MXPA98004084A - Method and apparatus for carrying out the independent route design of the estruct technique - Google Patents

Abstract

The route assignment to the calls in a telecommunications switching system (121, 122) comprising one or more structures (22-1, 22-2, 22-3) controlled by the corresponding structure controllers (26-1) , 26-2 and 26-3, respectively) is carried out by a route allocation processor (28) independent of the structures. The routing processor actually selects the route for each call by specifying a channel for a neighboring switching system to carry the call. In addition, the route allocation processor has the ability to respond to queries from other switching systems with respect to the status of the trunk group and the traffic capacity to allow the auxiliary processor to route the routing processor of another transmission system. switching to make route assignment decisions. By implementing the allocation that routes independent of the structure, route allocation processing is reused for a new capacity of the structure, and easily extended to accommodate new types of services, such as synchronized data services. The route assignment independent of the structure achieves a lower development cost by avoiding the new development of the route assignment functions in new structure controllers, as these are added, and the addition of new route assignment features is made in a function of the routing processor, individual versus multiple structure controllers. The allocation of independent routes of the structure allows the routing processing to be implemented in the processors with essentially unlimited resources of memory and real time to be carried away by the curve of technology of the processor, and achieves the performance advantages such as delay of the establishment of the reduced call and reliability of the total switch, improves

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CARRYING OUT THE TECHNIQUE OF ASSIGNMENT OF INDEPENDENT ROUTES OF THE STRUCTURE Field of the Invention This invention relates to a technique for assigning routes to calls of a telecommunication switching system to another switching system independent of the structure in each system.

Background of the Invention Today's telecommunications networks typically include a plurality of switching systems linked by means of transmission facilities (eg, trunk lines and / or channels) carrying "calls" (in the form of voice, video or data) between the switching systems. Additionally, these switching systems are typically linked by means of a signaling (data) network that transmits signaling messages between the switching systems.

In addition, within a given telecommunication network, control information can flow between REF: 027071 switching systems and databases, intelligent peripherals, or other resources or specialized media, as is well known in the art. A modern day switching theme includes a signaling structure and a control mechanism as an integrated, individual system. The switching mechanics of a switching system provides the intelligence to operate a specific switching structure and some (or possibly all) of the intelligence required to interpret and respond to signals. The switching structure includes devices for the termination of transmission facilities, as well as devices that provide multiple time and space switching steps as understood in the art. Additionally, the structure of the switch may also include local intelligence, in the form of a processor or the like, to act on the instructions of the control mechanism. Center of the switching systems of the prior art, the control mechanism includes a z "as computers for special purposes: r such functions as connecting the lines ^ -remications, and to vary the degrees, re; :: ::, send signaling messages, perform operations, administration and maintenance functions, and provide call processing and customer services (eg, logical service) The switch structure of today's switching systems controls the assignment of routes to calls In other words, the structure of the switch, under the control of its associated intelligence, makes decisions regarding the selection of the main line in order to transmit calls to another structure of another switching system. There are currently several techniques for assigning routes to calls and they will not be discussed in detail. Calls include Real-Time Network Route Assignment (RTNR), Success for Superior Route Assignment (STT) as well as Assignment of Class-of-Service Routes. The nature of the switching structure in today's switching systems is dependent on the nature of the calls carried by that structure. For example, switching systems of the circuit-switch type typically use a type of structure to carry voice calls. In contrast, the switching systems of the Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) typically use a packet type structure to carry data calls. Different types of structures assign routes to calls differently. Even though two different types of structures may use a particular route assignment technique, the implementation of that technique within one type of structure is often necessarily different from its implementation in another type of structure. In this way, when a new route assignment technique is implemented, different implementations for different types of structures must be provided. As a result, development costs for the implementation of a new route assignment technique tend to be expensive. In this way, there is a need for a technique to achieve an independent route assignment of structure.

Brief Description of the Invention In its most general sense, the invention is directed to a novel apparatus and method for controlling the allocation of routes in a switching system. Specifically, the invention comprises a route allocation processor (RP) for controlling route assignment independent of the structure within the switching system. Note that the switching structure within the switching system can be a packet-based structure or a circuit-switched structure. The invention also provides a method for separating the routing function from the connection functions, the latter occurring within the switching structure. The route allocation processor of the invention maintains a dynamic route allocation database that locates calls in progress as well as traffic capacity. The routing processor also allocates and when necessary, reserves the bandwidth between idle networks. The? R :: route assignmentator actually selects "- the route for each call by specifying a: a.a face a neighboring switching system that the call.In addition, the route allocation processor has the ability to respond to queries from other switching systems regarding traffic capacity to allow the auxiliary processor to processor routing the other switching system to make routing decisions.

Brief Description of the Drawings FIGURE 1 illustrates a matic block diagram of a telecommunication network that includes a plurality of switching systems each in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 illustrates a call flow diagram showing the manner in which routes are assigned to calls within the network of FIGURE i; And FIGURE 3 is a matic block diagram of a second embodiment of the network of the invention.

Detailed description FIGURE 1 represents a telecommunications network 10 comprising a first and a second switching system 12? and 122 each constructed in accordance with the invention. Switching systems 12 x and 122 each includes multiple call processors 14-14, each of which possesses the call associated logic necessary to process a call within the corresponding switching system. For example, the call processor 14 of each switching system performs call processing, service logic, signaling message processing and address translation. A common link 16 within each of the switching systems 12? and 122 connects the call processor 14 to a signaling interface 18 that links its respective switching system to a signaling network 20, such as Channel Signaling System J ~ .r. ae AT & T 7, as is well known in the art. The signaling network 20 communicates the information _: •? signage outside the band between the sistersr.as -;;: nmutation 12? and 122 in connection with the establishment and disestablishment of the call. The switching system 12? includes first and second switching structures 22x and 222 terminating transmission facilities 24? and 242, respectively, which may take the form of one or more center lines or channels. Each of the structures 22? and 222 also include devices (not shown) that provide multiple stages of space and time switching as is understood in the art. The structures 22? and 222 can take different forms to end different types of calls. For example, structure 22? it may comprise a circuit switch structure while the structure 22 may comprise a packet switch structure. The structures 22 and 222 are each controlled by the controllers of structure 26L and 262, respectively, that are joined to the call processor 14 by means of the common link 16. Each of the controllers of the structures 26? and 2ß within the switching system 121 comprises a processor or a group of processors specifically designed to control one of the corresponding structures 22j. and 222, respectively. In practice, each of the controllers of the structures 261 and 2ß2 facilitate the connection functions performed by their corresponding structure, which includes functions such as: receiving dialed digits, determining if a call can be stabilized, establishing a channel, maintaining the channel and dismantle the channel. Similar to the switching system 12 ?, the switching system 122 includes at least one switching structure 223 for terminating the transmission facilities 243 and 244, each one taking the form of one or more main lines or channels. A controller of the structure 26, comprising a processor or a group of processors, controls the structure 223 to facilitate the connection functions performed by the structure. The controller of the structure 26 joins the call processor 14 within the switching system 122 via the common link 16. In the past, the structures 22? -22, under the control of their controllers of the structures 26? 263, respectively, made the assignment of routes to the calls. In other words, the 22x-223 structures would select, allocate and reserve the main lines or channels based on various criteria to assign routes to calls from one switching system to another. The disadvantage associated with carrying out the routing functions to the calls within each of the structures 22? -223 is that the structures are typically different. In this way, the implementation of a route assignment technique, namely, Assigning Service Class Routes, in a particular structure is different due to the particular nature of that structure. In this way, the implementation of new route assignment techniques tends to be complex and expensive due to the need to adapt or adjust the route assignment technique for each different type of structure. In addition, the implementation of routing functions in multiple structures is not cost effective. According to the invention, the route assignment function previously performed in each structure is carried out by a route allocation processor, which is separated from the route.; aaa -. or of the switching systems 12? and 122-? -? r;: routing router 28 in each switching system is u through common link 16 to processor 14 calls. The routing processor includes a dynamic routing database 5 29 which localizes all dynamic data including, for example, calls in progressive traffic capacity, reservation of the bandwidth, capacity status of the main line group as well as the occupied / unoccupied from the main lines. response to the orders or commands of the processor called 14 in each switching system, l systems of the processor of assignment of routes perform the functions of assignment of routes to l calls, which include selecting a route, selecting, assigning and reserving the main channel required. The routing allocation processor 28 also assigns, and when necessary, reserves the bandwidth between the networks unemployed. The r_tas mapping processor actually selects the path for each call to specify a channel for a neighbor switching system that carries the call. In addition, the route assignment procedure 28 has the capacity to respond to queries from other switching systems with respect to the capacity status of the trunk group and the traffic capacity to allow the auxiliary processor to assign the routes of the other switching system to make the routing decisions as is described below with respect to FIGURE 2. With the routing functions performed by the route allocation processor 28, the controllers of the structures 26? -263 simply control their corresponding structures 22? -223, respectively, to perform Cross-connection functions or other control functions of the physical components related to the structure, such as execution by echo cancellation control call or other voice processing functions. In this way, with the assignment of routes independent of the structure, most of the routing and data assignment functionality reside within each route assignment processor 25 a: designed to perform the process of processing and assigning routes. Therefore, the processor and route assignment 28 performs all the functions: r-.5 --- Ie assignment of logical routes, while caaa -.r.o of the controllers of structure 26? and 262 perform the assignment functions of routes related to the physical components of the specific structure. In one implementation, the route allocation processor 28 and each of the 14-14 call processors use the same platform of physical components / software to simplify operation, administration, maintenance, and provisioning. A call is processed by one of the many call processors 14-14. However, the route allocation is performed in one of the centralized route allocation processors 28 (with a backup, not shown), where the dynamic data is stored in the centralized database 29. The call processors 14 -14 and the route allocation processor 28 have the same logic equipment, but a primary route assignment processor 28 and the backup are designated from the concentration unit of the call processors 14-14. The backup route assignment processor becomes the primary route allocation processor when the primary route allocation processor fails, and any other call processor 14 can then be designated to perform the function of the route allocation processor. backup, where that route allocation processor is then initialized to be the new processor for assigning backup routes. In a distribution-independent route allocation implementation option, distributed, the route allocation processor 28 still maintains the centralized database 29, but communicates information from this database every 1-2 seconds to each processor 14. In this option, the status of the main lines and the tracking or search of the main lines could be done in each of the controllers of structures 26? and 262, and the structure controller would update the route allocation processor with each change of busy / idle status of the main lines. Every 1-2 seconds the routing processor 28 updates each call processor 14 with the number of the main lines occupied / unoccupied, and with all data related to traffic, including calls in progress, blocking proportions, number of blocked calls, termination proportions and other data related to the traffic needed for the processing of route assigts in the call processors. (With a controller of the ATM structure, the unoccupied / occupied bandwidth slots, totals are communicated). The route allocation processor 28 does the processing of the entire collection of traffic data and the summary for external operations that the system uses, such as monitoring of the Real-Time network. Each call processor 14 performs route allocation processing, normal using the state / traffic data of 1-2 seconds of time received from the RP 28. The call processor 14 specifies one of the controllers of the structures 26? and 262 in a calling facility: (a) selections from the trunk group, including subgroups of main lines in the direct / designed route, if it exists and is not in a reserved state in which the direct route is not allowed, and the subgroups of the main lines of the track, (b) the method of tracking the main lines to be used, such as: the randomize / load balance, sec -.c: al or the other, and (c) ) execution data by llaaaaaa control, such as activating echo cancellation. The structure controller responds to the call processor 14 with the main line selected, or all the main lines occupied. The call processor 14 establishes the call with route assigt processing, normal, or blocks the call if the busy state of all the main lines is received from the controller of the structure. The call processor 14 notifies the routing processor 28 of each completed call, each call disconnected, each event broken down, each call blocked and all cases related to traffic. The advantages of a route allocation option independent of the structure, distributed are: (a) Real-time work balance between the call processors 14-14, the routing processor 28, and the controllers of structures 26? and 262, (b) reducing the call set-up delay since the call processor 14 establishes a call directly to the structure controller, and not through the route allocation processor 28, (c) making the architecture more robust, since in one mode, the call processors are independent of a dual route allocation processor failure when using a simple, backup route assignment strategy, such as Success for route allocation, Superior ( STT). With reference to FIGURE 2, there is shown a flow diagram of a call illustrating the manner in which the route assignment processor 28 within the switching system 12? Assign routes to calls. (Although not shown, the route allocation processor 28 within the switching system 122 operates in substantially the same way as the route allocation processor 28 within the switching system 12j.). The assignment of routes to the calls begins with the reception of an Initial Address Message (IAM) in the signaling interface 18 within the switching system 12? that establishes a call. The IAM received by the signaling interface 18 is advanced to the call processor 14, which, in response, instructs the route allocation processor 28 to obtain a r_a for the call. The route assignment processor 28 selects a route by selecting the main line or channel on which a secondary circuit for the output of a call should be placed. For discussion purposes, the selected route is assumed to cover only the transmission facilities terminated by structure 22? of FIGURE 1 although the selected route could include one or more transmission facilities terminated by the structure 222 of FIGURE 1. After the route selection, the route allocation processor 28 warns the call processor 14, which , in turn, instructs the controller of structure 26? control the 22x structure to reserve the required transmission facilities. (Note that if the route selected by the route allocation processor 28 has involved the transmission facilities terminated by the structure 222, then the call processor 14 would have instructed the controller of the structure 262 to reserve the appropriate connections). After reserving the connections, the controller of the structure 28 signals the call processor 14 within the switching system 121 that this task has been completed. Upon receipt of the reserved signal from the connection, the call processor 14 within the switching system 12: generates an IAM for transmission via the signaling interface 18 to the signaling network 20 for reception by a signaling system. downstream switching to establish a signal of a call. In some cases, the route assignment processor 28 within the switching system 12? it wishes to retrieve the state of charge information of a remote end switching system, for example, the switching system 122, for the purpose of assigning routes to the next call. (Note that the route allocation processor 28 could query the remote end switch 122 for the current call, however, doing so would possibly delay route allocation). To determine the state of charge of the remote end switch 12 ?, the route allocation processor 28 within the switching system 12? sends a query of the Transaction Capability Request Part (TCAP) to the signaling interface 18. In response, the signaling interface 18 within the switching system 12? sends the question of the TCAP through the signaling network 20 of FIGURE 1 to the signaling interface 18 within the remote end switching system 122. The signaling interface 18 within the switch 122 passes the query of the TCAP to the route allocation processor 28 within that switching system. The route allocation processor 28 within the remote end switching system 122 consults its database 29 to obtain the requested information and provides the requested information by means of a response from the TCAP query. The response of the TCAP consultation, generated by the route assignment processing 28 within the switching system 12? passes to the signaling interface 18 within that switching system for transmission via the signaling network 20 to the switching system 12? whose route assignment processor 28 had requested the information. The route allocation processor 28 uses the query response of the TCAP of the switching system 122 to make decisions of subsequent route assignments. So far, 1: -i-e has been described is the way to establish the .1 beloved. Finally, however, one or both parties to the call will eventually cut off the communication, needing to disestablish the connection that previously carried the call. De-setting of the call starts with reception in the switching system 12? of a Release message received by the signaling interface 18 of the signaling network 20. The signaling interface 18 passes the release message to the call processor 14, which, in response, commands the controller of the structure 2 ß? release the connection. After the release of the connection, the controller of the structure 2ß? warns the call processor 14 of the release. After notification of the released connection, of the call processor 14 of the switching system 12? sends a complementary release message to the signaling interface 18 for transmission via signaling network 20 of FIGURE 1. In the process of generating the complete release message, the call processor 14 also confirms the allocation processor of routes 28 that the connection has been released, allowing the route allocation processor to update its database 29 with respect to calls in progress, unoccupied bandwidth, as well as the busy / idle state of the main lines. As can be seen, the migration of the routing functions to the route allocation processor 28 within each switching system eliminates the need to duplicate the route assignment technique in the multiple structure controllers and adjust the technique of allocation of routes to the particular structure, thus reducing development costs. By migrating the routing functions to the routing processor 28, the route assignment to the call becomes independent of each structure. In addition, the migration of the routing functions to the route allocation processor 28 helps reduce the load on each call processor 14. Additionally, the use of a separate intelligence, in the form of the route allocation processor 28, to perform the routing functions per ~ - e that the processor is optimized for as gr. J:n of routes. The concept and routing assignment independent of the is:.: -. Ra can develop the mapping processing: -: - - of routes implemented within the routing processor 28 to support both voice and data services in a integrated network, such that the services are offered in different structures, as illustrated in Figure 3. As seen in FIGURE 3, an individual switching system 12 ', configured in the same way as the switching systems 12? and 122 , of FIGURE 1 may be associated with a circuit switching structure 22? ' and an ATM structure 222 'controlled by the controllers of structures 2 ß] J and 262', respectively.

Typically, the data services can be completely synchronized at all and are often implemented in a network with a packet-based structure, such as the ATM structure 222 'and with the virtual circuit path allocation for bandwidth allocation . Virtual circuit path allocation for bit rate, constant (CBR) transmission services, such as voice services, or near-CBR services, such as compressed voice services, may use fully analogous route assignment methods to those used in networks switched by circuits. For example, the concept of the bandwidth slot, or bandwidth segment, may be used in place of the timeslot multiple transmission slot, or trunk lines, in the circuit switched network. However, for highly synchronized data traffic such as computer telecommunications services, more specialized route allocation methods are used for such data traffic. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, such data service route allocation methods can be implemented in the route allocation processor 28 for use with the data services in question, which allocate routes in the packet-based structure , (for example, ATM structure 222 ') • In addition, the bandwidth in the ATM structure can be distributed between the CBR and near CBR services, and the synchronized data services, for security of compliance with the objectives of performance for all kinds of service. For example, the security for the drop rate of cells below a certain target can be achieved by defining a limit on the assigned bandwidth, as shown in FIGURE 3, in which no class of service can use more than your assigned, total bandwidth.

In this way, for example, highly synchronized data traffic can not cause performance degradation such as higher cell fall speeds (due to the overload of the buffer waiting line) of CBR traffic. in synchronized, short data traffic intervals. For this purpose, bandwidth allocation can be periodically adjusted, as shown, for a period of load sets (LSP) to allow variability of total traffic demand between traffic classes. By implementing routing assignment independent of the structure, the route allocation process is reused for the new capacity of the structure, and easily extended to accommodate new types of service, such as synchronized data services. The route assignment independent of the structure achieves a lower development cost by once again avoiding the development of the route assignment functions in the new controllers of the structures, as these are added and - J adding the new route assignment characteristics it is done in a function of the processor: e assignment of routes, individual against the controllers of the structures, multiple. Path-independent routing allocation allows routing processing to be implemented in processors with essentially unlimited Real-Time and Memory resources by being driven by the processor technology curve, and achieves the performance advantages such as delay of the establishment of a call, reduced and the reliability of the total switch, improved. It should be understood that the embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Various modifications and changes may be made thereto by those skilled in the art, who understand the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property.

Claims (15)

1. A telecommunications network including at least one switching system having at least one switching structure for terminating at least one transmission medium and for performing call connection processes and a control mechanism for controlling the switching structure, the improvement is characterized in that it comprises: a routing processor for performing call routing functions, which includes selecting a route when selecting, allocating and reserving a transmission medium.

2. The network according to claim 1, characterized in that the route allocation processor includes a database for locating dynamic routing data, including calls in progress, traffic capacity, bandwidth reservation, load status of a group of main lines and occupied / unoccupied state of the main lines.

3. The network according to claim 2, characterized in that the database stores charging information accessible by a route allocation processor in a second switching system.

4. The telecommunications network, which includes: a plurality of switching systems, each having at least one switching structure for terminating at least one transmission medium and for performing call connection processes and a control mechanism for controlling the structure of switching, a signaling system for communicating information between switching systems, the improvement is characterized in that it comprises: a routing processor within each switching system to perform call route assignment functions, which includes selecting a route selecting, allocating and reserving a transmission medium, each routing processor within each switching system having the ability to send queries to, and receive queries from, a routing processor in another switching system, via of the signaling system, with respect to traffic capacity p to allow the processor in each switching system to make route assignment decisions.

5. The network according to claim 4, characterized in that each route allocation processor includes a database for the location of dynamic data, including calls in progress, traffic capacity, reservation of the bandwidth, state of charge of a group of main lines and occupied / unoccupied state of the main lines.

6. the network according to claim 4, characterized in that the database stores information of the load, accessible by the route allocation processor to the other switching system.

7. The network according to claim 4, characterized in that the route assignment functions performed by the route assignment processor are the logical functions while the structure controller performs the physical route assignment functions.

8. The network according to claim 4, characterized in that it includes both a circuit switching structure and a data structure, and wherein the route allocation processor performs the functions of assigning call routes in each structure.

9. The network according to claim 7, characterized in that the route allocation processor performs the assignment of routes to the calls for the synchronized data services within the ATM structure in an efficient manner.

10. A method for assigning routes to calls within a telecommunication switching system, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving a first established message from calls of a telecommunication switching system; generating, in response to the set call message, an instruction for a routing processor within the telecommunication switching system to select a route for a call; selecting a route for a call by a routing processor in response to the instruction to select a route; and establishing the selected route in a switching structure in the switching system terminating at least one communication channel.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that the route allocation processor locates the dynamic data, including calls in progress, reservation of bandwidth of traffic capacity, load state of the group of main lines and occupied / unoccupied state of the main lines.

12. The method according to claim 10, is coerced because the route allocation processor questions a routing processor in a remote-end switching system to determine the load information in order to select a route. for a subsequent call.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that it includes the storage step, in the route allocation processor, of the load information for reception by another route allocation processor.

14. A telecommunications network including at least one switching system having at least one switching structure for terminating at least one transmission means and for performing call connection processes and one controller for controlling the switching structure, the improvement is characterized because it comprises: a routing processor to perform functions of the database for assigning routes to calls, calls in progress, reservation of bandwidth of traffic capacity, state of charge of a group of main lines and occupied / unoccupied state of the main lines; at least one call processor to perform the routing functions, including selecting a route when selecting, allocating and reserving a transmission medium; where the structure controller tracks the main lines and the determination of the status of the main lines and updates the routing processor by providing the status of the main lines to the database; where the routing processor updates each call processor with the status of the trunk lines and the traffic data; and wherein each call processor updates the routing processor with information about the connected calls, the disconnected calls, as well as the blocked calls.

15. The network according to claim 14, characterized in that the call processor controls the controller of the structure to specify (a) the selections of the group of main lines for the assignment of routes, (b) the method of monitoring of the main lines , and (c) the execution by call of specialized call processing such as echo cancellation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The assignment of routes to calls in a telecommunications switching system (12 ?, 122) comprised of one or more structures (22 ?, 222, 223) controlled by the corresponding structure controllers (26 ?, 262 and 263) , respectively) is carried out by a route allocation processor (28) independent of the structures. The routing processor actually selects the route for each call by specifying a channel for a neighboring switching system to carry the call. In addition, the route allocation processor has the ability to respond to queries from other switching systems with respect to the status of the trunk group and the traffic capacity to allow the auxiliary processor to route the routing processor of another transmission system. switching to make route assignment decisions. By implementing routing independent of the structure, route allocation processing is reused for a new capacity of the structure, and easily extended to accommodate new types of services, such as synchronized data services. Route allocation independent of the structure achieves a lower development cost by avoiding the new development of the route assignment functions in new structure controllers, as these are added, and the addition of new routing characteristics is made in a function of the routing processor, individual versus multiple structure controllers. Path-independent routing allocation allows routing processing to be implemented in processors with essentially unlimited memory and real-time resources as they get carried away by the processor technology curve, and achieve the performance advantages such as delay of the establishment of the reduced call and reliability of the total, improved switch.