DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR BROADBAND ACCESS SYSTEM COMPONENTS.

A description is given of some basic design considerations for system components required in the broadband access, now actively discussed for worldwide standards. A review is presented of the basic requirements for the broadband access systems, including functional requirements and operational speed requirements. The basic configuration of the system components for the broadband interface is discussed and the key functional blocks are identified. The basic configuration adopts a flexible bus architecture to take into account the progressive penetration of the interface structure from the network node to the user access node. Circuit design approaches are also described for some representative blocks corresponding to the salient features of the interface, such as frame handling. Based on the present and projected near-future semiconductor technologies, an approach to the LSI realization is also described.