GL Communications - T1/E1 Call Capture & Analysis

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Call Capture and Analysis

The Call Capture and Analysis (CCA) application is used to initiate recording of calls, either automatically or manually directly from T1/E1 lines. The application uses HD/PCI Ultra T1 (or E1) Cards, or GL's USB Portable T1 (or E1) Analyzer Units to interface non-intrusively with T1 or E1 lines.

Automatic call capturing can be triggered from both directions (east and west) of transmission. ISDN, SS7 and CAS (R1, wink start, MFC-R2) signaling triggers are supported. Subsequently, captured calls can be played back and analyzed in time and spectral modes using a commercial sound card, built-in high fidelity speakers, and audio viewing software (Cool Edit, Cool Edit Pro, Adobe Audition, Goldwave). This software works in conjunction with the CMU (Call Management Utility), to automatically identify captured calls and calls being captured. You can also listen to calls that are in progress.

The signaling bits status/ frequency/power of the East and West directions can be shown in real-time for all the channels. The application indicates the channels on which a recording is taking place and the files names to which data is being stored. Scanning mode is possible wherein all 24 or 30 channels are scanned for call initiation and recording. A message area provides status of the capture process. Other features include,

Automatic or manual initiation of call recording
Real-time display of signaling bits for all channels in both directions
'Scan' or 'Channel' mode for call initiation detection and capture
User specified record time
Automatic termination of recording, or Manual termination
PCM data captured to two synchronized disk files (east and west directions) for post processing
All call data are captured including signaling bits, voiceband data, and signaling protocol data (e.g. DTMF or MF digits)
ISDN calls recorded with CRV, ISDN message type, channel, direction, called and calling numbers. ISDN calls can be captured with customized called and calling number filter.
Enhanced application includes call capture based on SS7 signaling messages, and the ability to set triggering to capture calls when any SS7 signaling messages are received.
"Call filtering" feature is used to capture calls with a user-defined called and calling numbers rather than all calls.
Various File naming conventions based on the type of capture. The file naming conventions suit various types of capture applications such as MFC-R2, signaling, ISDN capture, manual capture etc.
Different Encoding formats supported, including automatic conversion of u-law and A-law PCM files to WAV file format if required
The digit parsing feature of CCA application helps user to distinguish CAS R1 or MFC-R2 calls by prefixing called or calling numbers to the filename.
Capability of capturing on a single direction, East or West side in a dual card system.

Automatic Call triggering can be done in one of the following ways:

A,B,C,D - Signaling Bits- with user-defined start and stop ABCD signaling bits to initiate and terminate recording of files on chosen timeslots - useful for CAS calls. In addition, CAS signaling such as DTMF digits, MF digits, and MFC-R2 digits conveying "called and calling numbers" are decoded and attached as part of the captured file name.
Tone - user-defined mono or dual tones can trigger the capturing of a call CCA - useful for fax calls
Signaling + Tone - a combination of user-defined Start/Stop signaling bits followed by a mono or dual tone (user-defined) within a specified timeout period - useful for capturing fax calls
ISDN calls - capture gets triggered when any ISDN calls are placed. Called and calling number can be gathered as part of the capture process and attached to the captured file name. During call capture, the following parameters are displayed: ISDN message types, CRV, Time slot, card number, called and calling numbers.
SS7 calls - SS7 voice calls are kept in CIC groups. When an SS7 call is detected, an Origination Point Code (OPC), a Destination Point Code (DPC), and a CIC # is retrieved. If the comparison holds good capture task is performed, otherwise the call is discarded.

Typical applications are:

Call recording for post analysis
Analysis of single/dual tones, DTMF and MF digit analysis (frequency, power, duration)
Analysis of call quality (speech levels, noise levels, echo return loss, speech clipping, impulse noise, and other impairments)
Call activity, call density, and call volume analysis
Monitoring and recording ISDN, SS7 and CAS calls
Sorting of Calls by "called" and "calling" number
Listening to finished calls and active calls as they are occurring
Remote monitoring of calls including remotely listening to calls

Working with Call Capture and Analysis (CCA)

Auto Scanning Capture Mode - Scans timeslots that were checked in "Timeslots" dialog box. The type of scanning that occurs is dependent on the Capture Trigger Type selection.
Manual Capture Mode - Permits capture manually, irrespective of signaling bits or tone definitions.
Start Trigger Signaling bits - Signaling bits definition for the beginning of capture; must be a transition from the stop trigger to the start trigger
Stop Trigger Signaling bits - Signaling bit definition for the end of capture; transition not required
Device Selection - Up to two devices may be selected for capturing or scanning.
Record Time - In Auto Scanning mode, the duration of the capture can be limited to a certain length by checking Limited Capture and setting the slider control
Tone Wait - After a signaling trigger, the time (seconds) the application should wait for a defined tone to occur.
CAS Digit Parsing - The CAS Digit Parser is used for CAS R1 protocol calls to name the call files using the digits that are prefixed to the rest of the filename. By default, this option is disabled, during which, the files are named based on the timestamp and timeslot information, such as Jun15E01_0002.pcm.
File Naming Convention - Two different types of file naming conventions are provided based on the capture type for signaling. The file naming conventions are:

Normal - This is the normal mode of capturing data that is prevalent common to both T1 and E1 analyzers.

MFC-R2 - If the CCA application captures data for MFC-R2 signaling type of calls, then this mode has to be enabled. Selecting this option causes a change in the file naming extension in that the .pcm extension is removed.

Call Playback and Viewing Features:

Combined Oscilloscope (Time) and Spectral (Frequency) Views

Oscilloscope (Time Series) View

For a recorded call, a graph of the amplitude vs. time can be displayed. The display can be for either one side or both sides of the call. Playback, zoom-in, zoom-out, and other options are available for analysis of partial and/or full call data/ Signaling data during call set-up can be analyzed e.g. DTMF/MF, dial and busy, tones at microsecond duration granularity. Every sample is recorded and displayed.

There are several methods for viewing captured files supported by various visualization programs such as Adobe Audition and Goldwave programs. Adobe Audition and Goldwave are used with a variety of file formats including PCM, wav, and others. Refer to Adobe Audition and Goldwave User's Guide for detailed instructions or Contact GL Communications Inc for additional details or clarifications about this.

Spectral View

A graph of power level vs. frequency is displayed for the user-selected portion of the recorded call. Users can set the frequency resolution and frequency band of interest. The display can be either one side or both sides of the call. Useful for DTMF/MF, dial, busy tone, speech and modem frequency analysis. Spectrogram displays are also possible.

Goldwave

The wave graph of captured files can be visualized using this Goldwave software. The graphical software program should be installed in order to directly invoke captured files through GL's T1E1 analyzer. Goldwave can be used to visualize maximum of two files.

To view stereo wave graph is displayed on selecting single captured files (with any extensions). Select dual files to view both the graphs simultaneously. Goldwave is automatically called and the files are displayed in stereo mode.

The names of the files chosen for display is merged as one *.wav file. Goldwave uses variety of file formats including *.pcm, A-Law, Mu-Law, *.wav, and others. Any file formats chosen is converted to *.wav while displaying graphs.

Example:For dual file graph display, select "Samp_wst.pcm" and "Samp_est.pcm", a single "Samp_wst_ Samp_est.wav" file is created and the graph is displayed one below the other.

Tabular Analysis

A special DOS application is provided for MFC-R2 digit analysis (r2ana.exe). With this software captured files can be analyzed for R2 tones and signaling. Forward and backward-paired tones are detected and displayed with time stamped indications of digit durations and signaling changes. Call duration, timeslot, date, and time of occurrence are also recorded.

Additional Sample Screens:

ISDN Call Capture Options with NFAS (Non-Facility Associated Signaling)

An ISDN is an end to end digital network capable of simultaneous transmission of a range of services such as voice, data and video etc. The network is based upon 64Kbps circuits.

NFAS is a standard option available for ISDN PRI call processing system. This allows a single D channel to control multiple PRI trunks. With NFAS option, a single D-channel can control a maximum of 479 B-channels, i.e., up to 20 trunks (or a maximum of 478 with one B-channel as a backup). In case of GL's Dual T1/E1 Analyzer, a maximum of 95 B-Channels, i.e., up to 4 trunks is supported.

Parameters

NFAS D-Channel - Enables NFAS feature during ISDN call processing
D-Chan # - This represents the trunk that contains the D-Channel or the signaling.
Explicit Interface - This represents that the CCA is set to capture the calls on the trunks that does not contain D-Channel or in other words, interface is set to capture on the trunks that use all 24 or 31 timeslots on T1/E1 respectively.
Implicit Interface - This represents that the CCA is set to capture the calls on the trunks containing D-Channel. For example, in the above illustration, Trunks 1 and 3 contain D-channels; to capture messages on these trunks, CCA should be configured.

SS7 Call Capture Options

SS7 voice calls are kept in CIC groups. When an SS7 call is detected, an Origination Point Code (OPC), a Destination Point Code (DPC), and a CIC # is retrieved. If the comparison holds good capture task is performed, otherwise the call is discarded.

Data Rate: The possible data rates are 56 or 64 kbps.
Call Filtering: SS7 Call Filtering is similar in functionality to that used in ISDN filtering. Regular expressions such as "*", and "?" can be used. An expression such as "123*" means only call #'s that start with "123" have a possibility of being captured.
Signaling Selection: Incoming calls are detected on the signaling timeslot. Two sources of signaling can be used, primary and secondary.
CIC (Circuit Identification Codes) Group Configuration: SS7 voice calls are in CIC groups. When an SS7 call is detected, an Origination Point Code (OPC), a Destination Point Code (DPC), and a CIC # is retrieved. For the first entry, there is a starting CIC # of 2, with 9 CIC channels (Quantity), and a starting timeslot of 1. The starting CIC # of 2 is mapped to timeslot #1. A CIC # of 10 is mapped to timeslot #9. All of the CIC #'s and timeslot #'s in the entry are contiguous.

Summary of Related Transmission and Capture Software

xx020 - Record and Playback of Files - Simple GUI based software can record an entire T1 or E1 or individual timeslots in both directions;
xx030 - Call Capture and Analysis - GUI based software that provides the capability to record complete calls directly from T1/E1 lines, non-intrusively. Call capture can be manually or automatically triggered by signals from both directions (east and west) of transmission;
xx070 - MFC-R2 Capture and Analysis - GUI based software for call based recording on E1 lines, can record based on CAS or ISDN call triggering;
xx019 - Tx/Rx File Utility - this is a console program and can be invoked from any user program for capturing or transmission of files;
xx600 and xx610 - Windows Client Server Scripted Control - A non-GUI based program - great for remote and scripted control of captures, transmission, and more;

T1/E1 Interface Capability:

Uses any of the following hardware:
- HD/PCI Ultra T1 (or E1) Cards, or
- Portable USB T1 or E1 Analyzer

HD/PCI Ultra T1 or Ultra E1 Cards

A Single or Dual Ultra T1 or E1 Cards having digital and analog inputs and outputs are shown. Digital inputs are used to non-intrusively interface to T1 (or E1) lines in bridge or monitor modes. Digital outputs can be used to generate digital T1/E1 signals. Analog outputs can be used to listen, in real-time, to DS0 audio in both directions. Analog inputs can be used to insert audio signals into T1 (or E1) streams. An external clock input/output provides clocking flexibility. A Sound Card (provided with Lunchbox PC) provides playback of recorded calls via a PC multimedia system/speakers.
The new generation HD T1 and E1 boards can process hundreds of channels or timeslots simultaneously on T1 and E1 lines. These boards are smaller, more efficient, and significantly faster as compared to older PCI boards.

Portable USB T1/E1 Unit

Alternative to HD/PCI cards, GL's Portable USB T1 or E1 Analyzer can be used for convenience and portability. The Portable USB T1 (E1) Analyzer is an innovative new product that consolidates the essential pieces of industry-standard test equipment into a powerful, portable, PC-Based T1 (E1) testing solution. Utilizing familiar computer user interfaces, it provides a comprehensive and versatile T1 or E1 test set at a competitive price.
Terminate, Bridge, or Monitor interfaces to T1 or E1 lines with RJ-45 connectors (Bantam conversion cables available), for non-intrusive connection refer to diagrams:

Bridge and Monitor Connections

Buyer's Guide (for Ultra Card System):

Please Note: The XX in the Item No. refers to the hardware platform, listed at the bottom of the Buyer's Guide, which the software will be running on.Therefore, XX can either be DPT, DPE, PCT, PCE, HDT, HDE, DLT, DLE or UTE depending upon the hardware.

Item No. Item Description

XX030 - Call Capture and Analysis Software & the following accessories,
- CCA Cable Kit (2 -SA007e Y Bridges, 1 - SA017a & 1 - SA017b Straight & Crossover Cables, & 1 - SA007k Mono to Stereo Miniature Phone Y Cable)
- Goldwave Software (SA048)

Related Software

XX020 Record/Playback File Software

XX019 Transmit/Receive File Utility Software

XX070 MFC-R2 Capture and Analysis

SA026 Adobe Audition Software

SA048 Goldwave Software

SA021 File Edit Software

STE40 Mux-Demux Software

VBA032 Near Real-time Voice-band Analyzer

PKB070 Audio Processing Utility

Related Hardware

HDT001/HDE001 HD T1 or E1 (PCI) Cards with Basic Analyzer Software

PCT001/PCE001 Single PCI Ultra T1 or Ultra E1 Card(s) with Basic Analyzer Software

DPT001/DPE001 Dual PCI T1 or E1 Cards with Basic Analyzer Software

DLT001/DLE001 Dual Laptop T1 or Laptop E1 Unit(s) with Basic Analyzer Software

UTE001 Portable USB based Dual T1 or E1 Laptop Analyzer

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