Nokia Siemens Networks DX MSC / MSS / DX

HLR, Rel. M14.3, Product Documentation, v. 3

Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF)

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 Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF)

The information in this document is subject to change without notice and describes only the
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 Contents

Contents

Contents 3

List of tables 4

List of figures 5

Summary of changes 7

1 Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF) 9

2 Description of DTMF 15
2.1 DTMF hardware 15
2.2 DTMF software 16
2.3 DTMF sending function 19

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 Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF)

List of tables

Table 1. Table of DTMF frequencies 16

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 List of figures

List of figures

Figure 1. General environment of the DTMF function 9

Figure 2. DTMF function environment in MSC Server 10
Figure 3. Out-of-band DTMF function environment in MSC Server 10
Figure 4. Buffering of DTMF characters 11
Figure 5. Connections of DTMF in the group switch 15
Figure 6. Functional blocks of the DTMF function in the DX 200 MSC 16
Figure 7. Program blocks in SWXSEB in MSC Server 18
Figure 8. Signalling of DTMF 21

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 Summary of changes

Summary of changes

Changes between document issues are cumulative. Therefore, the latest

document issue contains all changes made to previous issues.

Changes made between issues 5-0 and 4-0

The company and product names have been changed according to the
official Nokia Siemens Networks portfolio naming.

Changes made between issues 4–0 and 3–0

Figure Connections of DTMF in MGW has been removed together with the
related text. Figure Program blocks in SWXSEB in MSC Server has been
updated.

Changes made between issues 3–0 and 1–0

Information on MSC Server environment added and module restructured.

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 Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF)

1 Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF)

Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF) is an in-band one-out-of-four plus one-
out-of-four signalling system, primarily used from terminal instruments in
telecommunication networks.

In the 2G (GSM) or 3G (UMTS) system the MSC must support DTMF in

the mobile-to-land direction.

The use of DTMF is permitted only when the speech teleservice is being
used or during the speech phase of the alternate speech or data and
alternate speech or facsimile teleservices. The responsibility for checking
this lies with the Mobile Station (MS).

MSC

MS MESSAGE (IA5) 2/8 FREQ.

DTMF
gen.

Figure 1. General environment of the DTMF function

MSC Server environment

In the MSC Server environment, the DTMF generation can be requested

from the Multimedia Gateway (MGW) by using the H.248 protocol.

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MSC Server
MESSAGE (IA5)
MS

H.248
H.248 message

MGW

DTMF 2/8 FREQ

gen.

Figure 2. DTMF function environment in MSC Server

The MSC Server environment also brings along the capability for out-of-
band DTMF generation when the outgoing signalling is either Bearer
Independent Call Control (BICC) or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP).

MSC Server
MESSAGE (IA5) MESSAGE (DTMF character)
MS
H.248

MGW

DTMF
gen.

Figure 3. Out-of-band DTMF function environment in MSC Server

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 Dual Tone Multi-frequency (DTMF)

DTMF capacity

The number of simultaneous DTMF connections is not restricted in the

DX 200 MSC because the output signals are buffered in the group switch.

DTMF-generator GSW

0
0
1
1
2 2
3
. 4
. 5
.
#
.
.

Figure 4. Buffering of DTMF characters

The service is available for all the subscribers who are in the call state at
the same time.

DTMF parameters

All time supervisions which are specified in the 3GPP TS 23.014 Support
of Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signalling and 3GPP TS 24.008
Mobile radio interface Layer 3 specification; Core network protocols for the
MSC are defined.

DTMF user interface

The DTMF feature is available for each GSM or UMTS subscriber. No

activating or deactivating controls have been required for subscriber data.

DTMF subscriber interface

A user can generate a DTMF tone by pressing a key on the Mobile Station
(MS).

Optionally, on a mobile station basis, the manufacturers of mobile

equipment may choose to allow DTMF to be controlled from a remote
terminal.

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DTMF message structure

A signalling system based on messages is used in the air interface.

This requires that the relevant user action (for example, key pressing) is
interpreted by the MS as a requirement for a DTMF digit to be sent. The
digit is converted by the MS into a message and the message is
transmitted across the air interface and converted by the MSC into DTMF
tone. Then, this tone is applied towards the network and the network
should respond with an acknowledgement.

When the user presses a key, a message that the DTMF sending should
cease is also passed to the MSC, which again responds with an
acknowledgement.

The message to be sent across the air interface uses the frame stealing
mode of transmission.

When the message is sent across the air interface, it contains the following
information:

1. Start DTMF: contains the digit value (0-9,A,B,C,D,*,#).

2. Send DTMF acknowledgement: contains the digit value (0-9,A,B,C,
D,*,#).
3. Send DTMF reject: contains cause value.
4. Stop DTMF: (no further information).
5. Stop DTMF acknowledgement: (no further information).

Only a single digit is passed in each digit send message.

The messages are passed transparently through the base station and
interpreted at the MSC.

On the receipt of a digit send message, the MSC connects the correct dual
tone to the line. This tone will remain connected until either the
predetermined time expires or a stop DTMF message is received.

The tones that the MSC generates are specified as follows:

1. Frequencies are defined in CEPT Recommendation T/CS 34-08:

Automatic Sender for Push-button Multi-frequency Signalling.
2. Tone sending levels are defined nationally.

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Durations as specified in the 3GPP specification 24.008:

1. The minimum length of the tone generated by the MSC should be 70

ms ± 5 ms according to ETR 206 PSTN; Multifrequency signalling
system to be used for push-button telephones.
2. The minimum gap between two subsequent tones should be 65 ms
according to ETR 206.

There is no defined maximum length to the tone, which will normally cease
when a stop DTMF message is received from the MS. However, in the
DX 200 MSC the time limit on the duration of the tones sent to the line is
defined. The time limit is provided as a parameter.

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2 Description of DTMF
Dual Tone Multi-frequency is a signalling method which uses frequencies
generated by a digital frequency generator. This hardware is controlled by
the software's signalling and connecting program blocks, and the DTMF
function itself is realized through message sending procedures. DTMF is
used in push-button dialling with MSs.

2.1 DTMF hardware

The implementation of DTMF is based on the digital 2/8 frequency
generator which is connected directly to the Group Switch (GSW). There is
one 64 kbit/s bidirectional channel for each of the 16 time division 2/8
frequency elements of the DTMF device.

DTMF-generator GSW

2
.
.

#
MSC sends DTMF
char. ’2’ 697/1336 Hz.

Speech path to MS
MS which controls DTMF
function has been
connected.

Figure 5. Connections of DTMF in the group switch

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Table 1. Table of DTMF frequencies

f/Hz Higher frequencies

1209 1336 1477 1633
lower freq. 697 1 2 3 A
770 4 5 6 B
852 7 8 9 C
941 * 0 # D

MSC Server

The DTMF generator is located in the MSC Server and/or in the

Multimedia Gateway MGW. Figure Connections of DTMF in the group
switch also covers the MSC Server hardware environment.

2.2 DTMF software

DX 200 MSC

SGLSYB

AIASEB

AIFPRB

BSRSYB

SWXSEB

RMAPRB SWICOP

Figure 6. Functional blocks of the DTMF function in the DX 200 MSC

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 Description of DTMF

The functional part of the DTMF control software has been divided into the
following three program blocks:

Signalling part:

.
the A-interface program block (AIFPRB).

Connecting part:

.
the connection resource management program block (RMAPRB).
. the switch control program block (SWICOP).

A-interface applications (AIASEB)

On the logical level, AIFPRB is located in AIASEB. On the system level,

AIASEB is located in the signalling services system block (SGLSYB).
AIFPRB is the signalling program block which adapts the signalling of the
A- and Iu-interfaces to the DX 200 MSC system. AIFPRB is divided into
subautomatons according to the types of transactions. In AIFPRB, the
DTMF function has been implemented in three subautomatons:

.
mobile-originated call subautomaton.
. mobile-terminated call subautomaton.
.
DTMF subautomaton.

AIFPRB is implemented in the Base Station Signalling Unit (BSU)

microcomputer.

Switching (SWXSEB)

RMAPRB and SWICOP are located in SWXSEB. On the system level,

SWXSEB is located in the Basic Switching Services System Block
(BSRSYB).

RMAPRB offers switching services for the call control and signalling
process. All switching cases are based on Call Identification (CALL_ID )
which has been reserved at the beginning of the call from RMAPRB. The
CALL_ID is divided into all the processes which are attached to the call
case. One main function of the RMAPRB is to change the CALL_ID to the
circuit data for all the connection cases. RMAPRB has an interface also to
the switch control process SWICOP. RMAPRB is implemented in the BSU
and Common Channel Signalling Unit (CCSU) microcomputers.

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SWICOP controls connections in the switching network and has a

hardware interface to the switching network. The physical location of the
SWICOP process is in the marker.

MSC Server environment

The following program blocks are added to the SWXSEB in the MSC
Server:

. User Plane Routing Program Block (URQPRB).

.
Context Manager (CIAPRB).
. H.248 Program Block (HTAPRB).

MSC Server

SWXSEB

RMAPRB

URQPRB SWICOP

CIAPRB

HTAPRB

MGW

Figure 7. Program blocks in SWXSEB in MSC Server

Switching (SWXSEB) in MSC Server

The RMAPRB requests DTMF generation either from SWICOP or

URQPRB depending on the location of the user plane. If the resource is
reserved from the MGW, the RMA requests generation of the DTMF
character from the URQPRB.

The URQPRB has an interface to the CIAPRB, which controls the contexts
reserved from the MGW. The URQPRB sends the DTMF generation
request forward to the correct CIAPRB according to the resource where
the DTMF character should be connected.

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The CIAPRB packs the DTMF generation request to the H.248 format and
commands the HTAPRB to send it to the correct MGW. After that, the
HTAPRB adds the necessary message headers to the H.248 message
and sends it to the MGW.

2.3 DTMF sending function

This section describes the sending function of IA5 character which is
described as an example of the sending function.

The function starts when the subscriber presses a DTMF key of the MS.
The MS sends the message START_DTMF (which includes the IA5
character) to the MSC.

The mobile-originated or terminated call subautomaton of AIFPRB

receives the START_DTMF message. The subautomaton which has
received the message changes the IA5 character to the internal form. The
internal form of the IA5 character is a hexadecimal number from 0 to F.

After the conversion of the DTMF character the subautomaton sends the
start message to the DTMF subautomaton. The start message is an
AIFPRB internal message which includes the converted IA5 character. If
the result of the conversion is wrong, for example, it is not within permitted
values (0-F), AIFPRB sends the START_DTMF_REJECT message with
the cause code to the MS. In a successful case AIFPRB sends the
START_DTMF_ACK message to the MS.

After starting, the DTMF subautomaton sends the

RM_CONN_DTMF_REQ_S message to the resource manager RMAPRB
and starts three timers:

.
T_DTMF_RM_CONN_DTMF_ACK.
. T_DTMF_STOP_DTMF.
.
T_DTMF_MINIMUM_CHAR_LENGTH.

The purpose of the T_DTMF_RM_CONN_DTMF_ACK is to supervise the

acknowledgement of RMAPRB. The T_DTMF_STOP_DTMF controls the
maximum sending time of the DTMF character. The
T_DTMF_MINIMUM_CHAR_LENGTH controls the minimum length of the
character. The message includes the converted value of the IA5 character,
the CALL_ID, and the TYPE_OF_CIRCUIT information. The purpose of
the TYPE_OF_CIRCUIT information is to tell to RMAPRB the direction of
the circuit (for example, incoming or outgoing circuit).

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The action of the RMAPRB depends on the location of the user plane. If
the user plane is located in the MSC Server, then the RMAPRB changes
the converted IA5 character to the circuit (PCM TSL) of the DTMF
generator and sends the unidirectional connect message to the SWICOP
process. The message includes an outgoing circuit to which SWICOP has
to connect the DTMF character.

If RMAPRB does not answer during the

T_DTMF_RM_CONN_DTMF_ACK time, then AIFPRB sends a reject
message to the MS.

If the user plane is located in the MGW, the RMAPRB sends the
UP_CONN_DTMF_GEN_REQ_S message to the URQPRB. The
message includes the DTMF character received from AIFPRB and the
outgoing resource in the MGW where the DTMF generator should be
connected.

The URQPRB makes a decision whether the in-band DTMF generation or

out-of-band DTMF generation is used. The selection between them is
made according to the outgoing signalling type and the codec of the
outgoing resource. Only BICC and SIP signallings support out-of-band
DTMF sending. In BICC, the DTMF character is sent in the APM message,
while in SIP an INFO message is used.

When the user presses a key pressing, the MS sends a STOP_DTMF

message to the MSC. AIFPRB receives it and sends an
RM_DISCONNECT_DTMF_REQ_S message to RMAPRB. RMAPRB
sends disconnect and connect messages to SWICOP if the user plane is
located in the MSC Server. The purpose of the two messages is to return
the speech path connection in the group switch.

If the user plane is located in the MGW, the RMAPRB sends the
UP_DISCONN_DTMF_GEN_REQ_S message to URQPRB to stop the
DTMF generation from the MGW.

When RMAPBR responds with RM_DISCONN_DTMF_ACK_S, AIFPRB

starts the T_DTMF_GAP_BETWEEN_CHARS timer which controls the
minimum gap between two characters.

If AIFPRB does not receive a STOP_DTMF message and the

T_DTMF_STOP_DTMF time expires, it sends an
RM_DISCONNECT_DTMF_REQ_S message to RMAPRB which works
as described above.

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AIFPRB
MS RMAPRB

1. 5. 9.
MOC DTMF

2. or 6. sub- 10.
MTC autom

sub-
3. 7. 11.
autom

4. 8. 12.

Figure 8. Signalling of DTMF

The messages used in the DTMF function:

1. START_DTMF (IA5 character)
2. START_DTMF_ACK (IA5 character) /
START_DTMF_REJECT (cause)
3. STOP_DTMF
4. STOP_DTMF_ACK
5. MOCC_SEND_DTMF (DTMF_character) /
MTCC_SEND_DTMF (DTMF_character)
6. MOCC_SEND_DTMF_ACK/NACK /
MTCC_SEND_DTMF_ACK/NACK
7. MOCC_STOP_DTMF / MTCC_STOP_DTMF
8. MOCC_STOP_DTMF_ACK / MTCC_STOP_DTMF_ACK
9. RM_CONN_DTMF_REQ
10. RM_CONN_DTMF_ACK / REJ
11. RM_DISCONN_DTMF_REQ
12. RM_DISCONN_DTMF_ACK /REJ

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