The remote access concentrator below is one example of the equipment being designed today to enable TDM voice and modem services to be sent over packet networks. Within these systems, Zarlink's MT90880/1/2/3 family of devices serves as a complete WAN access interface, able to support packet reception, TDM packet assembly, CPU packet generation and packet transmission.

The devices include several features to optimize handling of voice and data traffic; an integrated digital TDM switch, Dual 100Mbit Ethernet MAC, configurable packet management and Stratum 4E PLL.

These devices allow the use of a Packet Switched backplane within a variety of WAN access/edge equipment. They allow systems companies to migrate in stages from a pure TDM backplane to a Packet Switched Backplane, without the need to completely redesign each of the line and resource cards. Through the use of the integrated digital TDM switch, the device can support both a 'distributed' and 'centralized' system architechture.

These devices allow systems companies to take advantage of cost effective packet switched backplanes while at the same time making full use of its scaleability - a significant advantage when faced with the ever increasing volumes of traffic.

The use of the DMA and PCI bus allows a variety of data flow configurations in turn offering significant flexibility to the system designers. Zarlink is a world leader in providing solutions for voice applications. For this reason, a Zarlink Stratum 4E PLL is included for either Master or Slave modes and for precise synchronisation of TDM streams.