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ASS (Application Service Subsystem)

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The Application Service Subsystem (ASS) is a software system that is designed to provide an application layer for a telecommunications network. It is a critical component of modern telecommunications networks and is responsible for providing various value-added services to end-users. In this article, we will discuss the architecture, functionality, and components of the ASS in detail.

Architecture of ASS:

The ASS is typically implemented as a client-server architecture, where the clients are various applications that need to access the network services provided by the ASS, and the server is the ASS software system. The server is responsible for handling requests from the clients, executing the appropriate services, and returning the results to the clients. The architecture of the ASS can be broadly divided into two layers:

  1. Service Control Layer: This layer is responsible for handling the signaling between the ASS and other network components, such as the switch, the Home Location Register (HLR), and the Service Control Point (SCP). The Service Control Layer is also responsible for routing the requests to the appropriate Service Capability Server (SCS) based on the type of service requested.
  2. Service Capability Layer: This layer is responsible for providing various services to the clients. Each service is provided by a Service Capability Server (SCS), which is responsible for executing the service logic and returning the results to the ASS. The Service Capability Layer consists of various SCSs that provide different types of services.

Functionality of ASS:

The ASS provides various value-added services to end-users, such as voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID, and SMS messaging. These services are provided by the Service Capability Servers (SCSs) that are part of the Service Capability Layer of the ASS. The functionality of the ASS can be broadly divided into three categories:

  1. Basic Services: Basic services are the most commonly used services that are provided by the ASS. These services include voice calls, messaging, and data services. The voice calls are provided by the Circuit Switched (CS) domain, while the messaging and data services are provided by the Packet Switched (PS) domain.
  2. Supplementary Services: Supplementary services are value-added services that are provided by the ASS to enhance the user experience. These services include call forwarding, caller ID, voicemail, and call waiting. These services are executed by the SCSs that are part of the Service Capability Layer.
  3. Intelligent Network Services: Intelligent Network (IN) services are advanced services that are provided by the ASS to enable various intelligent applications. These services include virtual private networks (VPNs), location-based services, and mobile advertising. These services are executed by the IN Service Control Point (SCP) that is part of the Service Control Layer.

Components of ASS:

The ASS is made up of various components that work together to provide the services to the end-users. The components of the ASS can be broadly divided into three categories:

  1. Service Control Point (SCP): The Service Control Point is responsible for executing the intelligent network services provided by the ASS. The SCP receives the requests from the clients, processes the requests, and returns the results to the clients. The SCP is also responsible for maintaining the service logic that is used to execute the services.
  2. Service Capability Server (SCS): The Service Capability Server is responsible for executing the basic and supplementary services provided by the ASS. Each SCS provides a specific type of service, such as voicemail or call forwarding. The SCS receives the requests from the clients, executes the service logic, and returns the results to the clients.
  3. Service Control Layer (SCL): The Service Control Layer is responsible for handling the signaling between the ASS and other network components. The SCL is responsible for routing the requests to the appropriate SCS based on the type of service requested. The SCL is also responsible for managing the sessions between the clients and the SCSs and for maintaining the state information required for service execution.

The components of the ASS can be further divided into various sub-components, depending on the specific implementation of the ASS. Some of the common sub-components of the ASS include:

  1. Service Broker: The Service Broker is responsible for managing the interactions between the clients and the SCSs. It receives the requests from the clients, determines the appropriate SCS to execute the service, and forwards the requests to the SCS. The Service Broker also manages the sessions between the clients and the SCSs and maintains the state information required for service execution.
  2. Service Creation Environment (SCE): The Service Creation Environment is used to develop and test the service logic that is executed by the SCSs. The SCE provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for service development and testing, as well as a scripting language for advanced service logic.
  3. Service Registry: The Service Registry is used to maintain a directory of the services provided by the ASS. The Service Registry provides a list of the available services, their descriptions, and their service capabilities. This information is used by the Service Broker to determine the appropriate SCS to execute the service.
  4. Service Provisioning System: The Service Provisioning System is used to provision the services to the end-users. The Service Provisioning System is responsible for managing the subscription information of the end-users, as well as their service preferences and service settings.

Benefits of ASS:

The ASS provides various benefits to the end-users and the service providers. Some of the key benefits of the ASS include:

  1. Enhanced User Experience: The ASS provides various value-added services that enhance the user experience. These services include call waiting, call forwarding, voicemail, and caller ID. These services provide the users with greater control over their communications and enable them to manage their calls and messages more efficiently.
  2. Increased Revenue: The ASS enables the service providers to offer new services to the end-users, which can increase their revenue. The new services, such as location-based services and mobile advertising, enable the service providers to target their customers more effectively and generate more revenue.
  3. Efficient Network Utilization: The ASS enables the service providers to utilize their network resources more efficiently. The intelligent network services provided by the ASS enable the service providers to optimize the routing of the calls and messages, which can reduce the network congestion and improve the quality of service.

Conclusion:

The Application Service Subsystem (ASS) is a critical component of modern telecommunications networks. It provides various value-added services to the end-users, such as voicemail, call forwarding, caller ID, and SMS messaging. The ASS is typically implemented as a client-server architecture and consists of various components, such as the Service Control Point (SCP), Service Capability Server (SCS), and Service Control Layer (SCL). The ASS provides various benefits to the end-users and the service providers, such as enhanced user experience, increased revenue, and efficient network utilization. The ASS is an essential part of modern telecommunications networks and plays a crucial role in enabling various advanced services.