages according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
second signal processing means for formulating MAP messages according to a packet switched data transport mechanism; and ?o transmission means for transmitting the formulated packet switched messages to a second co-located signalling point over a packet switched network.
The signalling point may also act as a signalling transfer point for messages received from non-co-located signalling points, whereby the signalling transfer point relays MAP
?a messages to a co-located signalling point over the packet switched network.
Preferably, the signalling point comprises means for determining whether or not a destination signalling point for a MAP message is co-located and, if so, for passing the MAP messages to said second signal processing means and, if not, for passing the MAP
3o messages to an SS7 transport mechanism to provide for transmission of the messages over an SS7 network.
Brief Description of the Drawings _ss For a better understanding of the present invention and in order to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates schematically a part of a Public Land Mobile Network;
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus for transmitting signalling information between two signalling points of a Public Land Mobile Network, which signalling points are co-located, the apparatus comprising;
first signal processing means for formulating said signalling information into messages according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
second signal processing means for formulating MAP messages according to a packet switched data transport mechanism; and transmission means for transmitting the formulated packet switched messages between the two signalling points over a packet switched network.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a signalling point within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), the signalling point comprising:
first signal processing means for formulating said signalling information into messages according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
second signal processing means for formulating MAP messages according to a packet switched data transport mechanism; and ?o transmission means for transmitting the formulated packet switched messages to a second co-located signalling point over a packet switched network.
The signalling point may also act as a signalling transfer point for messages received from non-co-located signalling points, whereby the signalling transfer point relays MAP
?a messages to a co-located signalling point over the packet switched network.
Preferably, the signalling point comprises means for determining whether or not a destination signalling point for a MAP message is co-located and, if so, for passing the MAP messages to said second signal processing means and, if not, for passing the MAP
3o messages to an SS7 transport mechanism to provide for transmission of the messages over an SS7 network.
Brief Description of the Drawings _ss For a better understanding of the present invention and in order to show how the same may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates schematically a part of a Public Land Mobile Network;
4 Figure 2 illustrates the transport mechanism protocol stack implemented at certain signalling points ofthe PLMN of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of transmitting Mobile Application Part messages between signalling points of the PLMN of Figure 1.
s Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments In Figure 1 there is illustrated schematically a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) comprising two Gateway Mobile Switching Centres (GMSCs) 1,2 which provide the interface between the PLMN and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 3.
The GMSCs 1,2 "represent" the PLMN from the view point of the PSTN 3 and signalling communications therebetween are carried using the ISDN User Part {ISUP) protocol. The GMSCs may also provide the interfaces between the PLMN and other networks although this is not shown in Figure 1.
t5 Within the PLMN, it is necessary to communicate signalling information between signalling points of the network for the purpose of call set-up, management.
and teardown.
Figure 1 illustrates a number of signalling points within the PLMN including:
the GMSCs 1,2, Mobile Switching centres (MSCs) 4,5 which are responsible for routing calls within ?o the PLMN; Visitor Location Registers (VLRs) 6,7 which maintain a record of the subscribers registered with associated MSCs at any given time; and Home Location Registers (HLRs) 8,9 which maintain a permanent record of the PLMN subscribers together with a dynamic record of the location of those subscribers at any given time.
These signalling points are in close proximity to one another, i.e. they are "co-located". In 3a some circumstances the co-located signalling points may be located in the same room.
Signalling information is conveyed between the various signalling points of the PLMN
using the Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface protocol. Conventionally, MAP
messages are transported using the SS7 transport mechanism. This mechanism will not be ~o described in detail here (reference should be made for example to "Understanding Telecommunications", Vols 1 & 2, Studentlittaratur, Lund, Sweden, ISBN 91-44-9), although Figure 1 does illustrate the provision of an SS7 network in which signalling links (illustrated by broken lines) may be routed via a Signalling Transfer Point (STP) 10. The SS7 transport mechanism is also used to convey ISUP signalling messages 3 ~ between the GMSCs 1,2 and the PSTN 3.
In Figure 1, the solid lines indicate Ethernet connections between signalling points. These Ethernet connections are used to carry IP datagrams encapsulating MAP
messages, WO 00/38447 PCTlEP99/10046 providing an alternative to the SS7 transport mechanism described in the preceding paragraph. It is noted that only direct ethernet connections (point-to-point) are provided between signalling points, i.e. there is no requirement for routers in the IP
network.
s Detailed Description of Certain Embodiments In Figure 1 there is illustrated schematically a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) comprising two Gateway Mobile Switching Centres (GMSCs) 1,2 which provide the interface between the PLMN and a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 3.
The GMSCs 1,2 "represent" the PLMN from the view point of the PSTN 3 and signalling communications therebetween are carried using the ISDN User Part {ISUP) protocol. The GMSCs may also provide the interfaces between the PLMN and other networks although this is not shown in Figure 1.
t5 Within the PLMN, it is necessary to communicate signalling information between signalling points of the network for the purpose of call set-up, management.
and teardown.
Figure 1 illustrates a number of signalling points within the PLMN including:
the GMSCs 1,2, Mobile Switching centres (MSCs) 4,5 which are responsible for routing calls within ?o the PLMN; Visitor Location Registers (VLRs) 6,7 which maintain a record of the subscribers registered with associated MSCs at any given time; and Home Location Registers (HLRs) 8,9 which maintain a permanent record of the PLMN subscribers together with a dynamic record of the location of those subscribers at any given time.
These signalling points are in close proximity to one another, i.e. they are "co-located". In 3a some circumstances the co-located signalling points may be located in the same room.
Signalling information is conveyed between the various signalling points of the PLMN
using the Mobile Application Part (MAP) interface protocol. Conventionally, MAP
messages are transported using the SS7 transport mechanism. This mechanism will not be ~o described in detail here (reference should be made for example to "Understanding Telecommunications", Vols 1 & 2, Studentlittaratur, Lund, Sweden, ISBN 91-44-9), although Figure 1 does illustrate the provision of an SS7 network in which signalling links (illustrated by broken lines) may be routed via a Signalling Transfer Point (STP) 10. The SS7 transport mechanism is also used to convey ISUP signalling messages 3 ~ between the GMSCs 1,2 and the PSTN 3.
In Figure 1, the solid lines indicate Ethernet connections between signalling points. These Ethernet connections are used to carry IP datagrams encapsulating MAP
messages, WO 00/38447 PCTlEP99/10046 providing an alternative to the SS7 transport mechanism described in the preceding paragraph. It is noted that only direct ethernet connections (point-to-point) are provided between signalling points, i.e. there is no requirement for routers in the IP
network.
5 Figure 2 shows the protocol which is implemented at each of the PLMN
signalling points.
The MAP 11 sits on top of a so-called "adaptation layer" 12 which in turn sits on top of two distinct protocol stacks. A first of these stacks 13 provides the conventional SS7 transport mechanism, whilst the second 14 provides for the IP transport mechanism. As far as the MAP 11 is concerned, the adaptation layer 12 behaves identically to the TCAP
io so that no modifications to the MAP 11 are required.
Initialisation of a MAP dialogue commences with a dialogue request message being passed from the MAP 11 to the adaptation layer 12. The adaptation layer uses a user reference contained in the dialogue request message to determine the associated Sub-System Number (SSN). If the SSN does not indicate that the user is a HLR, VLR, or MSC, the dialogue is designated for SS7 and the normal SS7 procedures utilised (i.e.
protocol stack 13).
If, on the other hand, the SSN does indicate that the user is a HLR, VLR, or MSC, the 2o called address, i.e. Global Title (GT), is checked by the adaptation layer 12. Each of the MSC/VLRs, GMSCs, and HLRs which are co-located with the originating signalling point is associated with a Global Title series. These series are pre-recorded in an address table, accessible to the adaptation layer 12. The address table contains a mapping between Global Title series and IP addresses. If the check determines that the called Global Title is 2s not a member of one of the recorded Global Title series, the dialogue is again transported over SS7. However, if the check confirms that the called Global Title is a member of a recorded Global Title series, then, providing that the TCP/IP link towards that address is active, a request granted message returned to the MAP 11 by the adaptation layer. In the event that the identified link is not active, then the dialogue is once again transported over 3o SS7. Subsequent messages relating to the same dialogue are transported over IP or SS7 depending upon the initial checks performed by the adaptation layer.
To limit the processor load required for checking an address called by a MAP
dialogue request message, the number of addresses contained in the address table is restricted to a 35 relatively small number, i.e. the number of co-located signalling points which can make use of the lightweight IP transport mechanism is restricted. A suitable number of signalling points may be six or less.
signalling points.
The MAP 11 sits on top of a so-called "adaptation layer" 12 which in turn sits on top of two distinct protocol stacks. A first of these stacks 13 provides the conventional SS7 transport mechanism, whilst the second 14 provides for the IP transport mechanism. As far as the MAP 11 is concerned, the adaptation layer 12 behaves identically to the TCAP
io so that no modifications to the MAP 11 are required.
Initialisation of a MAP dialogue commences with a dialogue request message being passed from the MAP 11 to the adaptation layer 12. The adaptation layer uses a user reference contained in the dialogue request message to determine the associated Sub-System Number (SSN). If the SSN does not indicate that the user is a HLR, VLR, or MSC, the dialogue is designated for SS7 and the normal SS7 procedures utilised (i.e.
protocol stack 13).
If, on the other hand, the SSN does indicate that the user is a HLR, VLR, or MSC, the 2o called address, i.e. Global Title (GT), is checked by the adaptation layer 12. Each of the MSC/VLRs, GMSCs, and HLRs which are co-located with the originating signalling point is associated with a Global Title series. These series are pre-recorded in an address table, accessible to the adaptation layer 12. The address table contains a mapping between Global Title series and IP addresses. If the check determines that the called Global Title is 2s not a member of one of the recorded Global Title series, the dialogue is again transported over SS7. However, if the check confirms that the called Global Title is a member of a recorded Global Title series, then, providing that the TCP/IP link towards that address is active, a request granted message returned to the MAP 11 by the adaptation layer. In the event that the identified link is not active, then the dialogue is once again transported over 3o SS7. Subsequent messages relating to the same dialogue are transported over IP or SS7 depending upon the initial checks performed by the adaptation layer.
To limit the processor load required for checking an address called by a MAP
dialogue request message, the number of addresses contained in the address table is restricted to a 35 relatively small number, i.e. the number of co-located signalling points which can make use of the lightweight IP transport mechanism is restricted. A suitable number of signalling points may be six or less.
6 Figure 3 is a flow diagram illustrating the processing steps carried out at a signalling point following initiation of a MAP dialogue. Typically, these steps are carried out by a suitably programmed computer, or by one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), although other suitable implementations will be readily apparent.
It will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, rather than using the TCP routing protocol above the IP protocol, a simpler routing protocol may be used, e.g. Point to Point Protocol (PPP). In a further modification, the invention may be employed to relay MAP messages received at a signalling transfer point from an originating signalling point, not co-located with the receiving signalling point, to a destination signalling point which is co-located with the signalling transfer point. In this case, the signalling transfer point will check whether or not the destination address of the received MAP messages is contained within the address ~ ~ table already described and, if so, determine the associated IP address.
It will be appreciated by the person of skill in the art that various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, rather than using the TCP routing protocol above the IP protocol, a simpler routing protocol may be used, e.g. Point to Point Protocol (PPP). In a further modification, the invention may be employed to relay MAP messages received at a signalling transfer point from an originating signalling point, not co-located with the receiving signalling point, to a destination signalling point which is co-located with the signalling transfer point. In this case, the signalling transfer point will check whether or not the destination address of the received MAP messages is contained within the address ~ ~ table already described and, if so, determine the associated IP address.
Claims (9)
1. A method of transmitting signalling information between two signalling points of a Public Land Mobile Network, the method comprising;
formulating said signalling information into a message according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
and determining whether or not a destination signalling point for the MAP message ie co-located and, if so, passing the MAP message to a packet switched data network to provide for transmission of the message over said packet switched data network and, if not, passing the MAP message to a Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) transport mechanism to provide for transmission of the message over an SS7 network.
formulating said signalling information into a message according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
and determining whether or not a destination signalling point for the MAP message ie co-located and, if so, passing the MAP message to a packet switched data network to provide for transmission of the message over said packet switched data network and, if not, passing the MAP message to a Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) transport mechanism to provide for transmission of the message over an SS7 network.
2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said determining is performed at a signalling point wishing to send a Mobile Application Part (MAP) message.
3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the co-located signalling points of the PLMN coupled by the said packet switched data network include two or more of a Mobile Switching Centre (MSC), a Gateway Mobile Switching Centre (GMSC), a Home Location Register (HLR), and a Visitor Location Register (VLR).
4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the packet switched data network ie an IP network and the MAP sits on top of the IP layers at each of the co-located signalling points.
5. A method according to claim 4, wherein the co-located signalling points have access to an SS7 network and the MAP
at the signalling points sits on top of the SS7 protocol layers.
at the signalling points sits on top of the SS7 protocol layers.
6. A method according to claim 5, wherein an adaptation layer is provided between the MAP and the IP and SS7 layers, the adaptation layer responding to a MAP dialogue initiation by determining whether or not the destination address for the dialogue corresponds to a co-located signalling point and, if the destination address for the dialogue does correspond to a co-located signalling point, then the adaptation layer determines the IP address corresponding to the destination address.
'7. Apparatus for transmitting signalling information between two signalling points of a Public Land Mobile Network, the apparatus comprising;
first signal processing means for formulating said signalling information into a message according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
second signal processing means for formulating MAP
messages according to a packet switched data transport mechanism; and means for determining whether or not a destination signalling point for the MAP message is co-located and, if so, for passing the MAP message to said second signal processing means to provide for transmission of the message over a packet switched data network and, if not, for passing the MAP message to.a Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) transport mechanism to provide for transmission of the message over an SS7 network.
first signal processing means for formulating said signalling information into a message according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
second signal processing means for formulating MAP
messages according to a packet switched data transport mechanism; and means for determining whether or not a destination signalling point for the MAP message is co-located and, if so, for passing the MAP message to said second signal processing means to provide for transmission of the message over a packet switched data network and, if not, for passing the MAP message to.a Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) transport mechanism to provide for transmission of the message over an SS7 network.
8. A signalling point within a Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), the signalling point comprising:
first signal processing means for formulating said signalling information into a message according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
second signal processing means for formulating MAP
messages according to a packet switched data transport mechanism; and means for determining whether or not a destination signalling point for the MAP message is co-located and, if so, for passing the MAP message to said second signal processing means to provide for transmission of the message over a packet switched data network and, if not, for passing the MAP message to a Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) transport mechanism to provide for transmission of the message over an SS7 network.
first signal processing means for formulating said signalling information into a message according to the Mobile Application Part (MAP) protocol;
second signal processing means for formulating MAP
messages according to a packet switched data transport mechanism; and means for determining whether or not a destination signalling point for the MAP message is co-located and, if so, for passing the MAP message to said second signal processing means to provide for transmission of the message over a packet switched data network and, if not, for passing the MAP message to a Signalling System No. 7 (SS7) transport mechanism to provide for transmission of the message over an SS7 network.
9. A signalling point according to claim 8, wherein the signalling point acts as a signalling transfer point for messages received from non-co-located signalling paints, whereby the signalling transfer point relays MAP messages to a co-located signalling point over the packet switched network.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FI982776A FI108980B (en) | 1998-12-22 | 1998-12-22 | Transport mechanism for MAP |
| FI982776 | 1998-12-22 | ||
| PCT/EP1999/010046 WO2000038447A1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 1999-12-17 | Transport method for the mobile application part (map), and apparatus therefor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2356185A1 true CA2356185A1 (en) | 2000-06-29 |
Family
ID=8553174
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002356185A Abandoned CA2356185A1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 1999-12-17 | Transport method for the mobile application part (map), and apparatus therefor |
Country Status (5)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1142381A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU768332B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2356185A1 (en) |
| FI (1) | FI108980B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2000038447A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5142622A (en) * | 1989-01-31 | 1992-08-25 | International Business Machines Corporation | System for interconnecting applications across different networks of data processing systems by mapping protocols across different network domains |
| US5396543A (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1995-03-07 | At&T Corp. | Signaling arrangements in a cellular mobile telecommunications switching system |
| US5841854A (en) * | 1994-02-16 | 1998-11-24 | Priority Call Management, Inc. | Wireless telephone integration system and method for call centers and workgroups |
| US5732213A (en) * | 1996-03-22 | 1998-03-24 | Ericsson Inc. | System and method of testing open systems interconnection (OSI) layers in telecommunication networks |
| US5870565A (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1999-02-09 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | Telecommunications management network connected to a common channel signaling network |
| US6178181B1 (en) * | 1997-12-01 | 2001-01-23 | Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ) | Mapping function and method of transmitting signaling system 7(SS7) telecommunications messages over data networks |
-
1998
- 1998-12-22 FI FI982776A patent/FI108980B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1999
- 1999-12-17 WO PCT/EP1999/010046 patent/WO2000038447A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-12-17 AU AU19818/00A patent/AU768332B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1999-12-17 CA CA002356185A patent/CA2356185A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-12-17 EP EP99963570A patent/EP1142381A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU1981800A (en) | 2000-07-12 |
| EP1142381A1 (en) | 2001-10-10 |
| FI982776A (en) | 2000-06-23 |
| WO2000038447A1 (en) | 2000-06-29 |
| FI108980B (en) | 2002-04-30 |
| FI982776A0 (en) | 1998-12-22 |
| AU768332B2 (en) | 2003-12-11 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6611533B1 (en) | Public telephone network, intelligent network, and internet protocol network services interworking | |
| EP1135905B1 (en) | Messages communication among ss7 signaling points | |
| AU731251B2 (en) | A system for converting a routing address within a telecommunicationsnetwork | |
| CA2251350C (en) | A network protocol conversion module within a telecommunications system | |
| US6181695B1 (en) | Telecommunications network | |
| US6195425B1 (en) | Telecommunications system with wide area internetwork control | |
| US7554974B2 (en) | Systems and methods of performing stateful signaling transactions in a distributed processing environment | |
| US20020097711A1 (en) | Telecommunications network | |
| EP1313343B1 (en) | Providing a CAMEL based service to a subscriber terminal in a WIN network and vice versa | |
| US6795430B1 (en) | Service-related signaling between voice over internet protocol servers | |
| US7725581B1 (en) | Prioritizing actions at a media gateway controller and a media gateway | |
| EP1421801B1 (en) | Method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving, and executing application query messages via an internet protocol transport | |
| US7082121B1 (en) | System, device, and method for interworking between a broadband SS7 network and an internet protocol network to provide transport of connection oriented information | |
| AU768332B2 (en) | Transport method for the mobile application part (MAP), and apparatus therefor | |
| US6879583B2 (en) | Method and apparatus for transmitting voice data over various types of networks | |
| US20040037318A1 (en) | Transmitting address data in a protocol stack | |
| EP1197095B1 (en) | Method and media controller for sending signalling messages over a communication system comprising two different transport networks | |
| EP1192812A1 (en) | Signaling gateway | |
| Chatras et al. | Mobile application part design principles | |
| EP1095524B1 (en) | Signalling in a telecommunications network | |
| KR20000005354A (en) | Network protocol conversion module within a telecommunications system | |
| KR980013120A (en) | Signal processing method in application layer of detailed integrated structure supporting next generation intelligent network | |
| KR980013121A (en) | Signal processing method in application layer of integrated structure supporting next generation intelligent network | |
| KR20000011116A (en) | System for converting a routing address within a telecommunications network |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |