Signaling protocol for controlling voice calls in a packet switching network

A method of establishing a voice call bearing voice data through a packet-switching network, said method comprising:

• receiving a set of signaling data for establishing the voice call in a first protocol;
• generating messages encapsulating the set of signaling data in accordance with a second protocol, wherein each of said messages in accordance with the second protocol includes a call identifier that uniquely identifies said voice call within said packet-switching network;
• and
• transmitting the messages to a destination signaling apparatus using a third protocol, wherein the third protocol is a signaling protocol, and
• wherein the first protocol is different than the second protocol, and the second protocol is different than the third protocol.

A computer-readable medium bearing instructions for establishing a voice call bearing voice data through a packet-switching network, said instructions arranged, when executed by one or more processors, to cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:

• receiving a set of signaling data for establishing the voice call in a first protocol;
• generating messages encapsulating the set of signaling data in accordance with a second protocol, wherein each of said messages in accordance with the second protocol includes a call identifier that uniquely identifies said voice call within said packet-switching network;
• and
• transmitting the messages to a destination signaling apparatus using a third protocol, and
• wherein the first protocol is different than the second protocol, and the second protocol is different than the third protocol.

A telecommunications network, comprising:

• a packet-switching network;
• a first coding unit coupled to the packet-switching network, configured to convert between multiplexed voice data and voice data packets;
• a second coding unit coupled to the packet-switching network, configured to convert between multiplexed voice data and voice data packets;
• and
• a first signaling apparatus coupled to the first coding unit;
• a second signaling apparatus coupled to the first signaling apparatus and the second coding unit;
• wherein the first signaling apparatus is configured to perform the steps of:
• receiving a set of signaling data for establishing the voice call in a first protocol;
• generating messages encapsulating the set of signaling data in accordance with a second protocol, wherein each of said messages in accordance with the second protocol includes a call identifier that uniquely identifies said voice call within said packet-switching network;
• and
• transmitting the messages to a destination signaling apparatus using a third protocol, and
• wherein the first protocol is different than the second protocol, and the second protocol is different than the third protocol.

A fast signaling apparatus for establishing a voice call bearing voice data through a packet-switching network, said signaling apparatus comprising:

• a means for a first communication interface coupled to a means for coding so as to communicate information therewith;
• a means for a second communication interface coupled to a second signaling apparatus so as to communication information therewith;
• a processing means coupled to the means for the first communication interface and the means for the second communication interface;
• and
• a memory means coupled to the processing means and storing instructions which, when executed by the processing means, cause the processing means to perform the steps of:
• receiving a set of signaling data for establishing the voice call in a first protocol,
• generating messages encapsulating the set of signaling data in accordance with a second protocol, wherein each of said messages in accordance with the second protocol includes a call identifier that uniquely identifies said voice call within said packet-switching network,
• transmitting the messages to the second signaling apparatus using the third protocol, and
• wherein the first protocol is different than the second protocol, and the second protocol is different than the third protocol.

An apparatus for establishing a voice call bearing voice data through a packet-switching network, said apparatus comprising:

• a means for receiving a set of signaling data for establishing the voice call in a first protocol;
• a means for generating messages encapsulating the set of signaling data in accordance with a second protocol, wherein each of said messages in accordance with the second protocol includes a call identifier that uniquely identifies said voice call within said packet-switching network;
• and
• a means for transmitting the messages to a destination signaling apparatus using a third protocol,
• wherein the first protocol is different than the second protocol, and the second protocol is different than the third protocol.