DEBRE TABOR UNIVERSITY
GAFAT INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER
ENGINEERING
ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION ENGINEERING STREAM
ASSIGNMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORKS
1. Prepared By: Eba Eshetu.............................................Id No: 0531
Submitted To: [Link] A.
Submission Date:
DEBRE TABOR, ETHIOPIA.
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[Link] the difference b/n common channel signaling
and associated channel signaling
• CCS (Common Channel Signaling)
Common Channel Signaling (CCS) is a telecommunication signaling technology
that allows for the exchange of call control and signaling messages between different
network elements, such as switches, routers, and signaling gateways, over a
dedicated signaling channel that is separate from the voice or data channel used to
carry the actual conversation. This enables faster and more efficient communication
between network elements, as well as the ability to support advanced features such
as call forwarding, call waiting, and caller ID. This article will provide a detailed
explanation of CCS, its architecture, protocols, and implementation.
• CCS Architecture
CCS is typically implemented using a hierarchical architecture that consists of three
levels: the signaling gateway level, the signaling transfer point (STP) level, and the
signaling end point (SEP) level.
At the highest level, the signaling gateway is responsible for converting signaling
messages between different signaling protocols, such as SS7 (Signaling System No.
7) and ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). It also serves as a gateway
between the signaling network and other networks, such as the Internet or a wireless
network.
The STP level is responsible for routing signaling messages between different
signaling endpoints. It acts as a network switch that connects signaling endpoints to
each other and ensures that signaling messages are delivered to their intended
destination.
The lowest level, the SEP level, is responsible for providing signaling services to the
actual network elements, such as switches and routers. It handles the signaling
messages that are exchanged between network elements to control call setup,
teardown, and other call-related features.
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• CCS Protocols
CCS uses a number of different protocols to facilitate the exchange of signaling
messages between network elements. These protocols include:
1. Signaling System No. 7 (SS7): SS7 is a protocol suite that is widely used in
CCS networks. It provides a range of signaling functions, such as call setup,
teardown, and routing, as well as support for advanced features like caller ID
and call waiting.
2. Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP): ISUP is a protocol
used to set up and tear down voice calls over the PSTN (Public Switched
Telephone Network). It provides call control functions such as call setup,
teardown, and circuit allocation.
3. Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP): TCAP is a protocol
used to provide advanced signaling services, such as database queries and
updates, over the signaling network.
4. Message Transfer Part (MTP): MTP is a protocol used to provide reliable
transport of signaling messages between signaling endpoints. It ensures that
signaling messages are delivered to their intended destination and that they
are delivered in the correct order.
• CCS Implementation
CCS can be implemented in a variety of ways, depending on the network topology,
the signaling protocols in use, and the types of network elements that are being
connected. Some common implementation scenarios include:
1. Signaling Gateway: A signaling gateway is a standalone device that connects
two or more networks and provides protocol conversion between different
signaling protocols. For example, a signaling gateway might convert SS7
signaling messages to ISDN signaling messages.
2. STP: An STP is a network switch that routes signaling messages between
signaling endpoints. It provides a central point for signaling message routing
and enables the efficient exchange of signaling messages across a wide area
network (WAN).
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3. SEP: A SEP is a network element, such as a switch or a router, that provides
signaling services to other network elements. It handles signaling messages
that are exchanged between network elements to control call setup, teardown,
and other call-related features.
• CCS Benefits
CCS provides a number of benefits for telecommunication networks, including:
1. Faster Call Setup: CCS enables faster call setup times by providing a
dedicated signaling channel that is separate from the voice or data channel
used to carry the actual conversation. This allows signaling messages to be
exchanged more quickly and efficiently, reducing call setup times.
2. Advanced Features: CCS enables advanced call features, such as call
waiting, call forwarding, and caller ID, which are not possible with traditional
signaling methods.
3. Improved Network Management: CCS provides better network
management capabilities, such as centralized routing and control, which can
lead to improved network reliability and availability.
4. Scalability: CCS is highly scalable, which makes it suitable for use in large
telecommunication networks. It can support a large number of signaling
endpoints and can handle a high volume of signaling traffic.
5. Cost-Effective: CCS is a cost-effective signaling solution, as it eliminates the
need for multiple signaling links between network elements, reducing the
overall cost of the signaling network.
• CCS Challenges
CCS also poses some challenges for telecommunication networks, including:
1. Complexity: CCS is a complex signaling technology that requires specialized
equipment and protocols to be implemented. This complexity can make it
difficult to troubleshoot and maintain the signaling network.
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2. Security: CCS networks are vulnerable to security threats, such as hacking
and unauthorized access, which can compromise the integrity of the signaling
network.
3. Interoperability: CCS networks must be able to interoperate with other
signaling networks and protocols, which can be challenging due to differences
in signaling standards and protocols.
4. Reliability: CCS networks must be highly reliable, as any failure or
downtime can result in a loss of service for end-users.
Conclusion
Common Channel Signaling (CCS) is a telecommunication signaling technology
that provides a dedicated signaling channel for the exchange of call control and
signaling messages between different network elements. CCS offers a number of
benefits, including faster call setup, advanced features, improved network
management, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. However, it also poses some
challenges, such as complexity, security, interoperability, and reliability. Despite
these challenges, CCS remains an important technology for telecommunication
networks and is widely used in modern communication systems.
• Channel Associated Signaling (CAS)
Introduction
Channel Associated Signaling (CAS) is also referred to as Robbed Bit Signaling. In
this type of signaling, the least significant bit of information in a T1 signal is
"robbed" from the channels that carry voice and is used to transmit framing and
clocking information. This is sometimes called "in-band" signaling. CAS is a method
of signaling each traffic channel rather than having a dedicated signaling channel
(like ISDN). In other words, the signaling for a particular traffic circuit is
permanently associated with that circuit. The most common forms of CAS signaling
are loops tart, ground start, Equal Access North American (EANA), and E&M. In
addition to receiving and placing calls, CAS signaling also processes the receipt of
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Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) and automatic number identification
(ANI) information, which is used to support authentication and other functions.
Each T1 channel carries a sequence of frames. These frames consist of 192 bits and
an additional bit designated as the framing bit, for a total of 193 bits per frame. Super
Frame (SF) groups twelve of these 193bit frames together and designates the framing
bits of the even numbered frames as signaling bits. CAS looks specifically at every
sixth frame for the timeslot's or channel's associated signaling information. These
bits are commonly referred to as A- and B-bits. Extended super frame (ESF), due to
grouping the frames in sets of twenty-four, has four signaling bits per channel or
timeslot. These occur in frames 6, 12, 18, and 24 and are called the A-, B-, C-, and
D-bits respectively.
The biggest disadvantage of CAS signaling is its use of user bandwidth in order to
perform signaling functions.
• Components Used
The information in this document is based on these software and hardware versions:
• For AS5xxx, Cisco 2600/3600 platforms, all Cisco IOS® Software releases
apply.
The information in this document was created from the devices in a specific lab
environment. All of the devices used in this document started with a cleared (default)
configuration. If your network is live, make sure that you understand the potential
impact of any command.
• CAS Signaling Types
Loop start Signaling
Loop start signaling is one of the simplest forms of CAS signaling. When a handset
is picked up (the telephone goes off-hook), this action closes the circuit that draws
current from the telephone company CO and indicates a change in status, which
signals the CO to provide dial tone. An incoming call is signaled from the CO to the
handset by sending a signal in a standard on/off pattern, which causes the telephone
to ring.
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A disadvantage of loop start signaling is the inability to be notified upon a far-end
disconnect or answer. For instance, a call is placed from a Cisco router configured
for Foreign Exchange Station (FXS)-loop start. When the remote end answers the
call, there is no supervisory information sent to the Cisco router to relay this
information. This is also true when the remote end disconnects the call.
Note: It is possible for answer supervision to be provided with loop start connections
if the network equipment can handle line-side answer supervision. Also, loop start
provides no incoming call channel seizure. Therefore a condition known as glare can
arise, where both parties (Foreign Exchange Office [FXO] and FXS) try to
simultaneously place calls. Glare can be avoided when you configure the T1-CAS
gateway's port selection order in such a way that the inbound and outbound calls are
in reverse order. For example, if the inbound calls are sent by the provider on the
FXO ports in the order of port 1, port 2, port 3 and port 4, then configure the Cisco
Call Manager Route Group to route outbound calls on those same ports in the order
port 4, port 3, port 2 and port 1.
With loop start signaling, the FXS side only uses the A-bit and the FXO side only
uses the B-bit to communicate call information. The AB-bits are bi-directional. This
state table defines this signaling information from the CPE's perspective (FXS).
Note: In this table, 0/1 indicates a signaling bit alternating between 1 and 0 in
successive super frames.
Direction State A B C D
Transmit On-hook 0 1 0 1
Transmit Off-hook/Loop Closed 1 1 1 1
Receive On-hook 0 1 0 1
Receive Off-hook 0 1 0 1
Receive Ringing 1 1 1 1
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Off-hook with Answer
Supervision - SF framing
Receive Only 0 0/1
Off-hook with Answer
Supervision - ESF
Receive framing Only 0 1 0 0
Network Disconnect (600
Receive ms+) 1 1 1 1
This is the FXS-loop start timing diagram.
On an incoming call (network -> CPE) this happens:
1. The network toggles the B-bit to indicate ringing. This is a standard ringing
pattern. For instance, 2 seconds on, 4 seconds off.
2. CPE detects the ringing and off-hook states. A-bit goes from 0 to 1.
In an outgoing call (CPE -> network) this happens:
1. CPE goes off-hook and A-bit goes from 0 to 1.
2. The network provides dial tone. There is no signaling change.
3. CPE sends digits (dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) in Cisco's case).
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During a disconnect from the network, this occurs:
1. CPE detects in-band that the call has dropped (someone says good-bye or a
modem drops the carrier).
2. CPE goes on-hook and A-bit goes from 1 to 0.
During a disconnect from the CPE, only step 2 occurs.
The Answer Supervision and Disconnect Supervision States are only seen when
provided by the network.
• Ground start Signaling
Ground start signaling is very similar to loop start signaling in many regards. It
works by using ground and current detectors that allow the network to indicate off-
hook or seizure of an incoming call independent of the ringing signal and allow for
positive recognition of connects and disconnects. For this reason, ground start
signaling is typically used on trunk lines between PBXs and in businesses where call
volume on loop start lines can result in glare.
The advantage of ground start signaling over loop start signaling is that it provides
far-end disconnect supervision. Another advantage of ground start signaling is the
ability for incoming calls (network -> CPE) to seize the outgoing channel, thereby
preventing a glare situation from occurring. This is done by using the A- and B- bit
on the network side instead of just the B-bit. The A-bit is also used on the CPE side.
However, the B-bit can also be involved, based on the switch's implementation.
Typically, the B-bit is ignored by the Telco. This is a state table that defines this
signaling information from the CPE's perspective (FXS).
Note: In this table, 0/1 indicates a signaling bit alternating between 1 and 0 in
successive super frames.
Direction State A B C D
Transmit On-hook/Loop Open 0 1 0 1
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Transmit Ground on Ring 0 0 0 0
Transmit Off-hook/Loop Closed 1 1 1 1
Receive On-hook/No Tip Ground 1 1 1 1
Receive Off-hook/Tip Ground 0 1 0 1
Receive Ringing 0 0 0 0
Answer Supervision - SF
Receive framing Only 0 0/1
Answer Supervision -
Receive ESF framing Only 0 1 0 0
This is the FXS-ground start timing diagram.
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On an incoming call (network-> CPE) this happens:
1. The network goes off-hook and the A-bit goes from 1 to 0 and rings the line
by toggling the B-bit between 0 and 1.
2. CPE detects the ringing and seizure and goes off-hook and the A-bit is set to1
3. The network goes off-hook and the B-bit stops toggling. B-bit is now 1.
In an outgoing call (CPE -> network) this happens:
1. CPE goes ground on ring and A-bit and B-bit are 0.
2. The network goes off-hook and the A-bit goes from 1 to 0. The B-bit is set to
1.
3. The CPE goes off-hook. The A-bit and the B-bit are 1.
4. CPE detects a dial tone and sends digits.
During a disconnect from the network, this occurs:
1. The network goes on-hook and the A-bit goes from 0 to 1.
2. CPE goes on-hook and the A-bit goes from 1 to 0.
During a disconnect from the CPE, the above steps are reversed.
• E and M Signaling
E&M Signaling is typically used for trunk lines. The signaling paths are known as
the E-lead and the M-lead. Descriptions such as Ear and Mouth were adopted to help
field personnel determine the direction of a signal in a wire. E&M connections from
routers to telephone switches or to PBXs are preferable to FXS/FXO connections
because E&M provides better answer and disconnect supervision.
E&M signaling has many advantages over the previous CAS signaling methods
discussed in this document. It provides both disconnect and answer supervision as
well as glare avoidance. E&M signaling is simple to understand and is the preferred
choice when you use CAS.
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Direction State A B C D
Transmit Idle/On-hook 0 0 0 0
Seized/Off-
Transmit hook 1 1 1 1
Receive Idle/On-hook 0 0 0 0
Seized/Off-
Receive hook 1 1 1 1
This table represents Standard (E&M) Trunk type A- and B-bits.
This is the E&M Signaling diagram.
The three types of E&M Signaling that are supported on Cisco routers are:
• Wink-start (FGB) - Used to notify the remote side that it can send the DNIS
information.
• Wink-start with wink-acknowledge or double-wink (FGD) - A second wink
that is sent to acknowledge the receipt of the DNIS information.
• Immediate start - Does not send any winks at all.
Therefore, on an incoming call (network-> CPE) this process happens:
1. The network goes off-hook. The A-bit and B-bit equal 1.
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2. CPE sends wink. The A-bit and B-bit equal 1 for 200 ms. This only occurs
when you use wink-start or wink-start with wink acknowledgement. Ignore
this step for immediate start.
3. The network sends DNIS information. This is done by sending in band tones
which are decoded by the modem.
4. CPE sends a wink acknowledgement. A-bit and B-bit equal 1 for 200 ms. This
only occurs for wink-start with wink acknowledgement. Ignore this step for
immediate start or wink-start.
5. CPE goes off-hook when a call is answered. A-bit and B-bit equal 1.
In an outgoing call (CPE -> network) the same procedure occurs. However, the
network just described is the CPE and vice-versa. This is because the signaling is
symmetric.
During a disconnect from the network, this process occurs:
1. The network goes on-hook. A-bit and B-bit equal 0.
2. CPE goes on-hook. A-bit and B-bit equal 0.
During a disconnect from the CPE, these two steps are reversed
Generally
CAS: Channel Associated Signaling
In CAS, signaling information is transmitted over the same channel that carries the
voice calls. A common CAS technique is PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) signaling,
where signaling frame samples are transmitted within the PCM frame’s dedicated
channel.
CCS: Common Channel Signaling
In contrast, CCS sends signaling over a separate, dedicated channel, distinct from
the channels carrying voice calls. CCS is widely used globally in telephone
exchanges and between PBXs (Private Branch Exchanges).
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CCS typically requires just one signaling channel to handle up to approximately
1000 traffic channels. While PCM signaling can also be used for CCS, in a 30-
channel system, time slot number 16 is often designated as the common signaling
channel, operating at a rate of about 64 kbps.
In a 24-channel system, the 193rd bit can be used alternately in the PCM frames to
transmit signaling information at a rate of approximately 4 kbps.
Key Differences Summarized
The fundamental difference lies in how signaling is handled:
• CAS: Signaling is embedded within the voice channel.
• CCS: Signaling is sent on a dedicated channel, separate from the voice
channels.
CCS vs CAS: Summary
Feature CCS CAS
Signaling Path Separate channel Shared with voice/data
Speed Faster call setup Slower due to in-band signaling
Advanced Features Supported (Caller ID, Call Waiting) Limited
Scalability High Moderate
Supervision Full Limited in some modes
Complexity High Lower
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Referances
[Link]
[Link]
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