NTIPRIT

Signalling
and
CCS#7

• National Telecommunication Institute for Policy Research, Innovation and Training

• Ghaziabad – 201002. www.ntiprit.gov.in
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Signalling
Fundamental Concepts
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SIGNALLING- Purpose
Transfer of meaningful Information
with a specific purpose.
The telecom network establishes and releases
connections based on the various information/
instructions sent/ received in the form of
signals.
The interchange of such information i.e. signals-
are in a well defined pattern and follows certain
syntax and protocols.
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Signalling- where it is used?

I. Between subscriber and exchange/ node
ACCESS Signalling (in the air interface, in
case of mobile)
Used for call request, call set up, call
connection & release.
II. Between originating and terminating
exchanges-known as INTER-EXCHANGE
Signalling
For passing the Called Party Information :
the Dialed number and status / priorities of
both numbers.
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Where?

Subscriber Trunk Subscriber

Signalling Signalling Signalling

EXCH-A EXCH-B

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Signalling- where it is used?

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 Line signalling -
• For interchanging the physical status of the
line.
• Operates throughout during the call.
 Register signalling -
For exchanging digit information.
• This is used only while sending/ receiving
address information
• Only during the phase of setting up of a call.

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Digital Signalling

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Digital Signalling

 PCM systems made it possible to segregate the

signalling from speech channel
 Channel Associated Signalling-CAS
 Common Channel Signalling-CCS

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1. Channel Associated Signalling

Using 4 bits of Time slot 16 of a frame per
subscriber. (Idle=1001, Seizure=0001etc.)

2. Common Channel Signalling

Using 8 bits of Time Slot 16 of all or any
frame.

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• Disposition of a frame in a 32 channel PCM system

• 125 µs

• Time Slot 0 • 16 • 31

• 15 speech channels • 15 speech channels

• Synch/Alarm
• Bit Rate = 64 Kbps
• Line signals

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• 125 µs

• Time Slot 0 • 16 • 31

• Frame 0 • 0
0
0
• M
• Frame 1 • 0T • TS17 • U
S • L
1 • T
• Frame 2
• I
• T• TS18
S • F
2
• 18
• 2 • R
• A
• 15
• M
• 3 • E
1
• Frame 15
• TS15
• TS31

• TIME SLOT NO.

• af bf16ab bb • af bf ab bb

• Time

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• FORWARD • BACKWARD
• SIGNAL
• af • bf • ab • bb

• IDLE 1 0 1 0

• SEIZURE 0 0 1 0

• SEIZURE ACKNOWLEDGE 0 0 1 1

• ANSWER 0 0 0 1

• CLEAR BACK 0 0 1 1

• CLEAR FORWARD 1 0 1/ 0 1

• RELEASE GUARD 1 0 1 0

• BLOCKED 1 1 1 1

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CAS

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CCS

Signalling for any Chl

Signalling for any Chl

Signalling for any Chl

Signalling for any Chl

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CAS
Signalling Channel allotment
Fr0 TS 16 MFAW
Fr1 TS 16 Chl 1 and Chl 16
Fr2 TS16 Chl 2 and Chl 17
Fr3 TS16 Chl 3 and Chl 18

Fr15 TS16 Chl 15 and Chl 30

In general
Fr n TS 16 Chl n and Chl(n+15)

(n) (n+15)
af/ab bf/bb af/ab bf/bb
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CAS(R2 BASED)
Step No STATE BIT VALUE
FORWARD BACKWARD
af bf ab bb

1 Idle 1 0 1 0
2 Seizure(A>B 0 0 1 0
3 Sez. Ack(B>A) 0 0 1 1
4 Sending of register signal A>B
5 Answer sig (B>A) 0 0 0 1
6 Speech phase
7 Release sig(A>B) 1 0 0 1
8 Release sig(B>A) 1 0 0 0
9 To Normalcy 1 0 1 0
10 idle 1 0 1 0

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Illustration of Inter Xge SIGNALLING (till CAS)

seizure
E E
X seiz ack
X
C 1st digit A5 C
H CLC H
A1
A A
N 2nd digit N
A1
G G
Last digit A5
E E
CLC A3
A B
(Ringing phase) B6
ans
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CCS7 Signalling

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CCS#7 Signalling

 Also known as SS7- Semaphore Signalling

System no 7
 Signalling information sent as DATA PACKETS.

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CCS#7 Signalling
Terminologies
• SP (Signalling Point)
• STP (Signalling Transfer Point)
• SSTP (Standalone Signalling Transfer Point)
• Signalling Network
• Signalling Unit

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CCS-7 Network
Signalling System-7 separates the information
required to set up and manage telephone calls
in the Public Switched Telephone Network
(PSTN) onto a separate packet switched
network (The signalling Network) rather than
use the same circuit switched network that the
telephone call is made on (The Voice Network).

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Signalling N/W

CCS#7 signalling links connects signalling

points(SPs) in communication n/w.
The signalling points and the signalling links
form independent Signalling Network.

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SP1 S
•SP2

STP Packet switched n/w

Signalling

Ex A Ex B
Voice channels

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CCS#7 (cntd)

 Associated & Quasi-associated Modes

 COC : COmmon Channel

 CIC: Circuit Identification Code

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Point and Mode of Signalling

Signalling point A Signalling point B

Circuit group

Signalling link

1. Associated mode of signalling

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signalling point A Signalling point B

signalling links

Circuit group with Circuit group with

Associated Mode Associated Mode
signalling signalling

Signalling Transfer Point

/ signalling Point C

Quasi-associated mode of signalling

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SP (Signalling Points)
The nodes in the SS7 network are called Signalling Points
(SPs). Each SP is identified by a unique address called a
point code. SPs have the ability to read a point code and
determine if the message is for that node and the ability to
route SS7 messages to another SP.
Originating Point (OP)
The signalling Point (SP) at which the signalling message is
generated. It is identified by an Originating Point Code
(OPC).
Destination Point (DP)
The signalling Point (SP) to which the signalling message is
destined. It is identified by a Destination Point Code (DPC).

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STP (Signal Transfer Point)

An STP is a router and/ or a gateway in the SS7
network.

Messages are not originated by an STP.

STPs switch signalling messages between Signalling
Points.

Because it acts as a network hub, an STP provides

improved utilization of the SS7 network by eliminating
the need for direct links among all signalling points.

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CCS#7 Protocol Stack

The hardware and software functions of the SS7

protocol are divided into functional abstractions
called "levels". These levels map loosely to the
Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) 7-layer model
defined by the International Standards Organization
(ISO).

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CCS#7 Signalling (cntd)

 Layer 1,2&3 together called MTP-

Message Transfer Part

 Layers 4 to 7 together form

UP –User Part

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CCS#7 layers wrt OSI Model

STATION A STATION B

7-Application
6-Presentation
U
4 P
5 –Session
4-Transport SCCP

3 -Network 3
M
2-Data link 2
T
1 -Physical 1
P
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Message Transfer Part (MTP)

The CCS#7 Structure divides the signalling
functions into “Message Transfer Parts (MTP)”
and the “User Parts” for different users and
applications.

The User Part communicates with corresponding

User Part in the adjoining network element.

The MTP serves as a common transport system

that provides reliable transmission of the
signalling messages between the communicating
user parts
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MTP
 The MTP ensures that the messages reach the
addressed UP in correct order without
information loss, duplication, sequence
alteration and without any errors.

 MTP has three functional levels.

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Functional levels

1 – signalling data link  (physical layer)

 Defines physical electrical& functional
characteristics.
 Represents the bearer for a signalling link
o 64kbps channels are used

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Functional levels

2 – signalling link (datalink layer)

 Defines the functions and procedures for correct
interchange of messages.
 Introduction of flags
 Error detection & correction
 Error rate monitoring
 Restoration of the link after any failure

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Functional levels

3 – Signalling network  (n/w layer)

Defines the interworking of individual links

o Message handling/distribution
o Sig n/w management
o control of message traffic

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CCS#7 USERS

TCAP ISDN MUP Other User

UP Parts

TCAP TUP

SCCP SCCP

MTP(Message Transfer Part)

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Signalling Point A Signalling Point B

circuits User Part

User Part

User message User message

Message Message
Signalling data link
transfer part transfer part
Sig unit

MTP User Address MTP

Component information
Component

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Signalling Connection Control Part (SCCP)

The SCCP provides additional functions like for accessing
databases and other entities within the network- for
connection oriented as well as connectionless services.

SCCP uses MTP to route its payload from one node to

another node.

SCCP provides enhanced addressing capability to MTP eg

roaming, calling cards, toll free numbers etc .

**The combination of SCCP and MTP is called “Network

Service Part”**
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CCS#7 (contd)

Signalling Units
A SU is formed by the functions of signalling
link .
3 types
• MSU -Message Sig Unit
• LSSU -Link Status Sig Unit
• FISU - Fill-In Sig Unit

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Network Hierarchy
signalling network is divided in to 3 levels.
1. Local
2. National
3. Inter national
These levels are functionally independent of
each other. Each network has it’s own
numbering plans for the SPs.

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CCS#7 (contd)

Signalling Units
A SU is formed by the functions of
signalling link .
3 types
• MSU -Message Sig Unit
• LSSU -Link Status Sig Unit
• FISU -Fill-In Sig Unit

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FISU - Fill-In Sig Unit

F B
F CK LI I
FSN I
BSN F
B B

F-Flag, FSN-forwd seq no , FIB - fd indicator bit ,

BSN-backwd ,, , BIB - bd ,,
CK-check bits , LI-length indicator

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LSSU - Link Status Sig Unit

F B
F CK SF LI I
FSN I BSN F
B B
F-Flag, FSN-forwd seq no , FIB - fd indicator bit ,
BSN-backwd ,, , BIB - bd ,,
CK-check bits , LI-length indicator
SF-Status field.

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MSU - Message Sig Unit

F
F CK SIF SIO LI FSNB BSN F
I I
B B

F-Flag, FSN-forwd seq no , FIB - fd indicator bit

BSN-backwd ,, , BIB - bd ,,
CK-check bits , LI-length indicator
SIF-Signalling infmn field, SIO-Service infmn octet

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SIF- SIG INFMN FIELD

4 octets

User infmn SLS OPC DPC

4 bits 14 bits 14 bits

Routing label of MSU

Originating Point Code&
Destination ,, ,,
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Illustration of C7 SIGNALLING

seizure
E E
X seiz ack
X
C IAM ack C
H SAM H
A ACM- Address A
N Complete Message,
status of B sub N
G • (ringing phase) G
E ANC- Answered-charge E
A • (Speech phase) B
CLF
RLG
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Advantages of C7

 Very fast call setup.

 As per International standard ; compatible with
any type of media /equipments .
 It can be used for different type of services.
 Can be used for sending other types of
information, e.g. charging, maintenance
&Roaming data.
 Efficient and reliable

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Advantages of C7
 Introduction of new services possible
 More call completion
 Security of calls ensured
 Efficient NMS
 Easy & Efficient traffic engineering.
 Optimum utilization & space saving (as
Signalling Channel is allotted only for the
duration of the signalling)

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Thank You

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