Design of an ASIC for the ATM layer functions

This paper describes the implementation of an ASIC, called ASAH-L (ATM subscriber access handler-logical), for the ATM-layer functions to develop network equipment in B-ISDN. ASAH-L is applicable to network-network interfaces or user-network interfaces and has F4 or F5 level OAM functions with real time processing defined by ITU-TS. Also it provides QOS and network parameter processing, a feature of the OAM. The interface between the ASAH-L and the physical layer functions is the UTOPIA level-1 interface defined by ATM Forum. ASAH-L has two interfaces, 53-octet and 56-octet architecture, for the AAL or ATM switch fabric functions. We have designed all the functions using VHDL. This ASIC, based on gate-arrays, uses 240,000 gates and is packaged in a 240-pin QFP (quad flat package). It is fabricated with 0.6 micron CMOS technology.