Customized Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic

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Customized Applications for Mobile networks Enhanced Logic (CAMEL) is a set of standards designed to work on either a GSM core network or the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network. The framework provides tools for operators to define additional features for standard GSM services/UMTS services. The CAMEL architecture is based on the Intelligent Network (IN) standards, and uses the CAP protocol. The protocols are codified in a series of ETSI Technical Specifications.

Contents

Many services can be created using CAMEL, and it is particularly effective in allowing these services to be offered when a subscriber is roaming, like, for instance, No-prefix dialing (the number the user dials is the same no matter the country where the call is placed) or seamless MMS message access from abroad.

CAMEL entities

Specifications

CAMEL specification were published in phases, [1] with four phases having been established As of 2007, each building on the previous. [2] Phases 1 and 2 were defined before 3G networks existed, and as such support adding IN services to a GSM network, although they are equally applicable to 2.5G and 3G networks. Phase 3 was defined for 3GPP Releases 99 and 4, and hence is a GSM and UMTS common specification, while Phase 4 was defined as part of 3GPP Release 5.

In line with other GSM specifications, later phases should be fully backwards compatible with earlier phases; this is achieved by means of the Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP) Application Context (AC) negotiation procedure, with each CAMEL phase is allocated its own AC version. [3]

Phase 1

CAMEL Phase 1 defined only very basic call control services, but introduced the concept of a CAMEL Basic call state model (BCSM) to the Intelligent Network (IN). Phase 1 gave the gsmSCF the ability to bar calls (release the call prior to connection), allow a call to continue unchanged, or to modify a limited number of call parameters before allowing it to continue. The gsmSCF could also monitor the status of a call for certain events (call connection and disconnection), and take appropriate action on being informed of the event. [1]

Phase 1 was defined as part of Release 96 in 1997.

Phase 2

CAMEL Phase 2 enhanced the capabilities defined in Phase 1. In addition to supporting the facilities of Phase 1, Phase 2 included the following:

Phase 2 was defined as part of 3GPP Releases 97 and 98, in 1998, although it is referenced in the stage 1 specification of Release 96.

Phase 3

The third phase of CAMEL enhanced the capabilities of phase 2. The following capabilities were added:

Phase 3 was released as part of 3GPP Releases 99 and 4 in 1999.

Phase 4

The fourth phase of CAMEL built on the capabilities of phase 3. The following features were defined:

With CAMEL Phase 4, it is possible that only a limited subset of the new functionalities is supported, in addition to the complete support of CAMEL Phase 3.

Phase 4 was released as part of 3GPP Release 5 in 2002.

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 3GPP TS 02.78 Release 96 specification for the service aspects of CAMEL Phase 1 & 2 (zip file).
  2. 1 2 3 3GPP TS 22.078 Release 5 specification for CAMEL phase 4 (zip file).
  3. ↑ 3GPP TS 29.078 CAMEL Application Part specification for Release 5 (zipped Word document).
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