This subclause describes the functional architecture needed to support CAMEL handling of USSD to/from gsmSCF. The functional model of USSD in an HLR that supports CAMEL is shown in
Figure 5.1. The phase 2 USSD handler is defined in
TS 23.090. Phase 1 USSD information flows may be relayed from the HLR to the gsmSCF. CAMEL introduces a
"CAMEL USSD application" which is invoked by the USSD handler. The CAMEL USSD functional entities and application behaviour is specified in this subclause.
HLR:
The HLR stores for subscribers requiring CAMEL support the information relevant to the current subscription regarding U-CSI. The UG-CSI is stored as global data applicable to all subscribers. The U-CSI and the UG-CSI are stored in the HLR only.
gsmSCF:
This subclause describes the different interfaces applicable to CAMEL. It specifies on a high level the functions specific to CAMEL.
This interface is used for USSD information flows, both for gsmSCF-initiated dialogues and MS-initiated dialogues (relayed via HLR). It is a network operator option whether to support or not USSD information flows on this interface.
The service information specified in this subclause is for information only.
This subclause defines the contents of the USSD General CAMEL Service Information (UG-CSI). The allocation of the UG-CSI is independent from a particular subscriber.
The UG-CSI consists of a list of pairs of the following two parameters.
For the behaviour of the USSD handler in HLR when receiving a MS initiated USSD see
TS 23.090.
When the USSD handler has determined that the service code present in the received USSD does not indicate that an USSD application in the HLR shall be invoked it shall route the USSD to the USSD application specific for CAMEL, i.e. the CAMEL USSD application.
The procedure at the CAMEL USSD application at the HLR is implementation dependent. The following text describes a recommended procedure.
The CAMEL USSD application shall check the U-CSI data assigned to the specific subscriber. If the service code is present in the U-CSI the USSD is routed to the gsmSCF given by the gsmSCF address stored against the service code in the U-CSI.
If the service code is not present in the U-CSI (or the subscriber does not have U-CSI defined) then the CAMEL USSD application shall check the UG-CSI data assigned to the HLR. If the service code is present in the UG-CSI then the USSD is routed to the gsmSCF given by the gsmSCF address stored against the service code in the UG-CSI.
If the service code is not present in U-CSI or UG-CSI an error (unknown application) is returned to the USSD handler.
The HLR may at any time receive a USSD information flow from the gsmSCF. If the subscriber can be contacted, the HLR shall set up a transaction to the VLR and forward the information flow unchanged. Any further information exchange between the gsmSCF and MSC shall be transparent to the VLR and the HLR. When one transaction is released, the HLR shall release the other. If an error is received from the MSC, the VLR shall release the transaction to the HLR and the HLR shall release the transaction to the gsmSCF.
This subclause contains the detailed description of the information flows used by CAMEL for USSD handling.
Each Information Element (IE) is marked as Mandatory (M), Conditional (C), Specific conditions (S) or Optional (O) in the
"Status" column.
An
'M' IE shall always be included. A
'C' IE shall be included if the sending entity has the necessary information to populate the IE. The conditions for the inclusion of an
'S' IE are shown in the
'Description' column of the definition table. An
'O' IE may be included or omitted as required by the service logic. This categorization is a functional classification, i.e. it defines the requirements for the stage 2 information. It is not a stage 3 classification to be used for the ASN.1 syntax of the protocol.
The following principles apply for the handling of the IEs by the receiving entity:
-
The gsmSCF may silently discard any IE which it does not functionally support.
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The HLR shall return an error if it does not functionally support an IE which it receives.
Details of errors and exceptions to these rules are specified in are specified in
TS 29.002.