Overview

In this chapter, we discuss the ANSI-41 mobile telecommunications network functions related to short message service (SMS). These functions are divided into the following categories: ^[1]

• Short-message entity (SME ^[2]) service qualification

• SME location management

• SME state management

• Short message processing

We also examine the ANSI-41 application processes that support these network functions. In the course of describing the processes, we identify the ANSI-41 mobile application part (MAP) operations (e.g., SMSRequest) used to accomplish SMS process tasks. We summarize this information at the end of the chapter. Note that we employ the ANSI-41 convention for operation component acronyms; the Invoke component acronym is in all-capital letters (e.g., SMSREQ), while the Return Result component acronym is in all-lowercase letters (e.g., smsreq). Refer to the ANSI-41 standard for the descriptions of the individual ANSI-41 operations and parameters. Also, consult the Glossary for a description of general terms (e.g., serving system) not explicitly defined in this chapter.

Throughout this chapter we consider the serving system as a single entity encompassing the mobile switching center (MSC) and visitor location register (VLR) functional entities. This simplifies the descriptions of the ANSI-41 SMS functions and also is representative of a large percentage of the ANSI-41 implementations currently in service. However, keep in mind that the potential for separation of the MSC and VLR exists and is fully defined in ANSI-41.