Methods and systems for off-loading a-interface short message service (SMS) message traffic in a wireless communications network

摘要

A signaling message processing and routing node intercepts and routes signaling system 7 (SS7)-based signaling messages received from the base station controller (BSC) component of a base station system (BSS) via an A-interface link interface. The A-interface normally connects a BSC node to a mobile switching center (MSC) node. Upon determining that a signaling message received from a BSC node via an A-interface link is an SMS-related message, the SMS message is routed towards the appropriate destination without involving the MSC node connected to the BSC. The SMS message may be encapsulated within an Internet protocol (IP)-based transport adapter layer interface (TALI) protocol packet and transmitted into an IP network. As a result, MSC resources are conserved.