Main Functions and Service Features of ZTE´s ZXJ10 Integrated Gateway

With the construction of integrated gateways across China, telecom operators put emphasis on how to provide differentiated services quickly to customers. In doing so, they make use of integrated gateways, which serve as multiservice gateways, to tap their potential in integrated services.

Possessing several service networks (including the PSTN, GSM network, CDMA network and paging network), China Unicom stands head and shoulders above other integrated operators.

In 2002, ZTE seized 70% of the market share in China Unicom´s first phase construction of integrated gateways in 18 provinces of China. In 2003, in addition to the stable operation of such functions as integrated addressing and integrated service switching point (SSP), the ZXJ10 integrated gateway provides new functions like centralized inter-network monitoring and No.7 signaling centralized monitoring interface to meet the requirements of China Unicom, so that ZTE maintains its leading position in terms of technology in the field of integrated gateway.

1 Main Functions of ZXJ10 Integrated Gateway

(1)Integrated Tandem

ZXJ10 integrated gateway can accomplish the traffic tandem with the fixed network, paging network, GSM network and CDMA network. With a supercharged tandem capability, the system can provide a maximum tandem capacity of 250 000 trunks. With the industry´s leading single T 64 K×64 K network board, its central module features large capacity and nonblock. Currently, the system provides 256 K×256 K central modules to meet the increasing demands of China Unicom´s networks. The system features high integration, small size and small power consumption. Whether for SDH 155 interface or for E1 interface, only 2 racks are required for every 10 000 trunks and 6 racks for every 100 000 trunks. The system also   provides  standard  STM-1  optical/electric interfaces.

Currently, the SDH 155-SDT board is widely used on the network. The system also provides a built-in resource board for echo suppression, which can be configured flexibly in line with the need of China Unicom.

(2)Integrated Addressing

In addition to fixed switch routing, it also supports GSM MAP and CDMA IS41 signaling, so as to provide GMSC functions for both GSM and CDMA networks. Thus, the direct connection between the integrated gateway and each MSC/HLR on the GSM network or CDMA network for integrated addressing allows users to skip unnecessary GMSC steps, which will greatly reduce the number of trunks and cut the cost of equipment by nearly 50%. Also, the existing GMSC resources or their substitutes can be used for the development of mobile services, achieving the optimal allocation of resources.

ZXJ10´s integrated addressing function has already been successfully put into commercial operation in Zhengzhou, Henan Province. This version of software proves to be running steadily, which assures the later construction of the integrated gateway by China Unicom.

(3)Integrated Signaling Processing

To provide such functions as integrated tandem, integrated addressing and integrated SSP, the ZXJ10 switch supports the following types of signaling:

• NO.1,TUP/ISUP, MTUP/MISUP, and PRA
• GSM MAP PHASE2+, and CDMA IS41-E
• MTP layer, SCCP layer, and TCAP layer under the NO.7 signaling standard
• GSM CAMELII, CDMA WIN and INAP

In addition, ZXJ10 supports 2 Mb/s signaling link and a maximum of up to 255 local signaling point codes, offering a solution to the problem with one-way trunks over 4 096.

(4)Integrated SSP

China Unicom is distinguished by its authorized concession of integrated services at present. To meet the need of target networks, ZXJ10 supports protocols such as GSM CAMEL II, CDMA WIN and INAP, and triggers intelligent services and integrated intelligent services for GSM, CDMA and fixed networks. It is capable of providing the function of integrated SSP.

ZTE has succeeded in interconnecting the SSP functionality of its ZXJ10 for GSM network with Siemens´s SCP. ZXJ10´s integrated SSP is now successfully interconnected with the integrated intelligent network SCP for Liaoning Unicom, providing intelligent services such as integrated VPN. ZXJ10 integrated SSP has laid a solid foundation for China Unicom to launch various services.

(5)Centralized Inter-Network Monitoring

ZTE joined in the compilation of the Specifications of China Unicom for Centralized Inter-network Monitoring System of Integrated Gateway. ZXJ10 integrated gateway centralized inter-network monitoring system delivers a wide range of methods and references for China Unicom in the field of interworking and interconnection.

The centralized inter-network performance monitoring system of integrated gateway supervises the traffic and link between the integrated gateway and other operators, and analyzes varied traffic between China Unicom and other interconnected operators. In terms of function, the system is capable of performance monitoring, topology monitoring, traffic statistics, inter-network resource information, etc.

Performance monitoring is to supervise the interworking and interconnection between China Unicom´s integrated gateways. There are two types of monitoring parameters: signaling link operation parameter and traffic parameter. Topology monitoring delivers a topology-based monitoring mode. Traffic statistics is designed primarily to provide various traffic statistic modes, including office direction statistics, service statistics, trunk group statistics, destination code statistics, trunk office direction statistics, etc. Inter-network resource information mainly renders inter-network topology information and the actual trunk and link configuration information.

(6)Integrated Charging/Settlement

The system provides plentiful billing information, which not only meets the need of fixed charging, but also delivers mobile gateway information, such as the number/location of the calling/called party, roaming number, and roaming bill processing. The billing information helps to facilitate the integrated charging on mobile GSM networks, CDMA networks and fixed networks. The billing system has a mass bill storage capacity and a five-level security mechanism to ensure secure charging. Each foreground module of ZXJ10 can store 20 million call detailed records (CDRs), while multiple modules together store up to N×20 million CDRs, and transfer these CRDs in real time to the background charging server. In this way, two charge modes are available for all the trunks: charge by metering table and charge by CDR.

Integrated gateways supply all the settlement bills and information to the provincial settlement centers, which can meet different settlement requirements. The provincial settlement system ZXT10 serves as a supplement to integrated gateways, which satisfies the requirements of the Ministry of Information Industry and China Unicom. The system can be customized for different provinces to provide diversified settlement modes (by calling/called number, by trunk, etc.). This meets the requirement of inter-network settlement, and also the settlement between various private networks within China Unicom.

(7)Integrated Authentication

This is to deny invalid inter-network traffic while assuring valid inter-network calls, so as to fully safeguard the interests of operators. With the capability of powerful number analysis and flexible number conversion, ZXJ10 is able to convert calling and called numbers on incoming/outgoing trunks. The system provides a number of authentication solutions, such as authentication by number analysis, by calling authority, by call service, and by service authentication point (SAP), etc. So the system can integratedly authenticate the calling/called numbers and trunks for CDMA, GSM and fixed networks, its authentication capacity can meet the need of an integrated gateway. Currently, the ZXJ10 switch has an authentication capacity of up to 1.5 million white and black lists.

ZXJ10 has passed the tests under two specifications: Test Specifications for the Toll Operator ID Provisioning of Fixed Telephone Networks—Gateway Part, and Equal Ease of Access (CIC). The system provides a number of authentication modes, such as CIC provisioning, caller authentication and receiver access.

(8)Integrated Traffic Management

With a full line of integrated traffic statistical functions, ZXJ10 provides a broad range of statistical functions for the gateways of fixed networks, GSM networks and CDMA networks as well as for the integrated SSP. Equipped with perfect functions of statistical analysis and statistics output, ZXJ10 shows network traffic on a real-time and objective basis, and makes a comprehensive statistical analysis of the traffic over internal networks of the operator for further network optimization, such as the statistics of traffic between mobile subscribers and the GMSC transit traffic within one network.

(9)Centralized Network Management

Located at the top of each local China Unicom network, China Unicom´s integrated gateways are basically built in pairs. The integrated gateway network management system (NMS) will be playing an important role in helping China Unicom to carry out its operation, maintenance and service management for the purpose of unified management over the gateways throughout each province.

ZXJ10 integrated gateway NMS mainly provides the following functional modules, such as fault management, performance management, configuration management, security management, remote operation and maintenance (optional). Therefore, this NMS can manage ZXJ10 integrated gateway equipment in a centralized manner, serving as an efficient management too.

(10) Centralized Monitoring Interface for No.7 Signaling Link

As a uniform external gateway, China Unicom´s integrated gateway is designed for interworking and interconnection between its internal network and the networks of other operators. The functionality of No.7 signaling link monitoring is designed to supervise interworking and interconnection and locate faults. ZXJ10 provides the centralized monitoring interface for No.7 signaling links to converge No.7 signaling links and provide a uniform external interface, through which ZXJ10 can transfer the signaling messages on a No.7 signaling link directly to China Unicom´s No.7 signaling monitoring system.

ZXJ10 employs new E1 channels or existing idle E1 time slots to transmit signaling messages on the signaling link to the monitoring system. Each No.7 signaling monitoring interface (E1) can supervise 15 signaling links of 64 kb/s at the same time. ZXJ10 can be used to define multiple centralized monitoring interfaces. It allows users to connect the monitored signaling link to centralized monitoring interfaces without the need for several physical connections.

In conclusion, ZTE provides a package of solutions for integrated gateways. In addition to providing a full range of functions, ZTE has focused constantly on the maintainability of equipment and the provision of network services (Depending on the respective network conditions, local Unicom departments may choose to use all or part of the functions). This will lay a firm foundation for China Unicom to interwork and interconnect with others at a later time.

2 Major Services Provided by  ZXJ10 Integrated Gateway

(1)Integrated VPN Service

As to the integrated VPN service provided by the integrated gateway, there are corresponding VPN services in each specialized network. For example, the fixed network provides fixed VPN services, and GSM network provides mobile VPN services, while CDMA network provides wireless VPN services. As a united gateway for the multiservice network, the integrated gateway provides the functionality of integrated SSP. In this way, it may deliver integrated VPN services quickly and easily, thus integrating China Unicom´s capabilities to operate integrated services and sharpen its competitive edge in respect of service.

Integrated VPN may incorporate fixed subscribers (private network, PBX, paging network, etc.), mobile subscribers (including the GSM and CDMA subscribers of China Unicom) and data subscribers within a group into an identical virtual private network at the same time. This corresponds to the fact that there are a number of services (mobile, fixed and data services) in a group, and helps lift the restrictions of various VPNs.

By offering the “one-stop” service for group users, the integrated VPN service not only improves the quality of services but also helps group users to reduce their management cost and control their call fees.

The integrated VPN service mainly has the following features:

• Small number

This function is designed to allocate short numbers of 3-6 digits to the users within a group. The same group numbers contain the same number of digits, while the length of number for different groups may differ. In a VPN, you can dial either the short number or the long number.

• Uniform account management

For the integrated VPN service, there are three kinds of account: general group account, individual intra-group account and general individual account. The general group account records the total cost of VPN calls of the group, and serves as a basis for operators to charge call fees; the individual intra-group account records the individual expenses payable by the group; the general individual account is designed to record individual expenses not payable by the group.

• Convenient service management

This function allows the group administrator to define and control the functions, scope, call cost and call authority of each kind of service, and make statistics, statements and analysis of various conditions with ease to help group users optimize their management.

• Flexible charging management

This function allows users to define different tariffs and preferential policies for intra-group calls, inter-group calls and calls outside the group, and establish different functional subgroups inside the group.

• Powerful operation & maintenance interface

The integrated VPN service is designed to provide group users with a solution for integrated communication service. Focused on the development of a long and steady cooperative relation with customers, this solution helps improve operators´ brand image. This service is expected to be an important attraction of China Unicom to customers and may have great market potential.

(2)Pre-Paid Services (PPS)

At present, prepaid service is on the rise. Of the new 95.03 million mobile subscribers registered from January to May this year, prepaid subscribers account for 90%. China Unicom used to expand its prepaid service through SSPs on its GSM network, but now it will be able to put the SSP function of GSM network into operation with ease by making full use of the integrated SSP service of the integrate be expanded on the integrated gateway, thus lowering the equipment cost of China Unicom, and laying a solid foundation for China Unicom´s transition from GSM intelligent network to the target network.

(3)Mobile Walkman Service

To reduce the inter-network settlement fees, a number of operators are now providing some services relating to inter-network calls. To meet the market demand, China Unicom may offer mobile walkman service, which allows mobile subscribes to preset a fixed telephone. When another China Unicom mobile subscriber makes a call to the fixed telephone, the call will be forwarded directly to the corresponding mobile phone, and the mobile subscriber can receive this call free of charge. This helps not only reduce the inter-network settlements greatly but also improve the utilization of trunks used for interworking and interconnection between networks.

According to its features, the “walkman” service can be provided in the service authentication point (SAP) mode of the ZXJ10 integrated gateway or in the service control point (SCP) mode of the intelligent network. And SAP is suitable for initial construction with a small capacity.

In addition, ZXJ10 integrated gateway will also provide other integrated services, such as online paging, receiving voicemail, mobile voicemail, 130 information express and direct message to a pager.