Objective
- To assess the impact of advanced multimedia and multi-party services on the signalling and call handling of broadband telecommunications networks.
- To contribute to ETSI and influence ITU-T, in the areas of service definitions, signalling and call handling requirements and protocols for B-ISDN.
- To tie together the various concepts of services that currently exist, and to examine whether they can be applied to networks that will exist before the target B-ISDN.
- To produce a prototype of advanced IBC protocols that can be used to examine the viability, complexity and impact of standards proposals on signalling and call handling protocols.
- To produce a flexible software simulation model that can be used to examine various features and problems of signalling and call handling in the evolution to B-ISDN.
The main objectives of the research were:
to assess the impact of advanced multimedia and multiparty services on the signalling and call handling of broadband telecommunications networks;
to contribute to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and influence Comite Consultatif International Telegraphique et Telephonique (CCITT), in the areas of services definitions, signalling and call handling requirements and protocols for the broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN);
to tie together the various concepts of services that currently exist, and to examine whether they can be applied to networks that will exist before the target B-ISDN;
to produce a prototype of advanced integrated broadband communications (IBC) protocols that can be used to examine the viability, complexity and impact of standards proposals on signalling and call handling protocols;
to produce a flexible software simulation model that can be used to examine various features and problems of signalling and call handling in the evolution to B-ISDN.
Over 75 contributions have been made, and most accepted, to the standards bodies, where multiservice applications governing integrated control (MAGIC) is identified as an important source of information. MAGIC deliverables have formed baseline text for the start of ITU-T and ETSI work on CS2.2 for broadband signalling. Signalling requirements have been identified and a service description framework has been defined. This has been used to define 14 standardized telecommunications services. A 3-level functional model has been defined, and the information flows between signalling entities and the call objects required have been derived. A signalling network architecture has been specified to enable the transfer of the signalling information. A complete set of protocols for broadband ISDN has been specified and implemented on the simulator. Experiments with the prototype protocols have verified the concepts of the MAGIC signalling.
Technical Approach
Studies to develop call handling and service concepts have taken place, following the I.130 method and geared to producing contributions to the standards bodies and to the production of RACE Common Functional Specifications. They have been supported by practical work in which a software model was produced, comprising a simulation of networks, including B-ISDN. To complete this the project has developed a prototype for an advanced protocol, capable of handling multimedia, multi-party calls and including facilities for handling terminal and personal mobility. The model will be used to appraise signalling and call handling architectures, protocol efficiencies and signalling interworking problems. The protocol has followed the direction of the advanced protocols being developed in standards bodies and it has been constantly reviewed against the agreements in the standards to ensure that the project is directed towards soundly based, useful work rather than being a purely theoretical study.
Key Issues
- To contribute to the pre-normative specification of IBC interworking architecture.
- To ensure that identified solutions are consistent, cost effective and optimised with respect to customers and network requirements.
- To define interfaces and protocols, with particular emphasis on signalling aspects.
- To specify signalling mechanisms which will provide the inter-nodal communication necessary to enable RACE-defined services to be deployed in the IBC network.
Expected Impact
The project has extended the knowledge within RACE on B-ISDN signalling for advanced services. The concepts and solutions developed in the project will continue to become part of ITU-T Recommendations and ETSI standards.
Fields of science
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
Data not availableCoordinator
IP5 7RE Ipswich
United Kingdom