10 BSSAP

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10.1 BSSAP Position................................................................................................ 3

10.2 BSSAP Tasks................................................................................................... 4
10.3 Base Station Management Application Part (BSSMAP).................................... 5
10.4 Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) (1/4) ................................................... 6
10.4 Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) (2/4) ................................................... 7
10.4 Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) (3/4) ................................................... 8
10.4 Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) (4/4) ................................................... 9
10.5 DTAP Content and RIL-3................................................................................ 10
10.6 BSSAP Message Format................................................................................ 11

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10.1 BSSAP Position

Let's have a look at another important SCCP user, the Base Station Application Part
(BSSAP).

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10.2 BSSAP Tasks

The BSS Application Part was created for two special signaling tasks in GSM
networks. It supports messages for MSC-BSC communication as well as direct
communication between the serving MSC and mobile station. The latter is named
Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) and passes transparently through the whole
BSS. The BSS Management Application Part (BSSMAP) contains signaling
information to be exchanged between MSC and BSC.

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10.3 Base Station Management Application Part (BSSMAP)

The BSS Management Application Part is responsible for Radio Resource

Management, e.g. triggering the assignment of a radio channel by the BSC to
establish a mobile terminated call, handover control if a handover occurs between
BTSs of two different BSCs and Cell Broadcast SMS delivery defined by the
Network Maintenance Center. We should note that this particular content is no real
signaling information, its the core CB-SMS content.

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10.4 Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) (1/4)

DTAP is responsible for connection management between the mobile and the MSC.
A very obvious example for a DTAP CC message is the alert which triggers a ringing
tone within the MS.

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10.4 Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) (2/4)

DTAP also ensures the correct delivery of supplementary services, e.g. the MS
ISDN number of the connected party.

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10.4 Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) (3/4)

Another DTAP task is to cater for the correct delivery of point-to-point short
messages. In GSM networks, the short message service uses signaling resources
rather than traffic channels to convey the information. The originating mobile
transfers the SMS content using DTAP SMS signaling information.
Between MSC and SMS-C the communication is based on MAP messages. On the
other hand, the receiving side uses DTAP between the MSC and the terminating
mobile.

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10.4 Direct Transfer Application Part (DTAP) (4/4)

Finally, DTAP messages contain mobility management information, e.g. the relevant
parameters for the authentication process that always procedes a communication.
Between the authentication center and the serving MSC these parameters are
included within a MAP message. the MSC converts this into a DTAP MM message
to be forwarded to the mobile station.

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10.5 DTAP Content and RIL-3

We may have gained the impression that SS7 signaling messages are used within
the whole GSM down to the mobile. This is not true. According to the specific
requirements of the air interface, it is the BSC that terminates the SS7 message
transfer, extracts the DTAP content and creates an other type of signaling, named
Radio Interface Layer 3 signaling. RIL-3 provides similar functionalities to MTP but is
properly adapted to the needs of the GSM air interface.

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10.6 BSSAP Message Format

At the end of this chapter let's have a look at the typical BSSAP message format.
Like TCAP or ISUP, BSSAP is a SCCP user. That means the two types of BSSAP
messages - BSS MAP and DTAP - are included within the corresponding part of the
SCCP message.

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