Channel signaling systems and their applications

Channel signaling systems are communications systems that are used for controlling, accounting for, and managing traffic during communication. Generally, signals are transmitted between controllers either over the talking route or over different data networks. One of the most commonly used paths is telecommunications networks that provide various methods of developing and bringing down circuit links like signaling. Signals can be classified into four major functions i.e. supervising, alerting, call progress tones, and addressing. Supervising function entails monitoring the status of a path or circuit to decide whether it is idle, busy, or requesting service. Alerting provides indications of incoming call whereas call progress tones notify users of the status of the call setup process. On the other hand, addressing refers to the procedure of transmitting path and purpose signals across the network like tone pulses ("Signaling Systems," n.d.).

Channel Signaling Systems in Voice Communication:

As previously mentioned, signaling systems are generally used for transmission of signals over talking channels or over varying data networks. In voice communication, there are various types of channel signaling systems with varying characteristics, setup, advantages, and disadvantages. Some of the most common channel signaling systems in voice communication includes trunk signaling systems, addressing signals, Signaling System 7, and Integrated Services Digital Network.

Trunk signaling systems support single-frequency signaling and are the most common analog channel signaling systems. Under these systems, the voice frequency leads from a transmitting channel and connects directly to the single-frequency set. These systems contain circuitry to convert the state of the receive-and-transmit leads in reaction to the presence or absence of the single-frequency tone. The circuitry is also used to switch the signaling tone on and off when there is a change of the status of the leads by the switching system or other main office equipments. The advantage of the trunk signaling system is that it serves as an effective analog channel that links voice frequency to the single-frequency set. However, the disadvantage of the system is the likelihood of talk-off i.e. hazard of single-frequency that occurs when an individual's voice contains enough energy to trigger the tone-detecting circuits.

Addressing signals are systems that travel over the voice path since voice is transmitted over trunks like dial-pulse, DTMF, and multi-frequency signals. The systems use dial pulse that require between 1 and 10 pulses and an inter-digital interval as well as DTMF signals that need a DTMF receiver in the central office to transform the tones to addressing signals. The advantages of these systems include the fact that they are more reliable, are faster than dial-pulse signals, use minimal time to establish, and can be passed via the switching system once the connection is established. However, the disadvantage of the systems is that they require a sender to transmit pulses ("Signaling Systems," n.d.).

Signaling System 7 is a telecommunications network with several switching and processing nodes interconnected by transmission channels. For communication to take place through these systems the nodes must execute the necessary node features that make the node a signaling point within the SS7 network ("Common Channel Signaling," n.d.). Signaling System 7 has several advantages including enhancing call management, dealing with call setup and disconnect, call timing and billing, and handling end-to-end call evaluation. However, these systems transmit voice on the SS7 signaling network, which is relatively difficult to set up.

Integrated Services Digital Network support a set of service capabilities that include voice and non-voice applications. As a result of the ability to support varying service capabilities, ISDN provides end-to-end digital connectivity. The main component of service integration in these channel signaling systems is the accessibility of a limited range of standard multi-purpose user-network platforms. The main advantage of these systems is that they provide various alternatives to users since they support various service capabilities. However, the systems only function when terminal equipment and applications are connected properly, which is a relatively complex process to achieve.

Voice Processing Systems for Businesses:

The modern business environment is communication intensive to an extent that businesses are increasingly facing the need for a reliable strategy for managing communication issues. Today's businesses require dependable systems and means of handling messages and meeting the demands of customers for readily available information. This need has contributed to the development of a wide range of reliable voice processing systems and solutions that businesses can choose from. Some of the major examples of voice processing systems for businesses include Toshiba Stratagy family of voice processing systems and Panasonic voice processing systems.

Toshiba Stratagy family of voice processing systems range from voice mail to unified messaging in attempts to match the varying needs and budgets of voice processing in small and medium-sized businesses ("Stratagy Voice Processing," 2002). These voice processing system models or designs enable businesses to add voice processing applications as needs change without major hardware upgrades. The ability to add voice processing applications when necessary is a major advantage of this set of voice processing systems. Secondly, the use of Stratagy component in these voice processing systems makes them one of the most flexible business telephone systems. The other advantages of these systems is that they promote enhanced efficiency in internal and external communications, management of calls, and service to customers while improving the business' bottom line. While these systems provide numerous advantages to businesses with regards to improved productivity and efficiency, they contain relatively expensive hardware and software requirements. During the installation of the systems, a business may be required to buy costly hardware and software, which is a major disadvantage.

Similar to Toshiba Stratagy family of voice processing systems, Panasonic provide a set of voice processing systems that support more than voice mail and computerized attendant service. Panasonic KX-TVA voice processing systems are suitable for businesses because they contain various features including bilingual capability and email integration. The bilingual capability implies that the systems can be tailor-made to meet the specific needs of the business ("Voice Processing Systems," n.d.). One of the advantages of these systems is that they are designed to handle all calls in an efficient and courteous way by allowing businesses to add an important human voice touch when responding to customer calls. Secondly, these systems are flexible, versatile, provide affordable voice messaging, and offer automated attendant service. Their disadvantage is that they require combination with other Panasonic voice processing systems to support digital integration.