Design of Network Architecture and Signaling Procedure for

Interoperability of IRIDIUM and CDMA-based Cellular Networks

Dong-Hee Lee, Jong-Tae Park

IRIDIUM 망 과 CDMA 기 반 이 동 통 신 망 의 연 동 을 위 한
망 구조 및 시그날링 절차 설계

이 동 희, 박 종 태

Abstract

In order to provide a global roaming service across networks, it is necessary to develop mechanisms for integration
of and inter-working between different mobile/satellite communication networks. In this paper, a network architecture
has been designed for the integration of domestic CDMA-based cellular network and IRIDIUM network which is go-
ing to provide a global satellite communication service. Specifically, we have designed a Clearing House which could
perform the conversion of signaling protocols and messages, and parameter mapping functions between CDMA-based
cellular network and IRIDIUM network. New signaling procedures for location registration and call setup in the inte-
grated network are also proposed.

요 약

전세계적인 서비스지역의 확보를 위한 망간의 효율적인 로밍 (roaming)서비스를 지원하기 위해

이동통신 망간의 통합 및 연동 방안을 개발하는 것이 필요하다. 본 논문에서는 전세계를 대상으로
서비스를 제공할 수 있는 IRIDIUM 망과 현재 국내에서 서비스중인 CDMA 기반의 셀룰러 망간의
통합을 위한 망 구조를 설계하였다. 구체적으로, 시그날링 메시지와 프로토콜의 변환 및 관련
매개변수의 매핑 기능을 수행하는 Clearing House를 설계하였다. 또한 통합망에서 호설정과 위치등록을
위한 신호 절차를 설계하였다. 본 연구 결과는 지상 및 이동통신망들의 연동을 통한 광역 통신 서비스
제공을 위한 망 구성 및 신호절차 설계에 활용 될 수 있다

I. Introduction the development of wireless personal communication

systems to provide the global communication service to
There have world-widely been strong interests for any one, at any time, and at any place. Currently, the

1
capacity of analog mobile communications has already roaming service in an integrated network.
been saturated, and digital mobile cellular networks There are several regional standards for digital
which can use the radio channels more efficiently than mobile cellular systems each of which has its own
analog systems has been developed. Digital mobile cel- MAP protocol: GSM MAP [7-13], IS-41 MAP [14],
lular networks can also interwork more effectively with PDC MAP [15]. There are basically two approaches to
broadband integrated services digital network (B-ISDN) resolve the differences between these MAP protocols
to provide various multimedia services. There have been for providing intersystem roaming service. The first
active researches to develop a global personal communi- approach is to use call forwarding method, which is
cation system that could provide a full roaming service known to be relatively simple to implement. The draw-
with worldwide coverage to the subscribers. For exam- back of this approach is that it may take much time to
ple, mobile satellite system (MSS) has been being de- do call routing and can’t support intersystem handover.
veloped to provide global telecommunication services The second approach is to use a gateway system with
under several large `projects including IRIDIUM [1], translation mechanism that could interpret and generate
GLOBALSTAR, and INMARSAT-P. These MSSs the signaling message required in each constituent sys-
may provide the subscribers with location independ- tem. A gateway system can provide an intersystem
ence because it could directly use satellite beam to pro- roaming service between terrestrial mobile cellular net-
vide the service at any place in the world. MSS tends to works that have different MAP protocols. This ap-
be less impervious to earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, proach doesn’t require the modification of constituent
and other natural disasters. In addition, MSS will not be mobile cellular systems. Additionally, a gateway can be
affected by weather and damage of local telephone sys- interconnected to many terrestrial mobile cellular sys-
tems and power lines, making it an important asset to tems. However, the time required to perform call setup
disaster-relief network operations [2]. With the reliabil- and location registration is closely dependent on the
ity and expansiveness of MSS’s services, MSS is fre- processing capacity and performance of a gateway in
quently recommended as a compensatory network for this approach. Uchiyama, et al., [16] designed nodes to
the terrestrial one. provide roaming services between GSM and Personal
In order to provide subscribers with global mobile Digital Cellular System (PDC) which is a digital cellular
communication services, cellular network operators system developed in Japan. In the nodes that consists
need to develop inter-system roaming technologies. An of interworking location register (ILR) and interworking
integration of terrestrial cellular system and satellite mobile switching center (IMSC), they convert MAP
mobile communication system is one of these technolo- protocol of PDC into that of GSM. Additionally, they
gies that are used by current mobile communication ser- designed signaling procedures to provide intersystem
vice providers [3-6]. Since architecture, interfaces and roaming service using a gateway. Yamaguchi, et al., [17]
other standards of terrestrial cellular network and MSS designed a interworking function block which mainly
are quite different, there are problems to be solved for deals with PDC MAP / GSM MAP protocol conver-
an efficient integration, which may include those associ- sion to provide terminal mobility to subscriber with
ated with mobile application part (MAP) protocol in- subscriber identification card (SIM) between PDC and
teroperability, numbering, addressing, charging, access GSM networks. Jorgen [18] proposed interworking
method, network management, and call routing. The in- nodes similar to nodes designed by Uchiyama. This
teroperability of different MAP protocols is specifi- gateway approach can also be extended to provide a
cally related to the achievement of an intersystem global global roaming service through an integration of terres-

2
trial cellular systems and a mobile satellite communica-
tion system [19, 20]. Practically, literature [21] pre- 1. IRIDIUM Mobile S atellite Communication
sents the integration scenarios of INMARSAT-P mo- S ystem
bile satellite communication system and terrestrial mo-
bile cellular system. INMARSAT-P uses GSM com- The IRIDIUM system is a global communication
patible MAP protocol. Thus, Clearing House is pro- system and has unique constellation of 66 low-earth-
posed as a gateway to integrate INMARSAT-P and orbit (LEO) satellites. These satellites are arranged in
GSM non-compatible mobile cellular system. Clearing six polar orbital planes 780 kilometers above the planet,
House performs the conversion of MAP protocols. each containing 11 satellites. This configuration is sug-
In this paper, a network architecture has been de- gested to offer low path delays and global coverage. The
signed for the integration of Domestic CDMA-based constellations of satellites of the IRIDIUM system
cellular network and IRIDIUM network that is going to comprise the L-band cell sites through which subscrib-
provide a global satellite communication service. MAP ers receive mobile telecommunication service. Through
protocol signaling messages carrying subscriber's infor- its intersatellite links, the system will cover the vast
mation are transferred across boundaries of networks portions of the world where telecommunications net-
for handling call processing, inter-network handover, works cannot be economically justified, and will serve
and location registration for roaming subscribers. Do- polar and ocean areas. However, several ground compo-
mestic CDMA-based cellular network uses common nents are involved to work as a complete personal
channel signaling No.7 (CCS No.) [22] as signaling communications system, as shown in Fig. 1.
transfer protocol and IS-41 MAP (Mobile Application
Part) as MAP protocol. On the other hand, IRIDIUM SPACE Ka-Band
VEHICLE SPACE
uses CCS No.7 as transfer protocol and GSM MAP as VEHICLE

mobile application part protocol. Thus, we choose the L-Band L-Band L-Band

gateway approach to integrate IRIDIUM network and Ka-Band Ka-Band

domestic CDMA-based cellular network. The gateway

ISU SCS GATEWAY ISU
MTD
which could perform this translation function is named
as a Clearing House. We design the architecture and in- PSTN ISU - IRIDIUM Subsciber Unit
MTD - Message Termination Device
terfaces of the Clearing House that consists of CCS SCS - System Control Segment

No.7, conversion processor, message conversion map-

ping table, and database for roaming subscriber. Specifi- Fig. 1. IRIDIUM system configuration
cally, we design, in Clearing House, the functions asso-
ciated with the conversion of signaling protocols and A number of GSM system features are utilized to
messages, and parameter mapping between CDMA- implement the ground system of IRIDIUM. However,
based cellular network and IRIDIUM network. In addi- IRIDIUM-specific modifications to GSM system fea-
tion to these functions, we propose new signaling pro- tures were made in order to control the dynamic nature
cedures for location registration and call setup in the of the satellite constellation. Fig. 2 shows a block dia-
network that is integrated by using the Clearing House. gram of an IRIDIUM gateway. MSC operating as the
switch in GSM system has two interfaces. One is a
II. An Integration Architecture for IRIDIUM land interface which connects to the telephone network,
System and CDMA-based Cellular S ystem and the other is a mobile interface which connects

3
across an “A” interface to an earth terminal controller This interaction is closely related to the signaling proto-
(ETC). The ETC is similar to the base site subsystem col, numbering, and addressing used in each network. If
(BSS) of a terrestrial GSM system. It controls a set of MAP protocols used in each network are the same, in-
earth terminals (ETs) which communicate with the con- tegration is very easy. Just one directory number can be
stellation using K-band radio links. Information for sub- used and additional equipment may not be required.
scribers is kept in both VLR and HLR. Information for However, MAP protocols used in IRIDIUM system
physical subscriber equipment is kept in the equipment and CDMA-based cellular system is not the same.
identification register (EIR). Therefore, the conversion of MAP protocols is required
for integration of IRIDIUM and CDMA system. The
IRIDIUM Business Support System
conversion of MAP protocols can be performed at a
gateway.
MOC GMS
ET IRIDIUM system is connected to the terrestrial
network through PSTN's international switching center
ET
PSTN
MSC (ISC). CDMA-based cellular system is connected to
Via ISC ETC
VLR HLR EIR ET
PSTN's toll switch (TS). Therefore, PSTN plays a role
GSC A-interface
of an intermediate network for the integration of IRID-
MSC - Mobile Switching Center
GMS - Gateway Management System IUM system and CDMA-based cellular system. Fig. 3
ET - Earth Terminal
VLR - Visited Location Register
ISC - International Switching Center
shows integrated network architecture. We assume that
dual-mode terminal may have only a CDMA system
Fig. 2. Gateway block diagram
directory number assigned through terrestrial
subscription. Since dual-mode terminal has only mobile
2.2 An Integration Architecture of IRIDIUM Sys-
identification number (MIN), its subscriber is registered
tem and CDMA-based Cellular Syste m
in the CDMA’s HLR and not in the IRIDIUM’s HLR.
When dual-mode terminal cannot access broadcast
The integration of IRIDIUM system and CDMA-
channel of CDMA in CDMA service area or is interna-
based cellular system can be done at both terminal level
tionally roaming in other country where CDMA service
and network level. Terminal level integration requires
is not available, dual-mode terminal may be registered at
the use of call forwarding capability. In this integration,
the IRIDIUM’s VLR and may access IRIDIUM service
dual-mode terminal must have an IRIDIUM directory
as an expansion of terrestrial services.
number as well as CDMA directory number. Every in-
IRIDIUM
coming call is forwarded to the IRIDIUM by CDMA’s Network
CDMA-based
HLR, in either when dual-mode terminal is registered in cellular network

the IRIDIUM, or when the terminal cannot be reached BS

MSC
Dual mode
via CDMA paging. This integration method has, as HLR
VLR
Mobile Ternimal HLR VLR

GW GW IS-41 MAP
GSM MAP GMSC
drawback, a long routing time and require dual number
assignment. But the implementation is easy. This inte-
CCS No.7 Clearing
ISC
gration may be valuable only for terminals with very House
PSTN CCS No.7

infrequent requirements for inter-network roaming. At LS TS

network level integration, both networks require inter-

action for call routing and authentication between loca-
tion registers and switching centers of each network. Fig. 3. Architecture of integrated IRIDIUM and

4
 CDMA networks 3.1.1 Message Transfer Part (MTP)

Network interworking will occur principally MTP consists of three levels: level 1 corresponds
through MAP protocol signaling across D-interface, to the electrical transmission of bits from one signaling
which allows the IRIDIUM’s VLR to communicate point to another. The signaling point nodes are con-
with the CDMA’s HLR of a visiting dual-mode termi- nected by signaling links that could be land-line wires,
nal. Since the dual-mode terminal belongs to a CDMA fiber optic cable, or satellite communication links. MTP
home system, the terminal will always be a visitor in level 2 attempts to provide reliable signaling unit trans-
the IRIDIUM. Seamless roaming will require interaction fer between two directly connected signaling points.
mainly between the IRIDIUM's VLR and the CDMA’s MTP level 3 is intended to provide reliable signaling
HLR. With its CDMA system directory number, all unit transfer between any two signaling points in the
calls to the mobile will be first routed to the CDMA’s network.
HLR. Rerouting to IRIDIUM will be performed after
the last mobile location registration has been done in ROAMING AND ACCOUNT INFORMATION
LOCATION

IRIDUM service area. REGISTRER

FOR ROAMING
SUBSCRIBERS
CONVERSION
PROCESS
IN THE IRIDIUM

However, some problems may occur when MAP ROAMING

INFORMATION
Mapping
Table
messages are interchanged across network's boundaries. DBMS DBMS

MAP-USER/GSM MAP-USER/IS-41
CDMA system uses IS-41 MAP as mobile application
MAP/GSM ISUP/ ISUP/ MAP/IS-41
part protocol. On the other hand, IRIDIUM uses GSM ITU ANSI
ASE ASE ASE ASE ASE ASE

MAP as mobile application part protocol. Because of

the significant differences between the intersystem TCAP/ITU-T TCAP/ANSI

MAP signaling protocols, transparent interworking can SCCP/ITU-T SCCP/ANSI

only be provided through a translation mechanism that

MTP1,2,3/ITU-T MTP1,2,3/ANSI
has the capability to interpret and generate the signaling
message required in each system. The Clearing House is Fig. 4. Architecture of Clearing House
a gateway that could perform these functions. The
Clearing House can be implemented in the IRIDIUM 3.1.2 Service Connection Control Part (SCCP)
Gateway or between IRIDIUM Gateway and ISC.
SCCP supports user-to-user communication with
3. A Design of Clearing House enhanced addressing functions such as symbolic names
for a destination, that SCCP translates into a physical
3.1 Clearing House Architecture address. The SCCP also provides both connectionless
and connection-oriented communications.
We have designed an architecture of Clearing
House shown in Fig. 4, which is composed of MTP-1, 3.1.3 Transaction Capabilities Application Part
MTP-2, MTP-3, SCCP, and TCAP. Fig. 4 also shows (TCAP)
message conversion part made up of conversion proces-
sor and mapping table, and database for roaming sub- TCAP provides a set of tools in a connectionless
scriber in the IRIDIUM system. environment that can be used by an application at one
node to invoke an execution of a procedure at another

5
node and exchange the results of such invocation. It in-
cludes protocols and services to perform remote opera- 3.2 Design of Interfaces and Protocol for the Clear-
tions. The primary use of TCAP is for invoking remote ing House
procedures in support of IN services such as 800-
number services (freephone). VLR/IRIDIUM Clearing House HLR/CDMA VLR/CDMA

VLR Application Message HLR Application VLR Application

Part Conversion Part Part

3.1.4 Mobile Application Part (MAP) MAP/GSM

MAP/ MAP/
M A P / IS-41 M A P /I S - 4 1
GSM IS-41

TCAP TCAP TCAP TCAP TCAP

/ITU-T /ITU-T /ANSI /ANSI /ANSI

MAP is an application layer protocol using the SCCP

/ITU-T
SCCP
/ITU-T
SCCP
/ANSI
SCCP
/ANSI
SCCP
/ANSI

SS7 TCAP services. To use TCAP, MAP has defined MTP

/ITU-T
MTP MTP MTP MTP
/ITU-T /ANSI /ANSI /ANSI

operation codes, parameter identifiers, and error codes D Interface/IS-41 D Interface/ IS-41
D,G Interface/G S M

for identifying MAP messages. MAP messages could G Interface/ IS-41

be routed to the destination using SCCP global title

translation (GTT) capabilities. A MAP dialogue is de- Fig. 5. D and G-interfaces and Clearing House in an in-

fined as an exchange of information between two MAP tegrated network

users to perform a common task. A MAP dialogue will

consist of one or several MAP services. As we have mentioned before, the service provi-
sioning in the integrated network requires subscriber's

3.1.5 Message Conversion Processor information to be exchanged between mobile satellite

telecommunication network and terrestrial one. D and G

Interpretation and generation of the signaling mes- interfaces have been defined at the boundaries for the

sages required in each system are performed in this purposes as shown in Fig. 5. Intersystem MAP mes-

functional block. Message Conversion Processor ni - sages must be transmitted between networks through

cludes mapping table that contains matching pairs of the Clearing House, which translates IS-41 MAP mes-

messages and parameters. This block can also control sage into GSM MAP message, and vice versa.

error codes occurred in both MAP protocols. MAP messages are transmitted through CCS No.7
network that provides out of band channel signaling and

3.1.6 Location Register for S ubscriber Roaming in has signaling message transfer protocol made up of

the IRIDIUM Network MTP1,2,3 and SCCP. The call to the roaming sub-
scriber is routed to its destination through a real space

This functional block is responsible for storing, network of the satellite interconnected by inter-satellite

maintaining, updating the information of subscriber links (ISLs).

roaming in the IRIDIUM system. When a subscriber is

in the IRIDIUM system, that subscriber's information 3.3 Functions of Clearing House

is stored in this block. When the subscriber moves from

IRIDUM to CDMA system, his or her information is Clearing House has three functions as a gateway

removed. Location information may be changed due to system for integration of IRIDIUM and CDMA sys-

the movement of subscriber in the IRIDIUM system. tem. The first is MAP protocol conversion. Clearing

This changed information is not stored in the CDMA’s House must interpret and generate the signaling mes-

HLR but only in this location register. sages required in each system taking into account of
numbering plan, addressing, routing mechanism, and ac-

6
cess method to acquire subscriber information. The sec-
ond is mobility management for subscribers roaming in Parameters must be taken into account to convert
the IRIDIUM system. When a subscriber is in the messages. Parameters are closely related to numbering
IRIDIUM system, subscriber's information is stored in plan and addressing. Call setup is performed by using
the IRIDIUM’s VLR and in the location register of directory number (MIN; Mobile Identification Number,
Clearing House. Terminating call of the subscriber IMSI; International Mobile Station Identification). So
roaming in the IRIDIUM system will be primarily this number must be able to be translated in each sys-
routed to Clearing House, and then rerouted to the sub- tem for call setup and signaling. Subscriber number is
scriber registered in the area where IRIDIUM service is supposed to be unified after time-T in which ISDN
provided. Clearing House manages the location informa- numbering plan [23] is put into operation. Addressing
tion of roaming subscriber in the IRIDIUM system. In must be taken into account for the transmission of mes-
other words, Clearing House plays role of the HLR for sages between both systems. CDMA system uses mo-
the roaming subscribers in the IRIDIUM system. The bile switching center identification (MSCID) to differ-
third is account management of subscriber roaming in entiate MSCs. However, IRIDIUM uses MSC address
the IRIDIUM system. Clearing House collects account represented in ISDN number. Clearing House plays role
information for the roaming subscribers and stores in of MSC and VLR of an extended cell in the CDMA
the location register of Clearing House. When CDMA system and does as Gateway and HLR in the
system operator requests the account information, IRIDIUM. Therefore, the Clearing House must have
Clearing House provides that stored in the location reg- both MSCID and MSC addresses for routing of call
ister. setup and signaling. It must also have IRIDIUM's HLR
addresses. These addresses or IDs are recognized by
4. Message Conversion, Parameter Mapping, and both MAP users of the Clearing House. However, there
S ignaling Procedures are some parameters defined in the CDMA system and
not in the IRIDIUM system, and vice versa. In this
4.1 Message Conversion case, default values may be assigned to these parame-
ters through network operators' negotiation.
Signaling messages are transferred across Clearing 7
REQUEST message conversion for location registration

House when the intersystem signaling is performed for GSM MAP MESSAGE
REQUEST
IS-41 MAP MESSAGE
REQUEST
MAP_UPDATE_ Invoke Id MobileIdentificationNumber
mobility management, authentication, call setup, and so LOCATION IMSI
MSC Address
VLR number
QualificationInformationCode
REGISTRATION_ (default)
REQUEST
forth. As previously described, IS-41 MAP message MAP_OBTAIN_
Invoke Id
NOTIFICATION SystemMyTypeCode(VLR)
(default)
RETURN
IMEI MSCID(Service)
Invoke Id
format and handling procedures differ from those of IMEI
MobileSerialNumber

RETURN message conversion for location registration

GSM MAP. We must match one MAP message to the GSM MAP MESSAGE
RETURN
IS-41 MAP MESSAGE
RETURN
MAP_UPDATE_ REGISTRATION_
Invoke Id
other or generate new MAP message for the completion LOCATION
HLR number(default)
NOTIFICATION SystemMyTypeCode (HLR)

of intersystem signaling across boundary of IRIDIUM

Fig. 6. Message conversion for location registration
and CDMA system. Fig. 6 shows the message conver-
between IRIDIUM and CDMA systems
sion for location registration between IRIDIUM and
CDMA system. Practical signaling procedures are de-
4.3 Signaling Procedures
scribed in more detail in the following subsection 3.

Location update procedure updates the location

4.2 Parameter Mapping
information held in the network, and is invoked when

7
subscriber power on his terminal or when subscriber taining IMEI as MobileSerialNumber. Then,
moves to other service area with terminal of the idle the converted message is transmitted to the
state. This information is used for routing of incoming CDMA’s HLR of the terminal.
calls, short messages and unstructured supplementary Step d) The CDMA’s HLR requested location registra-
service data to the roaming subscriber. tion sends message requesting location cancella-
tion to the previous serving the CDMA’s VLR
4.3.1 Move from CDMA S ystem to IRIDIUM for the first time, and then receives the request
acknowledge message. HLR updates its data-
When a subscriber with dual-mode terminal moves base and sends acknowledge message to the
from the service area of the CDMA system to that of Clearing House.
the IRIDIUM system, location registration signaling Step e) Clearing House requests subscriber information
procedures are performed as depicted in Fig. 7. to the CDMA’s HLR and receives that. Then
VGW VGW clearing
it stores the information in the LR of the Clear-
ISU SV SV HGW ISC HLR VLR
MSC VLR house
A_LU_REQUEST (MIN) ing House. It also sends the information to the
MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION_AREA(MIN)
MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION(MIN)

MAP_OBTAIN_IMEI
IRIDIUM's VLR.
MAP_OBTAIN_IMEI ack

REGISTRATION_NOTIFICATION Step f) The IRIDIUM's VLR updates its database with

REGISTRATION_CANCELLATION

REGISTRATION_CANCELLATION ack
REGISTRATIONNOTIFICATIONack
the information received from the Clearing
QUALIFICATION_REQUEST
QUALIFICATION_REQUEST a c k House.
SERVICE_PROFILE_REQUEST
SERVICE_PROFILE_REQUEST ack

MAP_INSERT_SUBSCRIBER_DATA

MAP_INSERT_SUBSCR._DATA ack
MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION ack
4.3.2 Move from IRIDIUM to CDMA System
MAP_UPDATE_LOCATION_AREA ack
A_LU_CONFIRM

When a subscriber with dual-mode terminal moves

Fig. 7. Location registration signaling message from the service area of the IRIDIUM system to that of
flow (Move from CDMA system to the CDM A system, location registration signaling pro-
IRIDIUM) cedures are performed as depicted in Fig. 8. In this case,
Clearing House converts only cancellation message.
The detailed location registration procedures are ISU BSC MSC VLR HLR
clearing
ISC HGW SV
VGW
house VLR

described below. LR_REQUEST

REGISTRATION_NOTIFICATION

REGISTRATION_NOTIFICATION(MIN)

Step a) Dual-mode terminal tries to register to the cur- REGISTRATION_NOTIFICATION ack

REGISTRATION_NOTIFICATIONack REGISTRATION_CANCELLATION(MIN)

rent serving VLR of the IRIDIUM system. confirm MAP_CANCEL_LOCATION

MAP_CANCEL_LOCATION ack
Step b) The IRIDIUM's VLR sends message requesting REGISTRATION_CANCELLATIONack

location registration to the CDMA’s HLR by QUALIFICATION_REQUEST

QUALIFICATION_REQUEST ack

using the CDMA system directory number of SERVICE_PROFILE_REQUEST

the terminal SERVICE_PROFILE_REQUEST ack

Step c) After the Clearing House receives the request

message from the IRIDIUM's VLR, it acquires Fig. 8. Location registration signaling message flow
international mobile equipment identification (Move from IRIDIUM to AMPS)
(IMEI) from the terminal and converts GSM
MAP message into IS-41 MAP message con- The detailed location registration procedures are

8
described below. Fig. 9. Terminating call setup procedure for the roaming
subscriber in the IRIDIUM system
Step a) Dual-mode terminal tries to register to the cur-
rent serving VLR of the CDM A sy stem. Fig. 9 shows the detailed signaling procedures
Step b) CDM A's VLR sends message requesting loca- which are described below.
tion registration to the CDM A's HLR by us-
ing the CDM A directory number of the termi- Step a) When the CDMA’s GMSC (Gateway MSC)
nal receives terminating call from PSTN subscriber
Step c) CDM A's HLR requested location registration to the CDMA's subscriber roaming in the
sends message requesting location cancellation IRIDIUM system, the CDMA’s GMSC re-
to the previous serving IRIDIUM's VLR for quests subscriber location information
the first time, and then receives the request ac- (MSCID) of the CDMA system directory
knowledge message. HLR updates its database number to the CDMA’s HLR and receives the
and sends acknowledge message to the MSCID (the Clearing House's MSCID)
CDM A's VLR. Step b) The CDMA’s GMSC reroutes the call to the
Step d) The CDM A's VLR requests the subscriber in- Clearing House with MSCID received from
formation to the CDM A's HLR and receives the CDMA’s HLR.
that. Step c) The Clearing House requests the MSRN of the
Step e) CDM A's VLR updates its database with the subscriber who should be called with the
information received from the CDM A's HLR. CDMA system directory number to the cur-
rent serving the IRIDIUM's VLR and receives
4.3.2 Call Setup that number.
Step d) The Clearing House reroutes the terminating
Clearing House performs call setup to the sub- call to the corresponding subscriber.
scriber roaming in the IRIDIUM system. Clearing
House has two addresses and two IDs. The MSCID of Fig.10 describes the three phased routing proce-
the Clearing House is used for routing call with dure of terminating call to the CDMA’s subscriber
MSISDN of the subscriber roaming in the IRIDIUM roaming in the IRIDIUM
system. Location information stored in the location reg- 3 .REROUTING TO ISU USING MSRN IN THE IRIDIUM
SV SV
signalling path
ister of the Clearing House is also used to acquire CDMA
Pulled-down
Voice Path
MSRN (Mobile Station Roaming Number). voice path
BTS BSC

ETC ETC
MSC
Calling LS TS Clearing
GMSC HLR ISC HGW SV VLR VGW ISU
part SP SP House HLR VLR

SETUP I_IAM I_IAM MSC MSC GMSC

MSISDN MSISDN LOCATION_REQUEST

ROUTE_REQUEST(MSCID)
ISU ISU SERVING GW
PSTN CONNECTING
CLEARING
MAP_PROVIDING_ROAMING_NUMBER(MSRN OF IRIDIUM) GATEWAY
HOUSE
ROUTE_REQUEST ack(MSCID OF CLEARING HOUSE)
MAP_PROVIDING_ROAMING_NUMBER ack(MSRN OF IRIDIUM)
LOCATION_REQUEST ack(MSCID)
ISC
I_IAM(MSCID OF CLEARING HOUSE) PSTN 2. REROUTING TO
I_IAM(MSRN OF IRIDIUM) CLEARING HOUSE

QUERY LS TS

REPLY
1. MSISDN CALL TO CDMA SUBCRIBER
paging
authentication
I_ACM I_ACM I_ACM etc.

I_ANM I_ANM I_ANM Fig. 10. Routing to dual-mode-terminal roaming in the

IRIDIUM system

9
 search area may include an efficient handover technol-
5. Conclusion ogy in the integrated network, and an applying intelli-
gent network technology for integration of diverse ter-
In this paper, we have designed an architecture for restrial and/or satellite mobile cellular networks.
the integration of IRIDIUM system and domestic
CDMA-based cellular system, and have defined net- Reference
work interfaces at the boundaries where signaling mes-
sages containing subscriber's information are exchanged. [1] Jonathan Hutcheson and Mata Laurin, “Net-
In particular, we have designed an architecture of Clear- work Flexibility of the IRIDIUM Global Mo-
ing House that consists of SCCP and MTP of CCS bile Satellite System”, Proceeding of Interna-
No.7, message conversion mapping table, conversion tional Mobile Satellite Conference, Ottawa, pp.
processor that is responsible to convert MAP/GSM 503-507, 1995.
and MAP/IS-41. We have also specified the functions [2] Fulvio Ananasso and Francesco Delli Priscoli,
of Clearing House. Finally, we suggest new signaling “The Role of Satellite in Personal Communica-
procedures for location registration and call setup. Since tion Services”, IEEE Journal on Selected Areas
IRIDIUM service will be provided after time-T when in Communications, Vol. 13, No. 2, pp. 180-196,
ISDN numbering plan is in operation, the conversion of February 1995.
parameters related to numbering is achieved by using [3] Enrico Del Re, “A Coordinated European Effort
the current ISDN numbering plan. for the Definition of a Satellite Integrated Envi-
Satellite mobile telecommunication systems may ronment for Future Mobile Communications”,
interwork terrestrial mobile telecommunication systems IEEE Communications Magazine, pp. 98-104,
to provide the global communication service to anyone, February 1996.
at any time, and at any place. For this interworking, [4] R. Matyas, P. Kelleher, P. Moller, and T. Jones,
terminal level or network level integrating of satellite “Interworking Evolution of Mobile Satellite and
and terrestrial mobile network are needed. Korea has se- Terrestrial Networks”, Proceeding of Interna-
lected CDMA-based cellular system for digital mobile tional Mobile Satellite Conference, Pasadena
telecommunication system. Our work can be used to California, pp.125-130, June 1993.
design of architecture and signaling procedure for pro- [5] E. H. Drucker, “Integration of Mobile Satellite
viding the intersystem roaming services between mobile and Cellular Systems”, Proceeding of Interna-
communication networks including global mobile per- tional Mobile Satellite Conference, Pasadena
sonal communication system (GMPCS). It can also be California, pp.119-124, June 1993.
used to realize the third-generation mobile telecommu- [6] E. Del Re, F. Delli Priscoli, P. Iannucci, R. Me-
nication system, where IRIDIUM system may effi- nolascino, and F. Settimo, “Architectures and
ciently interwork with CDMA-based cellular system. Protocols for an Integrated Satellite-Terrestrial
For further research work, we are going to per- M obile System”, Proceeding of International
form performance evaluation such as the time delay of Mobile Satellite Conference, Pasadena California,
call setup and handover through Clearing House in the pp. 137-142, June 1993.
integrated IRIDIUM and CDMA-based cellular system, [7] M. Mouly and Marrie B. Pautet, The GSM sys-
as network configuration and other key parameters nec- tem for mobile communications, 1992.
essary for evaluation are set. Another feasible re- [8] GSM recommendations 03.03, Network archi-

10
 tecture, Phase two, ETSI/GSM, September 1994. Multi-Dimensional Mobile Communications, pp.
[9] GSM recommendations 03.04, Signaling re- 424-429, June 1996.
quirements relating to routing of calls to mobile [20] Dong-Hee Lee, Jong-Tae Park, and Jae-Young
subscribers, Phase two, ETSI/GSM, September Ahn, “A Network Architecture for Integration
1994. of IRIDIUM and CDMA Systems”, Proceeding
[10] GSM recommendations 03.07, Restoration pro- of IEEE International Conference on Communi-
cedure, Phase two, ETSI/GSM, September 1994. cations, Montreal, pp. 1221-1225, June 1997.
[11] GSM recommendations 03.12, Location regis- [21] Inmarsat-P: Terrestrial Network Specification,
tration procedures, Phase two, ETSI/GSM, draft version 0.2, November 1995.
September 1994. [22] Abdi R. Modarressi and Ronald A. Skoog, “Sig-
[12] GSM recommendations 09.01, General network naling System No.7: A Tutorial”, IEEE Com-
interworking scenarios, Phase two, ETSI/GSM, munications Magazine, pp. 19-35, July 1990.
September 1994. [23] ITU-R Recommendation E.164, Numbering
[13] GSM recommendations 09.02, Mobile applica- Plan for the ISDN Era.
tion part (MAP) specification, Phase two,
ETSI/GSM, September 1994.
[14] TIA/EIA IS-41, Cellular Radiotelecommunica-
tions Intersystem Operation, Revision C, Sep-
tember 1994.
[15] TTC JJ-70.10, MAP signalling system of digital
mobile communications network internode inter-
face for PDC, TTC, 1994.
[16] Yasuyui Uchiyama, Hiroshi Nakamura, and
Masami Yabusaki, “Network Functions and
Signalling for Personal Roaming between Digital
Cellular Standards”, Proceeding of IEEE Inter-
national Conference on Universal Personal
Communications, pp. 447-451, November 1995.
[17] Toshinori Suzuki, Fumio Watanabe, and Toshio
Mizuno, “Interoperability of PDC with GSM ”,
Proceeding of IEEE International Conference on
Universal Personal Communications, pp. 452-
456, November 1995.
[18] Jorgen Lantto, “Towards a global cellular ser-
vice”, Proceeding of IEEE International Confer-
ence on Universal Personal Communications,
pp. 457-461, November 1995.
[19] Dong-Hee Lee, Jong-Tae Park, and Jae-Young
Ahn, “A network Architecture for Integration of
IRIDIUM and AMPS System”, Proceeding of

11