Telecom Interface Module Protocol Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of multiple protocols in telecommunications network service entities hinders the development and provision of new services, as existing application servers struggle to adapt to new protocols and the proliferation of interfaces and APIs complicates interoperability.
Innovation Solution
An interface module with a generic container and protocol connector architecture allows communication between applications and protocol stacks, enabling deployment of new protocols without modifying the generic container, by instantiating required protocol resources and encapsulating messages in a protocol-agnostic format.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If application servers are adapted to support multiple legacy protocols (SS7, SIGTRAN, HTTP, SIP, etc.), then protocol compatibility is improved, but system complexity and difficulty of adaptation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an interface module as an intermediary layer between the application server and multiple protocol stacks. This module includes a protocol adapter that mediates communication between the application and different protocols (SS7, SIGTRAN, HTTP, SIP, etc.), allowing the application server to remain unchanged while supporting multiple protocols through the adaptive protocol adapter layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the application server layer, the interface module layer (containing protocol adapter and protocol stack), and the network layer. This segmentation allows each layer to be independently developed, maintained, and adapted, reducing overall system complexity while improving protocol compatibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple protocol-specific APIs are provided to support different protocols, then protocol support is improved, but interface proliferation and interoperability complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The interface module provides a universal API that can interact with multiple different protocol stacks (SS7, SIGTRAN, HTTP, SIP, Radius, Diameter, etc.) through a single standardized interface. The protocol adapter translates between the universal API and protocol-specific interfaces, eliminating the need for multiple protocol-specific APIs and reducing interface proliferation.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface module for a telecommunications network service entity, the interface module being operable to communicate with an application provided on the telecommunications network service entity and a session layer of the telecommunications network service entity, the interface module comprising a generic container to communicate with the application and a protocol connector operable to communicate with an API of the session layer and the generic container, wherein the protocol connector is operable to receive a message from the protocol stack API in accordance with a corresponding protocol, and pass the message to the generic container, which passes the message to the application.