INTEGRATED SERVICE DIGITAL

NETWORK

Introduction
$1$ Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) was being introduced in the 1980. Af-
ter the introduction of PCM in 1960s digitalization of telecommunication network
started and CCITT has been pioneering and guiding the efforts towards the the
development of ISDN.
$2$ CCITT sets up a study group called Special Study Group D in 1968 to look at
the issues related to the use of digital technology in telephone network. This study
group is the forerunner of today’s Study Group XVIII set up in 1976, and has
the responsibility for all ISDN related activities within the CCITT.
$3$ The first formal definition of ISDN was given by the Study Group D and adopted
by CCITT in 1972.
$4$ Definition :
Integrated Service Digital Network is an integrated digital network in which same
digital switches and digital paths are used to establish different services, for example,
telephony and data.
$5$ At the very beginning the group started with the research on digital technology
in voice channel, but soon it emphasis its work on Integrated Digital Network and
within a period of four years IDN evolves as ISDN. The first ISDN standard, emerged
in 1980, is G. 705 which laid down six conceptual principles on which ISDN should
be based.
1. ISDN will be based on and will be evolve from the telephony IDN by progres-
sively incorporating additional functions and network features including those of
any other dedicated network so as to provide for existing and new services

Example: Audio and video conferencing, E-mail and browsing, all are the exam-
ples of additional functions and network features have been incorporated into a
channel which shares both the voice and data.
2. New services introduced into the ISDN should be so arranged as to be compatible
with 64 kbps switched digital connection

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 Example: The maximum voice bandwidth is being considered as 4 khz. Sam-
pling it by Niquist rate of 8 khz and coding each sample into 8 bits provides us
total bandwidth of 64 kbps. So the data required to be transfered must be within
this limit
3. The transition from one the existing networks to a comprehensive ISDN may
require a period of time extending over one or two decades
4. During the transition period, arrangements must be made for the inter networking
of services on ISDNs and services on other networks
5. The ISDN will contain intelligence for the purposes of providing service features,
maintenance and network management functions. This intelligence may not be
sufficient for some new services and may have t be supplemented by either ad-
ditional intelligence within the network or possible compatible intelligence in the
customer terminals.
6. A layered functional set of protocols appears desirable for the various access ar-
rangements to ISDN. Access from the customer to ISDN resources may vary,
depending upon the service required and on the status of the evolution of national
ISDNs

$6$ Pursuance of this conceptual principles listed above led to an arrangement of the old
definition and a new definition has been given in 1984 as ...

New definition : An ISDN is a network, in general evolving from a telephony

IDN, that provides end-to-end digital connectivity to support a wide range of ser-
vices, including voice and non-voice services, to which users have access by a limited
set of standard multipurpose user-network interfaces.

$7$ The new definition distinctly states about the property or key features of ISDN which
can be categorized as ...

Property 1. ISDN should support a wide variety of services and it has not been
designed for any specific services
Property 2. The end-to-end digital connectivity implies that the digitization process
begins right at the user premises
Property 3. ISDN should support any conceivable service for both voice or non-voice
Property 4. A small set of carefully chosen interface should enable the support of all
possible services. The users of ISDN should not be burdened with too
many specialized interfaces, and at the same time an expensive universal
interface should be avoided

Merits of ISDN System

1. An ISDN user can establish two simultaneous independent telecom calls on the existing
pair of telephone wire

2. The two simultenious calls may be any types as speech, data, image, or video

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 3. Using an ISDN line the data transfer rate with another ISDN system on dial up basis
is 64 kbps and it can go up to 128 kbps

4. With an ISDN line the video conferencing can be done with another ISDN subscriber
on dial up basis

(a) ordinary video conferencing of 128 kbps on one ISDN line

(b) High quality video conferencing of 384 kbps on three ISDN line

(a) Three consecutive public switch telephone network [PSTN] connection can be ar-
ranged in a single ISDN line

(b) Two simultaneous tasks can be done on a single ISDN connection such as internet
and video conferencing etc.

(c) A maximum of 8 terminals can be connected to the network terminator [NT] of ISDN

New Services of ISDN

ISDN should support a variety of services including the existing voice and data and a
other new services. Some of the new services are

1. Electronic mail (E-mail)

2. Videotex

3. Digital facsimile

4. Teletex

5. Database access

6. Electronic fund transfer

7. Image and graphics exchange

8. Document storage and transfer

9. Automatic alarm services, e.g., smoke, fire, police and medical

10. Audio and video conferencing

Network and Protocol Architecture : The ISDN For-

mats
As we know that ISDN is truly an integrated service but its impossible to implement
all the existing telecommunication network system into ISDN network rather making a
bridge between the existing and ISDN network. Here we will discuss the chronological
order of the advancement of ISDN.

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 Before the ISDN there ware two stage of transitions named as segregated network and
integrated digital network (IDN) as shown in Fig.1 and Fig.2.
Figure 1, the first step towards ISDN, shows the integrated type features combining
the simple single type network. It was the function of Integrator End (IE) to identify the
information intended to which network and routing the the information to its intended
network.

CIRCUIT SWITCHED NETWORK

PACKATE SWITCHED NETWORK

USER
USER

IE IE
NON−SWITCHED NETWORK

SIGNALLING NETWORK

Figure 1: Segregated network

USER

USER

IE SINGLE NETWORK FOR IE

BASIC 4 NETWORKS

Figure 2: Integrated digital network

Basically the IE performs four functions

1. Multiplexing and demultiplexing of the signals

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2. Providing the identification to the information to which it is intended
3. security
4. error detection
The second stage towards ISDN was IDN. The main difference between IDN and
ISDN is IDN follows the synchronous data transfer (SDT) and ISDN strictly follows
asynchronous data transfer (ADT).
Figure 3 explains a sample ISDN configuration. ISDN devices include terminals,
terminal adapters (TAs), network-termination devices, line-termination equipment, and
exchange-termination equipment. ISDN terminals come in two types. Specialized ISDN
terminals are referred to as terminal equipment type 1 (TE1). Non-ISDN terminals, such
as DTE, that predate the ISDN standards are referred to as terminal equipment type
2 (TE2). TE1s connect to the ISDN network through a four-wire, twisted-pair digital
link. TE2s connect to the ISDN network through a TA. The ISDN TA can be either a
stand-alone device or a board inside the TE2. If the TE2 is implemented as a stand-alone
device, it connects to the TA via a standard physical-layer interface. Examples include
EIA/TIA-232-C (formerly RS-232-C), V.24, and V.35. Beyond the TE1 and TE2 devices,
the next connection point in the ISDN network is the network termination type 1 (NT1)
or network termination type 2 (NT2) device. These are network-termination devices that
connect the four-wire subscriber wiring to the conventional two-wire local loop. In North
America, the NT1 is a customer premises equipment (CPE) device. In most other parts
of the world, the NT1 is part of the network provided by the carrier. The NT2 is a more

Figure 3: Sample ISDN Configuration Illustrates Relationships Between Devices and

Reference Points
complicated device that typically is found in digital private branch exchanges (PBXs)
and that performs Layer 2 and 3 protocol functions and concentration services. An
NT1/2 device also exists as a single device that combines the functions of an NT1 and an
NT2. ISDN specifies a number of reference points that define logical interfaces between
functional groups, such as TAs and NT1s. ISDN reference points include the following:

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 • R The reference point between non-ISDN equipment and a TA.

• S The reference point between user terminals and the NT2.

• T The reference point between NT1 and NT2 devices.

• U The reference point between NT1 devices and line-termination equipment in the
carrier

network. The U reference point is relevant only in North America, where the NT1
function is not provided by the carrier network. Figure 3 illustrates a sample ISDN
configuration and shows three devices attached to an ISDN switch at the central office.
Two of these devices are ISDN-compatible, so they can be attached through an S reference
point to NT2 devices. The third device (a standard, non-ISDN telephone) attaches
through the reference point to a TA. Any of these devices also could attach to an NT1/2
device, which would replace both the NT1 and the NT2. In addition, although they are
not shown, similar user stations are attached to the far-right ISDN switch.

ISDN Services
There are main two ISDN services

1. Basic Rate Interface (BRI)

2. Primary Rate Interface (PRI)

ISDN BRI Services

The ISDN Basic Rate Interface (BRI) service offers two B channels and one D channel
(2B+D). BRI B-channel service operates at 64 kbps and is meant to carry user data;
BRI D-channel service operates at 16 kbps and is meant to carry control and signaling
information, although it can support user data transmission under certain circumstances.
The D channel signaling protocol comprises Layers 1 through 3 of the OSI reference
model. BRI also provides for framing control and other overhead, bringing its total bit
rate to 192 kbps. The BRI physical layer specification is International Telecommuni-
cation UnionTelecommunications Standards Section (ITU-T) (formerly the Consultative
Committee for International Telegraph and Telephone [CCITT]) I.430.

ISDN PRI Services

ISDN Primary Rate Interface (PRI) service offers 23 B channels and 1 D channel in North
America and Japan, yielding a total bit rate of 1.544 Mbps (the PRI D channel runs at
64 kbps). ISDN PRI in Europe, Australia, and other parts of the world provides 30 B
channels plus one 64-kbps D channel and a total interface rate of 2.048 Mbps. The PRI
physical layer specification is ITU-T I.431.

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The ISDN Protocol Layer Architecture
ISDN protocol shows a three layer architecture corresponding to OSI seven layers. The
three important layers used in ISDN are

1. Physical Layer

(a) Encoding and decoding of information

(b) Transmission of channel data
(c) Multiplexing to form basic and primary rate
(d) Making and breaking of physical circuit (as a circuit switch)

2. Data link layer

(a) Establishing and clearing data links

(b) Error, flow and congestion control
(c) Synchronization: matching the clocking frequency, phase of information at re-
ceiver side.

3. Network Layer

(a) Addressing and routing

(b) User-to-user signalling
(c) Activation and deactivation of network level connections.
(d) Multiplexing between different networks.

Layer7 A Free space for user application

Service n/w
Tele

Layer6 P Compress/Expand Security

Layer5 S Session coltrol Synchronization

Layer4 T Debug Message Integrgrity Flow control

Layer3 N Routing Between user signalling

Bearer
Service
Layer2 D Data link form Flow & congestion control n/w

Layer1 P Encode & Decode B & D mux Transmission

Figure 4: ISDN protocol architecture

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Layer 1 Operation
ISDN physical layer (Layer 1) frame formats differ depending on whether the frame is
outbound (from terminal to network) or inbound (from network to terminal). Both
physical layer interfaces are shown in Figure 5 The frames are 48 bits long, of which 36
bits represent data. The bits of an ISDN physical layer frame are used as follows:

• F Provides synchronization

• L Adjusts the average bit value

• E Ensures contention resolution when several terminals on a passive bus contend

for a channel

• A Activates devices

• S Is unassigned

• B1, B2, and DHandle user data

Multiple ISDN user devices can be physically attached to one circuit. In this configu-
ration, collisions can result if two terminals transmit simultaneously. Therefore, ISDN
provides features to determine link contention. When an NT receives a D bit from the
TE, it echoes back the bit in the next E-bit position. The TE expects the next E bit to
be the same as its last transmitted D bit. Terminals cannot transmit into the D channel
unless they first detect a specific number of ones (indicating no signal) corresponding
to a pre-established priority. If the TE detects a bit in the echo (E) channel that is
different from its D bits, it must stop transmitting immediately. This simple technique
ensures that only one terminal can transmit its D message at one time. After successful
D-message transmission, the terminal has its priority reduced by requiring it to detect
more continuous ones before transmitting. Terminals cannot raise their priority until all
other devices on the same line have had an opportunity to send a D message. Telephone
connections have higher priority than all other services, and signaling information has a
higher priority than non signaling information.

Transmission Channels and Access Arrangement in

ISDN System
There are four fundamental channels in ISDN on the basis of entire organization of
information transmission. They are as :

(a) Basic Rate Interface, B channel, 64 kbps

(b) Primary Rate Interface, P channel, 128 kbps

(c) Signalling Channel, 16 or 64 kbps

(d) High Speed Channel, H channel

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 Figure 5: ISDN Physical Layer Frame Formats Differ Depending on Their Direction

• H0 channel, 384 kbps

• H11 channel, 1536 kbps
• H12 channel, 1920 kbps

(a) B channel [Basic Rate Interface]

2B+D channels
B : 64 kbps
D : 16 kbps data and voice channels
D : 16 kbps control signal
B channel is full duplex and used for encoding of digital voice, multiplexing of lower
rate data streams. Multiplexing is limited to 8, 16, 32 kbps streams.

(b) P channel [Primary Rate Interface] 30B+D Channels [European countries]

23B+D Channels [Japan]
B: 64 kbps data and voice channels
D: 64 kbps control signal
P channel is extensively used in USA, Canada, Japan, Europe, India etc

(c) D channel Its primary function is to carry signalling information for the control of
circuit switched connections involving one or more B channels. Otherwise it can be
used for following purposes:
1. Transport of user signalling information
2. Low bit rate packet data
3. Telemetry

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(d) H channel It is used to carry user information at data rate in excess of 64 kbps in :
1. video teleconferencing
2. high resolution graphics
3. high resolution digital video/audio for transport of television
4. fast FAX services
H0 and H11 are used in the North American Version of ISDN, H12 is used in European
version. H21 and H22 are intended for broadband ISDN

Relation Between Channel Parameters

S : Frame size
I : Information stream rate in bps
R : No. of information bits in each frame
RF : Frame rate in frames/sec

Frame size and frame rate are so chosen that:

I=RF*D; R=RF*S

User Network Interfaces

At the user network interface the user must have some facilities along with the normal
telephone services.
The services include phone and facilities are

1. Presentation of calling line identity [CLIP]

2. Restriction of calling line identity [CLIR]

3. Call forwarding services [CF]

4. Call forwarding busy, no reply, unconditional

5. Call holding

6. Three party conference

7. Advice of charge in terms of call units

Grade of ISDN Service

1. Reduction of cost and terminal universality and portability

2. Standard socket to connect 2B+1D link

3. Improved reliability and flexibility to add new services

4. Flexibility of introducing new features to existing services

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 Telephone Tickit Agencies

PBX Stock market

Coustomer ISDN
Interface Office
Alarm Packet switched
network

LAN Other services

Figure 6: ISDN

ISDN services

Bearer service Tele service

Basic Bearer service Basic tele service

Basic tele service Basic tele service

+ +
Supplementery Service Supplimentery service

Figure 7: ISDN categories

A packet of data transmission is a typical example of bearer service while telephony,

telex, videotext and facimile are some tele-services. Supplementary services are offered
in conjunction with either a bearer service or tele-service.

A List of Supplementary Services

1. Abbreviated dialling 7. Don’t disturb
2. Closed user group 8. Reverse charging
3. Call waiting display 9. Call bearing
4. Three party conference 10.Direct dialling
5. city wide centrex 11.Conference call
6. Credit card calling 12.Call forwarding

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Limitations of ISDN
There are some limitations associated with using ISDN single step call transfer with
WebSphere Voice Response. These limitations are:

1. The two calls involved in the transfer (the original inbound call and the outbound call
to the third party) must be connected to WebSphere Voice Response from the same
switch. The specifications allow the two calls to be on different trunks, provided that
both trunks support ISDN single step call transfer.
If the WebSphere Voice Response system has a mixture of CAS, SS7, and ISDN trunks,
the user application should ensure that the outbound call is made on the correct trunk
for a ISDN single step call transfer to be successful.

2. No user access is given to the information elements on the transfer.

3. ISDN single step call transfer is not totally compatible with the WebSphere Voice
Response signaling model, so application changes will be required when porting appli-
cations that involve transfer operations from different telephony configurations.

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