MTP3 Design

MTP3 Features

MTP3 SmartMedia implementations delivers the following features:

• Acts as a signaling point (SP) or signaling transfer point (STP)
• Handles either national or international signaling traffic
• Supports national option with and without multiple congestion priorities
• Supports message discrimination function. If the signaling point is the destination point, the message is delivered to the message distribution function. If the signaling point is not the destination point, and the transfer capability is enabled, the message is delivered to the message routing function
• Supports message distribution function. Delivers a message to the appropriate user part or MTP3 function based on the service indicator.
• Supports message routing function. Selects the appropriate signaling link for the transmission of messages. Performs load sharing between links or linksets
• Uses signaling traffic management procedures to divert signaling traffic from signaling links or signaling routes. Also used to temporarily reduce the quantity of traffic in case of congestion. The following signaling traffic management procedures are supported:
  • Changeover
  • Changeback
  • Forced rerouting
  • Controlled rerouting
  • Signaling point restart
  • Management inhibiting
  • Processor outage

NOTE: The signaling point restart is not required for certain country variants, and can be disabled through configuration.

• Uses signaling link management procedures to control the local signaling links. The following basic signaling link management procedures are supported:
  • Signaling link activation
  • Signaling link restoration
  • Signaling link deactivation
  • Linkset activation (normal and emergency restart)
  • Signaling link congestion
  • Signaling link test
  • Signal routing test (only for TTC/NTT, Japan)

• Uses signaling route management procedures to ensure a reliable exchange of information between signaling points concerning the availability of signaling routes. The following signaling route management procedures are supported:
  • Transfer prohibited
  • Transfer cluster prohibited (ANSI/Bellcore)
  • Transfer allowed
  • Transfer cluster allowed (ANSI/Bellcore)
  • Transfer restricted
  • Transfer cluster restricted (ANSI/Bellcore)
  • Transfer controlled (international and national with congestion priorities)
  • Signaling route set test
  • Signaling cluster route set test (ANSI/Bellcore)
  • Signaling route set congestion test
  • Broadcasting of route management messages (such as transfer prohibit and transfer allowed) with multiple point codes (only for TTC/NTT, Japan)

NOTE: Transfer restricted, MTP restart, and route-set-congestion test procedures are national options and can be enabled or disabled through configuration. Supporting multiple congestion priorities is also a national option and can be controlled through configuration. The incoming cluster route management messages (TCP/TCR/TCA/RCP) are handled by MTP3. MTP3 software does not generate cluster management messages and cluster routing.