WO2000038447A1 - 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
- WO2000038447A1 WO2000038447A1 PCT/EP1999/010046 EP9910046W WO0038447A1 WO 2000038447 A1 WO2000038447 A1 WO 2000038447A1 EP 9910046 W EP9910046 W EP 9910046W WO 0038447 A1 WO0038447 A1 WO 0038447A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- signalling
- map
- messages
- network
- point
- Prior art date
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
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a Mobile Application Part transport mechanism for use in a Public Land Mobile Network.
- 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.
- MTP Mobile Switching Centres
- HLR Home Location Registers
- VLR Visitor Location Registers
- MTP Message Transport Part
- SCCP Signalling Connection and Control Part
- TCAP Transaction Capabilities Application Part
- 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.
- a "lightweight" transport mechanism which reduces or eliminates the coding and decoding requirements inherent in the SS7 transport mechanism.
- a method of transmitting signalling information between two signalling points of a Public Land Mobile Network, which signalling points are co-located 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.
- MAP Mobile Application Part
- 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.
- the above method is used in a network after a signalling point wishing to send a MAP message has determined whether or not the message is destined for a co-located signalling point.
- a network other than said packet switched data network may be used to transport the message.
- One such alternative network is an SS7 network.
- 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.
- 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 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.
- the destination address e.g. Global Title
- 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.
- MAP Mobile Application Part
- a signalling point within a Public Land Mobile Network 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 to a second co-located signalling point over a packet switched network.
- MAP Mobile Application Part
- 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 messages to a co-located signalling point over the packet switched network.
- 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 messages to an SS7 transport mechanism to provide for transmission of the messages over an SS7 network.
- Figure 1 illustrates schematically a part of a Public Land Mobile Network
- Figure 2 illustrates the transport mechanism protocol stack implemented at certain signalling points of the PLMN of Figure 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of transmitting Mobile Application Part messages between signalling points of the PLMN of Figure 1.
- FIG 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.
- PLMN Public Land Mobile Network
- GMSCs Gateway Mobile Switching Centres
- PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
- 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.
- ISUP ISDN User Part
- the GMSCs may also provide the interfaces between the PLMN and other networks although this is not shown in Figure 1.
- FIG. 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 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.
- MSCs Mobile Switching centres
- VLRs Visitor Location Registers
- HLRs Home Location Registers
- MAP Mobile Application Part
- SS7 transport mechanism This mechanism will not be described in detail here (reference should be made for example to "Understanding Telecommunications", Vols 1 & 2, Studentlittaratur, Lund, Sweden, ISBN 91-44-00214- 9), although Figure 1 does illustrate the provision of an SS7 network in which SS7 signalling links (illustrated by broken lines) may be routed via a Signalling Transfer Point (STP) 10.
- STP Signalling Transfer Point
- the SS7 transport mechanism is also used to convey ISUP signalling messages between the GMSCs 1 ,2 and the PSTN 3.
- the solid lines indicate Ethernet connections between signalling points. These Ethernet connections are used to carry IP datagrams encapsulating MAP messages, 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.
- FIG 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.
- the adaptation layer 12 behaves identically to the TCAP so that no modifications to the MAP 1 1 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).
- SSN Sub- System Number
- the SSN does indicate that the user is a HLR, VLR, or MSC
- the called address i.e. Global Title (GT)
- GT Global Title
- 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
- FIG. 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.
- DSPs Digital Signal Processors
- 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.
- 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.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002356185A CA2356185A1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 1999-12-17 | Transport method for the mobile application part (map), and apparatus therefor |
EP99963570A EP1142381A1 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 1999-12-17 | Transport method for the mobile application part (map), and apparatus therefor |
AU19818/00A AU768332B2 (en) | 1998-12-22 | 1999-12-17 | Transport method for the mobile application part (MAP), and apparatus therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FI982776A FI108980B (en) | 1998-12-22 | 1998-12-22 | Transport mechanism for MAP |
FI982776 | 1998-12-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000038447A1 true WO2000038447A1 (en) | 2000-06-29 |
Family
ID=8553174
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/EP1999/010046 WO2000038447A1 (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) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0381365A2 (en) * | 1989-01-31 | 1990-08-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | A system and method for interconnecting applications across different networks of data processing systems |
EP0544447A2 (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1993-06-02 | AT&T Corp. | Signaling arrangements in a cellular mobile telecommunications switching system |
WO1997042774A2 (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1997-11-13 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Telecommunications management network connected to a common channel signaling network |
US5732213A (en) * | 1996-03-22 | 1998-03-24 | Ericsson Inc. | System and method of testing open systems interconnection (OSI) layers in telecommunication networks |
US5841854A (en) * | 1994-02-16 | 1998-11-24 | Priority Call Management, Inc. | Wireless telephone integration system and method for call centers and workgroups |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
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 CA CA002356185A patent/CA2356185A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-12-17 EP EP99963570A patent/EP1142381A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 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
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0381365A2 (en) * | 1989-01-31 | 1990-08-08 | International Business Machines Corporation | A system and method for interconnecting applications across different networks of data processing systems |
EP0544447A2 (en) * | 1991-11-27 | 1993-06-02 | 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 |
WO1997042774A2 (en) * | 1996-05-06 | 1997-11-13 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Telecommunications management network connected to a common channel signaling network |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
GHOSAL A: "AN APPLICATION OF IN TECHNOLOGY FOR 800 MHZ PCS", INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON UNIVERSAL PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS,US, SAN DIEGO CA USA, 27 September 1994 (1994-09-27) - 1 October 1994 (1994-10-01), IEEE, Piscataway, NJ USA, pages 624 - 628, XP000198358 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FI108980B (en) | 2002-04-30 |
FI982776A (en) | 2000-06-23 |
AU1981800A (en) | 2000-07-12 |
FI982776A0 (en) | 1998-12-22 |
CA2356185A1 (en) | 2000-06-29 |
AU768332B2 (en) | 2003-12-11 |
EP1142381A1 (en) | 2001-10-10 |
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