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Global
News
May
30, 2003
ITU
releases latest version of ASN.1
SWITZERLAND
-- The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has
recently released the latest version of industry shaping
specification language Abstract Syntax Notation 1 (ASN.1).
One of the first areas to benefit is biometrics; the
practice of verifying identity based on physiological
or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints,
handwriting or retinal scans.
Ratified
as a standard in 1984, it is used within signaling system
(SS7) for most telephone calls, package tracking, credit
card verification and digital certificates, and in many
of the most popular software. It is widely deployed
by electrical utilities as well to remotely control
substations. Every time a user places an 800-number
call, messages that are described by ASN.1 are exchanged
between the switching machine and the network database
to route the call to the correct common carrier and
the local phone number to which the 800-number maps.
The language is increasingly being used outside the
telecommunications industry in areas such as security,
transportation, banking or genetic research.
The
OASIS XML Common Biometrics Format (XCBF) has already
implemented the new ASN.1 encoding rules. XCBF will
enable mobile phones, for instance, to access databases
through the Web, which will make verification faster
and more accurate. ANSI, the American standards body,
has also said that it will incorporate the new features
into its X9.84 banking standard. The enhanced interworking
capability with XML brings ASN.1 into the age of digital
communication by allowing interoperability between computing
platforms sharing XML, which is used to describe information
for the database of a Web page.
Professor
John Larmouth, ITU-T Rapporteur of Study Group 17, said:
"ASN.1 has a strong installed base, and it is constantly
evolving to meet industry demands. We are seeing increased
interest from many new industry sectors. And the adoption
of ASN.1 in biometrics standards and mobile applications
is strong evidence of the value of our work."
Contact:
ITU Standardisation Bureau
Tel: +41-22-730-5994
Fax: +41-22-730-5853
Email: sebek@itu.int
Web: www.itu.int
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