PSTN

Bidirectional DS0 circuit

DS0 lines

T-S-T
Switch

T-S-T
Switch
Trunks
T1

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

11/21/99

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).

11/21/99

SS7 network architecture

Databases
(e.g. 800)

T-S-T
Switch

T-S-T
Switch

STP

T-S-T
Switch

STP
T-S-T
Switch

T-S-T
Switch

T-S-T
Switch

STP

STP

T-S-T
Switch

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

11/21/99

Databases
(e.g. calling card)

SS7 protocol stack

Switch
I
S
U
P

TCAP
SCCP

STP
SCCP

MTP L3

MTP L3

MTP L2

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

DPC
24

Network
Identifier

Network
Cluster

Network

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Cluster Member

ISUP or TCAP/SCCP
message
SLS Signaling link Selection
DPC Destination Point Code
OPC Originating Point Code

Basic call setup (using ISUP)

SSP
DTMF
Signaling

SSP

SSP

AC
M

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IA

STP
MTP L3
packet forwarding

N
AM
C

IAM

SSP

NG
RI
SE
ON
SP
RE

I AM

AN
M

IAM Initial Address Message

ACM Address Complete Message
ANM Answer Message

Call setup with advanced services

(using TCAP)
516-555-1278
Local Carrier

SCP

STP

55

44
5-

00

800
-55
5-4
400

Switch

Long Distance

78

080

STP

Switch

Switch
Signaling links
Voice trunks

800-555-4400

STP: Signal Transfer Point

SCP: Service Control Point

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Local Carrier

2
55-1

SCP

ISUP
IAM

5
516-

Long distance carrier

STP

STP
Switch

SCP

ring
516-555-1278