Reasons for the question

Echo control equipment and A/m -law converters are now part of a larger set of signal processing equipment to be controlled in connections. This array of signal processing equipment may be co-located within a switching entity or it may be located remotely from a switching entity. Signal processing equipment can be controlled via separate signalling interface in different combinations on a per-call basis depending on specific requirements for each call. ITU-T Recommendations Q.55 and Q.115 establish the foundation requirements in this topic.

The logic and signalling interfaces included in new network architectures involve connections through hybrid arrangements of traditional circuit-switched networks and packed switched networks. Both fixed and mobile networks are included.

Control via a signalling interface is needed for Digital Circuit Multiplexer Equipment used in tandem to reduce degradation through numerous compression/decompression stages. ITU-T Recommendation Q.50 forms the foundation for requirements in this topic.

Question

What new recommendations or enhancements to existing recommendations are required to ensure the appropriate integration and control of signal processing network equipment due to the introduction of new network architectures?

Task objectives

1) Revise ITU-T Recommendation Q.115 to describe the logic and signalling capabilities to control signal processing network equipment beyond echo cancellers in network connections and to accommodate new network architectures.

Estimated completion: 2002.

2) Revise ITU-T Recommendation Q.55 to accommodate new network architectures.

Estimated completion: 2001.

3) Revise ITU-T Recommendation Q.50 for control of compression/decompression with tandem DCME to accommodate new network architectures.

Estimated completion: 2003.

4) Develop ITU-T Recommendation Q.ecd.

Estimated completion: 2001.

5) Develop ITU-T Recommendation Q.logic for control of other devices besides echo control (e.g. Automatic Level Controllers).

Estimated completion: 2001.

6) Produce the necessary information for Protocol Implementation Conformance Statements (PICS) with the support of the testing question (Question 14/11), if required. To assist the test generation the extensive usage of formal description techniques (e.g. SDL, ASN.1) is encouraged.

Estimated completion: Ongoing.

Relationships

The tasks of this question are related to the requirements associated with supporting services over narrow-band, mobile, satellite networks and emerging broadband and IP networks. In addition, these tasks are related to protocol being developed in support of services across these networks. The tasks are also related to the emerging specifications and guidelines for transmission devices associated with IP and broadband networks. Completion of the tasks will involve relationships with other organizations such as SG 12, SG 15, SG 16, ETSI Project TIPHON, IETF, and ITU-R. IP related issues studied under question for Signalling requirements for service interworking of both dial up Internet access and Voice, Data, and Multimedia Communications over IP-based networks.