Broadband-ISDN signaling: Protocol description and enhancements for future services

Broadband-ISDN Network Architecture and Signaling concepts are described with particular emphasis on Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) technology. A consolidated view of various aspects of B-ISDN/ATM Access and Network Signaling functions, architecture and protocols is presented. Additionally, a suggested evolutionary growth path for the B-ISDN signaling protocols is summarized. This is followed by a high-level comparison of two protocols under consideration for network signaling. The result of this evaluation indicates that the requirements of network signaling are best met by a protocol stack based on SS7 concepts. Finally, a set of future B-ISDN and Multimedia services is presented in context of the requirements they would impose on the signaling protocols. Enhancements to the access signaling protocol are proposed for the support of multiconnection and/or multiparty calls. These extensions/enhancements consist of a set of simplified messages, information elements and procedures based on message flows. Evolution and backward compatibility to existing protocols are taken into account while developing the extensions.