MAPS™
CAS Protocol Emulator
(Scripted Channel Associated Signaling (CAS) Emulation)
Background
Signaling that occurs between switches (such as PBXs, local exchange carrier and interexchange carrier) in telephone networks is sent either within the
voice traffic or on a separate dedicated signaling channel. Channel Associated Signaling (CAS) is a method of signaling where each channel or
timeslot carrying speech also carries with it the signaling and addressing to set up and tear down that same channel. This is commonly referred to as
"in-band" signaling as opposed to "out-of-band" signaling, such as ISDN or SS7. Signaling bits associated with each voice channel carry "on-hook" and
"off-hook" status and addressing information in the form of dual tone digits to direct the call to its destination. CAS signaling types include Loopstart,
Groundstart, Feature Group D (FGD), Winkstart, MFC-R2 and others.
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In the T1 world, CAS protocols are implemented thru "robbed bit signaling", a unique way of signaling that has always caused confusion among engineers.
In the E1 world, CAS protocols are implemented through time-shared use of timeslot 16. In both systems, dual tones representing digits are used for ANI and
DID identifiers.
Overview
GL's Message Automation and Protocol Simulation (MAPS™) CAS is an advanced protocol simulator/tester used to simulate all types of CAS
based protocols precisely and efficiently in both T1 and E1 networks.
MAPS™ CAS Emulator is a client-side application that works along with GL’s T1/E1 Analyzer Cards and Windows Client/Server software.
This test tool is used to perform testing using CAS signaling and transmission and detection of TDM traffic over T1/E1 using scripts, and offers a complete solution
for testing, troubleshooting, and maintenance of devices and networks implementing CAS. MAPS™ CAS automates the testing procedure with the ready
scripts for inbound and outbound calls. Calls are established, once the signaling information such as signaling bits, DTMF/MF digits, or Tones are sent or
detected.
MAPS™ CAS supports powerful utilities like Profile Editor and Script Editor which allow new scenarios to be created or existing scenarios to be modified
for CAS Signaling.
Supported Protocol Standards
MAPS™ CAS Simulator supports the following CAS protocols:
- Winkstart (R1 wink)
- T1 Loopstart
- T1 Groundstart
- T1 Feature Group D
- T1 Immediate Start
- E1 MFC-R2 (All variants, full /semi compelled) - Defined by the ITU Recommendations Q.421-Q.442
- E1 European Digital CAS (EUC)
- E1 Digital E&M
- E1 International Wink Start
- Any User-Defined CAS Protocol
Main Features
- Automated CAS signaling simulation over TDM (E1/T1).
- Multiple T1/E1 line interfaces supported.
- Accesses the T1 (or E1) analyzer remotely.
- Supports ANI and DID identification.
- Customized signaling for each channel through scripts.
- Supports transmission and detection of signaling information such as signaling bits, DTMF/MF digits, or Tones.
- Supports generation and detection of TDM traffic over CAS network
- Supports customization of inbound and outbound calls using Profile editor and Script editor.
- Ready-to-use scripts for quick testing.
- Script based & protocol independent software architecture.
- Provides call reports with associated captured events and error events during call simulation.
- Option to send reports to database accessible via web interface.
- Supported on Windows® XP (or higher) operating systems.
Test Configuration
The test configuration window allows users to configure various CAS Signaling parameters to transmit and receive CAS inbound and outbound signals.
The configuration window for MAPS™ CAS includes parameters for all CAS signaling types including R1 digit parameters, flow control parameters,
forward/ backward tone parameters and various others.
Screen Shot of CAS Testbed Setup Configuration
Typical Call Flow Scenario
The following depicts the typical CAS signaling procedure -
Typical CAS Protocol Call Flow
MFC-R2 Signaling - uses a multi-frequency compelled signaling protocol to exchange address information.
T1 Winkstart (R1 wink) - The R1 wink protocol uses one-bit signaling, and the wink (brief presence of current or variation of the signaling bit) that
the inbound side uses to indicate readiness to receive address signaling.
Call Generation
Call Generation feature allows the user to simulate incoming and outgoing communications in CAS network, where signaling transitions occurs between
switches, using proper scripts and profiles. The profile allows necessary parameters of call controls to be changed during runtime.
The screenshot below shows MAPS™ acting as outbound terminal and transmitting the signaling bits to the other switch.
Call generation using R1 Wink place call script
MAPS™ provides Event Log, Error Events, and Captured Errors report log encountered during the progress of the call.
Place Call Events Log
Call Reception
Call generated from other entity can be automatically detected in MAPS™ call generation window by loading the appropriate answer scripts.
The screenshot below shows MAPS™ acting as inbound switch and responding to the incoming signals.
Screenshot of Call Reception using R1 Wink answer call script
MAPS™ provides Event Log, Error Events, and Captured Errors report log encountered during the progress of the call.
Screenshot of Answer Call Events Log
Bulk Call Simulation
MAPS™ supports Bulk Call Simulation and Stress/Load Testing capabilities through Load Generation feature. Load Generation window helps users
configure Stress/Load Testing parameters such as Call per second (CPS) or Busy hour call attempts (BHCA), Max Simultaneous Calls and Burst parameters.
Screenshot of Load Generation Parameters
Customization of Call Flow and Messages Using Pre-Processing Tools
Call Flow & Script Execution Control
Script Contents & Script Flow - The Scripts Contents window displays the contents of the script selected for call generation or reception. The Script
Flow window displays the set of statements successfully executed by MAPS™ to help users in troubleshooting a particular the call scenario.
Events & Event Profile Editor - User-defined events allow redirection of script execution on-the-go. The custom parameters in the events can also
be changed during script execution using Event Profiles.
Screenshot of Script Contents and Script Flow
Call Statistics & Status
By default, all call handling scripts (irrespective of the type of the functions) are assessed by MAPS™ to provide statistical information about total calls,
active calls, completed calls, passed calls, and failed calls. It is also possible to characterize the statistical information under different groups of call handling
scripts under a unique heading. In addition, Call Generation and Call Reception windows provide useful call status & script execution results.
Screenshot of Call Statistics and Status
Buyer's Guide:
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 HDT, HDE, HUT, HUE, UTA or UEA depending upon the hardware.
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
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