MSC/VLR Operation

Message Transfer Part (MTP)

 MESSAGE TRANSFER PART (MTP)

INTRODUCTION
The signaling between the nodes in a GSM network, described in the last
chapter, requires a powerful signaling system to exchange information.
Powerful signaling is needed to perform call control signaling and other types
of information transfer between different exchanges.

The International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT)

Signaling System No.7 (SS No.7) provides an internationally standardized,
general-purpose Common Channel Signaling (CCS) system that can support
different applications; including Public Switched Telephony Network (PSTN),
Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN), and Global System for Mobile
Communication (GSM).

© Ericsson AB 2005 2 2005-11-05

 MESSAGE TRANSFER PART (MTP)

© Ericsson AB 2005 3 2005-11-05

 MESSAGE TRANSFER PART (MTP)

© Ericsson AB 2005 4 2005-11-05

 MESSAGE TRANSFER PART (MTP)

SIGNALING POINT
In a node, a signaling message is either originated, terminated,
or transferred. Instead of using an A and a B number, the
signaling method uses an address called a Signaling Point (SP).
Each node has its own address, called OWNSP, for example,

OWNSP for Korek MSC1 = 2-78.

Each node in a network must know all its potential receivers (cooperating
SPs).
The SP is identified by the Network Indicator (NI) and the Signaling Point
Code (SPC), [SP=NI-SPC].

© Ericsson AB 2005 5 2005-11-05

 MESSAGE TRANSFER PART (MTP)

MTP ROUTING AND LINK SET (LS)

To generate an originating labeled message, the node uses the SPC of the
OWNSP as the Originating Point Code (OPC), and the SPC of the
cooperating SP as the Destination Point Code (DPC).
Whether terminating or transferring a message, a node always compares the
DPC of the incoming message to its OWNSP. If they are not equal, the node
must transfer the message. This requires a routing function called MTP
routing.
A Signaling Point (SP) to which a message is destined is the DESTination
point (DEST). The MTP routing ties a DEST to a Link Set (LS).

Its format is the same as for an SP: LS=NI-SPC.

© Ericsson AB 2005 6 2005-11-05

 MESSAGE TRANSFER PART (MTP)

SIGNALING LINK AND SIGNALING TERMINAL

A Link Set (LS) is a group of Signaling Links (SLs) that directly interconnect
two SPs. The Signaling Link (SL) is similar to a device in a route.

Each Signaling Link (SL) in an LS receives an individual number called a

Signaling Link Code (SLC).

The Signaling Terminal (ST) is connected to the Link Set (LS)

via the Signaling Link Code (SLC).

© Ericsson AB 2005 7 2005-11-05

 MESSAGE TRANSFER PART (MTP)

GS Path (GSM 900)

© Ericsson AB 2005 8 2005-11-05

 MESSAGE TRANSFER PART (MTP)

HIGH SPEED SIGNALING LINKS (HSL)

© Ericsson AB 2005 9 2005-11-05

© Ericsson AB 2005 10 2005-11-05