KR100455878B1 - System for communicating signals containing application layer data and system for converting signal connection control partial parameters - Google Patents

Abstract

The signal connection control portion (SCCP) of the signal generated in the first SS7 telecommunications network is converted to a value and formatted to be acceptable by the second SS7 telecommunications network by a converter in an international signal relay station (STP) gateway. Such a converter enables a signal containing application layer data to be transmitted across two incompatible SS7 telecommunication networks.

Description

Systems for communicating signals containing application layer data and systems for converting signal connection control portion parameters

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the communication of application layer signals across different communication networks, in particular incompatible first signal system no. 7 (Signaling System No. 7) (SS7) relates to a conversion application layer signal between a telecommunications network and a second SS7 telecommunications network.

Common telecommunications exchanges are conducted in complex digital processors that include a large number of devices, signal terminals and, most importantly, software and hardware modules that provide telecommunications services to telecommunications customers. With the development of the aforementioned digital processors and Common Channel Signaling (CCS) network systems, common telecommunications exchanges can support and carry much more voice data. Such data includes video images, control signals or application specific information. One example of such application specific information is credit card verification data communicated over an existing telecommunications network to verify a customer's credit card number.

In order for two or more telecommunications exchanges to correctly exchange data between each other, all subscribers participating in a "conversation" must agree on a particular communication protocol. The protocol must be correctly preceded by each subscriber in order to correctly and timely deliver the data in the right place, and recognizably communicate the data to end users participating in a conversation or session over a network or series of networks. Thus, in the modern telecommunications industry, standard communication systems are linked to each other using protocols based on the Open System Interconnections (OSI) model.

The OSI model is just a framework of internationally accepted standards that communicate between different systems created by different vendors. The OSI objective is to create an open system networking environment in which a vendor's computer system connected to a network can freely share data with any other computer system on the network. However, the fact that a system is "open" does not mean a specific protocol or specification. Rather, OSI provides a conceptual and functional framework that enables and supports users to develop their telecommunications specifications so that higher levels conform to the OSI layer. The most widely accepted OSI standard for telecommunications is Common Channel Signaling (CCS). In particular, the most commonly used technique for implementing CCS in the United States is signal system N. 7 (SS7). However, it should be noted that even within the same SS7 telecommunication protocol, there are different implementations for different networks.

The United States utilizes the SS7 protocol developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). European countries, on the other hand, use the SS7 protocol developed by the International Telegraph Advisory Committee (CCITT). The difference between the two protocols lies in the data structures and addressing mechanisms utilized by each Signaling Connection Control Parts (SCCP). Because of this difference, an application module utilizing a Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) message cannot transmit TCAP messages from an ANSI based SS7 network to a CCITT based SS7 network. For example, because of this incompatibility, US credit card users in Europe are unable to verify their credit cards by communicating their credit card information from Europe to banks in the United States.

Another example is to use CLASS 7 specific subscriber characteristics, such as Class Automatic Callback (CAC) across different telecommunication networks. According to the CAC characteristic, at each time the first subscriber makes an outgoing call to the second subscriber, the destination telephone number of the second subscriber is a database maintained by the first local exchange serving the first subscriber. Are stored in. If the first subscriber calls back the second subscriber after termination of the initial connection, the first subscriber only needs to dial the service code. Upon receipt of the service code, the first local exchange retrieves the stored outgoing telephone number and initiates a new call setup. However, if the second subscriber is already busy, the second local exchange serving the second subscriber puts a call setup request into the queue and monitors the call line. When the line is idle, the second local exchange sends a TCAP message to the first local exchange indicating the availability of the second subscriber. The first local exchange then reverses (rings) the first subscriber and also initiates a new call setup with the second subscriber. Thus, when the called subscriber is busy, the telecommunications system automatically monitors the line until it is idle and immediately establishes a new call between two subscribers. This is convenient for the subscriber because the subscriber does not have to dial the called subscriber repeatedly until the connection is established. These class features cannot work across different telecommunication networks, such as from the US network to the European network, because TCAP messages may be transmitted between an ANSI-based network and a CCITT-based network to control feature activation. Because you can't.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a conversion system to enable compatible communication between an ANSI SS7 network and a CCITT SS7 network. This conversion enables an application module in an ANSI SS7 network to communicate TCAP messages or other application layer data to another application module in a CCITT SS7 network.

1 is a block diagram showing a typical signal system No. 7 (SS7) telecommunications network;

2 is a block diagram illustrating different layers in an SS7 telecommunications system.

3 is a block diagram illustrating an incompatible ANSI-based and CCITT-based telecommunications network.

4 is a block diagram illustrating different addressing data structures for ANSI and CCITT based SS7 telecommunication systems.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a converter interfacing with a signal connection control portion (SCCP) module to convert signals between ANSI and CCITT based SS7 telecommunication systems. FIG.

6 is a block diagram illustrating an International Signal Transfer Point (STP) gateway for converting signals between ANSI and CCITT based telecommunication networks.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for enabling a telecommunications signal comprising application layer data generated by a first SS7 telecommunications network to be transmitted across a second SS7 telecommunications network, wherein the first The SS7 telecommunications network and the second SS7 telecommunications network are incompatible.

In one aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for converting application layer signals between an American National Standards Institute (ANSI) based first SS7 telecommunications network and an International Telephony Advisory Committee (CCITT) based SS7 telecommunications network.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus and method for converting a signal connection control portion (SCCP) between an ANSI based SS7 telecommunications network and a CCITT based SS7 telecommunications network.

A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention is obtained by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a conventional signal system No. 1, in which the present invention may be practiced, as disclosed herein. 7 Diagram showing a section of a telecommunications network. With the advent of digital switching, common channel signals (CCS) have become a preferred way of handling the connection of calls in circuit switch networks. The most commonly used technique for implementing CCS in the United States was Signal System No. 1, initially created by the International Telegraph and Telephone Advisory Committee (CCITT) and later modified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). 7 (SS7). In order to perform routing and signaling functions within the network, a message must be sent from the local exchange A 10A to the local exchange B 10B via a packet-switching signaling network. Dual Signal Transfer Points (STPs) 270A, 270B are designed to provide reliable transmission of signaling messages by always providing one or more signal links 275 between any two nodes. These signals, including application layer data, do not establish a physical connection between the originating node and the receiving node (the node includes a local exchange, database, or other signaling device connected to a telecommunications network), or a series of networks. Is carried within. Unlike a channel carrying audio or video data, each other packet is routed individually and differently to the intended node.

Thus, each signal includes a source and destination address that transmits the STPs so that the STPs correctly forward the packet to the destination node. The data required by the application layer module, such as credit card verification procedures or class automatic callback characteristics, is encapsulated into a transaction function application part (TCAP) message signal or another application signal and is then transferred from one node of the network to another node of the network. Is sent. In particular, the signal connection control portion parameters in each signal header are filled with the necessary source and destination addresses that enable the signal to travel across the network or series of networks.

CCS SS7 is the world's most widely used telecommunications network. However, there are a number of different variations among the CCS SS7 standard. For example, the United States conforms to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) based SS7 standard, while European countries follow the International Telegraph and Telephone Advisory Committee (CCITT) based SS7 standard. One of the differences between the ANSI SS7 standard and the CCITT SS7 standard is the different addressing formats and mechanisms utilized by the aforementioned SCCP parameters. In addition, different address labels and data are used by two standards that prevent communication and transmission of application layer signals from one ANSI based SS7 network to another CCITT based SS7 network.

2 is a block diagram illustrating different layers in a typical SS7 telecommunications system. In accordance with the layer architecture of the open system interface, the SS7 telecommunications system is layered into multiple system layers. Basically, SS7 has two parts, a user part and a message sending part. The message transfer part (MTP) 300 is the lowest layer of the SS7 network system and is used to physically transfer data from one point of the network to another. The user part has several variables. Examples of the user portion include a Telephony User Part (TUP) 360 for Basic Telephone Service and an Integrated Information Network (ISDN) User Part (ISUP) 350 for Voice, Data and Voice Services Combined. . In addition, this user portion utilizes the MTP 300 which provides a connectionless but sequential transmission service. The application 340 at the top layer of the SS7 network is the signaling connection control portion (SCCP) layer 310 and the transaction function application portion (TCAP) for transferring application layer data from one application to another via the MTP 300. Layer 330 is utilized. The application may further utilize its own message signal that interfaces directly with the SCCP layer 310 to communicate application layer data from one application to another.

The purpose of the SCCP 310 is to provide a means for end-to-end rounting. Thus, the SCCP 310 processes the address specified within a particular signal in order to deliver data accurately to that particular destination. This addressing information is used at each signal point, such as a signal relay station (STP), to determine which communication link will be used by the MTP 300. Within the addressing information required by the SCCP 310, there are basically two types of addresses: called party address and calling party address. Generally, the recipient / sender address is the digits the user is dialed into. When the initial exchange or signaling point code (SPC) does not know the point code or subsystem number of the destination node, global title digits should be used by the SCCP for routing. At some point, a branch code and subsystem number are provided so that the message can reach its final destination. This functionality is known as global title translation and is generally provided by an STP adjacent to the destination node.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram illustrating the incompatibility that exists between an ANSI based SS7 telecommunications network and a CCITT based SS7 telecommunications network is shown. An application module 340A connected to an ANSI-based SS7 telecommunications network transmits a signal containing application layer data to its TCAP layer 330A. In turn, the TCAP layer 330A for the ANSI network interfaces with its ANSI SCCP layer 310A. The ANSI SCCP layer 310A attempts to load the signal onto the physical medium provided by the MTP layer 300A to transmit data to the CCITT network. Although the TCAP layer 330B and the application layer 340B connected to the CCITT SS7 network are compatible with the corresponding ANSI SS7 network layer, because of the inconsistencies between the SCCP parameters, the SCCPs serving one network are received from another network. Sender / sender address cannot be recognized and interpreted. Thus, compatible application layer data cannot be transmitted across two networks.

4, this inconsistency is shown with reference to the ANSI and CCITT SCCP parameter structures. The ANSI SCCP parameter data structure 460 illustrates the format and format of the data needed for the called party address and the calling party address to correctly route and return signals within the ANSI SS7 telecommunications network. The address indicator 400 specifies data in which a portion of the SCCP parameter is specified in a particular signal. For example, the S bit 402 specifies whether subsystem number (SSN) data is provided to the SSN data portion 405. SSN numbers are generally assigned to application modules such as databases and specific subscriber characteristics within the SS7 network. On the other hand, the signal point code (SPC) is assigned to the switching node in the SS7 network. Similarly, the P bit 403 specifies whether SPC data is provided to the SPC data portion 410. The global title indicator (GTI) bit 404 also specifies the format of the global title information stored in the data portion 415. The remainder of the header is loaded with the actual data flagged as provided by the address indicator 400. Thus, the second octet stores SSN data. The third, fourth and fifth octets store the respective number, cluster and network code of the SPC data. Finally, the sixth octet stores TT data.

Similarly, with CCITT standard 470, address indicator 425 occupies a first octet of SCCP parameters. The second and third octets store the SPC data 430. The fourth octet is occupied with SSN data 435. The fifth octet is occupied by TT data 440. A half of the sixth octet stores the number plan (NP) data 445. Finally, the seventh octet is used to store the Nature of Address Indicator (NA) data 450.

Called party / caller address expressed using SCCP parameters is needed to route and communicate application layer data between two nodes. However, as shown above, the data structure representing the called party / sender for the ANSI standard is not compatible with the CCITT standard data structure. When a signal formatted in the ANSI standard is transmitted to the SS7 telecommunications network, because of the SCCP parameter difference, the CCITT SS7 network cannot recognize the received signal and cannot route it correctly. Thus, in order for ANSI-based SCCP parameters to be recognizable by CCITT-based SS7 networks, data values as well as data formats must be converted.

According to the invention, SCCP parameters received from one network standard are reformatted and converted to be compatible with the other network standard. This enables the SCCP layer associated with another network to recognize and reroute signals containing application layer data as intended destination nodes. 5 illustrates the use of an ANSI-CCITT converter 370 to interface with the SCCP layer 310 to receive and convert SCCP parameters. To solve the incompatibility problem, the originating node may include a transformer that modifies the originating SCCP parameters to be compatible with the destination network. However, this implementation is allowed if the originating node already knows which standard the destination node should follow. In addition, if there are STPs utilizing different protocols than those specified in the SCCP parameters between the originating node and the receiving node, routing also fails. Thus, an independent converter with a translation table is provided at each point where the ANSI SS7 and CCITT SS7 networks interface.

The ANSI MTP layer 300A physically transmits signals from the ANSI SS7 network to interface with the ANSI SCCP module 310A. The ANSI SCCP module 310A retrieves the signal from the MTP layer 300A and transmits the signal to the converter 370. In response to the dynamic values stored in the translation table or register 372, the converter 370 changes the SCCP parameters specified by the originating node to be compatible with the appropriate destination network. The signal with the converted SCCP parameters and still containing the same application layer data is then sent to the destination network for delivery to the destination application user node. Thus, the converted signal is interfaced with the destination CCITT SCCP module 310B. The CCITT SCCP module 310B in turn interfaces with the CCITT MTP layer 300B for physical transmission to the destination node.

During the entire conversion and interface processing, only the SCCP layer data in the signal header is manipulated by the transducer, and all other layer data, including TCAP data, is explicitly transmitted through the transducer.

6 is an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. International STP gateway 385 is used to connect the first national network and the second national network. For example, the international STP gateway 385 connects the ANSI SS7 network in the United States 380 and the CCITT SS7 network in Europe 390 to provide telecommunication services to subscribers across both continents. For general telephone service, including call setup and voice data communication, no converter is required. For a regular telephone connection, signals such as ISUP or TUP do not need SCCP parameters. However, application layer data encapsulated in a signal utilizing SCCP parameters is intercepted and transformed by the converter 370 at the international STP gateway 385. As a result, the application module 340A connected to the ANSI SS7 network 380 can communicate the application layer data with the application module 340A connected to the CCITT SS7 network 390. A call connection is not maintained between the application module 340A and the application module 340B. By utilizing a connectionless configuration, a signal containing application layer data can be transmitted between two application modules to provide enhanced subscriber characteristics and possibilities for the end user.

The converter module 370 in the international STP gateway 385 performs two functions. One reformats the SCCP parameters to match the specifications required by the destination standard, and the other further converts the SCCP parameter values to be recognizable by the destination SS7 network. Accordingly, the converter module 370 refers to a conversion table that stores SCCP parameter values and reference pointers across them in order to accomplish the above-mentioned tasks. Exemplary translation table or register 372 includes the following.

Table 1

Using this entry, the ANSI SCCP parameter values are referenced and converted into corresponding CCITT SCCP parameter values according to Table 2.

Table 2

In FIG. 6, an application module 340A with an SSN value of 5 sends a message while connected to a node having an SPC value 8-9-1 in the ANSI SS7 network 380. Thus, the caller address Cgpa is SPC = 8-9-1 and SSN = 5 for the application module 340A. This Cgpa address is needed later to return the signal to the application module 340A. In addition, the user entered in the called party address Cdpa needs to be designated by the SCCP parameter, for example, to show TT = 3 and GTS = 05511 .... When a signal comprising the Cgpa and Cdpa SCCP parameters is received by the international STP gateway 385, converter 370 converts the received Cdpa and Cgpa into appropriate CCITT format values. Since TT = 3 corresponds to the ANSI 1 level above, it is converted according to the CCITT label as specified in Table 2.

The translation title (TT) in the ANSI standard means that this particular Cdga is the Cellular Nationwide Roaming Service Number. Although the United States and Europe utilize different SCCP specifications, the Global System of Mobile Communications (GSM) in the United States uses the same CCITT TCAP as GSM from Europe. Thus, the GTS value is sent to the CCITT network unchanged. Only the TT, NA, and NP values are changed or added to the SCCP parameters to accurately inform the CCITT network that this particular signal has a translation form of the cellular national roaming service number. Therefore, using Table 1 and Table 2, the Cdpa and Cgpa CCPA parameter values are converted as follows.

Cdpa: TT = 0

          NP = 7

          NA = 4

          GTS = 05511 ...

Cgpa: TT = 0

          NP = 5

          NA = 4

          GTS = 321

The converted SCCP parameters are further formatted to correspond to the data syntax 470 shown in FIG. As a result, the converted signal containing the application layer data can now be transmitted across the CCITT SS7 network.

As a result, when the application module 340B having an SSN value of 6 connected to the node having an SPC value of 2-721 in the CCITT SS7 network 390 returns a signal to the application module 340A, the following Cdpa And the Cgpa CCPA parameters are again received by the international STP gateway 385.

 Cdpa: TT = 0

           NP = 5

           NA = 4

           GTS = 321

Cgpa: TT = 0

           NP = 7

           NA = 4

           GTS = 05511 ...

Once again, according to the conversion values provided in Table 1 and Table 2, the CCPA parameter values are converted as follows.

Cdpa: SPC = 8-9-1

         SSN = 5

Cgpa: TT = 3

         GTS = 05511 ...

In addition, the converted SCCP parameter values are reformatted to be compatible with the ANSI SS7 network according to the data specification shown in FIG. 4.

Although only a few SCCP parameters are shown for illustrative purposes, one or a combination of ANSI SCCP parameters may be converted from and to the following CCITT SCCP parameters.

Although the preferred embodiments of the method and apparatus of the present invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the detailed description, the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is defined and described in the claims below. It will be understood that various redeployments, modifications and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

Claims (24)

First American National Standards Institute (ANSI) based signaling system NO. A system for communicating a signal comprising application layer data between a 7 (SS7) network and a second CCT based SS7 network, the system comprising: The system includes a gateway signal relay station (STP) connecting the second SS7 network and the first SS7 network, wherein the gateway STP includes: Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) layer module; And A conversion module interfaced with the SCCP layer module, wherein the conversion module receives the signal from one of the SS7 networks and between the ANSI protocol and the CCITT protocol to be recognizable by another SS7 network. And convert the SCCP parameter addressing data in the signal received from one of the SS7 networks. The method of claim 1, The conversion module is a system for communicating a signal comprising application layer data, characterized by converting between SCCP parameters recognizable by the ANSI-based SS7 telecommunications network and SCCP parameters recognizable by the CCITT-based SS7 telecommunications network. . The method of claim 2, The SCCP parameter received from the ANSI-based SS7 telecommunications network convertible by the conversion module includes a subsystem number (SSN), a signaling point code (SPC), a translation type. (TT) and Global Title Series (GTS). The method of claim 1, The conversion module includes a conversion type (TT) and a global title series (GTS) value recognizable by the ANSI-based SS7 telecommunications network, and a TT recognizable by the CCITT-based SS7 telecommunications network (Numbering Plan) ( NP), a Nature of Address Indictor (NA), and a system that communicates a signal comprising application layer data characterized by converting between GTS values. The method of claim 1, The conversion module includes a signal point code (SPC) and a subsystem number (SSN) recognizable by the ANSI-based SS7 telecommunications network, a TT, a numbering plan (NP), and an address recognizable by the CCITT-based SS7 telecommunications network. A system for communicating a signal comprising application layer data, characterized by converting between a characteristic (NA) and a GTS value of an indicator. The method of claim 1, The conversion module further includes a register for storing a value for converting between the SCCP parameter value recognizable by the ANSI-based SS7 telecommunications network and the SCCP parameter value recognizable by the CCITT-based SS7 telecommunications network. A system for communicating a signal comprising application layer data. The method of claim 1, The conversion module reformats a signal comprising application layer data, characterized in that it reformats between the SCCP parameter recognizable by the ANSI-based SS7 telecommunications network and the SCCP parameter recognizable by the CCITT-based SS7 telecommunications network. System to communicate. The method of claim 2, The SCCP parameters received from the CCITT based SS7 telecommunications network convertible by the change module may include a subsystem number (SSN), a signal point code (SPC), a translation type (TT), a numbering plan (NP), and an address indicator. A system for communicating a signal comprising application layer data, characterized in that it is selected from characteristic (NA), global title series (GTS), or a combination thereof. The method of claim 1, The signal comprises a sender address (Cgpa) parameter comprising a Cgpa value, the conversion module means for copying the Cgpa value to one of the SCCP parameters, and Means for replacing said Cgpa parameter with a network address representing said gateway STP. First American National Standards Institute (ANSI) based signaling system NO. A system for converting Signal Access Control Part (SCCP) parameters in a signal that transmits signals between a 7 (SS7) network and a second CCT-based SS7 network, A message sending portion module for receiving the signal from one of the SS7 networks, An SCCP module interfaced with the MTP module to retrieve the signal, and A conversion module interfacing with the SCCP module for converting the SCCP parameter in the signal received from one of the SS7 networks between the ANSI parameter and the CCITT parameter to be recognizable by another SS7 network. System for converting connection control part parameters. The method of claim 10, The conversion module is a translation type (TT) and global title series (GTS) values recognizable by the ANSI-based SS7 network, and characteristics of the TT, numbering plan (NP), and address indicator recognizable by the CCITT-based SS7 network ( A system for converting signal connection control portion parameters, characterized in that it converts between NA) and GTS values. The method of claim 10, The conversion module is characterized by signal point code (SPC) and subsystem number (SSN) values recognizable by the ANSI-based SS7 network, and characteristics of TT, numbering plan (NP), and address indicator recognizable by the CCITT-based SS7 network. A system for converting signal connection control subparameters, characterized in that converting between (NA) and GTS values. The method of claim 10, And the conversion module includes a register for storing a value for converting between the SCCP parameter value recognizable by the ANSI-based SS7 telecommunications network and the SCCP parameter value recognizable by the CCITT-based SS7 telecommunications network. System for converting signal connection control part parameters. The method of claim 10, The conversion module reformats a data structure between the SCCP parameter recognizable by the ANSI-based SS7 telecommunications system network and the SCCP parameter recognizable by the CCITT-based SS7 telecommunications network. System for converting parameters. The method of claim 10, The first SS7 network is connected to the second SS7 network via a gateway signal relay station (STP), the signal comprising a caller address (Cgpa) parameter including a Cgpa value, and the conversion module converts the Cgpa value into the Cgpa value. Means for copying to one of the SCCP parameters, and Means for replacing the Cgpa parameter with an SS7 network based network address representing the gateway STP. A method of transmitting data transmitted between a first application module in an American Standards Institute (ANSI) protocol-based telecommunication network and a second application module in an international telecommunications telephone advisory committee (CCITT) protocol-based telecommunication network, the method comprising: Retrieving a Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) parameter in the signal carrying the data transmitted by one of the application modules, Converting a called party / sender address in the SCCP parameter between the ANSI and CCITT protocols, and Transmitting the signal of the converted called party / sender address to another application module. The method of claim 16, The converting of the called party / caller address may include a translation type (TT) and a global title series (GTS) value recognizable by the ANSI protocol based telecommunication network, and a TT, numbering plan (recognizable by the CCITT protocol based telecommunication network). NT), converting between the characteristic (NA) of the address indicator and the GTS value. The method of claim 16, The step of translating the called party / sender address includes signal point code (SPC) and subsystem number (SSN) values recognizable by the ANSI protocol based telecommunications network, and TT, numbering recognizable by the CCITT protocol based telecommunications network. And converting between the plan (NP), the characteristic of the address indicator (NA) and the GTS value. The method of claim 16, The converting step further comprises reformatting between the data structure of the SCCP parameter recognizable by an ANSI protocol based telecommunications network and the data structure of the SCCP parameter recognizable by a CCITT protocol based telecommunications network. Transmitting the transmitted data. The method of claim 16, The ANSI protocol based telecommunications network is connected to the CCITT protocol based telecommunications network via a gateway signal relay station (STP), the originator address is stored in a first parameter of the SCCP parameters, The converting step comprises storing the sender address in a second parameter of the SCCP parameters, and Storing the network address indicating the gateway STP in a first parameter of the SCCP parameters. A system for transmitting data transmitted between a first application module in an American Standards Institute (ANSI) protocol-based telecommunications network and a second application module in an international telecommunications telephone advisory committee (CCITT) protocol-based telecommunications network. Means for retrieving a SCCP parameter from a signal carrying the data transmitted by one of the application modules; Means for translating a called party / sender address within said SCCP parameters between ANSI and CCITT protocols, and Means for transmitting the signal of the converted called party / sender address to another application module. The method of claim 21, The means for translating the called party / sender address includes a translation type (TT) and a global title series (GTS) value recognizable by the ANSI SS7 telecommunications network, and a TT, numbering plan (NP) recognizable by the CCITT SS7 network. Means for converting between the characteristic (NA) of the address indicator and the GTS value. The method of claim 21, The means for translating the called party / sender address includes signal point code (SPC) and subsystem number (SSN) values recognizable by the ANSI SS7 telecommunications network, and TT, numbering plan (recognizable by the CCITT SS7 network). NP), a characteristic of the address indicator (NA) and means for converting between the GTS values. The method of claim 21, The ANSI protocol based telecommunications network is connected to the CCITT protocol based telecommunications network via a gateway signal relay station (STP), the originator address is stored in a first parameter of the SCCP parameters, and the means for converting is Means for storing the sender address in a second parameter of the SCCP parameter, and Means for storing a first one of said SCCP parameters having a network address indicating said gateway STP.