Signaling link interface for processing signaling information in a telecommunications network

Abstract

A signaling link interface ( ) includes a high level data link controller ( ) that receives signaling information from network elements in a telecommunication network. A link state controller ( ) performs message transfer part level two processing on the signaling information. The link state controller ( ) generates a response message that the high level data link controller ( ) provides back to the network elements. The high level data link controller ( ) and the link state controller ( ) are implemented in hardware as field programmable gate array devices. Information related to operation of the signaling link interface ( ) may be downloaded from a remote site into the field programmable gate array devices. The signaling link interface ( ) processes signaling information received from a plurality of signaling links on a link by link basis.