TABLE OF CONTENTS The Mobile Application Part (MAP) is critical to the operation of wireless networks. Communication between the various network entities enabling services, updating roamer locations, and supporting short messaging is based on the services provided by this protocol. However, the MAP is not compatible between all network technologies.
The Global System for Mobiles (GSM) and American National Standards Institute 41 (ANSI-41) networks differ in the messages and services MAP provides, making them incompatible with one another. In this chapter we will focus on the GSM specifications for the MAP, since GSM is more widespread than ANSI-41.
MAP uses the services of the Signaling System 7 (SS7) network, specifically the Signaling Connection Control Part (SCCP) and the Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP). However, MAP itself is a very complex protocol deserving of a book all on its own. This chapter will focus on the services provided by MAP and the parameters used in these services rather than an exhaustive study on how MAP works. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a handy reference to those working in signaling networks to better understand the messages and parameters found in GSM networks.
To understand MAP, we must first examine the GSM network model and the entities identified in the GSM network. Note that while some of these entities may appear to be stand-alone functions, they can be (and sometimes are) combined with other entities. For example, the Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and the Visitor...
