K1103 SS#7

1 SS#7 network survey

1.1 GOAL.................................................................................................................1-2

1.2 SIGNALLING NETWORKS ...............................................................................1-3

1.3 STRUCTURE OF A SIGNALLING NETWORK .................................................1-5

1.4 COMPONENTS OF A SIGNALLING NETWORK..............................................1-6

1.4.1 SIGNALLING POINTS........................................................................................1-6
1.4.1.1 Numbering of Signalling Points .............................................................1-7
1.4.1.2 Structural independence of int. and nat. signalling networks.................1-8
1.4.2 SIGNALLING LINKS ..........................................................................................1-9
1.4.3 SIGNALLING ROUTES ....................................................................................1-10
1.4.4 SIGNALLING MODES......................................................................................1-11
1.5 INTERACTION BETWEEN SIGNALLING AND CIRCUIT SWITCHED
NETWORKS ......................................................................................................1-12

1.6 ADVANTAGES OF COMMON CHANNEL SIGNALLING ...............................1-14

1.7 STRUCTURE OF THE SS#7 ...........................................................................1-15

1.7.1 FUNCTIONS OF THE MTP ..............................................................................1-16
1.7.2 FUNCTIONS OF THE SCCP ............................................................................1-16
1.7.3 FUNCTIONS OF THE ISDN-USER PART ............................................................1-16

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1.1 Goal

In this section, the course participants shall learn about:

• the structure of signalling networks

• signalling network components

• the advantage of common channel signalling

• the functional structure of Signalling System No. 7

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1.2 Signalling networks

A switching network consists of network nodes (exchanges) and data links

between the nodes.

Switching network

data link

A ... G network nodes

(exchanges)
B
A

D C
G
E F

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Switching networks must be able to transfer signalling information between

their exchanges in order to set up or clear switched network connections
and/or control services or supplementary services.

If signalling information is transmitted over a common channel, the network is

split into two separate components (networks), one for user information and
one for signalling information.

The Signalling System No. 7 (SS#7) is such a common channel signalling

system where the signalling information related to various user information
channels is transferred in one separate signalling channel.

Common channel signalling is a signalling method in which a signal channel

conveys, by means of labelled messages, signalling information related to a
multiplicity of circuits, or other information such as used for network
management.

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A network served by common channel signalling is composed of switching and

processing nodes interconnected by transmission links. To communicate using
SS#7, each of these nodes is required to implement the necessary in node
features of SS#7, making that node a signalling point within the SS#7 network.

Signalling points in this network are interconnected by signalling links

exchange of information related to signalling.

All signalling channels between all exchanges in the switching network build
an independent signalling network which is completely separate from the user
information network.

The combination of signalling points and their interconnecting signalling links

form the SS#7 signalling network.

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1.3 Structure of a signalling network

The structure of the signalling network does not necessarily have to match the
structure of the user network.

Seperate networks

Signalling Network data link

2 signalling link
1
A ... G network nodes (exchanges)
1 ... 7 signalling points
4 3
5 6 7

B
A

D C
E F G

User Information Network ( trunk network )

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In this example there is a direct data link between exchange A and C. The
signalling information for a data connection between A and C however must be
transmitted via signalling transfer point 2 since there is no direct signalling link
between the signalling end points 1 and 3.

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1.4 Components of a signalling network

1.4.1 Signalling Points

Signalling points

Signalling Link
Originating Destination
Signalling Point
Point Point

Signalling Point /
Signalling Tranfer Point

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• network nodes which have implemented the features necessary for

signalling are called Signalling Points (SP)

• a signalling point at which a message is generated is the Originating Point

of that message (the location of the source user part function)

• a signalling point to which a message is directed is the Destination Point

of that message (the location of the receiving user part function)

• a signalling point which is neither the originating nor the destination point for
a message is a Signalling Transfer Point(STP)

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1.4.1.1 Numbering of Signalling Points

A 14-bit binary code is used as a 3-8-3-bit code for the identification of

international signalling points. National networks and proprietary solutions
could be used different bit codes and length. For instance: 4-3-4-3-bit code
(Germany), 16-bit binary code (Japan) and 24-bit binary code (USA).

An international signalling point code (ISPC) should be assigned to each

signalling point which belongs to the international signalling network and
should consist of three identification sub-fields.

International signalling point code (ISPC)

Order of bit transmission

Signalling area/network code (SANC)

Zone Area/network Signalling point

identification identification identification
3 8 3
Length in bits

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Zone identification: It should identify a world geographical zone.

The zone identification codes for the international signalling network are
allocated as follows:

000 Reserved
001 Reserved
010 Europe
011 Northamerica
100 Asia
101 Australia
110 Africa
111 Southamerica

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Area/network identification: It should identify a geographical area or network

in a specific zone.

Signalling point identification: It should identify a signalling point in a

specific geographical area or network.

The combination of the first and second sub-fields could be regarded as a

signalling area/network code (SANC). Each country (or geographical area)
should be assigned at least one signalling area/network code (SANC). If a
country (or geographical area) should require more than 8 international
signalling points, one or more additional signalling area/network code(s)
(SANC) would be assigned to it.

1.4.1.2 Structural independence of int. and nat. signalling networks

The world-wide signalling network is structured into two functionally

independent levels, namely the international and national levels. This structure
makes possible a clear division of responsibility for signalling network
management and allows numbering plans of signalling points of the
international network and the different national networks to be independent of
one another.

International and national signalling networks

International level signalling link

A ... C int. signalling points
A (2)
1 ... 2 nat. signalling points
C (1)
B (3)

1 2 (A) 2

1 (C)
3 (B) 3

National level National level

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If a discrimination between international and national signalling point codes is

necessary at a signalling point, the network indicator is used.

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1.4.2 Signalling Links

Signalling links

Signalling Relation
Originating Destination
Signalling Link
Point Point
Signalling Link Set Signalling Link Set

Signalling Point

Signalling Point /
Signalling Tranfer Point

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• a channel for transmission of signalling information between two signalling

points is a Signalling Link

• a bunch of parallel signalling links that directly interconnect two signalling

points is a Signalling Link Set

• any two signalling points for which the possibility of communication between
their corresponding user parts exists, have a Signalling Relation

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1.4.3 Signalling Routes

Signalling routes

Signalling Link Set

Originating Destination
Signalling Route
Point Point
Signalling Point

Signalling Point /
Signalling Tranfer Point

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• a predefined path through the signalling network (from the originating point
to the destination point) which consists of a succession of signalling points
and/or signalling transfer points and their interconnecting signalling links is
called the Signalling Route for that signalling relation

• all signalling routes which may be used by message between an originating

point and a destination point are called the Signalling Route Set for the
signalling relation

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1.4.4 Signalling Modes

Signalling modes

Signalling Link Set

Originating Associated Destination
Signalling Mode
Point Point
Signalling Point

Quasi-associated
Signalling Point /
Signalling Tranfer Point

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Associated Mode

• in the Associated Mode of signalling, the messages related to a particular

signalling relation between two adjacent points are transmitted over a link
set, directly interconnecting those signalling points

• for network nodes with high signalling rate

Quasi-Associated Mode

• in the Quasi-Associated Mode of signalling, the path taken by the

message through the signalling network is pre-determined and, at a given
point in time, fixed

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1.5 Interaction between signalling and circuit switched networks

In real networks the switching equipment and signalling equipment is mostly

located in the same place (exchange).

Data exchange between both networks is performed via a control entity.

The signalling system distinguishes between „application oriented“ and

„transport oriented“ signalling functions.

Only signalling information which is „application oriented“ is passed to the

control entity which in turn performs the switching network setting.

Interaction between signalling network and user information network occurs

only in those exchanges where the signalling information is passed to the
control entity, i.e. in the relevant signalling end points (source or sink of the
signalling information).

In all other exchanges (i.e. signalling transfer points) there is no interaction

between signalling network and user information network.

Interaction between signalling and circuit switched network

SP1 STP2 SP3

Signalling signalling Signalling signalling Signalling

Equipment channel Equipment channel Equipment

Exchange B
Control Control
Entity Entity

Switching Switching
Equipment Equipment

circuits
Exchange A Exchange C

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In this example, the signalling information related to the data connection

between exchanges A and C is transmitted from signalling end point SP1 via
signalling transfer point STP2 to signalling end point SP3.

At exchange B (STP2) there is no interaction between signalling network and

switching network for this signalling relation, since the processing of signalling
information here is „transport oriented“ only.

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1.6 Advantages of common channel signalling

• simultaneous transfer of user information and signalling information is

possible

• high capacity of signalling channels allows quick call set-up

• (almost) unlimited set of signalling elements allows flexibility with respect to

new requirements (e.g. introduction of new services)

• signalling equipment needed for one signalling channel can be used to

simultaneously control many user information channels

• the signalling network can be used for applications other than pure
signalling such as transmission of network maintenance information

• insured transfer of signalling information in the presence of transmission

disturbances and network failures

• error detection and correction on each signalling link

• automatic diversion of the signalling to alternative paths in case of link

failures

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1.7 Structure of the SS#7

Basically the SS#7 can be subdivided into the following major parts:

• Message Transfer Part (MTP)

• Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP)

• User Part (e.g. ISUP - ISDN user part)

• Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP)

• Telephone User Part (TUP)

• Operations Maintenance and Administration Part (OMAP)

• Intelligent Network Application Part (INAP)

• Mobile Application Part (MAP)

Basic SS#7 Protocols

MAP OMAP INAP

O
TCAP t
h
e
r
U
BSSAP ISUP TUP ... s
e
r
P
a
r
SCCP t
s

MTP

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1.7.1 Functions of the MTP

• quick and error-free transmission of messages between exchanges

(signalling points)

• routing of messages to their destination signalling point

• distribution of messages to the appropriate user part within the destination

signalling point

• rerouting of messages in case of signalling network failures(e.g. break down

of signalling links or signalling transfer points)

1.7.2 Functions of the SCCP

• establishment and control of signalling connections (i.e. logical ,end-to-end'

connections between signalling points via the common channel signalling
links).

• possibility of world-wide addressing for signalling points. SCCP possesses

its own routing label.

• connection-oriented or connectionless message transfer

• additional functions for the transfer of messages between exchanges and

other signalling points (e.g. databases).

• combined with the MTP as the Network Service Part (NSP).

1.7.3 Functions of the ISDN-user part

• the signalling functions for the control of calls, for the processing of services
and facilities and for the administration of circuits in ISDN (voice and non-
voice applications).

• interfaces to MTP and SCCP for the transport of message signal units.

• ISDN-UP can use SCCP functions for end-to-end signalling

• offers Bearer and Supplementary services

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