PSTN

Bidirectional DS0 circuit

DS0 lines T-S-T Switch Trunks T1

T-S-T Switch T-S-T Switch

T-S-T Switch

A T1 (1.5 Kbps) is a time-multiplexed signal of 24 DS0 (64 kbps) A T-S-T (Time-Space-Time) division multiplexed switch maps bits arriving in one time slot to another time slot on an output port
1

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Role of SS7 network

To set up a phone call, messages are sent from one T-S-T switch to the next until the called party is reached. These messages are called ISUP messages (see protocol slide) and sent through a packet-switched connectionless network called the SS7 network. The packet switches in the SS7 network are called STPs, which perform MTP L3 datagram forwarding STPs are comparable to IP routers; the network layer protocol they operate on is MTP L3 instead of IP; the addresses they use are called Point Codes. The SS7 network is also used to carry TCAP messages (see protocol slide) to provide value-added services, such as 800-number, calling card calls, etc. These messages are sent from the switches to SCPs. With the help of the SS7 network, the PSTN is now considered an Intelligent Network, allowing the network to offer value-added services beyond the basic phone call service (called Plain Old Telephone Service or POTS).
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SS7 network architecture

T-S-T Switch Databases (e.g. 800) T-S-T Switch

T-S-T Switch

STP

STP
T-S-T Switch

T-S-T Switch

T-S-T Switch

STP
T-S-T Switch STP: Signal Transfer Point: datagram router that forwards MTP L3 datagrams

STP
T-S-T Switch Databases (e.g. calling card) 3

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SS7 protocol stack

Switch
TCAP SCCP MTP L3 MTP L2
I S U P

STP
SCCP MTP L3 MTP L2 MTP L1

MTP L1

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MTP L3-L1 Message Transfer Part Level 3 to Level 1 TCAP Transaction Capabilities Application Part SCCP Signaling Connection Control Part ISUP ISDN User Part

MTP L3
Connectionless (datagram) NL protocol Addressing scheme: point code (14 or 24 bits)
MTP L3 Header MTP L2 SLS Header

OPC 24
Network Cluster

DPC 24
Network
Cluster Member

ISUP or TCAP/SCCP message

SLS Signaling link Selection

8
Network Identifier
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DPC Destination Point Code

OPC Originating Point Code
5

Basic call setup (using ISUP)

SSP DTMF Signaling SSP

SSP

STP
MTP L3 packet forwarding
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SSP

IAM Initial Address Message ACM Address Complete Message ANM Answer Message
6

Call setup with advanced services (using TCAP)

516-555-1278 Local Carrier

SCP

STP
Switch

ISUP IAM

STP

Local Carrier

Long distance carrier

Switch

Long Distance

SCP

STP

STP

SCP

Switch
Signaling links Voice trunks

Switch

ring
516-555-1278
7

800-555-4400
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STP: Signal Transfer Point SCP: Service Control Point