Importance

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Abstract

A signaling network gateway device (12) is provided for use in a signaling network (10), such as a Signaling System 7 signaling network. The signaling network gateway device (12) includes a protocol interface unit, a signaling transport unit, and a signaling gateway control unit (58). The protocol interface unit converts signaling information between a first format and a second format and exchanges signaling information in the second format with a user access element, such as a digital loop carrier (26), of the signaling network (10). The protocol interface unit may include any number of individual protocol interface units such as an ISDN protocol interface unit (50), a future protocol interface unit (52), a TAPI/TSAPI protocol interface unit (54), and an SS7 protocol interface unit (56). The signaling transport unit performs link speed conversion on the signaling information in the first format so that the signaling information may be exchanged with a transport signaling link, such as a link (15), of the signaling network (10) at a desired rate. The signaling transport unit may include any number of individual signaling transport units such as an SS7 signaling transport unit (68) and an SS7/ATM signaling transport unit (70). The signaling gateway control unit (58) controls an exchange of signaling information in the first format between the signaling transport unit and the protocol interface unit.

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First Claim