MAHANAGAR TELEPHONE NIGAM Ltd.

(MTNL)

MTNL(Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Ltd.) was constituted in

the year April,1986. Previously it was a government organisation under
the department of Telecommunication.

The basic of MTNL is to provide best and fault free telephone

services to the subscribers so that they are satisfied with what they get.

MTNL is fast emerging as a global giant in the telecom sector in its

endeavour to provide world class telecom services, MTNL is equipping
itself with the ‘state-of-art’ machines and acquiring the latest gadgets to
achieve the target of office automation.

MTNL is pioneering the introduction of information technology in

the telecom-sector through human resource development, capacity
building, computerization of consumer services like telephone directory,
integrated computer networks, computer based scanning and signature
recognition of subscribers, internet and customer service management etc.

The perceived threat of the Y2K problem was addressed effectively

on a war footing. In addition, the Information Technology Division of
MTNL is constantly keeping at bay hackers and attacks from viruses such
as the recent “ I LOVE YOU ” bug.
For an organisation like MTNL, the customer support services like
billing, Directory Enquiry, IVRS, FRS, commercial etc. are very important.
It plays an important role in the implementation of these support services.
Directory enquiry service is an essential customer care service being provided
by telecommunication service provider, It helps the customers to find out the
whereabouts of their associates. It comes to their rescue in times of
emergencies. MTNL New Delhi is regularly updating telephone directory on
CDROM. For national directory services also, MTNL was the first to integrate
and start the service. Presently directory enquiry services system is being
accused by nearly 250 cities of India.

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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF DELHI
TELEPHONES
 1911 : Establishment of Delhi Telephones system with manual
exchange
 1926 : Opening of first automatic exchange (Lothian Exchange)
 1972 : X-Bar (31) Janpath-1 exchange commissioned. Delhi
telephone crosses 1 lac lines
 1973 : Opening of X-Bar (67) Chanakya Puri exchange.
 1975 : X-Bar Janpath-IV (34) exchange commissioned. X- Bar
Shahdara East (20) exchange commissioned.
 1976 : Shakti Nagar (74) exchange commissioned. Idgah-II (52)
X-Bar exchange inaugurated by Fakhuruddin Ali Ahmed,
President of India, on 28.8.76 and presided over by Mr.
S.D. Sharma (Minister of communications). Opening of
Shahdara East (20) Extension-I, X-Bar exchange on
31.8.76. It was inaugurated by Mr. H.K.L. Bhagat
(Minister of State for Works and Housing) and Mr. S.D.
Sharma (Minister of communications). Opening of Hauz
Khas (65) X-Bar exchange on 18.10.76
 1991-92:Commissioning of gross switching capacity of 1,18,000
lines. Interactive graphics system (IGS) for
computerization of outdoor network plant installed. I-NET
services installed.
 1992-93: 83,558 new telephone connections provided. Morning
wake up call facility introduced free to all electronic
exchange customers. Voice Mail Services introduced.
 1993-94: Commissioning of gross switching capacity of 1,69,250
lines out of which 100500 lines of new technology.
Waiting list under OYT & Special category made current
in most areas.
 1994-95: Record commission of gross switching capacity of
226000 lines.
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 1995-96 : Record commission of gross switching capacity 323200
lines. Automatic Changed Number Announcement
Service 1951/1952 using Interactive Voice Response
System (IVRS) introduced. Fault Repair Service of all
major exchanges computerized. Multimedia center with
video conferencing facility opened.
 1996-97 : Commissioning of gross switching capacity of 241028
lines and provision of 203100 lines in one year which is
an all-time high. The waiting list almost completed
except few pockets. ISDN services introduced
commercially.
 1997 : Wireless in local loop (WILL) phone system introduced.

SERVICES BY MTNL

 CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTER (CSC)

The various service centers provided are as follows :

 Area Customer Service Centers

{Located at the headquarters of the Area General Manager}
 Sub-Area Customer Service Centers
{Located at the office of Dy.General Manager of the respective
division}
 Divisional Customer Service Centers
{Located at the office of the Divisional Engineer(Outdoor)of the
respective division}
 Mobile Customer Service Centers

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 CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGEMENT
SYSTEM (CSMS)

A fully computerized single window facility for all telephone

related work, covering from registration of new phones to billing
services and fault repair services.

I. Computerized booking of complaint 198/2198

II. Helpline service
III. Voice Mail Fault Repair Service(VMFRS)

 DIRECTORY INFORMATION SERVICES

I. Computerized Directory Enquiry
II. On-line Directory Information Service
III. Directory Dial up Service
IV. Directory service for I-NET Subscribers
V. Know your billing cycle/bill date

 VOLUNTARY DEPOSIT SCHEME(VDS)

Under this scheme, the customer may make an advance deposit to
MTNL based on his average billing and this deposit will be adjusted
in the future telephone bills.

 INTELLIGENT NETWORK
Intelligent Network Service( IN-Service ) e.g. free phone, premium
rate service, tele voting, virtual private network, universal access
network and Virtual Calling Card or Account Calling Card.

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 Virtual Calling Card
This service allows customers to make a call from any tone
telephone in the networks of Delhi and Mumbai to any destination-
local, national or international even if the telephone from where the
call is made is without STD facility.

 Account Calling Card

This service also provides the same facility as VCC. As in the case
of VCC, here also there is no need of a telephone connection.

 HOTLINE
For instant connection to your most often called number this facility
is quite useful. With this facility one can connect the phone to any
one pre-determined number.

 CALL FORWARDING/ CALL TRANSFER

With this facility, incoming calls can be forwarded to any other
telephone number within the same local area by availing this
facility.

 TELEPHONE SERVICES

 Voice
Plain old telephone services through distinguished Public Switched
Telephone Network with variety of phones plus services and direct-
in-dialing facility of PABXs connected to the PSTN.

 Dolphin 
Cellular services provided by MTNL.

 Garuda
Wireless in Local loop (WLL) : Service offered are both in fixed
mode as well as portable mode (mobile).
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 ISP (INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDER)
Various features of internet service provided are as follows :

I. Single access number

II. Faster access
III. Uninterrupted service
IV. E-commerce
V. Online telephone directory( www.mtnl.net.in|)
VI. Hourly News update
VII. Login package CDs available for 199/250/500 hours
VIII. No registration charges

 ATM SERVICES
 CUSTOMER CARE SERVICES
I. New telephone registration, bill payment and complaint
registration through internet
II. Smart Card for payphone
III. Meditation Billing Customer Care in GSM Mobile
IV. Data Ware Housing
V. Call Center

 VOICE MAIL SERVICES

 I-NET
Data Service through X.25 based Packet Switched Public Data
Network is called I-NET.

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 ISDN
Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) to meet the
requirements of customer for data, voice and video on one line, both
in Basic Rate Access(64 kbps) and Primary Rate Access(2Mbps).

 OTHER SERVICES OFFERED BY MTNL TO

THE SUBSCRIBERS
I. Telax-operational on local and international level
II. Leased Line
III. Telephone directory of MTNL is available on CD-ROM as
well as on the internet
IV. Single window computerized customer service centers
introduced to provide solution to all telephone related matters
V. Introduction of electronic bill clearence scheme : Bill
presentment and online electronic bill payment of telephone
bills by MTNL subscribers implemented for Delhi subscribers.
VI. Call Waiting : 118 (Activation)
VII. Abbreviation Dialing : 110+directory no.+xx
VIII. Call Diversion : 114+Telephone no.(Activation)
115+ Telephone no. (Deactivation)
IX. Morning Alarm : 116 (Activation), 117 (Cancellation)
X. Dynamic Lock : 123-abcd-abcd (Registration)
124-abcd-1 (Lock)
124-abcd-3 (Open)
XI. Absent Subscriber (Abs)
XII. Caller Line Identification

XIII. Hotline

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 TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
Telephony is the branch of line communication which deals with
the transmission of spoken message. Telephony is the most widely
used and common for telecommunication. Speech from one
subscriber is converted into electrical signals in the telephone
instrument which are transmitted over wires to the telephone
exchange for being conveyed to another subscriber’s instrument
where the electrical signals are converted back into sound energy.
The telephone exchange serves the essential purpose of
interconnecting different subscribers.

 TELEPHONE
A Telephone is a device which transmits and receives speech at a
distance. The conversion between two speakers across a distance is
due to the sound waves carried by the intervening medium that is
air these sound waves are generated by the human voice. When
these waves exert pressure on the diaphragm of the human ear, he
receives the speech, although the audio frequencies range from 16
to 20,000Hz , a human voice or a musical instrument does not
always produce all these frequencies. On the other hand they
generate much narrower band of frequencies.

 TELEPHONE TRANSMITTER
It is a transducer converting sound energy into electrical energy.
The type of transmitter most widely used in telephone hand-sets of
today is the carbon granule transmitter. It consists of a carbon
granule chamber within which there are two carbon electrodes F
and M. One of them that is F is fixed and the other that is M is
movable along the conical diaphragm D.

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 When the diaphragm moves to and fro due to the impinging sound
waves, the pressure on the carbon granule varies.The electrical
resistance offered by the carbon granule varies according to the
pressure and the current in an external circuit having these carbon
granules as variable will vary.

 TELEPHONE RECEIVER
This does the reverse function of a transmitter. It is a transducer
which converts electrical energy into sound energy. The coming
voice frequency current passes through a coil producing magnetic
flux in the magnetic path consisting the iron path of the permanent
magnet, the pole pieces and the diaphragm.

 SYSTEM FUNCTIONING
The function of the whole system (connection between subscriber
and the exchange) is quite simple. Two or more telephone exchange
can also communicate with each other by sing optical fibre
cables(OFC), this method adopts in such a case when the
subscribers communicate indirectly to the another exchange.
Suppose an exchange have the capacity of five thousands subscriber
but there is more than five thousand subscribers under that exchange
so in that condition this exchange communicates with other one.
Other many conditions are also used for communication links of
exchanges which is not described here.

Another essential component required for transmission and

reception of speech of a system is the dial. The dial is used to send
specific impulses over the subscriber line, when the subscriber lifts
his hand-set, the dc loop between subscriber and the exchange is
closed and steady current flows through the loop. The impulsing
spring of the dial which is connected in series with the line breaks
the loops as many times as the number is dialed.

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The two contacts doc1 and doc2 are called dial of normal contacts
and close as soon as the finger plate of the dial is displaced from its
normal position. When impulses are being sent by successive
closing and opening of the impulsing spring s-1 contacts doc1 and
doc2 are in closed position and the loop current flows through these
contacts, the bell, the transmitter and the receiver all remaining
shunted.

 NETWORKS
Networks play an important role to run, connect and communicate
between exchanges or subscribers. In the telephone departments,
there are these networks as given below:

I. Cable Network
II. Transmission Network
III. Switching Network

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 SUBSCRIBER LINE
CONFIGURATION


SUBSCRIBER LINE CONFIGURATION is divided into two

parts :

 Outdoor Part
It further consists of :

I. Telephone
II. Distribution Point (D.P.) - 10/20 pair
III. Cabinet

 Indoor Part
It further consists of :

I. Main Distribution Frame (MDF)

II. Switch Room

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 SWITCHING SYSTEMS

There are many switching systems used such as :

 MEC
 X BAR
 FETAX
 SPC
 E10B
 C-DOT
 OCB 283
 CDMA
 EWSD
 5ESS

FETAX, SPC, E10B, OCB 283 are based on FRANCE

technology.
C-DOT is based on INDIAN technology.
CDMA used in mobiles is based on CHINESE technology.
EWSD is a SIEMENS make.
5ESS is an AT&T (Bell Lab. USA) make.

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 5ESS SWITCH
“5ESS” stands for :

5 : 5th generation product as assigned by LUCENT

TECHNOLOGY
E : Electronic
S : Switching
S : System

The 5ESS switch is a digital exchange that can serve as a

local(lines), toll(trunks), tandem(lines and trunks) or international
gateway exchange depending upon the type of switch. It can serve
a small community with fewer than 100 subscribers or large
metropolitan area more than 100,000 subscribers.

The 5ESS switch is the most flexible digital exchange for use in the
global switching network. It switches ISDN voice and data, local
voice and long distance calls, internet access, wireless PCS,
advanced intelligent network services, interactive video and
multimedia services--- moving any kind of traffic(voice, data,
video) on the public switched telephone network(PSTN). For
service providers who need packet technology, the 7R/E Packet
Driver converts your 5ESS Switch into a packet switch. The 5ESS
Switch can transform your network into a multi-functional network,
meeting your needs as well as those of your residential and business
subscribers.

The 5ESS is a digital switching system with distributed processing.

Distributed processing means that multiple processors handle all
call processing functions.

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 Many processors are distributed throughout to handle second-to –
second decisions that must be made to process a call.Call
processing, self-maintenance and testing are performed
independently in each module. Processors communicate with each
other via an internal digital network that links the module together.

 5ESS ACCESS TANDEM SWITCH

A high-capacity, high speed trunk switch that provides
communication links between multiple regions and networks. It
stores sufficient routing data to access a particular switch in another
service provider’s network and vice-versa. Eliminating the need for
each end office to store routing information provides faster call
transfer, results in administrative cost savings and gains access
charge revenues.

The Tandem Switch is a high capacity, high speed switch that

connects geographically dispersed networks. Local end office
switches are linked to each other via access tandem switches. Each
access tandem switch aggregates voice and data calls from several
local switches, then connects to a tandem switch in another area’s
network to move calls from one region to another. Typically, the
tandem switch receives toll traffic and uses its trunks to process and
route the traffic to and from another service provider’s end office
switch.

Tandem switches have only trunks, not lines, which allow faster
call transfer nationwide. This multi-use, flexible switch eliminates
the need for each end office switch to store multitudes of routing
information, provides faster call transfer and results in cost savings
as well as gaining regulatory access charge revenues.

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 5ESS SWITCH HARDWARE
The 5ESS Switch hardware is subdivided into three major types of
equipment modules with each of them involved in varying degrees
in setting up and tearing down of every call :

 Switching Module (SM)

It connects the customer.
 Communication Module (CM)
It provides a path for control and data messages.

 Administrative Module (AM)

It collects the call completion data for engineering and billing.

Each module performs the assigned functions that contribute to the

total operation of the 4ESS switch. The SM connects all the lines
and trunks to the 5ESS switch. It performs the call processing
functions. There can be many SMs per 5ESS switch. The CM
provides communication between SM and AM. There is one CM
per 5ESS switch.

MODULAR DISTRIBUTED DESIGN

AM

DSCH

SM CM SM

NCT
links NCT
links

SM

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 FEATURES OF 5ESS SWITCH

 High Reliability
The 5ESS switch has the latest amount of downtime of any switch
in its class, according to analysis of the latest U.S. FCC quality
reports. The reports reveal that among four major switch vendors,
the 5ESS switch is in four standard performance categories and set
new in two key areas.

 Multiple Applications
The 5ESS switch is the only switch in the market today that can
deliver any media of the same switch. The 5ESS can deploy all
types and combinations of services from a single platform including
wireline, wireless, voice and data. Together with the 7R/E Packet
Driver, the 5ESS switch integrates IP/ATM networks and circuit
switching. Therefore, service providers can offer the latest data
services by building on their current switch investment.

 Modular Design
This feature distinguishes the 5ESS switch from all others because
its intelligence is distributed into modules. This unique architecture
allows growth in increments simply by adding modules, which can
be dedicated to specific services, such as long distance and data
services. Therefore, adding new services when and where the
service provider needs them becomes quick and easy. Also, remote
switch modules can be located upto 600 miles from the host switch,
making it easy to enter new categories. Basically, the switch
supports any network strategy without locking the service provider
into a specific future and without interrupting current services.

 Market Leadership
With an embedded base of more than 108 million lines and 48
million trunks served by 4000 host switches in more than 52
countries. The 5ESS switch product family includes a range of
switches in varying sizes to meet diverse communication needs. The
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 5ESS switch is a market leader. A full-sized as the most reliable
5ESS switch serves upto 250,000 subscriber lines and over
100,000 trunk lines, with the flexibility to meet the most diverse
business needs.

 5ESS Supports Wireless

The 5ESS switch continues Lucent Technology’s leadership role in
the wireless area providing advanced wireless services such as
FDMA/TDMA/CDMA on the 5ESS Switch Very Compact
Digital Exchange (VCDX). This low cost service application
eliminates the “pops and clicks” of call hand-offs between cells over
a large geographic areas. It improves billing for cellular customers
to increase revenue and improve customer satisfaction and offers
multiple grades of service to provide pricing flexibility for targeting
different customers in the wireless market.

 5ESS Switch Configurations

Several switch configurations are available to serve differing
networking functions and needs. The 5ESS switch innovative
modular design assures network operators of complete flexibility in
planning switch deployment and network growth.

 BENEFITS OF 5ESS SWITCH

I. The only media switch in the market today providing wireless,
wireline, voice and data on a single platform.
II. A high density switch, reducing floor space requirements and
power consumption.
III. A high capacity switch allowing fewer layers in the network
providing network efficiency and reduced operational costs
IV. #1 in reliability according to U.S. FCC Automatic Reporting
Management and Information (ARMIS) Report
V. Capable of evolving to the 7R/E Packet Solutions.

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 5ESS SWITCH APPLICATIONS
Current applications supported by the system are as follows :

I. Local Exchange
II. Toll Exchange
III. Gateway Exchange
IV. OSPS (Operator Service Position System)
V. ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
VI. STP (Signaling Transfer Point)
VII. SSP (Services Switching Point or Action Control Point)
VIII. MSC (Mobile Switching Center or Wireless)

 Local Exchange
Local subscribers gain access to the local exchange through lines.
The exchange switches a call from an internal subscriber to another
subscriber directly or through a trunk circuit to a subscriber in
another exchange. A trunk circuit (or trunk) connects a local
exchange to a local exchange or a toll exchange. A local exchange
has high percentage of lines and a small percentage of trunks.

 Toll Exchange
A Toll Exchange or Trunk tandem Exchange connects a local exchange
to another local exchange or to a gateway exchange. A Toll
exchange has high percentage of trunks but low percentage of lines, if
any.

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 Gateway Exchange

There is one international network consisting of interconnected gateway

exchanges. Each country (A and B) in this network has its own gateway
exchange, an international toll exchange. International calls enter or leave
the country from this exchange.

L O C A L T O L L L O C A L

G W 1

G W 2

 Operator Service Position System

The 5ESS-2000 offers automatic operator services via the OSPS.
OSPS applications are directory enquiry to supply directory
numbers to calling subscriber. Traffic Assistance allows operators
to complete calls and respond to enquiries for subscriber. The
OSPS uses a special SM called PSM (Position Switching
Module).

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 Integrated Service Digital Network
Another type of 5ESS-2000 switch application is the ISDN. It offers
new voice and data services and allows features such as OSPS. It
also allows voice, data and signaling information to travel over
the same digital subscriber line. It lets all three components use the
same transmission path simultaneously.

Two people with ISDN can make phone calls and use their
computer terminals to access one or more computers at the same
time. ISDN service is fully compatible with POTS service. ISDN
service requires specific ISDN hardware and software in the SM.

 Signaling Transfer Point

The STP is an exchange application that sends signaling message
on the way to the proper destination over a different path than voice
circuit. TPs are associated with the CSS7 (common channel
signaling 7) network. This application allows for more efficient use
of trunk circuits.

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 Service Switch Point
The SSP, also called ACP (action control panel) is a 5ESS-2000
switch application that is a part of IN (intelligent network)
configuration. IN technology allows the introduction of advanced
services, primarily through software updates, with minimal network
rearrangements and minimal service disruption. The SSP is able to
recognize the incoming IN calls, process them or request call
handling instructions by use of a remote database that is accessed
by many switches in the IN.

 Mobile Switching Center

The MSC (Mobile Switching Center) perform the switching
function for wireless systems. This 5ESS-2000 switch application
monitors subscriber mobility manages resources, communicates
with other networks, performs call routing and control functions.
The MSC configuration includes the AM, CM, SMs, WGSM
(wireless global switching module), at least one WSM (wireless
switching module) and possibly a WRSM (wireless remote
switching module) or multimodule.

 GROWTH AND DEGROWTH

Modular architecture makes it easy to increase or decrease the
capacity of the exchange. Increase in the capacity of the switch is
called growth. Decrease in the capacity of the switch is called
degrowth. The SM is the primary module for growth and degrowth
is accomplished by changing the number of SM in a switch or the
number of units within the SM.

SWITCHING MODULE
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 The primary job of the switching module is to connect subscriber lines
and inter-office trunks to the 5ESS switch. A switching module is a
multi-unit component and is located in a variable number of cabinets.
The switching modules are available in two models :

 SM configuration
Each SM contains a duplicated MCTSI, duplicated DLIs and two
LDSU DSUs. All other hardware components are configured
according to office requirements.

 SM-2000 configuration
Each SM-2000 contains a duplicated MCTSI, duplicated NLIs and
LDSF DSCs. All other hardware components are configured
according to office requirements which can handle more calls with
less equipment.

Switching Module(SM) is the most essential and vital part of a

switching system. Originally SMs were called IMs (Interface
Modules). With in a switch it performs the 90% of all the call
processing functions as well as the circuit maintenance functions.
The main function which constitute the process of call processing
are :

I. Line scanning for tone originations

II. Dial tone generation
III. Digit collection and analysis
IV. Call supervision

An SM terminates analog lines, analog trunks and digital trunks and

lines. Within the switch architecture, SMs perform the time
division switching functions. SM communicates with the AM for
maintenance purpose or for obtaining routing information.

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 TYPES OF SM

 LSM (Local Switching Module)

This type of SM serves local lines & ISDN users. The LSM is
usually referred as SM.
 HSM (Host Switching Module)
This type of SM provides normal LSM subscriber interfaces and
also one or more RSMs (Remote Switching Module).

 RSM (Remote Switching Module)

This type of SM is designed to meet the needs of those
communities that are too small to be served by their own 5ESS
switch in a remote area. This can be done by having the RSM
connected to a HSM. This HSM can be far away as 242km. From
host upto 4 RSMs, called a MMRSM (Multi mode RSM), can be
interconnected to serve.

 PSM (Position Switching Module)

This type of SM supports OSPS features.

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 SM COMPONENTS

AIU LDSU GDSU

CONTROL UNITS
SERVICE UNITS
MCTSI
SMP TSI DSU 2

P
S
U
DIU

TSI TSI TSI

TSI

HERE : SMP – It is used for processing the calls.

TSI – Time Slot Interchanger.
LDSU – Local Digital Service Unit.
GDSU – Global Digital Service Unit.
PSU – Packet Switch Unit.

SM can be broadly classified into two categories :

SMC
LTP

The three main functional areas that exist in an SM are :

I. Interface Unit
II. Control Unit
III. Service Unit

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 SM INTERFACE UNITS
The interface units interface the telephone lines with the system.
There are various types of interfaces needed to convert the telephone
signaling systems into the format of the internal digit format needed
by the exchange. Interface units exist for all the types of analog and
digital lines and trunks, as well as for transmission systems between
central offices.

Every setup of a speech connection is started with detection in one

of the interface units. Each interface unit has circuits that are
developed for a particular type of signaling. After converting these
signal into internal format of the exchange it transmits them to
control unit which acts on them and make a connection from the
interface unit to the service unit. In the service unit, tone detectors
and tone generators are present. Detected tones are decoded and
then the decoded value is transmitted to the control unit. Upon
command from the control unit, call processing and signaling tones
can be generated (by the LDSU) and transmitted to the interface
units. In this way, the control unit receives the information for digit
analysis and is able to respond according to the signaling type.

There are various types of SM interface units which are as follows :

 Line Unit
It is the interface to the analog subscribers of various signaling
types. The concentration ratio can vary from 4:1 to 10:1 depending
on how the line units are equipped. The speech output per line is 64
time slots which enables a line unit to interface a maximum of 640
subscribers (10:1). A line unit is divided into two service groups,
each processing 32 of the 64 time slots output by the line unit. It
ensures that if an error has occurred in one service group then only
maximum 32 calls within a line unit will be affected.

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 Integrated Service Line Unit-version 2 (ISLU2)
This interface unit is designed to meet the ITU-T requirements for an
ISDN. It can interface with both analog as well as digital subscriber lines.
The digital interface includes the U-DSL (digital subscriber lines). An
ISLU2 can upto a maximum of 1024 analog and digital lines.
A version of ISLU2 is RISLU2 (Remote ISLU) which may be located on
the subscriber’s premises when a large number of lines are to be interfaced
from the same location. Since it is capable of performing line
concentration, it can be used as pair gain system. It’s an economical way
for remote units.

 Analog Trunk Unit

It is an interface unit to the analog trunks. In this unit after
conversion to the internal format of the exchange, the trunk traffic is
transmitted to the control unit without any concentration factor.
Since the trunk unit has 64 time slots available, every trunk unit can
interfere with 64 analog trunks. These are grouped in pair of 32-32
trunks each. An error would affect a service group of trunks
maximum.

 Digital Line Trunk Unit (DLU)

It is the interface unit to the digital trunks. A DLU is equipped with
DFI (digital facility interface) circuits. With a 30 channel digital
inter-exchange transmission facilities, each DFI can interface with a
digital link carrying 30 data channels plus 2 signaling channels. In
case of common channel signaling (CCS) DFI can interface with a
digital transmission facility carrying 31 data channel and 1 signaling
channel.

Any combinations of interface unit may be installed as long as the

capacity of standard control unit of SM200 is not exceeded. The
signaling requirements of the interface units are handled under the
control of the switching module control unit.
All these interfaces support the signaling specifications from ITU-T.

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 SM CONTROL UNITS
The control units control the operation of the SM and perform the
time switching of a speech sample. A speech sample can be
switched either between two subscribers connected to the same
switching module or between two subscribers on different
SM2000’s via the CM. The control units are fully duplicated in an
active/standby configuration. Both of them receive the output
signals of interface units, but the response of only active mode is
acknowledged.

SM Control Unit & SMC Cabinet

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 A control unit is based on the following components :

 Module Controller Time Slot Interchanger (MCTSI)

This is made up of sub-components like Switching Module
Processor Unit (SMPU), Time Slot Interchanger Unit (TSIU) etc.

The primary jobs of the SMPU are :

I. Controls call processing activities for the peripheral units in

the switching module.
II. Handles maintenance activities for the switching module.
III. Monitors and reports all switching module activities to the
AM to generate hardware status reports
IV. Handles subscriber data and control messages from the
switching module peripherals and CM.
V. Performs a “bootstrapper function” which enables the 5ESS
switch to rapidly reload memory in the SMP.

 Network Link Interface (NLI)

The Network Link Interface (NLI) is a one paddle board component.
The NLI is located in the backplane of the TSIU shelf in an SMC
cabinet of an SM-2000. The main functions of NLI are :

I. Connect MCTSI to the Time Multiplexed Switch (TMS) part

of CM.
II. Convert subscriber data and control messages.

 Dual Link Interface

The Dual Link Interface (DLI) is a one circuit pack component.
The DLI is located in the MCTU shelf of the SMC cabinet of a
SM. The primary job of the DLI is to connect the MCTSI to the
TMS.

28
 Apart from the above main components of Control Unit, RSMs
contain :

 Facility Interface Unit

It is located in shelf of RSM and contains components, the remote
link interface. The primary jab of the RLI is to transmit subscriber
data and control messages between a SM at a host site and a SM at
a remote site. It also generates clock pulses for the RSM when the
RSM is operating in a stand alone mode.

 Remote Clock Unit (RCLKU)

It has the following sub-parts :

I. RCLK Oscillator :
During a normal operation state, the RCLK oscillator provides
a synchronizer with a source to remove jitter from the clock
pulses that are received from the SM at the host site. During
isolation from the host office the RCLK oscillator generates
clock pulses for the RSM.

II. RCLK Synchronizer :

During a normal operation state the RCLK synchronizer
removes jitter from the clock pulses.

 SM SERVICE UNITS
Service Unit performs all tone detection and generation functions.
Service Unit also provides test functions and call processing
function such as three-party or six-party conferencing. It is
composed of following sub-units :

 Packet Switch Unit

The Packet Switch Unit Model 2 (PSU2) is a one to five shelf unit.
The PSU2 is located in an LTP cabinet of a SM. The primary job
of the PSU2 is to route packets of control messages & subscriber

29
 data to ISDN lines & C7 signaling trunks. The C7 signals are used
to provide a path to set up and tear down trunk calls.

 Service Announcement System

It provides general recorder announcements like “The following
number has been changed ” or “ This number does not exists ” and
others.

 Global Digital Service Function

The Global Digital Service Function is a one circuit pack
component. The GDSF is located in SMPU or DSU shelf of a SM-
2000 cabinet, or CSU shelf of a SM cabinet. It receives and control
message from MCTSI through PICB and tone generation and
analysis through PIDB.

The primary job of the GDSF are :

I. Perform three and six port conference calling

II. Perform transmission test
III. Perform integrated system test
IV. Generate an measure various tones to test POTS and ISDN
subscriber lines and trunks

 Global Digital Service Unit

The Global Digital Service Unit is a multi-circuit pack component.
The GDSU is located in a cabinet of SM.
The primary jobs of the GDSU are to :

I. Perform three to six user conferencing

II. Perform transmission tests on subscriber loops and trunks

30
 Local Digital Service Unit (LDSU)
It is one of the important parts of service unit which is connected
through PICB to Control Interface (CI ) of MCTSI and through
LDSUB to Data Interface (DI). Through PICB transmission of
control messages occur to the SMP and through LDSUB tones are
send and receive the TSI.

The functions of LDSU are :

I. Generates call processing tones for digit and call progress

alerts in an SM.
II. Decodes call processing tones for routing calls in an SM.

31
 COMMUNICATION MODULE

FUSE / FILTER
SM
GROWTH
SM
ONTC MSGS MESSAGE
SWITCH
T PERIPHERAL
M MMP UNIT MODEL 3
S MESSAGE
CM SWITCH
M
T MMP S CONTROL
DLI M UNIT MODEL 2
M C
NCT S I MMP TMSU 2
LINKS
NC MMP CMCU

TMSU 2

FAM UNIT

BAY 06

Communication Module performs several critical functions within

5ESS switch. It provides the space switching of data type slots
between SMs. It switched control line slots between SMs and
between AM and SMs. The CM contains part of hardware needed
to fast pump an SM. Finally, because it is switching hub of the
system the CM contains the NCLK network clock and distributes
timing signal to all switch units.

 COMMUNICATION MODULE CABINET

CM configurations depend on the number of equipped SMs. The
CM consists of two cabinets. The CM uses duplex controllers side
0 and 1. The CM operates in an active / standby configuration.
Both sides of the CM receive the same inputs, and output the same
information; however, only information from active is accepted at
32
 the destination. Switching between the active and standby
controllers is under the control of AM. The CM can perform limited
self maintenance routines; overall control operations are provided
by AM.

The basic two cabinet configuration can handle a maximum of 30

SMs or 32 SMs with a combination of SMs and RSMs with atleast
2 being RSMs. Each SM has 2 NCT links connected to each side
of CM.

 COMMUNICATION MODULE SUB-UNITS

CM 05 CM 06
MSPU MSPU
MSCU MSCU
TMSU TMSU
CMCU CMCU
TMSU TMSU
SIDE 0 SIDE 1

NCT TMS
LINKS TMSU’s
MSGS

MSPU’S

CMCU MSCU

AM

COMMUNICATION MODULE CONTROL UNIT (CMCU)

33
 There are four CMCU sub-units :

I. TMC (Time Multiplexed Switch Controller)

II. DMI (Dual Message Interface)
III. NCLK (Network Clock)
IV. E-BUS UNIT
TO E-BUS
TMSU

CMCU

DM1
L I
SM1 1 I N M
N T MIB M
K E FABRIC DATA P
R
F
A #
CONTROL
C TIME
SLOTS M
SM2 1 E
M
P

M
M
FAB P
CONTROL

M
M
SUB P

TO E - BUS MIB
DATA TO MSCU

TO MSCU
TMC CDAL
CDAL
CONTROL
CONTROL

NCLK

34
 Time Multiplexed Switch controller (TMC)
The TMC controls the TMSUs. Using information received from
the AM, the TMC configures the switching fabric path on a time
slot by slot basis. The TMC also monitors the interrupts from each
of the TMSUs and reports these error indicators to the AM. Finally,
the TMC has the ability to perform low level maintenance activity
such as generating data test pattern on the serial address or data
stream to the TMSUs.

I. Dual Message Interface (DMI) :

The DMI is the interface for the routing of control information
between the TMSU and the MSPU. The DMI operates the control of
the AM receiving its commands over the CDAL (control and diagnostic
access links).

II. Network Clock (NCLK) :

The NCLK provides the 5ESS switch with the high stability clock
for the synchronization purposes.

III. Emitter-Coupled Logic Bus Units (E-BUS UNITS) :

E-Bus Units are found only in the growth cabinets of the CM. Their
purpose is to interface the expansion buses from the CMCU to the
growth TMSUs in the growth cabinets, thus linking the fabric
packs together into a complete space switching matrix. Each fabric
pack has access to transmit and receive time slots on the E-Bus.

35
 IV. Time Multiplexed Switch Unit (TMSU) :
The TMSU switches control time slots (inter-module messages)
from the AM to SM modules and between SMs. It also switches
data time slots (telephone calls) between SMs.

CMCU

SM 1
L I
I N
N T
K E FABRIC
NCT R
F
A #
SM X C
E

FAB
CONTROL

SUB

CMCU

36
There are two NCT links interface between the SMs and CM 0 and
CM 1. There are two NCT links connected between each DLI of a
SM and each LI (Link Interface) of the TMSU. These NCT links
are duplicated but not cross-connected to TMSU 0 and TMSU 1.
Time slots send and receive by the standby TMSU are indicated to
those sent and received by the active TMSU.

The TMSU consists of the following :

1) LINK INTERFACE (LI)

The NCT links from the SMs are connected to LI boards at the
TMSU. Each LI interfaces maximum of 32 NCT links from 32
different switching modules. In a maximum configuration of 6
TMSUs per CM side, the link interface will connect 192 (6 x 32)
NCT links. The total number of SMs that can be connected is
reduced by two (to 190); however, one LI connection is reserve for
an internal link to the CMCU and another for a special test link.

The limitation of 190 SM or 192 SMs and RSMs are : RSMs do not
have NCT link connection with the TMSU. Instead their control
time slots are sent using data time slots location on the host SMs
NCT links. Therefore if there are at least two RSMs, the full 182
CTS switching capacity of the CM can be used even though there
are only 190 CM to SM NCT link connection.

2) FABRIC BOARD (FAB)

The FAB performs the space switching of the time slots

received over the NCT links from the SMs. The space switch
size depends on the number of equipped SMs.

3) SHELF UTILITY BOARD (SUB)

The CMCU controls the entire CMSU shelf through the SUB.

37
4) FABRIC CONTROL

The fabric control receives the CMCU commands through the

SUB and sets up the connections in the FAB.

The main functions of the TMS are as follows :

I. TMS Switching of the time slots :

These contain control messages as well as speech samples. At
the maximum configurations, the TMS contains a dual 192
by 192 switching fabric made up of six pairs of TMS units.
The I/Os are divided over a maximum of 190 SMs, the link
from the message switch and a special test link under the
direction of the time multiplex controller, TMS unit switches
the content of a certain time slot from a source input to a
destination output, Any combination of input and output can
be connected at the same time.

II. For a speech connection, the two path through the TMS unit
need to be setup. One from the source SM to the destination
SM and vice versa. In this way a full duplex connection is
built.

III. Control messages destined for the SMs are received from the
message switch, these control messages are switched by the
multiplex switch unit to the control time slot of the network
control and timing link to the correct SM.

38
 TMS MAINTENANCE

Within the message switch, the same maintenance philosophy is

supported as in the SM. Error checks are used to detect errors and
errors are reported while the system tries to minimize the impact of
the error. Diagnostic software is used to determine the faculty
circuit pack.

Additionally, a special test link is present. Via this test link, test
patterns are switched through the TMS and transmitted to a
destination where the test patterns are compared with the expected
patterns. When both the patterns are found not to be identical, an
error signal will result.

 Message Switch Peripheral Unit (MSPU)

An SM in A 5ESS switch exchange is connected to each site of the

CM by two bi-directional NCT links. One of the two NCT links is
used for even number time slots and the other for odd numbered
time slots. One time slot on each link is assigned as CTS (Control
Time Slots). These CTS will never be used to carry data (telephone
calls) but are reserved for communications from SM to SM, SM to
AM or AM to SM. The CTS assignments are actually made using
DIP (dual in – line package) switch is located on the back of the
SM DLI circuit pack. Thus SM 24 might be hardware assigned
CTS 40 and 41 and SM 3 might be assigned CTS 18 and 19.

39
 TO E-BUS
TMSU
CMCU

L I DM1
SM1 I N M
N T MIB M
FABRIC DATA P
K E
R CONTROL
F # TIME
SMX A M
SLOTS
M
1 C P
E
M
FAB M
CONTROL P

M
M
SUB P

TO E - BUS

MIB
CDAL
DATA
TMC
CDAL
CONTROL CONTROL
NCLK

No other SMs will be assigned those CTS and the CTS numbers
become unique SM addresses. If SM 24 wishes to setup a call with

SM 3, it will send a control message on either CTS 40 or 41, with

destination CTS 18 or 19 SM3 will reply with a message directed to
either CTS 40 or 41.

The MSPU (message switch peripheral unit) contains the circuitry

(Module Message processor) that provides switching of a control
message from one unit's CTS to another unit's CTS. Control
40
 message from AM to SM or SM to AM are sent via an MMP
(Module Message Processor).

One MSPU has four MMP. The group of four MMPs in a MSPU
is referred to as an MMP community. There are two MMP
communities (side 0 and side 1) in a minimum MMP configuration
and 12 communities in a maximum MMP configurations.

The MMPs in the M8PU act as buffers, receiving and temporarily

storing CTS messages in RAM until they can be routed out on the
appropriate destination CTS. Although each SM has two CTS, one
CTS is sufficient to handle its control message traffic. This
provides redundancy in case of a failure of equipment or software
associated with a CTS. When one MMP fails, the MMP at the other
can still handle all control messages via one control time slot. For a
system with a fewer than 96 SM, even control time slots are
assigned to side 0, and odd control time slots are assigned to side 1.

 Message Switch Control Unit (MSCU)

The MSCU is provided only in the basic (05 and 06) CM cabinets.

The MSCU consists of the following subunits :

I. DDSBS (duplex and dual serial bus selector)

II. BIC (bus interface controller)
III. PIC (peripheral interface controller)
IV. FPC (foundation peripheral controller)
PPC (pump peripheral controller)

41
 MESSAGE SWITCH CONTROL UNIT

TO E-BUS
TMSU
CMCU

MSPU
DM1
L I
SM1 M
I N MIB M
N T FABRIC DATA P
K E
R CONTROL
F # TIME
A M
SMX C
SLOTS
M
E P

M
FAB M
CONTROL P

M
M
SUB P

TO E - BUS
P
P
CDAL C P
CDAL
CONTROL I
TMC C
CDAL F
CONTROL CONTROL P
NCLK C

DSCH
EXTERNAL
REFERENCE AM

42
 The MSCU performs the following functions :

I. Provides the interface to the AM.

II. Controls MSPU activity.
III. Provides fast pump capability for rapid transfer of large
amounts of data from the AM to the SM.

 OPERATION OF CM
The CM handles subscriber data and control messages between
the switching modules.

Stage 1:
The CM receives subscriber data and control messages from
switching modules via the NCT/NCT2 links.

Stage 2:
When the message is data-specific then the CM sends the
subscriber data to a switching module via the NCT/NCT2
links.

When the message is control-specific then the CM either:

I. Executes the control message.

II. Routes the message to the switching module via the
NCT/NCT2 links.
III. Routes the message to the AM via the DSCH.

The CM handles control messages from the AM.

Stage 1:
The CM receives control messages from the AM via the DSCH.

43
Stage 2:
The CM either:

I. Executes the control messages.

II. Routes the message to the switching module via the
NCT/NCT2 links.

The CM handles external timing references.

Stage 1:
The CM receives a timing signal via the external clock leads.

Stage 2:
The CM:

I. Adjusts the internal clock to synchronize with the timing

signal.
II. Generates clock pulses.
III. Distributes the clock pulse to the switching modules.

 COMMUNICATION MODULE FUNCTIONS

In the switch, the AM and SMs are not directly connected to each
other. The CM routes messages between each module so they all
work together. The following are provided by the CM for the 5ESS
switch :

 Call Switching
The CM interconnects the path between switching modules to
complete telephone calls and to reply data. The space switch in the
CM TMS (Time-Multiplexed Switch) switches calls between SMs.
Calls between SMs are known as inter-module call.

44
 Network Timing
The CM provides the accurate timing and synchronization for the
5ESS-2000 Switch. Timing signals are generated by the CM and
distributed to each of the SMs synchronize communication between
modules.

 Message Switching
The CM provides the paths to send information between
processors to process calls, maintain records and perform system
tasks. The CM MSGS (Message Switch) provides inter-module
communication between SMs and between the SMs and the AM.
The CM acts as a routing facility (MSGS) and switching facility
(TMS) for switching messages between these modules. The AM
controls the CM maintenance and network operations by sending
messages to the CM.

 Fast Pump
The CM provides resources to quickly download (pump) software
from the AM to ANSM if needed. Fast pump is a feature of the
5ESS switch that quickly initializes SM memory. The SM contains
the rest of the hardware.

45
 ADMINISTRATIVE MODULE
In the 5ESS-2000 switch, the AM is a switch equipment module
which has the overall of the entire 5ESS-2000 switch. The AM
controls the CM and communicates with all the SMs through the
CM. The AM monitors itself and the CM for malfunctions.
Maintenance tasks performed system stability. It has the overall
control of the entire exchange.

CONTROL UNIT

INPUT DISK FILE

OUTPUT CONTROLLER
UNIT

ASM CM

46
 ADMINISTRATIVE MODULE COMPONENTS

There are three main units located in the AM :

I. Control Unit (CU)

II. Input/Output Processor (IOP)
III. Disk File Controller (DFC)

The CU monitors overall system operation. The IOP interfaces with

the MCC (Master Control Center). The CU contains the CC
(Central Control), which is responsible for the ROP (Receive
Only Printer) and other peripheral devices. The DFC controls the
TD (Tape Drive) and the DD (Disk Drive). The CU also contains
the MAS (Main Store), which contains the program data and
instruction to be used by CC. All programs must be located into
MAS before they can be executed.

The main store, input/output and disk file controller units are used
to access additional memory from disk. When additional memory
must be loaded into the MAS, the memory is “swapped” or copied
into MAS from the disk copies.

The port switch unit (located Bay 0) ensure that MCC terminal is
connected to active IOP (0 or 1). For example, if IOP 0 becomes
OOS (out of service) the port switch automatically switches the
MCC to IOP 1.
The tape/disk cabinet houses the magnetic tape unit and a maximum
of four disk drive units, in the 340 MB SMD configuration.

47
ADMINISTRATIVE MODULE DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS

MSB
CC MM

CCD Bus MSB

DIRECT MEMORY ACCESS

DSCH DSCH DSCH DSCH

ASM IOP DFC CM

48
 ADMINISTRATIVE MODULE MAIN MEMORY

EAI BUS

MSUB CC

MSUB
MAIN MEMORY
DMA

 AM Control Unit

CU

CENTRAL CONTROL

Main Store EAI

Update Bus BUS

DMA DMA

Main
Store
Update Bus

49
 Control unit is the actual 32-bit processor. The control unit is used
for the extension of the software via which the control of the system
is performed. Another function of control unit is the storage of data
and software which is directly needed.

UNITS OF CONTROL UNIT

Central Main Store Direct Memory Maintenance

Control (It is the memory (It performs i/o (It is used for
(It executes of the control for control unit) maintenance
the instructions) unit) purpose)

Main functions of the Control Unit are :

I. Execution of software : It is accomplished in central control,

has 32 bit word format and retrieves the software instructions
from the main store bus. Via execution of these software
instructions, the control of the system is performed. The
instructions are decoded and executed. The results of the
execution are either stored in the main store or output via the
maintenance channel or the direct memory access controller.

II. Data Storage : It is executed by main store. Under control of

the central control and the software, a data base is maintained
containing all data needed for normal operation. In order to
increase the reliability of the main store, an additional
hamming code is used with every data word.

III. Input/output to the rest of the system : The central control

will use the central control input/output bus to send a
command to the direct memory access controller. This
controller will receive a message from the main store and
transmit the message via one of the dual serial channel buses.

50
 Disk File Controller

CU

DSCH BUS

DFC
SCSI BUS

DISKS TAPE DRIVE

Disk File Controller is an independent processor used for control of

the disk units. The disk units perform the backup memory
functions. Data and software that is not directly needed is stored on
the disk units.
The SCSI is an ANSI (American National Standard Institute)
standard interface for computer input/output devices. Currently the
only peripheral that is accessible over the interface is disk drives.

51
 SCSI hardware components are :

I. SCSI Disk File Controller (SDFC) provides connection

between the CU and MAS and the fixed Media disk drive
units through a SCSI standard bus.

II. SCSI Disk Unit Package (DUP) is made up of two parts :

Disk Drive is an industry standard internal 5.25 inch
winchester type drive with a built in processor to accept
messages from the SDFC through the SCSI bus.

III. Power supply designed by AT&T for the purpose of

converting 48v to 5v for the SFC and SCSI bus.

The functions of the SCSI (Small Computer System

Interface) disk drive are as follows :

I. Stores copies of software used in the 5ESS-2000 switch. If

data in the MM is lost it is restored from the disk copy.
II. Stores hardware configuration data. Information on the disk
defines the configuration of hardware and line and trunk
terminations.
III. Stores billing data. Disk has a temporary area for billing data.
The data is stored until it is requested by the host collector or
dumped to tape.

UNITS OF DISK FILE CONTROLLER

Disk File Controller Interface Peripheral Disk

Via dual series channel buses, the active control unit will transmit
the block of data to the active disk file controller. The disk file
controller interface accepts these blocks. The blocks will be
checked for transmission errors and converted to a format that can
be accepted by the peripheral disk interface.

52
 After receiving a command to retrieve data from disk units, the disk
file controller executes the command via peripheral disk interface.
The peripheral disk interface will retrieve the data blocks and
transmit these blocks to the disk file controller interface. The disk
file controller interface will then interrupt the control unit and after
the reception of the appropriate command, will send the data to the
control unit.

 Input/Output Processor
Input/output processor is the unit which performs the input/output
to the utility equipment within the AM. It is an independent
processor used for control of the other utility equipment. Via this
equipment, the input/output functions are performed as well as the
alarm signaling and tape storage functions.

UNITS OF INPUT/OUTPUT PROCESSOR

Input/Output Processor Peripheral

Controller Community

The main functions of the I/O Processor are :

I. Input/Output : Data that is input at the terminal will cause

the maintenance tele-typewriter controller (peripheral
controller) to be interrupted, after which the data is retrieved
from the terminal. The data then loaded in the input/output
processor controller and transmitted to the control unit.

II. Data Storage on Tape : The tape controller (peripheral unit)

is in the control of the tape unit and converts the received data
from the input/output processor controller into the appropriate
tape format. The tape controller is also in control of the
53
 positioning of the tape to the correct position for loading or
retrieving the information.

III. Data Link Control : The data link controller interfaces to a

connected data link. Via this data link, system can be
remotely controlled. Commands from remote canter arrived at
an asynchronous line controller. In the controller, information
is converted into correct format and transmitted to control unit
via I/O processor controller.

IV. Alarm Signaling and Guarding Point Scanning :

Scanner/Signal distributor controller is used to transmit the
necessary information to the I/O processor controller. This
input/output processor controller will transmit information of
certain conditions to scanner/ signal distributor controller that
will light the appropriate lamp.

 ADMINISTRATIVE MODULE FUNCTIONS

The AM has a minimum of one cabinet and can have a maximum
of three cabinets. The AM performs resource allocation and
processing functions that are done more efficiently on a
centralized basis such as :

I. Call routing for inter-module and intra-module calls.

II. Administrative data processing/billing data.
III. Traffic measurement reports/system performance reports.
IV. Memory management.
V. System management.
VI. Maintaining file records of changes to the system software release.
VII. Personnel interface/system monitoring.
VIII. Allocating trunks for call processing.

54
As the AM consists of both hardware and software so the main
functions performed are :

I. Route Selection : SMs are able to provide route selection for

most intra-exchange call, but the AM becomes involved in
route selection for intra-exchange calls which involves shared
equipment (conference circuits), and for inter-exchange calls.
It is the AM that record available trunks in the exchange.
Under various conditions the AM is also involved in aspects
of RSM (Remote- Switching Module) and MMRSM
(Multimode Remote Switching Module) call routing. The
AM provides inter-exchange trunk selection for an MMRSM,
for example: If a hunt group is spread over more than one
MMRSM, the AM provides the hunting. The routing data
necessary to complete calls within an MMRSM are stored in
the AM and in each RSM of the MMRSM.

II. Assigning time slots : The AM monitors and assigns all

network time slots connections.

III. System Maintenance : The AM is responsible for system

maintenance or itself and the CM. SM maintenance is done by
the SM under control of AM. System maintenance includes
performing diagnostics, reconfiguration and initialization.

IV. Exchange maintenance : The AM provides monitoring and

maintenance access to switch through the MCC, (Master
Control Center) and ROP (Receive-Only Printer) and
additional terminals and printers located at the switch or at
remote locations.

V. Managing billing information : The AM process billing

information collected by the SMs and stores it on the disk and
/or type for further processing at a billing center.

55
 Operation of AM

I. Receives orders from users through the ASM via the DSCH
and the Input/Output peripherals via the metallic wires.
II. Sends the orders to the AM components, CWP and ASM via
the DSCHs.
III. Sends messages (data, address, select and control) to the CM,
CMP and ASM via the DSCHs.
IV. Receives messages (data and response) from the CM, CMP
and ASM via the DSCHs.

CALL PROCESSING

 ------------------------------------ 
Calling Subscriber Called Subscriber

Call handling is the processing of calls from calling subscribers

to the called subscribers. In all exchanges the basic function is to
process a call i.e. to assign a suitable path between the calling and
called subscriber and thus ensure a faithful communication between
the two. In 5ESS switch the 90% of call processing is done in SM
Unit.

A call processing may occur between following types of

communications systems :

I. Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) : A tele-

communication network set up by an administration to perform
telephonic services for public subscribers. The main
characteristics of PSTN is that most PSTN subscribers have
analog access to the network.

56
 II. Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) : A network which
provides end-to-end digital connectivity to support a wide
variety of services. Users of ISDN have access to a limited set
of standard, multipurpose customer interfaces.

III. Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) : A cellular

network based on digital technology with international
coverage for mobile telephony.

IV. Intelligent Network (IN) : A network that is organized in such a

way that telephone calls, received by the IN are interrupted in
query a database. The database has the capability to handle the
call based on a number of predefined conditions.

V. Personal Handyphone System (PHS) : A cellular network

which offers low cost telephone service with low speed
mobility.

 STAGES OF CALL PROCESSING FOR PSTN

Digit Dialing Screening Index Digit Analysis

Routing Charging Termination

 Origination/Incoming
A call enters the exchange over a line (origination) or a trunk
(incoming).

 Digit Collection
The collection of digits from the incoming line or trunk.

57
 Digit collection is responsible for :

I. Collecting dialed digits from incoming trunks or lines.

II. Supporting the signaling protocol of the incoming trunk or
line.
III. Performing dial timing requirements.

 Digit Analysis
The digits collected by digit collection are analysed to determine
routing.

Digit analysis is responsible for :

I. Identification of the call type (normal call, dialed service,

emergency number).
II. Interdigit timing requirements (for example determine the
minimum number of digits that are required to route the call).
III. Generation of routing request data (for example destination
index).

 Carrier Selection
Enables network subscribers to select the carrier used for a call. The
carriers other than the access provider are called Other Licensed
Operators (OLOs).

 Input and Output

The input for digit collection and digit analysis are the incoming
digits. The output from the digit collection and digit analysis is for
instance :

I. The Screening Index

II. The Destination Index
III. Charging Information

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 ROUTING
Routing is defined as the process of selecting the correct circuit
path for a message. It translates the destination data received from
digit analysis into the physical port that leads to the dialed
destination (an outgoing trunk or line).

 Route
A possible trunk group (or multiple hunt group) leaving the
exchange and leading to (but not necessarily connected to) the
specified destination. The actual trunk (or line) must be found by
“hunting” the group for an idle member.

Data associated with a route includes :

I. The trunk group (or multiple hunt group) member.

II. The type of route (hunted, reorder, congestion, maintenance,
etc.).
III. Digit deleting and prefixing database.
IV. The alternate (or next) route if the specified trunk group (or
multiple hunt group) is busy.

Any route can be associated with one and only one trunk group.
However the same trunk group can be busy by more than one route.

 TERMINAL ALLOCATION
Terminal allocation is connecting the correct circuit path for a
message to the incoming trunk or line.

 Route Index
An arbitrary number assigned by the telephone administration to
uniquely identify one route out of the exchange. Route indices can
also be assigned to specific announcements or tones.

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 Alternate Route Index
It defines the next or alternate. An Alternate Route Index (ARI) can
be used if the current route's trunk group (or multiple hunt group) is
busy.

 Screening Index
An arbitrary number assigned by the telephone administration to
uniquely identify the source of the originating line or incoming
trunk call for routing and charging purposes. A screening index
allows the same call type dialed to the same destination to be routed
or charged differently, based on who originated the call. Screen
Indices are obtained from line or trunk port data.

 Destination Index
An arbitrary number assigned by the telephone administration to
uniquely identify each destination that can be reached for routing
and charging purposes. Destination indices are obtained as an
output of digit analysis.

Types of terminations are :

I. Line Termination (for the route types line and DSL)

II. Multi-Line Hunt Termination
III. Trunk Termination

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  COMMON HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
 Hardware
The hardware used in the call processing is SM, AM and CM that is
in a hierarchy given below-

Each module in switch has specified functions to perform in setting

up and tearing down calls. All 3 modules are involved to varying
degrees in every call.

 Software

The software used in the call processing is-

I. Peripheral Control (PC)

II. Feature POTS(Plain Old Telephone Service) ; (FP)
III. Feature Control (FC)
IV. Routing and Terminal Allocation (RTA)

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 CHARGING
Charging is the function that assesses the cost of the usage of switching
capacity and that passes on that assessment to the billing center.

Currently two charging methods can be distinguished:

I. Automatic Message Accounting (AMA)

II. Multimetering (MM), also known as Periodic Pulse Metering
(PPM).

In an exchange either method can be used or in combination.

 AMA
Automatic Message Accounting (AMA) is a method of charging
whereby for each call, records are generated for billing purposes. The
records contain the information needed to generate a detailed subscriber
bill, for example call start time, call end time, call duration, calling party
number, called party number, and so on.

Advantages :

I. Allows detailed billing per call type or even per individual call
II. Does not require tariff intelligence to be present in the exchange

Disadvantages :

I. Requires large amounts of charging data to be collected and

processed.
II. Requires alternative methods to drive home meters and
payphones.

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 MM

Multimetering (MM) is a method of charging whereby a call is charged

in terms of charge units. The number of units to be charged is based on
the distance (or route) of the call, the date and the time of day. All this
information yields a charge rate which determines how many charge
units are applied over a set time interval. Each time this interval expires
during the call the calling party is charged the pre-determined number of
units.

Advantages :

I. Only requires the number of imposed charge units to perform

billing.
II. Uses the charge units to generate meter pulses (to drive home
meters and payphones or to transmit charging information to other
exchanges).

Disadvantages :

I. On accumulates charge units.

II. No history is kept, so no detailed billing is possible.

What is charged?

I. Basic analog Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) calls.

II. Basic digital Integrated Services Digital network (ISDN) Calls.

III. Basic wireless calls (mobile originations and terminations),

location updates and Home Location Register (HLR)
interrogations.

IV. ISDN data packet calls.

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 V. Subscriber programming actions for PSTN, ISDN and wireless
supplementary services, for example activation, deactivation and
interrogation.

VI. Exchange executable services like Alarm Call Service (ACS).

The subscriber is charged when the service is executed by the
system.

VII. All answered and unanswered calls that complete a Service

Control Point (SCP) query, using the Intelligent Network (IN)

VIII. PBX trunk originations.

Who is charged?

I. Individual subscribers (PSTN and ISDN), mobile subscribers,

individual PBX lines and PBXs

II. Other administrations (to share revenues)

III. Intelligent Network (IN) service providers.

 Types of output
Normally the charging data is sent to a billing center. A billing center is
a system, external to the exchange that performs the billing.

The charging data is sent to the billing center using:

I. Magnetic tape
II. Direct data link to remote billing center.

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 CHARGING PROCESS
The charging process consists of a number of stages. Some of these
stages are charging method dependent.

 Process flow
The following process stages can be distinguished in the charging
process:

I. Collect charging data in Switching Module (SM) :

This stage is charging method dependent :

AMA

At the start of the call it is determined whether the call is chargeable, what
AMA call type is to be used and what type of AMA output record needs to
created. The call processing software in the originating SM is responsible for
the collection of all necessary charging data during the
lifetime of a call. At completion of the call the basic call record is
populated with all the information required for detailed billing.

MM

At the start of the call the charge rate is determined, consisting of number
of charge units on answer, length of charge interval and number of
charge units per interval. On answer and each time the charge interval
expires, the relevant number of charge units is added to the temporary
charging register in the SM. Each time a rate change occurs, one or more
of the charge rate values are subject to change.

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 II. Format charging data in SM

This stage is charging method dependent:

AMA

At the end of the call the AMA Call Accounting Record (CAR) is
populated based on the information in the basic call record. During the
creation of each CAR the charging data is verified. If an invalid value is
detected the corresponding field in the CAR is filled with a dummy
value. Some of the fields will cause an assert to be fired to indicate the
fault.

MM

The charge units accumulated in the temporary charging register are

transferred to the MM Call Accounting Record (CAR), also in the SM.

The CARs are placed in dedicated fixed size message buffers in the SM.

III. Transfer charging data to AM :

The following main steps can be distinguished:

a) Send interprocessor message from SM to AM :

Periodically or when the message buffer is full, an interprocessor
message is sent to the AM containing charging data for several
calls. What happens if the communication with the AM is down is
described in the topic “Stand-alone SMs”.

b) Store charging data in AM memory :

In the AM the Call Accounting Records (CARs) are stored in an
AM memory buffer, called the Shared Data Segment (SDS). Both
charging methods have their own dedicated section in the SDS.
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 The SDS is one of the Protected Application Segments (PAS).
These segments are projected from any system failure other than
the highest manual system initialization.

In case of MM, a multimetering system process in the AM takes the

register increments from the CARs and updates the related
permanent Subscriber Charge Registers (SCRs).

c) Back up charging data to disk :

Periodically or after a specific number of blocks of data (defined
using RC) is filled in the SDS, the charging data is backed up to
disk, in unformatted files.
When Real Time Billing (RTB) is active, the charging data is
transferred to disk immediately in order to meet the one minute real
time transfer requirement.

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 MAINTENANCE TOOLS

A maintenance staff responsible for maintaining a 5ESS switch

uses the following maintenance tools :

I. Master Control Center (MCC)

II. Trunk and Line Workstation (TLWS)
III. Recent Change and Verify (RC/V)
IV. Diagnostic Programs
V. Documentation

 MCC
The MCC is the most important maintenance tool. Almost all the
maintenance tasks can be performed from MCC. It uses a full-
colour video display terminal as a window to the system. By
entering poke commands selected from menus on the terminal
screen or man machine language commands selected from the
5ESS-2000. Switch commands and report manual, maintenance
personnel can diagnose equipment, remove equipment from
service, restore equipment to service, test lines and trunks, modify
the database and service features for customers. The ROP (Receive-
only Printer) provides a printed copy of reports from the MCC.

The primary functions of the MCC are to provide the following :

I. Visual Display of the system status and alarm information.

II. The means to control, test and reconfigure the system.
III. The means to manually recover the system.
IV. Access to exchange data.

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 TLWS
It is a software function and is not related to a specific piece of
equipment. As the name implies, the TLWS function is used to test
trunks and lines (subscribers). Its functions can be performed from
the MCC terminals known as supplementary TLWS positions.

 RC/V
It is also a software function. It is used to make addition, deletion ,
insertion, updation or changes to the database of the system. For
instance, adding subscriber lines, changing the digit analysis,
deleting trunks and so on are performed using the RC/V function.
For example : update the subscriber class from Local to STD.
Updb-sbldn : directory no. , SBclass=STD ;

 Diagnostics Programs
When a piece of equipment is faulty, the maintenance technician
can run a specific diagnostic on that piece of equipment. The switch
has the ability to tell the maintenance staff which circuit pack is
most likely the faulty one and must be changed. The accuracy of
the diagnostic process is quite impressive, more than 95% of
system faults can be pinpointed, correctly. For example : for
diagnostic of Line Ckt.— Dgn – AIU : LC= xxx-xxx-xx-xx ;

 Documentation
It plays a very important role in troubleshooting. Since a procedure
may change over time, always refer to the documentation at the switch.
Updating documentation must be performed whenever changes in new
equipments are made.

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