Trunk design optimization for public switched telephone network Number:6,829,345 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent A method and system enable optimization of trunk group design in a public switched telephone network (PSTN). A community of interest, including two end offices connected by a direct trunk and at least one tandem switch, is identified using out-of band signaling data collected from the PSTN. An application server interfaced to the PSTN determines whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the tandem switch during a predetermined time period. When traffic passes through the tandem switch, the application server further determines whether the direct trunk between the end offices experienced an overflow condition during the same predetermined time period. When the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition, an exchange code associated with the traffic passing through the tandem switch is designated as a misrouted code. The misrouted code is flagged so that associated traffic is redirected through the direct trunk.<H optimization, telephone, Trunk, design, op, 6829345.html, Patent, pto, 6829345

Title: Trunk design optimization for public switched telephone network

Abstract: A method and system enable optimization of trunk group design in a public switched telephone network (PSTN). A community of interest, including two end offices connected by a direct trunk and at least one tandem switch, is identified using out-of band signaling data collected from the PSTN. An application server interfaced to the PSTN determines whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the tandem switch during a predetermined time period. When traffic passes through the tandem switch, the application server further determines whether the direct trunk between the end offices experienced an overflow condition during the same predetermined time period. When the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition, an exchange code associated with the traffic passing through the tandem switch is designated as a misrouted code. The misrouted code is flagged so that associated traffic is redirected through the direct trunk.

Patent Number: 6,829,345 Issued on 12/07/2004 to Savoor, et al.

Inventors: Savoor; Raghvendra G. (Walnut Creek, CA); Fuetsch; Andre (Houston, TX); Armanino; Frederick Michael (San Antonio, TX); Jiang; Baofeng (Pleasanton, CA); Wong; Peter (Newark, CA); Tsai; Mengfeng (Freemont, CA); Kimble; David Lewis (Danville, CA)
Assignee: SBC Services, Inc. (San Antonio, TX)

Appl. No.: 023864

Filed: December 21, 2001

Current U.S. Class: 379/219 ; 379/221.01; 379/221.02; 379/221.03; 379/221.14

Field of Search: 379/221.01,221.02,221.03,221.14

References Cited [Referenced By]

U.S. Patent Documents


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Primary Examiner: Deane, Jr.; William J.
Assistant Examiner: Ubiles; Marie C.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for optimizing network trunk design by identifying misrouting of traffic in a telecommunications network, the method comprising: identifying a community of interest based on call signaling data, the community of interest comprising at least one intermediate switching location connected to a first terminal switching location connected by a direct trunk to a second terminal switching location; determining whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the at least one intermediate switching location during a predetermined time period; and determining whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period; when traffic in the community of interest is determined to have passed through the at least one intermediate switching location during the predetermined time period, and the direct trunk is determined not to have experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period, designating an identifier associated with the traffic that passed through the at least one intermediate switching location as misrouted traffic.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: flagging the identifier associated with the misrouted traffic to redirect the misrouted traffic through the direct trunk.

3. A method for optimizing network trunk design by identifying misrouting of traffic in a telecommunications network, the method comprising: identifying a community of interest based on call signaling data, the community of interest comprising at least one intermediate switching location connected to a first terminal switching location connected by a direct trunk to a second terminal switching location; determining whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the at least one intermediate switching location during a predetermined time period; determining whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period; when traffic in the community of interest is determined to have passed through the at least one intermediate switching location during the predetermined time period, and the direct trunk is determined not to have experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period, designating an identifier associated with the traffic that passed through the at least one intermediate switching location as misrouted traffic; identifying a volume of the misrouted traffic; and quantifying a load on the at least one intermediate switch attributed to the misrouted traffic based on the volume.

4. The method according to claim 1, in which the signaling data comprises out-of-band signaling data collected from the at least one intermediate switching location in the telecommunications network.

5. The method according to claim 4, in which the out-of-band signaling data comprises signaling system 7 (SS7) messages.

6. The method according to claim 1, in which the at least one intermediate switching location comprises a class four switch.

7. The method according to claim 1, in which the first and second terminal switching locations comprise class five switches.

8. The method according to claim 1, in which the identifier associated with the misrouted traffic comprises an exchange code.

9. The method according to claim 8, in which the exchange code comprises a numbering plan area (NPA)/local exchange (NXX) code.

10. A method for enhancing design of a telecommunications network by identifying misrouting of traffic in a community of interest of the telecommunications network, the community of interest comprising at least a tandem switch connected to a first end office switch connected by a direct trunk to a second end office switch, the method comprising: generating a base component relating to the community of interest based on out-of-band signaling data, the base component comprising a plurality of predetermined time periods and a volume of traffic passing through the tandem switch in the community of interest during each of the plurality of predetermined time periods; and determining whether the base component indicates traffic through the tandem switch in the community of interest during at least one of the plurality of predetermined time periods; when the tandem switch shows traffic, determining whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the corresponding at least one of the plurality of predetermined time periods; and when the direct trunk did not experience the overflow condition during the corresponding at least one of the plurality of predetermined time periods, identifying at least one unique code associated with the community of interest as a misrouted code.

11. The method according to claim 10, in which the out-of-band signaling data comprises signaling system 7 (SS7) messages.

12. A method for enhancing design of a telecommunications network by identifying misrouting of traffic in a community of interest of the telecommunications network, the community of interest comprising at least a tandem switch connected to a first end office switch connected by a direct trunk to a second end office switch, the method comprising: generating a base component relating to the community of interest based on out-of-band signaling data, the base component comprising a plurality of predetermined time periods and a volume of traffic passing through the tandem switch in the community of interest during each of the plurality of predetermined time periods; determining whether the base component indicates traffic through the tandem switch in the community of interest during at least one of the plurality of predetermined time periods; when the tandem switch shows traffic, determining whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the corresponding at least one of the plurality of predetermined time periods; when the direct trunk did not experience the overflow condition during the corresponding at least one of the plurality of predetermined time periods, identifying at least one unique code associated with the community of interest as a misrouted code; identifying a volume of the traffic associated with the misrouted code; and quantifying a load on the tandem switch attributed to the misrouted traffic.

13. The method according to claim 10, in which the at least one unique code comprises a numbering plan area (NPA)/local exchange (NXX) code.

14. A system for optimizing trunk design by identifying misrouting of traffic in a telecommunications network, the system comprising: a data collection application device, configured to receive out-of-band signaling data from a public switched telephone network; and an application server connected to the data collection application device, the application server identifying a community of interest in the public switched telephone network based on the out-of-band signaling data received by the data collection application device, the community of interest comprising at least one intermediate switching location connected to a first terminal switching location and a second terminal switching location, the first terminal switching location being connected by a direct trunk to the second terminal switching location; the application server determining whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the at least one intermediate switching location during a predetermined time period and whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period; and when traffic in the community of interest is determined to have passed through the at least one intermediate switching location and the direct trunk is determined not to have experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period, the application server designating an identifier associated with the traffic that passed through the at least one intermediate switching location as misrouted traffic.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising: an application database, connected to the application server, that stores information relating to at least the community of interest, the determination of whether the traffic passed through the at least one intermediate switching location during the predetermined time period, the determination of whether the direct trunk group experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period, and the identifier.

16. The system according to claim 15, further comprising: a data network connecting the application server and the application database to at least one graphical user interface and enabling analysis of the stored information.

17. The system according to claim 14, in which the identifier comprises a numbering plan area (NPA)/local exchange (NXX) code.

18. The system according to claim 14, in which the out-of-band signaling data comprises signaling system 7 (SS7).

19. A system for enhancing efficiency of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) design by identifying misrouting of traffic in a community of interest of the PSTN, the community of interest comprising at least one tandem switch connected to a first end office switch connected by a direct trunk to a second end office switch, the system comprising: a signaling system 7 (SS7) data collection device, configured to receive out-of-band signaling data from the PSTN; and an application server connected to the data collection device, the application server identifying the community of interest and determining whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the at least one tandem switch in the community of interest during a predetermined time period, based on the out-of-band signaling data provided by the data collection device; when traffic in the community of interest is determined to have passed through the at least one tandem switch, the application server further determining whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period; and when the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition during the predetermined time period, the application server designating at least one exchange code associated with the traffic that passed through the at least one tandem switch as a misrouted code; wherein the application server, together with an associated database, is configured to provide information relating to at least the community of interest, the tandem switch and the misrouted code to at least one graphical user interface.

20. A system for enhancing efficiency of a public switched telephone network (PSTN) design by identifying misrouting of traffic in a community of interest of the PSTN, the community of interest comprising at least one tandem switch connected to a first end office switch connected by a direct trunk to a second end office switch, the system comprising; a signaling system 7 (SS7) data collection device, configured to receive out-of-band signaling data from the PSTN; and an application server connected to the data collection device, the application server identifying the community of interest and determining whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the at least one tandem switch in the community of interest during a predetermined time period, based on the out-of-band signaling data provided by the data collection device; when traffic in the community of interest is determined to have passed through the at least one tandem switch, the application server further determining whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period; and when the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition during the predetermined time period, the application server designating at least one exchange code associated with the traffic that passed through the at least one tandem switch as a misrouted code; wherein the application server, together with an associated database, is configured to provide information relating to at least the community of interest, the tandem switch and the misrouted code to at least one graphical user interface; and wherein the application server identifies a volume of the traffic having the misrouted code and quantifies a load on the at least one tandem switch attributed to the misrouted traffic based on the volume.

21. A computer readable medium for storing a computer program that identifies misrouting of traffic in a community of interest of a telecommunications network for use in optimizing design of the network, the community of interest comprising at least a tandem switch connected to a first end office switch and a second end office switch, the computer readable medium comprising: a generating source code segment that generates a base component relating to the community of interest based on out-of-band signaling data, the base component comprising a plurality of predetermined time periods and a volume of traffic passing through the tandem switch in the community of interest during each of the plurality of predetermined time periods; a determining source code segment that determines whether the base component indicates traffic through the tandem switch in the community of interest during at least one of the plurality of predetermined time periods and, when the tandem switch shows traffic, determines whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the corresponding at least one of the plurality of predetermined time periods; and an identifying source code segment that identifies at least one unique code associated with the community of interest as a misrouted code when the direct trunk did not experience the overflow condition during the corresponding at least one of the plurality of predetermined time periods.

22. The computer readable medium according to claim 21, in which the out-of-band signaling data comprises signaling system 7 (SS7) messages.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications. More particularly, the present invention relates to optimizing the design of trunk routing among switches in a telecommunications network.

2. Acronyms

The written description provided herein contains acronyms which refer to various telecommunications services, components and techniques, as well as features relating to the present invention. Although some of these acronyms are known, use of these acronyms is not strictly standardized in the art. For purposes of the written description herein, the acronyms are defined as follows:

Answer Complete Message (ACM)

Answer Message (ANM)

Call Detail Record (CDR)

Centum-Call Seconds (CCS)

Central Exchange Service (Centrex)

Carrier Identification Code (CIC)

Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC)

Data Collection Operations System (DCOS)

Electronic Key Telephone System (EKTS)

Generic Access Profile (GAP)

Grade of Service (GOS)

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

HyperText Mark-Up Language (HTML)

HyperText Transfer Language Protocol (HTTP)

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC)

Initial Address Message (IAM)

Interexchange Carrier (IXC)

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Local Exchange (NXX)

Local Routing Number (LRN)

Numbering Plan Area (NPA)

Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS)

Private Branch Exchange (PBX)

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN)

Release (REL)

Release Complete (RLC)

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

Service Control Point (SCP)

Service Switching Point (SSP)

Signaling System 7 (SS7)

Signaling Transfer Point (STP)

Transaction Capabilities Application Part (TCAP)

Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)

Trunk Circuit Identification Code (TCIC)

Trunk Integrated Records Keeping System (TIRKS)

Total Network Data System (TNDS)

3. Background Information

The public switched telephone network (PSTN) consists generally of a series of switches capable of logically routing calls through the telecommunications network based, in part, on call origin and destination. Commonly, the PSTN includes two types of switches: class five switches, also known as an end office or a service switching point (SSP), and class four switches, also known as a tandem switch. The switches are controlled by associated signaling transfer points (STPs) and service control points (SCPs), which provide instruction on call routing, as well as a variety of network implemented call services.

The end offices connect the PSTN to the network users' telephone systems, including business related Centrex and private branch exchange (PBX) systems, as well as the plain old telephone service (POTS) systems, relied on by most residential customers. Other users involve entire networks, such as Internet service providers (ISP) and the like. The tandem switches are intermediate switches, incorporated in routing between the originating end office and the terminating end office. The various switches in the PSTN are connected by communication lines called trunks. A group of similar trunks that connect the same geographic locations are referred to as trunk groups. Depending on the volume of traffic, several trunk groups may simultaneously service two particular points in the PSTN.

The trunk groups interconnecting the switches are designed and implemented based on analysis of telecommunications traffic, which has consistently and dramatically increased over the past several years. Trunk planners and network design engineers attempt to identify communications paths among switches that carry an especially high amount of traffic or load from point to point. Switches carrying especially high loads are connected with direct trunk groups to accommodate the traffic, preferably without wasting resources. As PSTN traffic increases, along with the number of interconnecting carriers, such as competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs), wireless carriers, interexchange carriers (IXCs) and independent carriers, the new and shifting traffic depend largely on tandem switches as primary hubs. The increased traffic loads and carriers have exhausted the tandem switches driving increased capital investment in the PSTN (e.g., additional tandem switches and associated trunk groups). Often, though, tandem switches and trunk groups are added to relieve overburdened resources, while other existing tandem switches and trunk groups are not being used to their fullest capacity. This misuse of resources is due to the limited ability to accurately quantify and analyze the actual traffic loads at each tandem switch.

The dynamic nature of network traffic enables continual production of new and different "communities of interest" between end offices, which create opportunities to off-load traffic from the exhausted tandem switches. There are various types of communities of interest, the respective identities of which depend on purpose and location. For example, ISP traffic is a community of interest based on a centralized ISP location, which ordinarily exists outside a major metropolitan area. In contrast, a business related community of interest, involving a Centrex system, for example, would likely be centered in a metropolitan area, requiring an entirely different routing scheme.

Under the existing methodology, however, opportunities to off-load traffic are difficult, if not impossible, to identify. For example, in the past, network designers have analyzed traffic loads on a switch by switch basis, looking at the inbound and the outbound loads at an end office, only, and primarily relying on manual quantification of the required trunk groups between any two end points. The quantification data was largely anecdotal (e.g., statistical and empirical sampling), as opposed to empirically comprehensive. The designers were not able to precisely correlate a set of intervening tandem switches that enabled the line of communication for two end points (e.g., a point to point community of interest). Also, the designers were not able to effectively implement information that was potentially available to them. Therefore, it was difficult to identify and size new high usage groups within the PSTN, leaving the bulk of the communications traffic on the tandem switches.

The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art, as described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described in the detailed description that follows, by reference to the noted drawings by way of non-limiting examples of embodiments of the present invention, in which like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout several views of the drawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an exemplary telecommunications network for trunk design optimization, according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of exemplary application logic for identifying new high usage direct trunk groups, according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an exemplary telecommunications network for trunk design optimization indicating new direct trunk group routing, according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of exemplary application logic for identifying new intermediate high usage direct trunk groups, according to an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an exemplary telecommunications network for trunk design optimization indicating potential trunk group routing to a new tandem switch, according to an aspect of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 a flowchart of exemplary application logic for identifying traffic misroutes, according to an aspect of the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to trunk design optimization that is based on collection of empirical routing data collected using, for example, signaling system 7 (SS7) out-of-band signaling data. The existing telephone call routing is monitored among end office and tandem switches in the PSTN. The monitoring enables network designers to identify potential direct routing opportunities, which may be ultimately implemented depending on other design parameters. Also, the present invention enables accurate and timely identification of misrouted traffic, which may be redirected by design to further increase telephone traffic routing efficiency of the PSTN.

The monitoring specifically enables peak busy hour offered load to be determined between sets of switches, including two end offices, two tandem switches or an end office and a tandem switch, which are referred to as point-to-point communities of interest. The peak busy hour offered load includes the minutes of use generated as a result of calls originating on either end of a trunk. Offered load differs from carried load, for example, in that carried load represents the traffic actually carried over a particular trunk, while offered load includes traffic offered to the trunk, but ultimately routed elsewhere or otherwise blocked. The aggregate peak busy hour offered load represents the maximum minutes of use offered to the network.

The primary objective is to optimally design the PSTN trunk network by routing traffic more efficiently over the existing trunk and switching infrastructure, including relieving loads on over-burdened tandem switches, as well as identifying and addressing overflow conditions and traffic misroutes. The most cost effective routes are determined based on continually revised data collected from within the PSTN, while maintaining the objective grade of service for the customers. Significant cost savings are realized by relieving congested tandem switches and increasing the loading on under-utilized tandem switches. Also, capital investment in the PSTN is reduced by minimizing the need for additional physical equipment (i.e., new tandem switches).

In view of the above, the present invention through one or more of its various aspects and/or embodiments is presented to accomplish one or more objectives and advantages, such as those noted below.

An aspect of the present invention provides a method for identifying misrouting of traffic in a telecommunications network. The method includes identifying a community of interest based on call signaling data, the community of interest including at least one intermediate switching location connected to a first terminal switching location connected by a direct trunk to a second terminal switching location. The call signaling data may include out-of-band signaling data, such as SS7 messages, collected from the intermediate switching location. The intermediate and terminal switching locations may be class four and class five switches, respectively.

It is determined whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the intermediate switching location during a predetermined time period and whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the same predetermined time period. When traffic in the community of interest is determined to have passed through the intermediate switching location during the predetermined time period, and the direct trunk is determined not to have experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period, an identifier associated with the traffic that passed through the intermediate switching location is designated as misrouted traffic. The identifier may be an exchange code, such as a numbering plan area (NPA)/local exchange (NXX) code.

The method may further include flagging the identifier associated with the misrouted traffic to redirect the misrouted traffic through the direct trunk. Also, a volume of the misrouted traffic may be identified and a load on the intermediate switch attributed to the misrouted traffic based on the volume may be quantified.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for identifying misrouting of traffic in a community of interest of a telecommunications network, the community of interest including at least a tandem switch connected to a first end office switch connected by a direct trunk to a second end office switch. The method includes generating a base component relating to the community of interest based on out-of-band signaling data, which may include SS7 messages. The base component includes predetermined time periods and a volume of traffic passing through the tandem switch during each of the predetermined time periods.

The method determines whether the base component indicates traffic through the tandem switch in the community of interest during at least one of the predetermined time periods. When the tandem switch shows traffic, the method determines whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the corresponding predetermined time period. When the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition, at least one unique code associated with the community of interest is identified as a misrouted code. The unique code may include an NPA/NXX code. The method may further include identifying a volume of the traffic associated with the misrouted code and quantifying a load on the tandem switch attributed to the misrouted traffic.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for identifying misrouting of traffic in a telecommunications network, the system including a data collection application device, configured to receive out-of-band signaling data from the PSTN, and an application server connected to the data collection application device. The out-of-band signaling data may include SS7 messages, for example. The application server identifies a community of interest in the PSTN based on the out-of-band signaling data received by the data collection application device. The community of interest includes at least one intermediate switching location connected to a first terminal switching location and a second terminal switching location, where the first terminal switching location is connected by a direct trunk to the second terminal switching location.

The application server determines whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the intermediate switching location during a predetermined time period and whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period. When traffic in the community of interest is determined to have passed through the intermediate switching location and the direct trunk is determined not to have experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period, the application server designates an identifier associated with the traffic as misrouted traffic. The identifier may include an NPA/NXX code.

The system may further include an application database, connected to the application server. The application database stores information relating to at least the community of interest, the determination of whether the traffic passed through the intermediate switching location during the predetermined time period, the determination of whether the direct trunk group experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period, and the identifier. Also, the system may include a data network connecting the application server and the application database to at least one graphical user interface and enabling analysis of the stored information.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for identifying misrouting of traffic in a community of interest of a PSTN, the community of interest including at least one tandem switch connected to a first end office switch connected by a direct trunk to a second end office switch. The system includes an SS7 data collection device, configured to receive out-of-band signaling data from the PSTN, and an application server connected to the data collection device.

The application server identifies the community of interest and determines whether traffic in the community of interest passes through the tandem switch during a predetermined time period, based on the out-of-band signaling data provided by the data collection device. When traffic is determined to have passed through the tandem switch, the application server further determines whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the predetermined time period. When the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition, the application server designates at least one exchange code associated with the traffic that passed through the tandem switch as a misrouted code. The application server, together with an associated database, is configured to provide information relating to at least the community of interest, the tandem switch and the misrouted code to at least one graphical user interface. The application server may further identify a volume of the traffic having the misrouted code and quantify a load on the tandem switch attributed to the misrouted traffic based on the volume.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a computer readable medium for storing a computer program that identifies misrouting of traffic in a community of interest of a telecommunications network, where the community of interest includes at least a tandem switch connected to a first end office switch and a second end office switch. The computer readable medium includes a generating source code segment that generates a base component relating to the community of interest based on out-of-band signaling data, the base component including multiple predetermined time periods and a volume of traffic passing through the tandem switch in the community of interest during each of the plurality of predetermined time periods. The out-of-band signaling data may include SS7 messages. The computer readable medium further includes a determining source code segment that determines whether the base component indicates traffic through the tandem switch during at least one of the predetermined time periods and, when the tandem switch shows traffic, determines whether the direct trunk experienced an overflow condition during the corresponding predetermined time periods. The computer readable medium also includes an identifying source code segment that identifies at least one unique code associated with the community of interest as a misrouted code when the direct trunk did not experience an overflow condition during the corresponding predetermined time period. The computer readable medium may further include a quantifying source code segment that identifies a volume of the traffic associated with the misrouted code and quantifies a load on the tandem switch attributed to the misrouted traffic.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for designing a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency with respect to at least one community of interest in the telecommunications network, the community of interest including at least a first end office switch and a second end office switch. The method includes collecting out-of-band signaling data from the telecommunications network, quantifying a peak busy hour offered load for the community of interest based on the out-of-band signaling data, and determining whether the peak busy hour offered load for the community of interest exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the peak busy hour offered load exceeds the predetermined threshold, it is determined whether the first end office switch and second end office switch are connected by a direct trunk. When the first and second end office switches are not connected by a direct trunk, the community of interest is identified as a primary high usage direct trunk opportunity and data relating to the identified direct trunk opportunity is stored in an application database. The stored data includes at least an identification of the first and second end office switches and sizing information relating to the direct trunk opportunity. When the first and second end office switches are connected by a direct trunk, the direct trunk may be identified as an augment opportunity for at least one other direct trunk existing in the telecommunications network. The augment opportunity data is then stored, including at least an identification of the first and second end office switches.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for designing a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency with respect to at least one community of interest in the telecommunications network, the community of interest including at least an end office switch and a tandem switch. The method includes collecting out-of-band signaling data from the telecommunications network, quantifying a peak busy hour offered load for the community of interest based on the out-of-band signaling data, and determining whether the peak busy hour offered load for the community of interest exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the peak busy hour offered load exceeds the predetermined threshold, it is determined whether the end office switch and tandem switch are connected by a direct trunk. When the switches are not connected by a direct trunk, the community of interest is identified as an intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity and data relating to the identified direct trunk opportunity is stored in an application database. The stored data includes at least an identification of the end office switch and the tandem switch, and sizing information relating to the direct trunk opportunity. When the switches are connected by a direct trunk, the direct trunk may be identified as an augment opportunity for at least one other direct trunk existing in the telecommunications network. The augment opportunity data is then stored, including at least an identification of the end office switch and the tandem switch.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for designing a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency with respect to at least one community of interest in the telecommunications network, the community of interest including at least two switches, corresponding to endpoints of the community of interest. The method includes collecting signaling data from the telecommunications network, quantifying a peak busy hour offered load for the community of interest based on the signaling data, and determining whether the peak busy hour offered load for the community of interest exceeds a predetermined threshold. When the peak busy hour offered load exceeds the predetermined threshold, it is determined whether the two switches are connected by a direct trunk. When two switches are not connected by a direct trunk, the community of interest is identified as a direct trunk opportunity and the direct trunk opportunity is sized based on the peak busy hour offered load for the community of interest. Data relating to the identified direct trunk opportunity is stored in an application database, the data including at least an identification of the two switches and the sizing information. When the two switches are determined to be connected by a direct trunk, the direct trunk is identified as an augment opportunity for at least one other community of interest in the telecommunications network and augment opportunity data relating to the augment opportunity is stored in the application database, the augment opportunity data including at least an identification of the two switches.

The methods for designing a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency, described above, may further include accessing the application database from a graphical user interface. The stored data is retrieved from the application database and displayed at the graphical user interface. An improvement is then designed to the call traffic routing efficiency in the telecommunications network based at least the displayed stored data. The application database may be accessed by connecting to an application server through a packet switched data network from the graphical user interface, the application server being in communication with the application database.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for designing a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency with respect to at least one community of interest in the PSTN, the community of interest including at least a first end office switch and a second end office switch. The system includes a signaling data collection device, configured to receive signaling data from the PSTN, an application server connected to the data collection device, and an application database, connected to the application server. The application server identifies the community of interest, quantifies a peak busy hour offered load corresponding to the community of interest based on the signaling data, and determines whether the peak busy hour offered load exceeds a predetermined threshold.

When the peak busy hour offered load exceeds the predetermined threshold, the application server further determines whether a direct trunk connects the first and second end office switches in the community of interest. When the first and second end offices are not connected by a direct trunk, the application server identifies a primary high usage direct trunk opportunity between the first and second end office switches and the application database stores information related to the high usage direct trunk opportunity, including identification of the first and second end office switches and sizing information related to the primary high usage direct trunk group opportunity. When the first and second end offices are connected by a direct trunk, the application server identifies the direct trunk as an augment opportunity for at least one other community of interest in the PSTN, and the application database stores information related to the augment opportunity. The information includes identification of the first and second end office switches and the direct trunk.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for designing a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency with respect to at least one community of interest in the PSTN, the community of interest including at least an end office switch and a tandem switch. The system includes a signaling data collection device, configured to receive signaling data from the PSTN, an application server connected to the data collection device, and an application database, connected to the application server. The application server identifies the community of interest, quantifies a peak busy hour offered load corresponding to the community of interest based on the signaling data, and determines whether the peak busy hour offered load exceeds a predetermined threshold.

When the peak busy hour offered load exceeds the predetermined threshold, the application server further determines whether a direct trunk connects the end office switch and the tandem switch. When the switches are not connected by a direct trunk, the application server identifies an intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity between the switches and the application database stores information related to the intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity, including identification of the end office switch and the tandem switch, and sizing information related to the intermediate high usage direct trunk group opportunity. When the switches are connected by a direct trunk, the application server identifies the direct trunk as an intermediate augment opportunity for at least one other community of interest in the PSTN, and the application database stores information related to the intermediate augment opportunity. The information includes identification of the end office switch, the tandem switch and the direct trunk.

The systems for designing a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency, described above, may further include a packet switched data network connecting the application server to at least one graphical user interface. The application server may then retrieve the stored information from the application database and display the stored information at the graphical user interface, enabling design of improved call traffic routing efficiency.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a computer readable medium storing a computer program that enhances designing of a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency with respect to at least one community of interest in the telecommunications network. The community of interest includes at least two switches corresponding to endpoints of the community of interest. The computer readable medium includes a data collection source code segment that collects out-of-band signaling data from the telecommunications network; a quantifying source code segment that quantifies a peak busy hour offered load for the community of interest based on the out-of-band signaling data; and a determining source code segment that determines whether the peak busy hour offered load for the community of interest exceeds a predetermined threshold and, for each peak busy hour offered load exceeding the predetermined threshold, that determines whether the two switches of the community of interest are connected by a direct trunk. The computer readable medium further includes an identifying source code segment that identifies a direct trunk opportunity for when the two endpoint switches are determined not to be connected by a direct trunk and a sizing source code segment that estimates a size of the direct trunk opportunity based on the peak busy hour offered load. There is also a storing source code segment that stores data relating to the direct trunk opportunity in an application database, the data comprising at least an identification of the two endpoint switches and the sizing information.

In addition, the computer readable medium may include an augmentation source code segment that identifies the direct trunk as an augment opportunity for at least one other community of interest in the telecommunications network when the two switches are determined to be connected by the direct trunk. The storing source code segment may then store data relating to the augment opportunity in the application database. The augment data includes at least an identification of the two endpoint switches and the direct trunk.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for increasing call traffic routing efficiency in a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency with respect to intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunities in a telecommunications network. The method includes identifying at least a first terminal switching location in the telecommunications network that has been rehomed to a first intermediate switching location and at least a second terminal switching location in the telecommunications network that is homed to an intermediate switching location other than the first intermediate switching location. A first peak load is quantified, based on signaling data collected from the telecommunications network, between the first terminal switching location and the second terminal switching location. It is determined whether the first peak load exceeds a predetermined amount.

When the first peak load exceeds the predetermined amount, a route between the second terminal switching location and the first intermediate switching location is identified as a new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity. The new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity is sized based on the signaling data and data relating to the new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity is stored in an application database. The data includes at least identification of the first and second terminal switching locations, the first intermediate switching location and the sizing information.

The method may further include identifying at least a third terminal switching location in the telecommunications network that is originally homed to the first intermediate switching location. A second peak load is then quantified based on the signaling data collected from the telecommunications network between the third terminal switching location and the second terminal switching location. It is determined whether the second peak load exceeds the predetermined amount. When the second peak load exceeds the predetermined amount, a route between the second terminal switching location and the third terminal switching location is identified as a second new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity and the second new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity is sized based on the signaling data. The data relating to the second new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity is stored in the application database. The data includes at least identification of the second and third terminal switching locations, the first intermediate switching location and the sizing information related to the second new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for designing a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency, the telecommunications network including multiple end office switches and tandem switches, where at least a first end office switch of the multiple end office switches is rehomed to a new tandem switch of the multiple tandem switches. The method includes collecting out-of-band signaling data from the telecommunications network and identifying at least one homed end office switch of the multiple end office switches, including the first end office switch, that is homed to the new tandem switch. At least one far end office switch of the multiple end office switches is identified, where the far end office switch is homed to a tandem switch other than the new tandem switch.

A peak busy hour offered load is quantified between each homed end office switch and each far end office switch, based on the out-of-band signaling data. It is determined whether each peak busy hour offered load exceeds a predetermined amount. For each peak busy hour offered load that exceeds the predetermined amount, a route is identified between the corresponding far end office switch and the new tandem switch as a new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity. Each new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity is sized based on the out-of-band signaling data. Data relating to each identified new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity is stored in an application database, the data including at least information relating to the corresponding far end office switch, the new tandem switch and the sizing.

The methods for increasing call traffic routing efficiency in a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency with respect to intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunities, described above, may further include accessing the application database to retrieve the stored data and designing an improvement to the telecommunications network to increase call traffic routing efficiency based on at least the stored data. Accessing the application database includes connecting to an application server through a packet switched data network from a graphical user interface, the application server being in communication with the application database. The stored data is retrieved from the application database and displayed the stored data at the graphical user interface.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for increasing call traffic routing efficiency in a telecommunications network, including a data collection application device, configured to receive signaling data from the PSTN, and an application server connected to the data collection application device. The application server identifies at least a first terminal switching location in the telecommunications network that has been rehomed to a first intermediate switching location in the telecommunications network; identifies at least a second terminal switching location that is homed to an intermediate switching location other than the first intermediate switching location; quantifies a first peak load between the second terminal switching location and the first intermediate switching location based on the signaling data; and determines whether the first peak load exceeds a predetermined amount. When the first peak load exceeds the predetermined amount, the application server identifies a route between the second terminal switching location and the first intermediate switching location as a new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity and estimates a size of new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity based on the signaling data.

The system for increasing call traffic routing efficiency in a telecommunications network may further include an application database, connected to the application server. The application database stores information relating to the new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity, the data including at least identification of the first and second terminal switching locations, the first intermediate switching location and the sizing information related to the new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity. The application server may also be connected to at least one graphical user interface, enabling analysis of the stored information.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a system for designing a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency with respect to a multiple end office switches and tandem switches in the PSTN, where at least one of the end office switches is rehomed to a new tandem switch. The system includes an out-of-band signaling data collection device, configured to receive signaling data from the tandem switches in the PSTN, an application server connected to the data collection device, and an application database, connected to the application server. The application server identifies at least one homed end office switch of the multiple end office switches that is homed to the new tandem switch, including the at least one end office switch, and identifies at least one far end office switch of the multiple end office switches that is homed to a tandem switch other than the new tandem switch. The application server also quantifies a peak busy hour offered load between each homed end office switch and each far end office switch, based on at least the signaling data, and determines whether each peak busy hour offered load exceeds a predetermined amount.

For each peak busy hour offered load that exceeds the predetermined amount, the application server identifies a route from the corresponding far end office switch and the new tandem switch as a new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity and sizes the new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity. Also, the application database stores data relating to each identified new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity. The data includes at least information relating to the corresponding far end office switch, the new tandem switch and the sizing information related to the new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a computer readable medium storing a computer program that enhances designing of a telecommunications network to improve call traffic routing efficiency, the telecommunications network including multiple end office switches and tandem switches, such that at least a first end office switch of the multiple end office switches is rehomed to a new tandem switch of the multiple tandem switches. The computer readable medium includes a data collecting source code segment, an identifying source code segment, a quantifying source code segment, a determining source code segment, a sizing source code segment and a storing source code segment. The data collecting source code segment collects out-of-band signaling data from the telecommunications network. The identifying source code segment identifies at least one homed end office switch of the multiple end office switches that is homed to the new tandem switch, including the first end office switch, and identifies at least one far end office switch of the multiple end office switches that is homed to a tandem switch other than the new tandem switch. The quantifying source code segment quantifies a peak busy hour offered load between each homed end office switch and each far end office switch, based on the out-of-band signaling data. The determining source code segment determines whether each peak busy hour offered load exceeds a predetermined amount and, for each peak busy hour offered load that exceeds the predetermined amount, identifies a route between the corresponding far end office switch and the new tandem switch as a new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity. The sizing source code segment then calculates an estimated size of the new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity based on the out-of-band signaling data and the storing source code segment stores data relating to each identified new intermediate high usage direct trunk opportunity in an application d