`BubbleLINKBubbleLINK®®®®
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`BubbleLINKBubbleLINK
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`Software Architecture Software Architecture
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`Software ArchitectureSoftware Architecture
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`The Voice of IP Telephony™
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`TM
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`GTL 1017
`IPR of U.S. Patent No. 8,340,260
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`SciDyn – The Voice of IP Telephony™
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`IP Telephony
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`IP Telephony – BubbleLINK®
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`Overview
`
`Digitized voice is sharing bandwidth with data. Packet-based networks are replacing
`circuit switch-based networks. Geographically distributed gateways are being managed
`and upgraded from a single location.
`Internet protocol (IP) telephony is changing the face of telecommunications. Moreover, it
`is creating new opportunities for doing business in this dynamic marketplace. Spurred by
`global deregulation and an increasing demand for value-added services, new operators
`are eagerly exploiting the flexibility, low cost, and technological potential of the IP
`network. So how do you stay a step ahead?
`
`BubbleLINK Takes You There - Faster
`Moving a call from point A to point B is no longer the name of the game. Succeeding in
`the IP arena depends on your ability to rapidly deploy voice and data services while
`growing and managing your IP network.
`SciDyn's Integrator family of Voice over IP (VoIP) products are based on a unique
`BubbleLINK® software architecture which allows multiple and varied applications to be
`quickly and effectively designed and deployed with Bellcore-level reliability.
`The BubbleLINK architecture allows you to create and centrally manage a complete
`feature-rich IP telephony network that can accommodate virtually any application you
`like. Several powerful capabilities make this possible:
`• Dynamic deployment of new applications - The inherent nature of
`BubbleLINK architecture lets you deploy any service or application more
`quickly than other operators or traditional telecoms.
`Inter-chassis communications - Each gateway in the system can communicate
`and share the load with other gateways, increasing network reliability,
`improving redundancy, and enhancing flexibility.
`• Single node addressing - No matter how many gateways you add to a node,
`BubbleLINK can present a single address to the network for signaling interface
`regardless of how many ports are available for that node. This way you can
`quickly and easily grow your network without reprogramming every node.
`• Remote upgradeability - The ability to upgrade from a centralized remote site
`gives you the flexibility to add new applications, upgrade software, and offer
`new features at significantly reduced installation costs.
`• Seamless scalability - The inherently scalable architecture of BubbleLINK
`means that your network can be expanded to accommodate future growth. Size
`is no limit.
`
`•
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`
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`BubbleLINK® Software Architecture
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`SciDyn – The Voice of IP Telephony™
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`IP Telephony
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`Features
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`Time-Tested Foundation
`The core technologies in the BubbleLINK architecture are not only state of the art, but
`are also very stable and time-tested. Core elements of this software architecture have
`been distributed by several telecom vendors within the United States and worldwide since
`1996. One of the key attributes of the BubbleLINK architecture is its ability to apply
`leading edge technology changes quickly with minimal product impact.
`SciDyn's IntegratorC-2000® series gateways, which are built on the BubbleLINK
`architecture, are better suited to provide various service offerings and support the
`dynamic changes of the industry today. Many competitors have a working gateway, but
`they have a long way to go before they are able to deliver the variety of applications
`required in a single chassis without the need to install new software for each application
`change.
`
`Residing on each gateway within your network, BubbleLINK software modules enable
`you to simplify network management while offering the value-added call features that
`will set you apart from your competitors.
`BubbleLINK modules are programs (.exe files) and various control files that determine
`Integrator communications and operations. The modules can be resident on either the
`database server, the chassis, or both. The flexibility of this design allows modules to be
`placed where they can be most effective; offsetting high-performance modules so that
`processing load is equalized.
`
`BubbleLINK Network Management Modules
`• GateKeeper Lite™ - Provides remote or distributed gatekeeper functionality
`for call billing, routing, and rating.
`• GateReport RT - Provides real-time call analysis reports and graphs from live
`network activity.
`• GateReport - Generates call analysis reports based on historical data stored by
`GateMate such as busy call hours, completed calls and call distribution.
`• GateLink - Supports standard protocols, including H.323, SIP, and MGCP to
`provide selective interoperability between gateways.
`• GateCheck - Interfaces in real time with third party billing systems, allowing
`credit verification, call rating and user validation.
`• GateMate - Works with GateKeeper Lite to maintain call record history and
`generates station message detail record (SMDR) files to interface with third
`party billing systems.
`• GatePilot - An interactive monitoring system that provides remote access to
`system maintenance functions and status.
`
`BubbleLINK Call Feature Modules
`• NetTalk - Offers multi-language, interactive voice response capabilities.
`• NetTranslator - Provides speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities.
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`BubbleLINK® Software Architecture
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`SciDyn – The Voice of IP Telephony™
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`IP Telephony
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`The following figure illustrates the BubbleLINK architecture for a typical VoIP network.
`Each module supports a single console session through the GatePilot module.
`
`Integrator
`Gateway
`
`Application
`Table
`
`Telephone
`
`Call Processing
`Engine
`handles phone stimulus,
`provides outdial,
`generates DTMF,
`compresses voice
`
`IP Interface
`Manager
`Packetizes voice
`for transmission
`
`Communication
`Server
`Routes all outside
`communication
`
`COM1
`
`COM2
`
`COM3
`
`Message
`Router
`
`GateMate
`
`Commander Service
`NT Service that
`monitors and restarts
`GatePilot
`
`GatePilot
`Restarts modules
`and provides
`console sessions
`
`Connects to
`console sessions
`for all other
`modules
`
`GateLink
`Sets up call over
`H.323 protocol
` to destination
`gateway
`
`GateCheck
`Interfaces with
`billing system
`
`T C P/IP
`
`3rd Party
`Billing
`Server
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`. . .
`Billing files on FTP
`
`GateKeeper
`Lite
`Creates SMDRs and
`provides call rating
`and call routing
`choices.
`
`AMA Database
`Processes
`SMDRs and
`places in
`database
`
`Data
`
`AMA
`Maintenance
`Performs
`maintenance of
`SMDRs and
`creates daily billing
`files
`
`The figure below illustrates the logical organization of the BubbleLINK modules. As
`shown, the Call Processing Engine is central to the call process and orchestrates how all
`calls are handled. A number of modules connect to destinations outside of the immediate
`gateway system; either to another gateway in the Internet telephony network or to an
`entity in another network.
`
`GateKeeper
`Lite
`Creates SMDRs and
`provides call rating
`and call routing
`choices.
`
`Commander Service
`NT Service that
`monitors and restarts
`GatePilot
`
`Windows NT
`
`GatePilot
`Restarts modules
`and provides
`console sessions
`
`u t e r
`
`e R o
`
`g
`
`a
`
`s
`
`s
`
`M e
`
`M essage R outer
`
`M essage Router
`
`Call Processing Engine
`handles phone stimulus,
`provides outdial,
`generates DTMF,
`compresses voice
`Gateway
`
`Communication
`Server
`Routes all outside
`communication
`
`AMA Database
`Processes
`SMDRs and
`places in
`databases
`
`GateMate
`
`PSTN
`
`Telephone
`
`Application
`Table
`
`To TCP
`address in
` IP network
`
`TCP/IP
`
`GateLink
`Sets up call over
`H.323 protocol
` to destination
`gateway
`
`Data
`
`AMA
`Maintenance
`Performs
`maintenance of
`SMDRs and
`creates daily
`billing files
`
`Message Router
`
`uter
`
`o
`
`e R
`
`g
`
`a
`
`s
`
`s
`
`e
`
`M
`
`GateCheck
`Interfaces with
`billing system
`
`u t e r
`
`o
`
`e R
`
`g
`
`a
`
`s
`
`s
`
`e
`
`M
`
`Message Router
`
`IP Interface
`Manager
`Packetizes voice
`for transmission
`
`P/IP
`
`T C
`
`3rd Party
`Billing
`Server
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`. . .
`Billing files on FTP
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`BubbleLINK® Software Architecture
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`How Bubbles Work in Applications
`BubbleLINK modules can all be run on the same computer or they can be strategically
`distributed between a number of units at a site or even between physical sites. The
`Message Router module becomes the glue that holds the rest of the modules together.
`The figure below illustrates a VoIP network using IntegratorC-2308® gateways.
`
`Los Angeles Node: 192 Voice Channels
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`New York Node: 288 Voice Channels
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`Message
`Router
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`Call
`Processing
`Engine
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`Gate
`Link
`
`Gate
`Pilot
`
`Gate
`Check
`
`Call
`Processing
`Engine
`
`Message
`Router
`
`Gate
`Link
`
`Gate
`Pilot
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`Gate
`Check
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`Billing
`System
`Node
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`IP Data Network
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`IntegratorC-2308 - UNIT 1: 96 Voice Channels
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`IntegratorC-2308 - UNIT 1: 96 Voice Channels
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`Message
`Router
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`Call Processing
`Engine
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`Gate
`Pilot
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`UNIT 1 provides
`GateLink and
`GateCheck for the
`2nd unit through
`inter-shelf Message
`Router connections.
`
`Message
`Router
`
`Call Processing
`Engine
`
`Gate
`Pilot
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`IntegratorC-2308 - UNIT 2: 96 Voice Channels
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`IntegratorC-2308 - UNIT 2: 96 Voice Channels
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`GateKeeper
`Lite
`
`Gate
`Mate
`
`Billing
`Data
`
`IntegratorC-2308
`Billing Collection Node
`
`Message
`Router
`
`Call Processing
`Engine
`
`Gate
`Pilot
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`IntegratorC-2308 - UNIT 3: 96 Voice Channels
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`
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`BubbleLINK® Software Architecture
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`SciDyn – The Voice of IP Telephony™
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`IP Telephony
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`Module Descriptions
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`Call Processing Engine
`The call processing engine, or telephony processor, is the central module in the
`BubbleLINK software architecture. In the VoIP application, it interfaces with the public
`switched telephone network (PSTN) interface hardware and provides call handling
`(answer, voice prompts, etc.) according to the events defined in the application table.
`The application table, which also indicates the types of operations supported by the VoIP
`network, tells the call processing engine what type of external validation is needed to
`process the call. For example, caller validation (PIN) and address translation requests are
`passed on to other databases.
` By moving some call functionality into various modules (bubbles), the SciDyn call
`processing engine is quicker to respond. The call processing engine does not have to
`know where the various server processes are – the message router module finds the server
`processes using namepipe addresses. This architecture provides a great deal of flexibility
`while maintaining a standardized interface.
`Configuration of the BubbleLINK software modules and initial provisioning can be done
`through a standard Windows GUI or through a console interface.
`
`Commander Service
`At the root, of the BubbleLINK architecture is the commander service. This is a
`Windows NT® service that is responsible for starting and monitoring GatePilot. If
`GatePilot fails or is stopped, the commander service trys to restart it. GatePilot is
`responsible for starting and monitoring all of the other BubbleLINK modules.
`commander service is the only link into the Windows NT operating system, all other
`SciDyn software communicates through the message router module.
`
`GatePilot
`GatePilot provides network terminal functionality. GatePilot performs the following three
`functions:
`• Starts and monitors the BubbleLINK software modules. If any module in its
`jurisdiction fails (crashes), GatePilot attempts to restart it.
`• Provides remote access to the system through a modem, console port, or Telnet
`connection, from which you can use DOS commands to access directories and
`files.
`• Provides a connection to console sessions with BubbleLINK modules.
`
`Message Router
`Message router is the backbone of the BubbleLINK message system. It provides the
`standard and reliable communication paths between the BubbleLINK software modules
`and between Integrator gateway units. Message router has been field-proven in the
`Commander inmate phone control product for nearly 5 years.
`A message router module resides anywhere that modules need to communicate to each
`other.
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`BubbleLINK® Software Architecture
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`SciDyn – The Voice of IP Telephony™
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`Communication Server
`Communication server controls all system communication (COM) ports and provides
`common file transfer capability. Typically, a system has a COM port dedicated to dial-in
`maintenance. Communication server works with a site manager database and a modem
`configuration file.
`This module spares other modules from the task of COM port and modem administration.
`As a network or node server, communication server allows a COM port from one unit to
`be accessed and used by any other unit in the network.
`
`IP Interface Manager
`IP Interface manager interfaces with the IP Interface hardware. It controls the
`packetization of voice data. The voice information must be compressed and broken down
`into packets for transmission across the Internet telephony network. Controls are set in
`the configuration file.
`
`GateLink
`GateLink provides H.323 protocol server functionality by providing translation between
`internal message formats and IP formats. This entails negotiating the IP address and
`vocoder used for the call and then tearing down the call processes when a party hangs up.
`A typical call scenario may go like this: the call processing engine requests call setup for
`routing location (preferred gateway) and passes along the initiating TCP port for the call.
`If the preferred gateway can accept the call, the far-end call processing engine sends back
`an acknowledgement with its receiving UDP port ID through the far-end GateLink
`module. Once connected, the PSTN Interface and IP Interface boards proceed with
`packetizing and transferring voice packets across the Internet.
`If the preferred gateway is not available or cannot handle the call, the call processing
`engine provides another routing location – GateKeeper Lite provides the call processing
`engine with up to three routing choices based on the call rating information.
`A future SIP protocol server will provide additional IP format translations. As a new
`BubbleLINK module, the SIP protocol server can be added to the system without
`changing the system's core engines and servers.
`
`GateKeeper Lite
`GateKeeper Lite™ provides the following gatekeeper functionality.
`• Rating calls before they are connected
`• Supplying address translation
`• Costing calls when they terminate
`• Creating call detail records and writing them to a database
`The call processing engine module makes requests for call rating and address translation
`information. GateKeeper Lite takes the telephone number called and translates it into an
`appropriate IP address. GateKeeper Lite returns up to three destination gateway
`addresses. If the first IP gateway is unavailable or busy, the call is placed to the second
`choice. If that is unavailable, the third choice is used.
`When the call completes, GateKeeper Lite writes the call detail records into a database.
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`BubbleLINK® Software Architecture
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`SciDyn – The Voice of IP Telephony™
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`GateMate
`The GateMate module provides record keeping and database maintenance functionality.
`GateMate processes the station message detail records (SMDR) and verifies database
`integrity. On a daily basis, GateMate maintains the SMDR database by
`• Pruning and packing the SMDR database to enforce size and aging requirements
`• Generating billing files in AMA format
`Billing files are then available through an FTP connection. GateMate tracks the status of
`the billing files being collected by 3rd party billing systems. If desired, you can use
`GateMate to generate call analysis reports from a console session.
`The GateMate module consists of two processes:
`• AMA Database
`• AMA Maintenance
`
`GateCheck
`GateCheck provides GateCheck functionality through its real-time validation interface to
`a 3rd party billing or calling card system. GateCheck essentially provides translation of
`local message formats (Message Router) to the non-SciDyn system format.
`Currently, GateCheck interfaces with the MindCTI iPhonEx Real-Time Billing Server
`and Radius AAA Systems.
`
`Speech Server
`Speech Server provides NetTalk and NetTranslator functionality. Actually, the Call
`Processing Engine's use of voice prompts and resident speech sets also provide NetTalk
`functions, which is to offer multi-language, interactive voice response capabilities.
`NetTranslator provides speech recognition and text-to-speech capabilities.
`The Speech Server has the following functionality:
`• Speech Recognition – Provides automatic speech recognition (ASR) by
`identifying the word spoken. For example, identifying that the speaker said
`"Yes."
`• Speaker Verification – Provides confirmation of the person speaking. For
`example, this process can verify that the valid user, John, is the person speaking.
`This technology works from sampled voice patterns and not just word patterns.
`• Text-to-Speech – Provides translation of typed text into spoken speech. An
`application of this technology would be to voice emails over the phone when
`requested.
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`BubbleLINK® Software Architecture
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`Summary
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`SciDyn's BubbleLINK software architecture is a dynamic and flexible foundation for
`multiple and various applications. Using BubbleLINK, SciDyn has successfully deployed
`20,000 ports of service over the last 5 years. Service has been provided by Bell Operating
`Companies, Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs), and independent Telephone
`Companies (Telecos) in a variety of applications including inmate phone control systems,
`automated collect call services, and voice over IP network gateways.
`For more information about BubbleLINK or Integrator applications, contact SciDyn.
`
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`SciDyn – The Voice of IP Telephony™
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`About SciDyn
`Founded in 1973, Science Dynamics Coporation (SciDyn) develops, designs, and sells
`telecommunications systems for the emerging IP telephony market. Our vision is to
`deliver innovative software and hardware solutions that facilitate the transition from
`circuit switched transmission to a digital packet-based communications environment.
`SciDyn is headquartered in Cherry Hill, New Jersey and has an international sales office
`in the United Kingdom.
`
`Science Dynamics Corporation
`2059 Springdale Road Suite 100
`Cherry Hill
`NJ 08003 USA
`Tel:+1 (856) 424 0068 Fax:+1 (856) 751 7361
`Email: sales@scidyn.com
`
`
`
`URL: http://www.scidyn.com
`BBOTC: SIDY
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`
`
` ©
`
` Copyright 2003, by Science Dynamics Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
`SciDyn and GateKeeper Lite are trademarks of Science Dynamics Corporation. IntegratorC-2000,
`IntegratorC-2308, and BubbleLINK are registered trademarks of Science Dynamics Corporation.
`Other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective
`companies.
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`TM
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`BubbleLINK® Software Architecture
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