Overview
ISO/IEC 11584:1996 specifies the service description, functional capabilities and information flows for circuit-mode multi-rate bearer services in a Private Integrated Services Network (PISN). Built on ISDN concepts from ITU‑T and within the OSI framework, this International Standard defines Stage 1 (service description) and Stage 2 (functional capabilities & information flows) for nx64 kbit/s point-to-point, unrestricted digital bearer services. It complements public ISDN bearer specifications and guides Stage 3 signalling protocol development.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Service scope: Circuit-mode multi-rate unrestricted 8 kHz structured bearer service - supporting integer multiples of 64 kbit/s (e.g., 128, 192 … up to 1 920 kbit/s) for symmetric, bidirectional, point-to-point calls.
- Service attributes:
- Dominant attributes: circuit mode, multiples of 64 kbit/s, unrestricted digital information, time-slot sequence integrity.
- Secondary attributes: demand establishment, bidirectional symmetry, point-to-point configuration.
- Access attributes: two or more B‑channels; access protocol not defined (signalling out of scope).
- Procedures: Call establishment (originating and terminating user procedures), continuous simultaneous two‑way transmission for call duration, call release and failure handling (user, called‑user, and network errors).
- Interworking: Requirements for interworking with ISDN and non‑ISDN networks; mapping non‑contiguous channels to contiguous channels may be required. Specific interworking examples include 2×64 kbit/s (128 kbit/s), 384 kbit/s, 1 536 kbit/s and 1 920 kbit/s bearer services.
- Limitations / Out of scope: Negotiation at call setup, channel aggregation interworking (Nx64 channel negotiation), and mid‑call service changes are excluded; charging mechanisms are outside the standard’s scope.
- Stages: Provides Stage 1 (service model) and Stage 2 (functional capabilities/information flows) to constrain Stage 3 signalling standards.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Telecom equipment vendors implementing PISN switches, PBX and private network interfaces.
- Network architects and engineers designing multi‑rate digital circuits inside enterprise networks.
- Standards and protocol developers creating Stage 3 signalling that must conform to Stage 1/2 service definitions.
- Integrators and operators ensuring interworking between private ISDN-like networks and public ISDN or legacy networks.
Practical uses include private voice/data trunks, high‑capacity point‑to‑point links within enterprises, and controlled multi‑channel digital services where time‑slot integrity and fixed-rate circuit behaviour are required.
Related standards
- ISO/IEC 11574 - Circuit-mode 64 kbit/s bearer services (complements ISO/IEC 11584)
- ISO/IEC 11579‑1 - PISN reference configuration (PINX)
- ITU‑T Recommendations referenced (e.g., I.230, I.231, I.112, I.140) for ISDN terminology and bearer categories
Keywords: ISO/IEC 11584:1996, PISN, circuit-mode multi-rate bearer services, nx64 kbit/s, ISDN, service description, functional capabilities, information flows.