A METHODOLOGY FOR FEATURE INTERACTION DETECTION IN THE AIN-0.1-FRAMEWORK

In this paper, we propose an integrated methodology for specifying AIN and switch-based features and analyzing their interactions in the AIN 0.1 framework. The specification of each individual feature is tied t o the AIN call model and requires only minimum amount of information i n terms of control and data for interaction analysis. Once a feature i s specified, its specification is then validated for consistency with respect to control and data. interaction analysis is conducted for a s et of features based on the sharing of call variables between the SSP and the SCP. With this approach, one can detect the following interact ions involving AIN features: 1) side-effects, where a call variable mo dified by one feature is used by another feature and 2) disabling, whe re one feature disconnects a call, preventing another feature from exe cution. We also develop a theory that is based on the computation of s equences of messages exchanged between the SSP and the SCP and their c all variable usage. This theory is shown to dramatically reduce the nu mber of cases considered during the analysis. A brief overview of a to ol that makes use of this methodology to aid in the task of feature in teraction detection is also given.