ISDN User Part


The ISDN User Part or ISUP is part of Signaling System No. 7, which is used to set up telephone calls in the public switched telephone network. It is specified by the ITU-T as part of the Q.76x series.
When a telephone call is set up from one subscriber to another, several telephone exchanges could be involved, possibly across international boundaries. To allow a call to be set up correctly, where ISUP is supported, a switch will signal call-related information like called party number to the next switch in the network using ISUP messages.
The telephone exchanges may be connected via T1 or E1 trunks which transport the speech from the calls. These trunks are divided into 64 kbit/s timeslots, and one timeslot can carry exactly one call. Regardless of what facilities are used to interconnect switches, each circuit between two switches is uniquely identified by a circuit identification code that is included in the ISUP messages. The exchange uses this information along with the received signaling information to determine which inbound and outbound circuits should be connected together to provide an end to end speech path.
In addition to call related information, ISUP is also used to exchange status information for, and permit management of, the available circuits. In the case of no outbound circuit being available on a particular exchange, a release message is sent back to the preceding switches in the chain.

ISUP variants

Different ISUP variants exist. ITU-T specifies the variant used in the international network. In Europe ETSI releases its own ISUP specification which is close that of the ITU-T. ITU-T ISUP is used for international connections and is the base for some national ISUP variants. Most countries have their own variation of ISUP to cover national requirements. ANSI specifies variations of ISUP utilized under the North American Numbering Plan; however, some countries under the NANP differ in their support of some procedures Some countries outside the NANP support ANSI-based variants.
While these variations of ISUP differ in subtle ways, the vast majority of ISUP message type, parameter type, and parameter field code-points, and related fundamental call processing procedures, agree across all variants.

ITU-T specification versions

According to ITU-T Q.761 section 2.4.1 ISUP interworking ISUP'92 is backwards compatible with ISUP Blue Book and Q.767 for basic call procedures and supplementary services except for some procedures. Additionally the compatibility features introduced in this version ensure forward compatibility with newer versions.

Message types

An ISUP message contains a fixed header containing the circuit identification code and the ISUP message type, followed by a mandatory fixed-length parameter part, a mandatory variable-length parameter part, and an optional parameter part that are dependent on the type of message being sent. ISUP messages can be sent using the services of the Message Transfer Part, or, less often, the Signalling Connection Control Part. These messages are transmitted in various stages of call setup and release. The most common messages are:
This is a very basic call flow involving only two telecom switches which exchange the ISUP messages. The subscriber interfaces are not covered here and are only listed for a better understanding.
A subscriber telco switch A telco switch B B subscriber
Off hook
Dial digits --->
-- IAM -->
-Ringing ->
<-- ACM -- Off hook
<-- ANM --
----------------------- Conversation -----------------------
On hook -- REL --> On hook
<-- RLC --
Detailed call flows are provided in ITU-T Recommendation Q.784.1.
Below is a detailed exchange of ISUP messages involving two ISDN telecom switches. The report was from an Alcatel S12 digital switch.
BENIN 2005-07-15 16:49:16 FR
00121 00000000 G159CA01 L6X8AA47
SWA-ORJ-OBSERVATION
SYSTEM REPORT
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
OBSERVATION/CALL SAMPLING SUCCESSFUL
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
TYPE OF OBSERVATION: ORIGINATING
DATE = 2005-07-15 TIME = 16:48:23:09
CALLING DN = 52250000
CALLING CAT = PRIORITY SUBSC
INC EQ NBR = H'31 & 1
RCVD DIGITS = 012625729
CALLED DN = 012625729
OTG TRNKGRP = LAGOS_SC
OTG EQ NBR = H'1111 & 16
BEARER = AUDIO31
XFER MODE = CIRCUIT SWITCHED
CAUSE = NORMALUN
TERM SEIZED = 0: 0: 2: 3
THROUGH SWITCH = 0: 0: 4: 3
ANSWER = 0: 0:14: 6
RELEASE = 0: 0:46: 3

TAXATION INFO
-------------
CHARGED DN = 52250000
CALL DURATION = 0: 0:31: 6
COUNTS = 2
TARIFF GRP = 4 TARIFF ID = 7
RATE = 20 RANDOM CNT = 0
SURCH UNITS = 0 CAT UNITS = 0
TARIFF REG = 1

RECEIVER SZD = 0: 0: 0: 0 RECEIVER RLSD = 0: 0: 4: 2
REC EQ NBR = H'13 & 6 REC RLS INFO = FORCED RLSE

REC SIGNAL DIRECTION TIME
------------- --------- ----
REG-I-10 RECEIVED 0: 0: 1: 3
REG-I-1 RECEIVED 0: 0: 1: 6
REG-I-2 RECEIVED 0: 0: 1: 8
REG-I-6 RECEIVED 0: 0: 2: 1
REG-I-2 RECEIVED 0: 0: 2: 3
REG-I-5 RECEIVED 0: 0: 2: 5
REG-I-7 RECEIVED 0: 0: 3: 0
REG-I-2 RECEIVED 0: 0: 3: 3
REG-I-9 RECEIVED 0: 0: 3: 7

INC SIG TYPE = ANALOG-SUBSCR

SIGNAL DIRECTION TIME
------------- --------- ----
SEIZURE RECEIVED 0: 0: 0: 0
DIAL-TONE SENT 0: 0: 0: 0
CLEAR-FW-FW RECEIVED 0: 0:46: 1

OTG SIG TYPE = ISUP-NAT

MESSAGE DIRECTION TIME LENGTH
------------- --------- ---- ------

IAM SENT 0: 0: 2: 3 29

85014040007000010020000B03020604019010620A0603132552000000


SAM SENT 0: 0: 2: 4 13

85014040007000020200028002


SAM SENT 0: 0: 2: 6 13

85014040007000020200028005


SAM SENT 0: 0: 3: 1 13

85014040007000020200028007


SAM SENT 0: 0: 3: 4 13

85014040007000020200028002


SAM SENT 0: 0: 3: 8 13

85014040007000020200028009


ACM RECEIVED 0: 0: 4: 1 15

850141000070000616040129010100


ANM RECEIVED 0: 0:14: 6 18

8501410000700009012D02000039022DC000


SUS RECEIVED 0: 0:45: 4 10

850141000070000D0100


REL SENT 0: 0:46: 1 13

850140400070000C020002849F


RLC RECEIVED 0: 0:46: 3 9

850141000070001000

UNSOLICITED REPORT NO = 00121

Cause codes

Release cause codes are used to identify and debug any events occurring in ISDN User Part signaling. Every event in ISUP signaling generates a cause code number. Even for a normal ISUP call, a cause code is generated. There are lot of applications developed based on the cause code from ISUP signaling. Similarly Telecom operators trace for Causecodes to debug any call failures.
Following are the list of cause codes used. Cause codes only defined by number are effectively undefined, and may be used for proprietary solutions.
  1. Unallocated number
  2. No route to specific transit network
  3. No route to destination
  4. Send special info tone
  5. Misdialed trunk prefix
  6. Channel unacceptable
  7. Call awarded and being delivered in established channel
  8. Preemption
  9. Preemption – circuit reserved for reuse
  10. 10
  11. 11
  12. 12
  13. 13
  14. 14
  15. 15
  16. Normal call clearing
  17. User busy
  18. No user responding
  19. No answer from user
  20. Subscriber absent
  21. Call rejected
  22. Number changed
  23. Redirect to new destination
  24. Unknown business group
  25. Exchange routing error
  26. Non-selected user clearing
  27. Destination out of order
  28. Invalid number format
  29. Facility rejected
  30. Response to STATUS ENQUIRY
  31. Normal, unspecified
  32. 32
  33. 33
  34. No circuit/channel available
  35. 35
  36. 36
  37. 37
  38. Network out of order
  39. Permanent frame mode connection out of service
  40. Permanent frame mode connection operational
  41. Temporary failure
  42. Switching equipment congestion
  43. Access information discarded
  44. Requested channel/circuit not available
  45. Preemption
  46. Precedence call blocked
  47. Resources unavailable, unspecified
  48. 48
  49. Quality of service unavailable
  50. Requested facility not subscribed
  51. Call type incompatible with service request
  52. 52
  53. Outgoing calls barred within CUG
  54. Call blocked due to group restrictions
  55. Incoming calls barred within CUG
  56. 56
  57. Bearer capability not authorized
  58. Bearer capability not presently available
  59. 59
  60. 60
  61. 61
  62. Inconsistency in designed outg. access inf. and subscr. class
  63. Service or option not available, unspecified
  64. 64
  65. Bearer capability not implemented
  66. Channel type not implemented
  67. 67
  68. 68
  69. Requested facility not implemented
  70. Only restricted digital bearer cap. is available
  71. 71
  72. 72
  73. 73
  74. 74
  75. 75
  76. 76
  77. 77
  78. 78
  79. Service or option not implemented, unspecified
  80. 80
  81. Invalid call reference value
  82. Identified channel does not exist
  83. A suspended call exists, but this call identity does not
  84. Call identity in use
  85. No call suspended
  86. Call having the requested call identity has been cleared
  87. User not member of CUG
  88. Incompatible destination
  89. 89
  90. Non-existing CUG
  91. Invalid transit network selection
  92. 92
  93. 93
  94. 94
  95. Invalid message, unspecified
  96. Mandatory information element is missing
  97. Message type non-existing or not implemented
  98. Message incompatible with call state or mesg type non-existent or not implemented
  99. Information element non-existent or not implemented
  100. Invalid information element contents
  101. Message not compatible with call state
  102. Recovery on timer expiry
  103. Parameter non-existent or not implemented - passed on
  104. 104
  105. 105
  106. 106
  107. 107
  108. 108
  109. 109
  110. Message with unrecognized parameter discarded
  111. Protocol error, unspecified
  112. 112
  113. 113
  114. 114
  115. 115
  116. 116
  117. 117
  118. 118
  119. 119
  120. 120
  121. 121
  122. 122
  123. 123
  124. 124
  125. 125
  126. 126
  127. Interworking, unspecified

    Message format

The Signalling Information Field for all ISUP Message Signal Units contain the following components:
The Routing Label indicates the Point Codes of the originating and destination nodes in the network; it also includes the Signalling Link Selection field that is used to select between the multiple routes an MSU could take between two nodes.
The Circuit Identification Code is used to specify which trunk between two switches is used to carry a particular call. Note that some versions of ANSI ISUP permit a CIC with 14 significant bits instead of the 12 that are shown.
  1. The Message Type indicates the ISUP message type. The presence and form of the remaining 3 components are determined by this message type.
  2. The Mandatory fixed part, when present, contains the mandatory, fixed-length parameters associated with the message type.
  3. The Mandatory variable part, when present, contains the mandatory, variable-length parameters associated with the message type.
  4. The Optional part, when present, contains the optional parameters permitted to be included in the message type.
When sent using the services of the Signalling Connection Control Part, ISUP messages passed to SCCP in the User Data parameter consist of only the last 4 components. The routing label and circuit identification code are not included in the user data passed to SCCP.