Frame relaying as a common access to N-ISDN and B-ISDN dataservices

Widespread use of personal computers (PCs) and PC networks is leading to a strongly increased demand for WAN data services in terms of number of accesses and required bandwidth. Narrowband ISDN (N-ISDN) and broadband ISDN (B-ISDN) have the potential to satisfy, respectively, the existing and developing requirements. However, a flexible evolution path needs to be identified for the provision of ISDN access facilities. Frame relaying and frame switching are prime candidates for such a common access facility, although not necessarily intrinsic B-ISDN data services. The article gives an overview of frame relaying and frame switching as possible candidates for harmonized access to N-ISDN and B-ISDN. Pre-ISDN, N-ISDN, and B-ISDN services with their characteristics in terms of cost and performance are first described. It is shown how frame relaying and switching are positioned with respect to the identified service requirements. Then some examples are given of selected scenarios, and the role played by specifically frame relaying to provide access to B-ISDN services, offering at the same time a seamless evolutionary path from N-ISDN to B-ISDN. The position of frame relaying and switching is discussed first in respect to application requirements, and then in architectural terms. Frame relay (and frame switching) services are then identified as services that provide the necessary low threshold and short lead time for rapid market penetration, in order to allow applications to indirectly take advantage of the benefits of ATM services     

Requirements for B-ISDN signalling — broadband services

The broadband ISDN (B-ISDN) is being tailored to become the universal (standardised) future netowrk, and will be capable of supporting a wide range of multimedia, multi-party applications. It is based upon the same principles as its narrowband predecessor and hence can be regarded as a natural extension of it. However, the move away from constant bit rate circuit switching towards the use of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) technology has provided much needed flexibility, especially in terms of the connection bandwidths and quality of service available to the user.This paper briefly describes the network capabilities that B-ISDN should support and how they have been derived from a representative sample of user applications principally proposed by ITU-T/ETSI and Digital Audio-Visual Council (DAVIC). The identification of the required network capabilities is the first step towards the specification of signalling protocols for the B-ISDN which must be flexible enough to support the wide range of current and future advanced applications and services. One such potential future B-ISDN application, which demonstrates the range of signalling functionality required, is the 'Travel Agent Service' which is treated in detail.     

Implementation of a broadband integrated services hybrid network

The issues involved in the design of a broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN), that utilizes optical fibers in the subscriber loop, are considered. A hybrid scheme that provides integrated access to ISDN and broadband services by delivering voice/data signals in a digital format while using an analog format for full-motion video services to subscribers is proposed. The discussion covers planning for a B-ISDN, the system concept, implementation, the loop fiber network, subscriber equipment, and cost comparison and analysis     

UMTS — the mobile part of broadband communications for the next century

This paper outlines the path from developing broadband ISDN/ATM systems towards the European vision of the next generation mobile system — Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS).The capabilities of UMTS in terms of services and features compared to the second generation mobile system GSM, and the network technologies behind N-ISDN and B-ISDN, are discussed with proposals for technical developments to satisfy the UMTS requirements. The UMTS radio interface aspects are described and considerations on the network requirements to support these radio aspects are discussed.The requirements within the network for control, switching and transport to support the mobility, service and interconnecting network aspects of UMTS are outlined in conjunction with the technical solutions currently under discussion and some latest thoughts on a potential high-level architecture     

Heading towards an advanced signalling system for multimedia,multiparty services in broadband ISDN

Introduction of the broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN) will enable network users to make use of advanced multimedia, multiparty services. With this aim in view, RACE II project R2044, MAGIC, is investigating long-term signalling requirements, architecture and protocols for B-ISDN. New service concepts are being developed in MAGIC which will provide more flexibility when compared to narrowband ISDN (N-ISDN). The service requirements and other signalling requirements, such as the separation between call and associated connections at the network-node interface, are used to determine the distribution of functions over the network. The signalling protocols which are used to exchange the signalling information are subsequently developed. These signalling protocols are simulated to prove the performance and the feasibility of call handling concepts     

A guide to data communications: B-ISDN and how it works

The capabilities of the emerging broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN) are examined. Fundamental differences between broadband and narrowband ISDN are identified. The basics of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), the switching technique used by BISDN networks, are discussed. Channel identification, generic flow control, using ATM, and connectionless service are considered. The first services expected to make use of ATM are briefly described     

Switching System Software Design for ISDN

The ISDN offers various services through multipurpose digital subscriber lines. The switching program for the ISDN should be so designed as to realize the control of various voice and nonvoice services and provide for developing service enhancement. To attain the goal, the ISDN services are classified hierarchically and each category is allocated to appropriate network nodes for implementation. As a result, the local switching program provides an out-slot subscriber line signaling capability and call connection with appropriate compatibility checking including a check for access capability to communications processing nodes. The switching program modules specific to analog services and those specific to digital services are separated to allow the use of the existing program file and to afford easy program design and maintenance. Remote-controlled switching is a suitable means for an economical introduction of the ISDN services to low traffic density areas. Special routing and reliability arrangements as well as the program structure for a remote-controlled switch are discussed.     

New directions in signaling for broadband ISDN

User networks signaling is considered. The evolution of signaling protocols is outlined, analyzing the forces producing changes in the past. Emerging broadband switching technologies and services are discussed, emphasizing capabilities that might be required. A conceptual model for representing integrated-services digital network (ISDN) calls is presented as the basis for structuring a more flexible signaling protocol to meet the needs for a broadband environment     

Implementing the Orwell protocol over a fibre-based high-speed ATMnetwork

Asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) has emerged as a possible contender for the next generation switching system and fundamental transport basis for the broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN) and telecommunications in the future. It is widely thought of as the network to accommodate the uncertain requirements of future public communications because of its high degree of flexibility and service independency. The Orwell protocol developed by British Telecom can provide a communication base to meet the requirements of such a network. Orwell is used as a slotted ring protocol designed to carry a mixture of services which form the basis of an ATM network. The authors describe the realisation of a 155.52 Mbit/s fibre-optic physical layer from the Orwell protocol based on an ATM technology, and also discuss how the Orwell protocol can offer broadband transport capabilities and can provide access to and interwork with existing networks, such as telephone networks and 64 kbit/s based ISDNs     

Technology Aspects for System 12 Broadband ISDN

Although the enhancement of System 12, SEL's digital switching system, for ISDN services is virtually complete, further development work is being carried out to allow broadband switching for videophone services, videoconferencing, and the distribution of radio and television programs. This paper describes an appropriate approach to the evolution Of System 12 toward the broadband ISDN (B-ISDN), emphasizing the crosspoint and technology aspects of the broadband switch. Test results on a broadband switch VLSI circuit for 140 Mbit/s in a 2μm CMOS technology are presented.     

Broadband communication and its realization with broadband ISDN

In addition to narrowband services, future broadband networks will also include broadband services for applications like: high-speed communication of data, text and graphics person-to-person video communication, access to video information as well as broadcast of programs and data. Low terminal costs and service charges are essential with respect to a growing demand for new services, especially in the home. Broadband ISDN, to be developed on the basis of ISDN and using glass-fiber subscriber lines, will enable a wide range of applications satisfying the needs and requirements of the business and private sectors. The best technical solution from the aspect of user-friendliness and economy is to implement this broadband ISDN for all services with an evolutionary and flexible design. The broadband ISDN concept is not restricted to the public network and terminal equipment but also comprises private networks, information and program centers, etc. Many countries are pursuing the goal of this universal network for the future "information society". However, the approaches for setting up the broadband ISDN differ from country to country, depending on the particular technical and political situation. Standardization plays an important role with regard to "open broadband telecommunication", the worldwide trouble-free communication and information exchange of one party with any other.     

Signaling System No.7: a tutorial

A tutorial overview of the salient features of SS7 is provided. Its history is briefly reviewed, and the SS7 network services part (NSP), which corresponds to the first three layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model, is described. Signaling network structures that, in conjunction with the NSP, provide integrated services digital network (ISDN) nodes with a highly reliable and efficient means of exchanging signaling messages are discussed. The nodal capabilities of connection (call) control and remote process invocation and management and other functions of the user parts of SS7 are examined. The very stringent performance requirements of signaling systems, which reflect the critical nature of signaling functions and their real-time exigencies, are stressed. A broad outline of the likely evolution of ISDN signaling systems in the remaining years of this century is sketched     

B－ISDN与64kb／sISDN的互通

随着Ｂ－ＩＳＤＮ深入研究的开展，宽带网络试验性工作的标准化程度不断提高。但Ｂ－ＩＳＤＮ的发展是与６４ｋｂ／ｓＩＳＤＮ长期共存的，所以研究Ｂ－ＩＳＤＮ与６４ｋｂ／ｓＩＳＤＮ的互通是非常必要的。本文将介绍这两种网络的互通通信流程、业务及连接类型；讨论Ｂ－ＩＳＤＮ与６４ｋｂ／ｓＩＳＤＮ互通功能的要求；最后给出互通示例。     

光纤通信网技术的发展

本文综述公用通信网和专用通信网利用光纤传输的发展趋向。公用通信网将向数字化、综合化、宽带化、和智能化发展,最终成为B-ISDN。为此,通信网将从铜线过渡至光纤,从窄带过渡至宽带,从异步过渡至同步,从电路交换过渡至分组交换。全国传输网将是同步光纤网(Sonet),最后必然是“光纤到家”,从用户至用户的全程传输是光纤。另一方面,大企业、大机关急于实现自动化,各自建设专用的光纤局部区域网(LAN),从计算机通信进至综合业务。很可能专用ISDN比公用ISDN更早出现。住宅区需要通过光纤选收电视(CATV)。未来的公用市内用户网和专用局域网,将为光纤产业开辟最大市场。     

Connection architecture and protocols to support efficient handoffs over an ATM/B-ISDN personal communications network

The next generation personal communication network will likely internetwork wireless networks via the ATM/B-ISDN to enable ubiquitous broadband personal communication services. Support of user terminal mobility, particularly the capability for fast and seamless handoffs, over the ATM/B-ISDN is an expected requirement that is not currently met. We propose extensions to the ATM/B-ISDN user transport and signaling network architectures and signaling protocols to meet these requirements. The new architecture employs the Mobile Virtual Circuit (MVC), a dynamic connection tree in which routes are predetermined but not set up for potential handoff connections. During a handoff, associated signaling using source-routing with a new robust adaptation feature is employed for fast resource allocation to establish the handoff connection by distributed control. We also address the new problem of packet ordering synchronization to enable a seamless handoff. The connection tree reconfigures after each handoff to enable continuous support of successive handoffs. The proposed scheme optimizes handoff delay over the ATM/B-ISDN while minimizing unnecessary resource allocation, chances of handoff failure, and call processing load in the intelligent network, and the extensions are backward compatible to current ATM/B-ISDN standards and implementations.This paper was presented in part in PIMRC'95 in Toronto, and Globecom'95 in Singapore. This work was supported by the Canadian Institute of Telecommunications Research (CITR), funded under the Canadian Federal Government's Networks of Centres of Excellence Program.     

Global networking with ISDN

The current status of ISDN in the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific region is reviewed. The connectivity among these regions is also discussed. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is limited ISDN deployment in the remaining regions of the world. The status of the network infrastructure is first reviewed with particular emphasis on those elements needed for ISDN deployment: digital transport, digital switching, and out-of-band signaling. Popular applications of ISDN in use in these regions are described. Regional differences in the application usage are noted. The authors conclude by discussing the evolution to B-ISDN     

Very high speed and high capacity packet switching for broadbandISDN

The authors discuss and propose a very-high-speed and high-capacity packet-switching (HPS) architecture for a future broadband ISDN (integrated-services digital network). The HPS network accommodates various communication services, such as voice, high-speed data, high-speed still picture, and video services. The proposed architecture has three significant principles: a high-speed oriented simple network protocol, separation of signaling and network control from data transfer, and hardware switching. These principles provide fast- and high-throughput transmission for data packets and reliable transmission and processing for call-control packets. The HPS protocol structure is addressed, which provides high flexibility for various communications services as well as high-speed capability. A 3-Gb/s capacity and building-block-structured packet-switching system architecture, using bus- and loop-type switch fabric, is also presented     

Broadband ISDN — service visions and technological realities

Two forces, service needs and technological advances, are driving the extension of the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) into the broadband area. First, this paper identifies several business and residential services which provide a market pull for broadband ISDN (BISDN). Secondly, it reviews recent advances in optical transmission and broadband switching which provide a technological push. Finally, it describes an experimental broadband prototype constructed to help us better understand the transmission, switching, signaling protocol, software, and service capabilities required for BISDN.     

Granulated broadband networks

A new ATM platform concept can accelerate the introduction of broadband services with enhanced integration of existing narrowband services-including POTS. In order to reduce initial costs for broadband services, an ATM-based platform must be constructed for various services. In particular, existing public switched telephone network (PSTN) services can be economically accommodated in ATM-based broadband networks, and the costly part of the network could be shared by dominant PSTN services. This article proposes a granulated broadband network (GBN) concept as an intermediate platform for achieving broadband aspects of ISDN (B-ISDN)