Altera

Telecommunications equipment manufacturers (TEMs) are facing tough challenges with triple play (voice, video and data offerings) concentration and distribution equipment, including digital subscriber line access multiplexers (DSLAMs), optical line terminals (OLTs), and multiservice access nodes (MSANs). Each media requires a different type of networking component to handle the required access protocols, traffic engineering, and throughput, and the dedicated engineering resources required result in huge expenses. Another challenge for TEMs is creating platforms to host their own unique features and functionality while differentiating their solution.

In this paper, we will examine the access packet processor (APP) requirements of DSLAM line cards, including those needed to address the challenges discussed above. A brief discussion will follow on the semiconductor industry trends, the architectural features of Ethernity Networks' commercially available FPGA access flow processor (AFP), the ENET3000, plus the characteristics of the ENET3000 and why it is the ideal choice for line termination cards.