NSS Interfaces

Outlines
5.1SS7 Signalling and NSS Interfaces
5.2The OSI Reference Model
5.3The SS7 System
5.3.1Message Transfer Part (MTP)
5.3.2Telephone User Part (TUP)
5.3.3Signalling Connection and Control Part (SCCP)
5.4 SS7 Applications in GSM Networks
5.4.1Base Station Subsystem Application Part (BSSAP)
5.4.2Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP)
5.4.3Mobile Application Part (MAP)
5.5Protocols of the GSM Elements
5.5.1Protocol Structure in the MSC
5.5.2Protocol Structure in the HLR and the BSC
5.5.3Communication between Network Elements
5.5.4Other GSM Signalling Protocols
5.6Overview of the NSS Interfaces
• To enable GSM customers to use speech-, fax- and data services wherever
they are within the network, information and data must be exchanged within as
well as between different networks
• This process is called signalling. To set up a call, signalling takes place
between subscriber interface points, that is between the user and the network,
as well as between different network elements
• To make sure that the individual elements through which the information travels
can understand each other, they must, as it were, agree on a common official
language
• This language is specified by protocols. The protocol used in the Network
Subsystem NSS is called Signalling System No 7 - or SS7. SS7 is based on the
Open System Interconnection model, also called the OSI reference model
• We will now illustrate in general terms the OSI reference model with an example
from business life
• A car manufacturer B orders 1000 tyres from supplier A. This deal is concluded
and signed by two managers at the highest level
• For the two managers, only the outcome of this business deal is important. The
process that takes place in the lower hierarchy to get the tyres from the supplier
to the car manufacturer does not interest them. The managers rely on their
purchasing- and sales departments, which will deal with practical details
• The car manufacturer's purchasing department, however, only communicates
with the supplier's sales department. As soon as the financial transactions are
concluded, the goods can be delivered from A to B.
• The purchasing and sales departments are not interested in the practical details
of delivery
• At the supplier, the warehouse workers must pack the tyres and load them on
trucks, to get them ready for transport
• As soon as the tyres arrive at the manufacturer, the warehouse workers will
unpack the tyres and store them. In summary, we can say: It's always several
levels of a company that collaborate in a business transaction
• The higher levels give the lower levels instructions, without paying attention to
the details of the processes. Communication between the two companies takes
place only between peer levels. With the OSI model, it's similar.
• OSI is a reference model consisting of 7 layers that are
based on each other. Each layer has its own tasks
• The lower layer always provides support functions for the
layer above. For a layer, the data transported in the layers
underneath is irrelevant. Communication only takes place
between the elements of the same layer
• This type of communication between elements belonging to
the same layer in different systems is known as peer-to-peer
communication.
• The layers take over the following tasks:
– The lowest layer, layer No 1, is the Physical layer. It is responsible for transmission, encoding, and
modulation.
– Layer 2 is the Data Link layer. It is responsible for the signalling link management and data
security.
– Layer 3 is the Network layer. It contains the information needed for switching and routing and
handles call set-up, -supervision, and -clear down.
– Layer 4 is the Transport layer. Here, the peer-to-peer connections' dataflow is controlled.
– Layer 5 is the Session layer. It handles the connections for application processes as well as
charging.
– Layer 6 is the Presentation layer. It takes over the transfer of application-oriented formats, as well
as encryption and translation.
– At the top resides layer No 7, the Application layer. It is responsible for the application protocols
and the user interfaces.
• The basic SS7 version consists of two parts:
– The Message Transfer Part (MTP), which is responsible
for message transfer
– and
– The Telephone User Part (TUP) on the user's side, which
receives, sends, and acts on these messages.
• Let's turn our attention to MTP first.
• The Message Transfer Part (MTP), represents the basis for the entire
SS7 system. It transmits messages between network elements
• MTP is composed of three layers
– MTP layer 1 defines the physical and electrical characteristics of the
connection
– MTP layer 2 supports the error free transmission of signalling messages
between neighboring network elements
– MTP layer 3 is responsible for taking the message from any element in a
signalling network to any other element within the same network.
• While MTP is responsible for message transfer, the Telephone User
Part (TUP) represents the protocol used for sending, receiving, and
acting on these messages from the user's point of view
• TUP handles call set-up, call supervision and clear down, and exists for
normal public fixed networks, which are also known as Public Switched
Telephone Networks, or PSTN
• With the introduction of the more capable ISDN network, some extra
sets of messages became necessary. These features are contained in
the ISUP which replaces the TUP.
• To guarantee virtual connections and connectionless signalling, that is signalling
which is not bound to a call, another protocol layer on top of MTP is required,
parallel to TUP. This is the Signalling Connection and Control Part, SCCP
• TUP and SCCP take over different tasks, but both make use of the services
provided by MTP. In contrast to MTP, SCCP uses sequence numbers to make
sure that messages arrive at the receiver in a determined order, so a virtual
connection can be guaranteed
• SCCP also enables the routing of signalling messages across multiple networks
in the absence of a call.
• This layer structure, consisting of MTP and TUP/ISUP, as well as SSCP,
represents the SS7 protocol, which is the protocol used for signalling within
Public Switched Telephone Networks and ISDN networks.
• In GSM networks, signalling is not as easy as in a fixed network. This is because, due to
the network architecture, a digital mobile radio network makes much higher demands on
signalling
• GSM requires a considerably higher amount of non-call-related signalling information.
After all, it must be considered that the GSM customer is mobile, in contrast to the user of
a fixed network, who telephones from a fixed device. Therefore, the mobile station must
continuously be provided with localization signals, to enable the Location Update
• The Location Update is an example of a non-call-related communication between the
phone and the network. To guarantee that the signalling demands in GSM networks are
met, additional standard sets of messages are required. The following protocol layers are
necessary:
– The Base Station Subsystem Application Part (BSSAP)
– The Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP)
– and
– The Mobile Application Part (MAP)
• The Base Station Subsystem Application Part
(BSSAP) is a protocol layer responsible for
communication between the MSC and the BSC in
GSM
• BSSAP is responsible for the entire management
and control of the radio resources in the BSS. It
resides on top of the Signalling Connection and
Control Part, SCCP
• The Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) is a protocol layer
which resides directly on top of SCCP
• TCAP is able, for example, to organize a complex dialogue between an
MSC and an HLR, including a sequence of successive requests and
replies
• TCAP functions like a secretary's office, where many different requests
are brought into the correct sequence and distributed
• TCAP handles the access to data bases like the HLR or the VLR. It must
exist so that a higher protocol - the Mobile Application Part (MAP) - can
be used.
• The Mobile Application Part (MAP) is a GSM specific protocol for non-call-related
applications between elements in the NSS. MAP resides directly on top of TCAP, which
can be used as a "secretary's office" by the MAP, and which coordinates and guarantees
a smooth MAP communication.
• A MAP-based communication takes place when data is exchanged between NSS
elements in the absence of a call.
• This is the case for example with normal call set-up. To put a call through to the
subscriber, the Gateway MSC must request necessary routing data from the HLR. Thus,
there is no data exchange between the GMSC and the HLR, without the actual call being
routed to the HLR. In such cases, the network relies on MAP, which is used for signalling
communication between NSS elements. Please note: in the MSC-MSC communication,
MAP is only used for non-call-related signalling. To forward a call from an MSC to another
MSC, TUP or ISUP is used.
• Not every GSM element must be able to understand every language.
Consequently, only those protocol layers which the network element
actually requires for carrying out its task need to be implemented
• A BSC, for example, will never need the TUP protocol, because call
supervision - which this layer supports - is not its task. In the following
lessons, the SS7 requirements of the individual GSM elements will be
introduced.
• As in all the other elements, MTP is the basis protocol in the MSC/VLR.
Without it, there would be no SS7-based signalling
• Furthermore, the MSC needs TUP/ISUP for call supervision. Since the
MSC communicates with the BSC and the HLR, it also requires BSSAP
and MAP, which are both based on SCCP
• The use of MAP requires the presence of TCAP. Thus the MSC, as the
key element of the Network Subsystem NSS, must include the whole
range of SS7 protocols.
• The HLR is not responsible for call control, and therefore does not need
TUP/ISUP
• Furthermore, since it does not have to communicate directly with the
Base Station Controller, BSSAP is not implemented in the HLR. Thus,
only the four protocols MTP, SCCP, TCAP and MAP must be present in
the HLR
• Normally, the BSC would manage on BSSAP. But since, in modern
networks, BSSAP is based on the SCCP protocol, whose functionality in
turn requires the presence of MTP, the BSC contains MTP, SCCP and
BSSAP.
• Communication between network elements always takes place using
the relevant protocols, each protocol relying on the protocols of the
layers below
• For example, the signalling from the MSC to a PSTN for call set-up is
carried out by TUP, which is based on MTP in both elements. Or, if an
MSC wants to know the current location of a subscriber, it
communicates with the responsible HLR using MAP
• In this communication, TCAP, SCCP and MTP are required. The
BSSAP protocol, on the other hand, is only needed by the MSC when it
wants to communicate with the BSC.
• Whereas the elements in the Network Subsystem use SS7, further
protocol types are needed in the Base Station Subsystem.
• The BSC and BTS communicate using the Link Access Protocol for the
ISDN "D" channel, or LAP-D. This protocol is also used between the end
user and the net in ISDN networks.
• A slightly modified version of the same protocol also exists between the
BTS and the mobile station. Due to the modifications imposed by the
characteristics of the air interface, the protocol is called LAP-Dm. The
message structure within LAP-D resembles that of SS7, but it's limited to
the support of point-to-point connections.
• Between the NSS elements, data is either exchanged over
copper cable or optical fiber, or via microwave.
• All NSS interfaces offer data rates of at least 64 kbps. 2
Mbit/s connections are the rule. The protocols are based on
the SS7 standard.
• Two kinds of information are transferred over the different
interfaces. Signalling information such as addressing and
"mobility data", and user data, that means speech, fax- and
data messages.
• Between the NSS elements we find the following interfaces. Note that
the Mobile Services Center (MSC) and the Visitor Location Register
(VLR) form a spatial unit.
• Between the MSC and the VLR we find the B-interface. This interface
is used to transmit signalling data.
• The C-interface is located between the MSC and the Home Location
Register (HLR). It is also used exclusively for signalling data.
• The D interface provides the connection between the VLR and the
HLR. Like the interfaces B and C, it transmits signalling data.
• The E interface is located between two MSCs. Apart from signalling data, user data and
speech can be transmitted as well.
• The F interface is located between the MSC and the Equipment Identity Register (EIR).
• If an EIR exists, the interface is used exclusively for signalling data concerning the IMEI
control.
• The MSCs which provide connections to another mobile radio network, that is a Public
Land Mobile Network (PLMN), or a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and
which are connected to the HLR, are also known as Gateway-MSCs, or GMSCs. The
interface between the visited network and a GMSC transmits user- and signalling data.
• As a rule, every MSC can function as a GMSC nowadays. From the network operators'
point of view, this is cost-efficient, because the more MSCs can function as Gateways to
other networks, the longer a call can be routed within the own network before it is handed
over to a different network.