The
ASN.1 module database was initiated by France Telecom and donated to the ITU-T in November 2002. The database currently contains over 964 ASN.1 modules corresponding to more than 200 ITU-T Recommendations. The maintenance of the database is handled by the Promotion, Edition and Production Department of the ITU TSB.
Implementations of the associated ITU-T Recommendations require an electronic format (using ASCII encoding) in order to directly process the formal definitions in current tools. Obtaining an ASCII encoding from a printed or a post-script document involves re-typing, hinders speedy implementation and can introduce errors. Having all ASN.1 modules (in ASCII format) in one place greatly eases implementation of the corresponding protocols.
The TSB validation process is as follows: firstly, the module is extracted from the Recommendation; a syntax and semantics check is then performed and, if errors are found, a communication process is established with the Editor and Rapporteur of the Recommendation to solve these errors. The modules are checked as soon as possible after Consent is given. This allows errors to be corrected during the publication phase and ensures that the published Recommendations are error-free.
Three validation tools were donated to the TSB: France Telecom donated Asnp, a syntax checker and HTML pretty-printer; OSS Nokalva donated their ASN.1 compiler; Opening Technologies donated their ASN.1/GDMO tool.
An agreement was reached with ISO, IETF, ITU-R and UPU in order to include any of their ASN.1 modules referenced by ITU-T Recommendations.
