KR100465128B1 - Apparatus for integrating signaling transfer point(stp) with signaling gateway and signal processing method therein - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for integrating a signal repeater and a signal gateway and a signal processing method thereby. According to the present invention, a Signaling System no. 7 (SS7) message from a Signaling End Point (SEP) is rewritten into an IPC (Inter Processor Communication) message and outputted to a conversion subsystem, and from the conversion subsystem. A signal repeater subsystem for rewriting an IPC message of the SS7 message and transmitting it to the signal end point, and rewriting an IPC message from the signal repeater subsystem into an IP packet and outputting the IP gateway message to the signal gateway subsystem. Reconstruct the IP packet from the system into an IPC message and output it to the signal relay subsystem, and rewrite the IP packet from the conversion subsystem into a SIGTRAN protocol message and transmit it to a next-generation network, SIGTRAN protocol message received from network to IP packet Right it will be characterized by including the signal gateway subsystem for delivering the said converted subsystem. As described above, the present invention is matched between the signal relay and the signal gateway using IP, not SS7 link, thereby reducing communication line construction cost and providing an advantage of constructing a signal gateway without being constrained by the SS7 protocol.

Description

Apparatus and signal processing method for integrating signal repeater and signal gateway {APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATING SIGNALING TRANSFER POINT (STP) WITH SIGNALING GATEWAY AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD THEREIN}

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for interworking a general telephone network and a next generation communication network, and more particularly, to an apparatus for integrating a signal repeater and a signal gateway and a signal processing method thereof.

In general, No.7 signaling, a common channel signaling (CCS) standardized by the International Telecommunication Standardization Division (ITU-T) of the International Telecommunication Union, provides call connection between subscribers and various communication services, Signaling method for transmitting various control signals for operation management.

Looking at the protocol structure of No.7 signaling method, a message transfer part (MTP), a signal connection control part, which is a network service part that distributes signal transmission control, error correction, and security measures of a signal network, in order to increase generality. Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP), Integrated Service Data Network (ISP) User Part (ISUP: Integrated Service Data Network (ISP) User Part) : Transaction Capabilities), other mobile network, intelligent network user part. Here, the message transfer unit (MTP) is a function unit for reliably delivering the No.7 signal-related messages transmitted and received between signal points, and a signal message processing unit for performing signal traffic transfer and user unit distribution functions; Function to manage the shape of the network and maintain the consistency of the relationships among the specifications while efficiently using all the specifications (signal link, signal link set, signal point, signal route) belonging to the signal network for reliable signal message transmission. It consists of a signal network management unit that performs

The No.7 signaling method can improve signal processing speed by using a separate signal link for separating and transmitting only a control signal separately from a communication line for transmitting voice or data, and receiving a call with a calling subscriber. Various signal contents for the subscriber can be data-processed into one signal unit. Therefore, the length of the corresponding signal unit can be set variably according to the data amount.

On the other hand, the NO.7 signaling network that performs signal transmission and various communication services for controlling the communication network is largely between a signaling point (SP) for sending, receiving, or transmitting a signal message generated by a user, and a corresponding signal point. It consists of a signaling link (SL: Signaling Link), which is a logical information transmission path connecting a network. The signal point includes a signaling end point (SEP) for transmitting or receiving a message and a signal relay point (STP) for transmitting a message from one signal link to another signal link in a pair. There is). The signal endpoint includes an originating point (OP) that generates a signaling message and a destination point (DP) that is a destination of the signaling message. The set of corresponding signal links is called a Signaling LinkSet (LS), and a path for delivering a message to a signal point is called a signaling route (SR), and is a routing path for one signal destination point. The set of signal routes is called a signal routeset.

That is, the No. 7 signal network is composed of the above-described signal point and the specification data for the signal link, the signal link set, and the signal route, and the signal link set for specifying the signal message generated by the origin point toward the destination point. Passed over a signaling link (called routing) to fulfill call connections and service requests.

At present, general telephone network switch which provides voice telephone service and dial-up internet access service in general public telephone network is designed to provide voice traffic, and its useful value decreases as internet traffic increases. It is expected to slowly disappear from the network. Accordingly, the construction of a new packet-based next-generation communication network that integrates an IP network and a wireless network as well as an existing general telephone network and provides both voice, data, and multimedia services is being promoted.

Accordingly, in order to use the common signaling protocol in a next-generation communication network, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) uses Q.931, SS7 ISUP, MTP2, and MTP3, which are used to connect a general telephone network and the Internet network. We have standardized the Signaling Adaptation Standard (SIGTRAN) protocol that correctly delivers the converted signaling protocol and the signaling adaptation standard required to deliver the Signaling System no.7 (SS7) signal to the IP network. By using the SIGTRAN protocol, general telephone network signals such as Q.931 and ISUP messages can be transmitted to the next-generation communication network node in the IP environment.

A device that connects signals between a general telephone network and a next generation communication network using the SIGTRAN protocol is called a signal gateway.The signaling gateway is an SS7 signaling protocol for accessing a general telephone network, a SIGTRAN protocol for accessing a next generation telephone network, and an interworking function between the two protocols. consist of. That is, the signal gateway converts the No. 7 signal message of the general telephone network into the SIGTRAN protocol message of the next generation communication network, and converts the SIGTRAN protocol message of the next generation communication network into the No. 7 signal message of the general telephone network. In case of building next-generation communication network, signal gateway should be installed to handle signal message generated at maximum call performance of soft switch (SSW). Soft switch and signal gateway should be equipped with 1: 1 to secure signal gateway performance and stability of network configuration. , 1: N, and N: N.

In the case of interworking two networks to evolve from the general telephone network to the next generation communication network, the signal relay and the signal gateway of the general signaling network are connected by the signal link, and the capacity of the signal message that is generated at the maximum call performance of the soft switch is Signal links should be installed. However, since the number of No.7 links between two signal points of SS7 protocol is limited to 16, multiple signal points function between signal repeater (equipment corresponding to signal relay point) and signal gateway for maximum call performance processing of soft switch. You will need to use or install additional signal gateways. That is, there is a problem in that a large number of lines and installation costs are required to establish No. 7 signal links connected between the signal relay and the signal gateway.

In order to solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for integrating a signal repeater and a signal gateway.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a signal repeater apparatus including a signal gateway function and a signal processing method thereof.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for matching a signal repeater and a signal gate through an internal LAN interface.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for connecting a communication interface conversion module for converting an IPC message into an IP message on an internal bus of a signal repeater, and matching the communication interface conversion module and the signal gateway to IP. have.

According to the first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objects, the signal gateway (STP: Signal Transfer Point) of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and the signal gateway (NGN: Next Generation Network) A device for integrating a gateway may be configured to rewrite an SS7 (Signaling System no. 7) message from a Signaling End Point (SEP) into an IPC (Inter Processor Communication) message and output it to a conversion subsystem. A signal repeater subsystem which rewrites an IPC message from the subsystem into an SS7 message and transmits it to the signal end point, and rewrites an IPC message from the signal repeater subsystem into an IP packet and outputs the IP gateway message to the signal gateway subsystem; Rewrite the IP packet from the signal gateway subsystem into an IPC message and output it to the signal relay subsystem. Rewrites the conversion subsystem and the IP packet from the conversion subsystem into a SIGTRAN protocol message and transmits it to a next generation network, and rewrites a SIGTRAN protocol message received from the next generation network into an IP packet to the conversion subsystem. And said signaling gateway subsystem for transmitting.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for integrating a signal gateway in a signal repeater (STP) of a general telephone network (PSTN) is connected to an internal bus of the signal repeater, and an IPC message input through the internal bus. A conversion module which rewrites an IP packet and outputs it to a signal gateway, rewrites an IP packet from the signal gateway into an IPC message and outputs it to the internal bus, and is connected to the conversion module through a LAN interface. And the signal gateway which rewrites the IP packet from the SIGTRAN protocol message to the next generation network, rewrites the SIGTRAN protocol message from the next generation network into the IP packet, and delivers the IP packet to the conversion module.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in a system in which a signal relay (STP) of a general telephone network (PSTN) and a signaling gateway of a next-generation network (NGN) are integrated, an SS7 message received from the general telephone network is a SIGTRAN protocol. A method for converting a message into a next-generation network includes transmitting a SS7 (Signaling System no. 7) message received from a signaling endpoint (SEP) of the general telephone network into an IPC (Inter Processor Communication) message. Preparing and outputting to the second processor through an IPC bus, and rewriting the IPC message input through the bus into an IP packet and outputting the IPC message to a third processor through a LAN interface; The third processor rewriting the IP packet inputted through the LAN interface into a SIGTRAN protocol message and transmitting the same to a next generation network; And that is characterized.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in a system in which a signal relay (STP) of a general telephone network (PSTN) and a signaling gateway of a next-generation network (NGN) are integrated, the SIGTRAN protocol message received from the next-generation network is SS7. A method for converting a message into a general telephone network and transmitting the message to the general telephone network includes: rewriting a SIGTRAN protocol message received from the next generation network into an IP packet and outputting the IP packet to a second processor through a LAN interface; A process of the second processor rewriting the IP packet received through the LAN interface into an IPC message and outputting the IP packet to the third processor through the IPC bus; and by the third processor, the IPC message received through the IPC bus. Rewriting to SS7 message, characterized in that it comprises the step of transmitting to the signal end point (SEP) of the general telephone network.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system in which a signal repeater and a signal gateway are integrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an interface used between major processors in the configuration of FIG. 1. FIG.

3 shows the necessary processes for driving the signal gateway subsystem described in FIG.

4 is a diagram illustrating a header structure of a TCP packet.

5 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a control packet.

6 is a diagram illustrating a structure of a simple packet.

7 illustrates a structure of a complex packet.

8 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for converting and transmitting an SS7 message to a SIGTRAN protocol message received in a system in which a signal relay and a signal gateway are integrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a diagram illustrating a procedure for converting and transmitting a SIGTRAN protocol message received in a system in which a signal relay and a signal gateway are integrated according to an embodiment of the present invention to an SS7 message.

<Description of Symbols for Main Parts of Drawings>

1: Integrated System 2: Next Generation Network

3: SSW 4: NGN EMS

5: SEP 10: Signal Repeater Subsystem

11: SMHP 12: HCIU

13: SNMP 20: communication interface conversion subsystem

21: IPIP 30: Signal Gateway Subsystem

31: SGP 32: SGOP

40: Hub 50: Hub

60: SGMP

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

The present invention described below is for integrating a signal gateway function to an existing signal repeater. Such a system includes a processor performing a function of a signal repeater, a processor performing a signal gateway function, and a communication interface conversion module for communication between the two processors. The communication interface converting module converts an IPC message from a processor that performs a function of a signal repeater into an IP message (TCP packet) and delivers it to a processor that performs the signal gateway function. In this case, existing signal repeaters can be reused and signal repeaters and signal gateway systems can be integrated without service interruptions or software changes. In addition, by matching the signal relay and the signal gateway to IP instead of the SS7 link, communication line construction cost can be saved and a signal gateway can be constructed without being constrained by the SS7 protocol.

1 illustrates a configuration of a system in which a signal repeater and a signal gateway are integrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown, the integrated system comprises a signal repeater subsystem 10, a communication interface conversion subsystem 20, and a signal gateway subsystem 30. As shown in FIG. Here, the signal repeater subsystem 10 includes an SMHP 11, an HCIU 12, and an SNMP 13, and the communication interface transformation subsystem 20 includes an IPIP 21. The signal gateway subsystem 30 comprises an SGP 31 and an SGOP 32.

In addition, the integrated system includes a hub 40 for switching packets transmitted and received between the communication interface conversion subsystem 20 and the signal gateway subsystem 30 to a corresponding destination, and the signal gateway subsystem 30. ) And a hub (50) for switching packets transmitted and received between the next generation network (2) to a corresponding destination, and a subsystem (SGMP) 60 in charge of an operator interface.

Meanwhile, reference numeral 3 denotes a soft switch (SSW), and reference numeral 4 denotes a Next Generation Network (NGN) Equipment Management System (EMS). Here, the next generation network 2 and the soft switch 3 are connected by the SIGTRAN protocol, and the next generation network 2 and the next generation network equipment management system 4 are connected by a Q3 interface. Here, the Q3 interface is a term referring to a standard interface of a Telecommunication Management Network (TMN) and may be defined as a common management information protocol (CMIP), a common object request broker (COBRA), and a simple network management protocol (SNMP).

Referring to FIG. 1 in detail, first, a signaling message handling processor (SMHP) 12 analyzes an SS7 message (L3 message) from a signal end point 11 and transmits a message to a next-generation network (NGN). If it is determined that the SS7 message is converted into an Inter Processor Communication (IPC) message and output to the High Communication Interface Unit (HCIU: High Communication Interface Unit) (12), and from the high speed communication interface unit 12 Converts IPC message to SS7 message and outputs it to corresponding signal endpoint (5). Here, the IPC message is created and interpreted at the EROS (Enhanced Real time Operating System) level and includes processor ID information for generating a message and process ID information for receiving a message basically for networking. . The signal repeater subsystem 10 includes a plurality of the signal message processing processors 11, and as mentioned above, the communication between the signal message processing processors or between the signal message processing processor and another processor is performed by a high speed communication interface unit ( Through 12).

The high speed communication interface unit 12 performs a function of analyzing the input IPC message and delivering it to the corresponding destination processor. Here, the IPC message with the information of the SS7 message received from the signal end point is transferred to the conversion processor 21. Signaling network management processor (SNMP) 13 is responsible for signaling network (signaling network) management.

The IPc-to-Ip processor (IPIP) 21 is a subsystem for connecting the signal repeater subsystem 10 and the signal gateway subsystem 30 to the signal repeater subsystem 10. Is connected to the IPC via the high speed communication interface unit 12, and is connected to the signal gateway subsystem 30 through a LAN interface. That is, the IPIP 21 converts the IPC message received from the signal relay subsystem 10 into a transmission control protocol (TCP) packet and transmits it to the signal gateway subsystem 30, and vice versa. The TCP packet received from the system 30 is interpreted, reconstructed into an IPC message, and transmitted to the signal repeater 10. In order to transmit and receive TCP packets between the IPIP 21 and the signaling gateway subsystem 30, a unique networking element consisting of a combination of IP addresses and ports must be determined.

On the other hand, the IPIP 21 is the IPC signal ID of the IPC message received from the signal relay subsystem 10 to process the message received by the signal gateway processor 31 into a simple traffic message, operation management message, etc. (ID) is mapped to a simple traffic message, an operation management message, and the like, and then encapsulated in a TCP packet and delivered to the signal gateway processor 31. To improve performance, you can use UDP (User Datagram Protocol) and Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP) messages instead of TCP packets, or you can mix UDP, SCTP and TCP messages.

The signaling gateway processor (SGP) 31 is a processor that performs a core function of the signaling gateway subsystem 30, and receives a signaling message based on a general telephone network (PSTN) received from the signaling relay subsystem 10. Is converted into IP-based signaling message and delivered to Next Generation Network (NGN) through SIGTRAN (Signaling Transport) protocol. Converts the signal to the signal repeater subsystem 10. As described above, the technology for converting the general telephone network based signaling message into the IP based signaling message is based on the SIGTRAN protocol standardized by the IETF.

In addition, the signal gateway processor 31 classifies an operation management message (disorder, statistics, etc.) and reports the signal gateway operation processor 32, and if necessary, receives information necessary for operation from the signal gateway processor 32 Process. In this case, the signal gateway processor 31 should be able to execute a remote structured query language (SQL) through the signal gateway operation processor 32 to store operation management items such as faults and statistics in a database.

In addition, the signal gateway processor 31 reports its state change and event occurrence through the TCP interface to the signal gateway operation processor 32 and receives necessary information from the signal gateway operation processor 32. do. In this case, a unique networking element consisting of an IP address and a port number must be determined between the signal gateway processor 31 and the signal gateway operation processor 32.

The signal gateway operation processor 32 is a processor for operation management of the signal gateway subsystem 30 and mainly plays a role of a database server. MMC (Man Machine Communication) interface function and signal gateway that interprets the command transmitted by an operator terminal (PC) and transmits the result to the signal gateway processor 31 and returns the result to the operator terminal PC. The processor 31 performs functions necessary for operation. That is, the signal gateway operation processor 32 should be able to accommodate various requests of the operator interface performed in the operator terminal. Here, the operator terminal is operated as a Graphic User Interface (GUI), and must be able to simultaneously accommodate the general event request generated in the graphic user interface and the MMC inputted as a string. Each must be implemented as a separate TCP connection. On the other hand, the signal gateway operation processor 32 should be able to process remote SQL (retrieve and update the database information requested by the graphical user interface or MMC of the operator terminal) performed in the operator terminal.

That is, the signal gateway operation processor 32 performs a function of reflecting the result of the remote SQL executed in the signal gateway processor 32 and the operator terminal in the database or reading the corresponding information from the database. Here, the interface between the signal gateway operation processor 32 and the database is made by a Solaris operating system (OS).

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 1, each processor is redundant with IP links and switches. Therefore, even if a failure occurs in any one system (processor), it is configured to enable service. Here, the interface between the redundant IPIP (21) is made of IPC through the high speed communication interface unit 12. In addition, the interface between the duplicated signal gateway processors 31 may use the signal gateway operation processor 32. In an emergency situation such as service switching and copying memory information of a pair system, a direct TCP interface may be used. Can be considered The interface between the redundant signaling gateway operation processor 32 and the redundant operator terminal (PC) is based on the TCP interface.

FIG. 2 shows the interface used between the major processors in the configuration of FIG. 1.

As shown, the signal message processing processor 12 and the conversion processor 21 are connected by inter-processor communication (IPC). The conversion processor 21 and the signal gateway processor 31 are connected by TCP (UDP, SCTP). The signal gateway processor 31 and the next generation network (NGN) are connected by a SIGTRAN protocol. The signal gateway processor 31 and the signal gateway operation processor 32 are connected to each other through ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity) and TCP, and the signal gateway operation processor 32 and the operator terminal 33 are connected to each other through a DBC (Open). DataBase Connectivity), TCP for MMC and TCP for OAM.

Here, the interface between processors based on the above description is summarized in Table 1 below.

SMHP IPIP SGP SGOP PC DataBase SMHP IPC IPC - - - - IPIP IPC IPC TCP (UDP, SCTP) - - SGP - TCP (UDP, SCTP) (TCP) ODBC, TCP - - SGOP - - ODBC, TCP TCP ODBC, TCP1, TCP2 Solaris OS PC - - - ODBC, TCP1, TCP2 - - DataBase - - - Solaris OS - -

According to the configuration of FIG. 1, the present invention connects a module (IPIP) for converting an IPC message into an IP message (TCP packet) to an internal bus of a signal repeater (eg, SMX-10) that is already in operation. Subsystem serving as a signaling gateway is characterized by matching the IP. That is, since the signal gateway subsystem 30 is connected only to the existing signal relay and the internal bus, the SS7 link capacity is considered between the signal relay and the signal gateway for maximum call performance processing of the soft switch, or added according to the SS7 protocol constraint. There is no need to create a new signal gateway. By only expanding the SGP, which is a SIGTRAN processing module, the signal gate system capacity can be increased.

FIG. 3 shows the necessary processes for driving the signal gateway subsystem 30 described in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 3, the signal gateway operation processor 32 includes an MMI 211 that processes operator instructions, a database process Mysql 212, and an SGsm 213 that manages the entire signal gateway process.

And, the signal gateway processor 31 is equipped with a GUI program for the operator, SGpm (214) for managing SGP processes, chkclnt (215) for checking the process status, runclnt (217) for process driving, process termination Killclnt (216) responsible for handling, SGinm (218) handling signal gateway initial data, SCTP (219) handling level 3 protocol, M3UA (MTP 3 User Adaptation layer, 220) handling SIGTRAN protocol, SS7 and SIGTRAN An IWF (InterWorking Function) process 221 in charge of conversion between the LM, LM 222 in charge of layer management, and the like are mounted. Processes send and receive data using TCP / IP sockets, and process status is managed through shared memory.

Referring to the operation, when the system is booted, the SGsm 213 and the SGpm 214 are driven first, and each reads a shape file to search for a process to be managed, checks whether the corresponding processor is running, and then drives the system.

Thereafter, the driven processors generate a shared memory for transmitting / receiving a state and a process to manage themselves among the SGsm 213 and the SGpm 214 and periodically notify their state. The SGsm 213 and SGpm 214 receive the status of processes managed by the receiver via shared memory, and the SGpm 214 is another process in the processor that is mounted as the SGsm 213 of the SGOP 32. Inform the state of the field. Then, the SGsm 213 receives the status of processes received from the SGpm 214 of the SGP 31 to manage the status of the processes in another processor, and if a change occurs, the SGsm 213 receives the SGMP ( Report to the operator via the GUI. In addition, if the state of the process is required to manage the system operation during operation, when the operator commands through the GUI of the SGMP (60), the command is received by the SGsm (213) via the MMI (211) of the SGOP (32), It transmits to the SMpm 214 of the SGP 31 and executes the command through chklnt 215, runclnt 217, and killclnt 216, and notifies the operator of the result.

Hereinafter, the above-described TCP message (or TCP packet) used in a system in which the signal relay and the signal gate are integrated will be described.

4 shows a header structure of a TCP packet. As shown in Fig. 4, the header of the TCP message includes a two-byte packet type field, a two-byte packet sequence number field, a two-byte packet length field, and two bytes. Contains the primitive code field of.

Information indicating the type of packet is recorded in the 'packet type' field. The packet types include control, simple, and complex. A control packet is a packet composed only of a message header and is used when only source code is to be delivered. In the case of the control packet, '0x000' is recorded in the packet type field. A simple packet is a packet used when one user data is to be delivered, and consists of a message header and one user data field. In the case of the simple packet, '0x0001' is recorded in the packet type field. A complex packet is a packet used when bundling a plurality of user data in one TCP packet, and consists of one message header and a plurality of user data fields. In the case of the complex packet, '0x0002' is recorded in the packet type field.

The 'packet sequence number' field includes 1-bit information indicating whether the user data is the last packet of consecutive packets when the user data is divided into multiple TCP packets and 15-bit information indicating the sequence of consecutive packets. sequence number) is recorded. The more-bit has a value of 0 when the end of consecutive packets or one user data is present, and has a value of 1 when not the last packet of consecutive packets. The 'packet sequence number' indicates a sequence of consecutive packets and may have a value from 0 to 0x7fff. If it is not a continuous packet, it has a value of 0x0000.

The length (in bytes) of user data excluding the message header is recorded in the 'packet length' field.

In the 'raw code' field, information for logically dividing the content of the transmitted message is recorded. That is, the receiver determines the operation to be performed based on the source code. For example, actions such as path test, status search, 'shutdown', and shape addition can be defined in source code. If necessary, the upper 1 byte and lower 1 byte can be defined as being divided into large and small functions.

FIG. 5 shows the structure of a control packet, FIG. 6 shows the structure of a simple packet, and FIG. 7 shows the structure of a complex packet.

Referring to the above operations for processing TCP packets, it is assumed that each processor operates a process for receiving and distributing messages separately, and this process is called TMRD (TCP Message Receiver & Distributor). . Any TMRD that receives a message through a TCP socket analyzes the packet type, length, and continuity to extract and construct user data. If the user data is not included in one TCP packet, the data is reconstructed by receiving the last packet. Then, the source code included in the TCP packet is interpreted to determine a process to actually process the reconstructed message. For example, the table that maps the source code to the receiving process determines the process that will process the message. Once the process to process the message is determined, the TMRD transfers a message containing user data and source code to the determined process. The process receiving the message interprets all or part of the source code to determine the detailed operation and finally interpret the user data.

8 illustrates a procedure for converting and transmitting an SS7 message to a SIGTRAN protocol message received in a system in which a signal relay and a signal gateway are integrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, the signal message processing processor 11 first checks whether an SS7 message (L3 message) is received from the signal end point SEP in step 801. If the SS7 message is received, the signal message processing processor 11 analyzes the received SS7 message in step 803 and checks whether the SS7 message is a message to be transmitted to the next generation network in step 805. If the message is to be transmitted to the next generation network, the signal message processing processor 11 converts the SS7 message into an IPC message and transmits the SS7 message to the IPIP 21 in step 807. If it is not a message to be transmitted to the next generation network, the signal message processing processor 11 transfers the SS7 message to another signal repeater according to the header (header) content or transmits to the signal network management processor 13 in step 815 and terminates. do.

In step 909, the IPIP 21 converts the IPC message received from the signal message processing processor 11 into a TPC packet and transmits the converted IPC message to the signal gateway processor 31. In step 811, the signal gateway processor 31 converts the TCP packet received from the IPIP 21 into a SIGTRAN protocol message. Information of the SS7 message is transparently transmitted to the signal gateway processor 31 until the SS7 message is converted into an IPC message, converted into a TCP packet, and transmitted to the signal gateway processor 31. The signal gateway processor 31 composes (composes) a SIGTRAN protocol message with information of the transparently transmitted SS7 message. In step 813, the signal gateway processor 31 transmits the SIGTRAN protocol message to the next generation network (NGN) and terminates. The process of creating the SIGTRAN protocol message is the IWF 221 described above, and the process of transmitting the created SIGTRAN protocol message is the M3UA 220 described above.

9 illustrates a procedure for converting and transmitting a SIGTRAN protocol message received in a system in which a signal relay and a signal gateway are integrated according to an embodiment of the present invention to an SS7 message.

Referring to FIG. 9, the signal gateway processor 31 first checks whether a SIGTRAN protocol message is received from a next generation network in step 901. If the SIGTRAN protocol message is received, the signal gateway processor 31 analyzes the received SIGTRAN protocol message in step 903 and checks whether the SIGTRAN protocol message is a message to be transmitted to a general telephone network in step 905. If the message is to be transmitted to a general telephone network, the signal gateway processor 31 generates information to be written in the SS7 message based on the information of the SIGTRAN protocol message in step 907 and generates a TCP packet having the generated information as a content. Create and send to IPIP 21. If it is not a message to be transmitted to a general telephone network, the signal gateway processor 31 transmits the received SIGTRAN protocol message to the signal gateway operation processor 32 according to the header in step 915.

In step 909, the IPIP 21 converts the TCP packet from the signal gateway processor 31 into an IPC message for internal communication of the signal repeater subsystem 10 and transmits the converted IP packet to the signal message processing processor 11. As described above, the IPC message is transmitted to the signal message processing processor 11 through an internal bus HCIU. Then, the signal message processing processor 11 extracts information to be written in the SS7 message from the IPC message received through the internal bus in step 911, and creates an SS7 message with the extracted information. In operation 913, the signal message processing processor 11 transmits the created SS7 message to the corresponding signal endpoint (SEP) and ends.

Meanwhile, in the detailed description of the present invention, specific embodiments have been described, but various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the described embodiments, but should be defined not only by the scope of the following claims, but also by those equivalent to the scope of the claims.

As described above, the present invention has the advantage that the signal gateway of the next-generation communication network is connected to the existing signal repeater and the internal bus, so that the signal repeater of the general telephone network in operation can be reused. The signal repeater and signal gateway can be integrated without service interruption or software change of the signal repeater. In addition, since the matching between the signal relay and the signal gateway to the IP instead of the SS7 link, it is possible to reduce the communication line construction cost, it is possible to build a signal gateway without being constrained by the SS7 protocol.

Claims (14)

Apparatus for integrating a signaling gateway (STP) of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) and a signaling gateway of a next generation network (NGN), Rewrite SS7 (Signaling System no.7) message from Signaling End Point (SEP) into IPC (Inter Processor Communication) message and output it to the conversion subsystem, and IPC message from the conversion subsystem is SS7 message A repeater subsystem for rewriting and transmitting to the signal end point; The conversion that rewrites an IPC message from the signal repeater subsystem into an IP packet and outputs it to a signal gateway subsystem, and rewrites an IP packet from the signal gateway subsystem into an IPC message and outputs the IP packet to the signal repeater subsystem. Subsystems, The signal gateway subsystem which rewrites the IP packet from the conversion subsystem into a SIGTRAN protocol message and transmits it to the next generation network, and rewrites the SIGTRAN protocol message received from the next generation network into an IP packet and delivers the IP packet to the conversion subsystem. Apparatus comprising a. The signal repeater subsystem of claim 1, wherein the signal repeater subsystem comprises: A signal message processing processor for rewriting an SS7 message from the signal end point into an IPC message and outputting it to a bus, rewriting an IPC message into an SS7 message from the bus, and transmitting the SS7 message to the signal end point; And said bus for delivering an IPC message from said signal message processing processor to said conversion subsystem, and for delivering an IPC message from said conversion subsystem to said signal message processing processor. The system of claim 1, wherein the signal gateway subsystem comprises: Rewrite the IP packet from the conversion subsystem into a SIGTRAN protocol message and send it to the next generation network, rewrite the SIGTRAN protocol message from the next generation network into an IP packet and send it to the conversion subsystem and send a remote SQL ( a signal gateway processor that performs a structured query language, An operator terminal that executes remote SQL by passing an event request generated from a Graphic User Interface (GUI) and a MMC (Man Machine Communication) input as a string to a signal gateway operating processor; And a signal gateway operating processor for processing the remote SQL performed in the signal gateway processor and the operator terminal. The method of claim 3, wherein the signal gateway processor, A first process for controlling the overall operation of the signal gateway processor; A second process for checking a state of processes running in the signal gateway processor; A third process in charge of driving the processes, A fourth process responsible for terminating the processes, A fifth process for processing initial data of the signal gateway subsystem; A sixth process for processing the Level 3 Stream Control Transmission Protocol (SCTP); A seventh process for processing the SIGTRAN protocol, An eighth processor that is responsible for conversion between the SS7 and the SIGTRAN; And a ninth process responsible for protocol layer management. The processor of claim 3, wherein the signal gateway operation processor comprises: A tenth process for overall control of the entire process of the signal gateway subsystem; An eleventh process for processing an operator command (MMC), And a twelfth process for handling database access. The method of claim 1, And a hub (HUB) between the conversion subsystem and the signal gateway subsystem. The method of claim 1, The IP packet may be any one of a transmission control protocol (TCP), a user datagram protocol (UDP), and a stream control transmission protocol (SCTP). The method of claim 1, And the signal repeater subsystem, the conversion subsystem and the signal gateway subsystem are redundant. An apparatus for integrating a signal gateway in a signal repeater (STP) of a general telephone network (PSTN), It is connected to the internal bus of the signal repeater, rewrites the IPC message input through the internal bus into an IP packet and outputs it to the signal gateway, and rewrites the IP packet from the signal gateway into an IPC message to the internal bus. A conversion module for outputting, Connected to the conversion module via a LAN interface, rewrite the IP packet from the conversion module into a SIGTRAN protocol message and transmit it to the next generation network, rewrite the SIGTRAN protocol message from the next generation network into an IP packet and convert the conversion module Apparatus comprising the signal gateway for transmitting to. The method of claim 9, The IP packet may be any one of a transmission control protocol (TCP), a user datagram protocol (UDP), and a stream control transmission protocol (SCTP). In a system in which a signal relay (STP) of a general telephone network (PSTN) and a signaling gateway of a next-generation network (NGN) are integrated, an SS7 message received from the general telephone network is converted into a SIGTRAN protocol message and transmitted to the next-generation network. In the method for The first processor rewrites the SS7 (Signaling System no. 7) message received from the signal end point (SEP) of the general telephone network into an IPC (Inter Processor Communication) message and outputs it to the second processor through the IPC bus. , Rewriting the IPC message input through the bus into an IP packet by the second processor and outputting the IPC message to the third processor through a LAN interface; And rewriting, by the third processor, the IP packet inputted through the LAN interface into a SIGTRAN protocol message and transmitting the SI packet to the next generation network. The method of claim 11, The IP packet may be any one of a transmission control protocol (TCP), a user datagram protocol (UDP), and a stream control transmission protocol (SCTP). In a system in which a signal relay (STP) of a general telephone network (PSTN) and a signaling gateway of a next-generation network (NGN) are integrated, a SIGTRAN protocol message received from the next-generation network is converted into an SS7 message and transmitted to the general telephone network. In the method for A first processor, rewriting the SIGTRAN protocol message received from the next-generation network into an IP packet and outputting the SIGTRAN protocol message to the second processor through a LAN interface; Rewriting, by the second processor, the IP packet received through the LAN interface into an IPC message and outputting the IP packet to a third processor through an IPC bus; And rewriting, by the third processor, an IPC message received through the IPC bus into an SS7 message and transmitting it to a signal endpoint (SEP) of the general telephone network. The method of claim 13, The IP packet may be any one of a transmission control protocol (TCP), a user datagram protocol (UDP), and a stream control transmission protocol (SCTP).