Aculab, a leading provider of enabling technology for the communications market

Aculab offers Signalling System Number 7 (SS7) and SIGTRAN signalling software for use with its entire range of boards. High performance options consist of E1/T1 trunk-only or DSP-based SS7 boards in PCI, PCIe and cPCI form factor bringing together DSP-based media processing functions and PSTN connectivity on a cost-effective single platform for both IP and TDM environments. These choices combine to bring tremendous value, allowing users to directly connect a variety of switching, media server and signalling platforms to a carrier or service provider network - via TDM and IP-based SS7 signalling transport.

Deployment proven

With Aculab's ultra-reliable, deployment proven TDM boards alongside its established SS7 (C7) stack and SIGTRAN capability, users can readily construct a cost-effective, dual redundant signalling architecture with distributed application or subsystem nodes. Scalable platforms for both call and non-call related services such as mobile prepaid, USSD gateways, caller ring-back tones (CRBT) and SMS can be successfully built.

Signalling transport

SIGTRAN is a stepping stone for cost-effective migration to an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) at the signalling layer and provides increased capacity over IP - resulting in reduced link quantity requirements, more efficient bandwidth utilisation and lower signalling transport costs. Together, these benefits allow operators to offer their customers new, more advanced services at competitive prices.

International deployment

Aculab's SS7 and SIGTRAN protocols, with supporting ISUP, TCAP and SCCP APIs, are suitable for worldwide deployment over TDM, IP or hybrid TDM/IP signalling transport environments as needed. For TCAP and other SCCP user applications not requiring voice channels or media processing functionality, Aculab's SIGTRAN software can be licensed for use in a host PC or server node without an SS7 board. Detail of the licensing process is described in the licensing process flowchart.

In addition to ISUP and TCAP APIs, Aculab also offers an API for connection-oriented and connection-less SCCP and a licensed MTP3 API. Talk to your Account Manager or email sales@aculab.com if you want more details.

More than useful protocols

Many applications also require voice board functionality, such as record, playback, DTMF handling and echo cancellation. These functions are available with Aculab's Prosody X DSP boards, which can be combined with SS7 on a single board to deliver powerful, cost-effective, computer-based solutions.

Worldwide protocol coverage

Aculab's protocol coverage also extends to the broadest range of worldwide call control and signalling protocols with appropriate regulatory approvals. The list includes many different national and international variants of CAS and ISDN (including Q.SIG, DASS2 and DPNSS), for operation over E1 and T1 trunks. In addition, for IP telephony and VoIP applications, Aculab offers H.323 and SIP stacks for use with its IP and media processing boards.

Download now

With the exception of SIGTRAN and the MTP3 API, which are licensed, all protocols, including SS7, are freely available via a software download utility for use with all of Aculab's board hardware. Developers can simply collect the protocol firmware, free of charge, when they need it, gaining a distinct advantage in terms of system cost and value per channel.

Access the download utility here

Product details

For more details on the SS7 and SIGTRAN software available from Aculab, see the product bulletin.

SS7 and SIGTRAN signalling

The implementation of Aculab's SS7 and SIGTRAN signalling software is intended to help equipment manufacturers, developers and integrators design and deploy service delivery platforms or solutions for fixed and mobile (cellular wireless) communications networks. These may range from signalling gateways and CRBT or messaging applications, to prepaid calling card platforms and many other added value, revenue generating services.

Product benefits

• SS7 boards and signalling software offer the ability to meet diverse requirements through a choice of platforms and form factors for optimum price-performance and time to market
• Aculab's SS7 and SIGTRAN signalling software enable users to meet worldwide signalling requirements over TDM, IP or hybrid TDM/IP signalling transport environments where needed
• Cost-effective, high performance signalling boards and software with distributed architecture provide essential redundancy, load sharing and high availability features
• With Aculab's C7 boards and signalling software options, users benefit from development investment protection - it's the same API regardless of underlying transport method
• Proven deployments - Aculab's SS7 signalling software has been deployed in more than 40 countries across 5 continents and has successfully undergone network interface (NIF) testing in customers' applications 
• No dependence on expensive 3rd party APIs and toolkits for e.g., CAMEL, GSM-MAP and IS-41 applications
• Aculab offers a unique, single board option - combining SS7 signalling and media processing resources on a single card for optimum cost-effectiveness on any form factor

If you wish to discuss any requirements, please talk to your Account Manager or email sales@aculab.com

Protocol support and APIs

Aculab's SS7 and SIGTRAN signalling software supports M3UA (over SCTP), MTP, ISUP, SCCP and TCAP protocol procedures with configurable global title translation. Practically, ISUP and TCAP present the same APIs, whether used over MTP or via SIGTRAN M3UA, which means applications can be readily used in either environment, protecting development investments. A low level 'flexible ISUP' API also provides power users with direct access to raw data parameters. In addition, an SS7 maintenance API enables activation/deactivation of configured links, the maintenance block/unblock of configured circuits, and important status information. Aculab also provides an API for connection-oriented and connection-less SCCP, which can be useful in mobile network applications. A licensed MTP3 API is also available.

Active redundancy

For added reliability, a dual resilient MTP3 allows an active/active, auto-failover, load sharing configuration, with the signalling links (A- or F-links) shared between boards in two chassis, appearing as a single network node - and local point code. The dual redundant architecture applies equally to M3UA configurations, with signalling associations established via SCTP to adjacent network nodes from each host. The dual M3UA hosts provide the same high level of resilience expected of traditional SS7 network connections with the advantages of greater bandwidth and reduced transport costs.

Distributed architecture

With the software supporting an unrestricted number of ISUP and TCAP hosts, Aculab's unique distributed architecture allows applications to be implemented in multiple, distributed chassis/nodes, each sharing a single point code. This is extremely beneficial for creating large, powerful, high throughput systems with excellent scalability and application resilience.

Signalling monitor

Aculab's SS7 signalling monitor is an additional software option that can be used in conjunction with Aculab's C7 boards and SS7 software, to produce sophisticated monitoring and data capture applications for use in SS7 networks. The SS7 signalling monitor API provides developers with a powerful means of creating a variety of critical applications to increase ARPU, improve customer satisfaction and meet lawful intercept obligations.

If you wish to discuss any SS7 needs, please talk to your Account Manager or sales@aculab.com

In addition, our Professional services team will be happy to discuss any requirements you may have for IN/AIN application part development, such as GSM-MAP, CAMEL and IS-41.

Protocol conformance