8.2
Functional Hardware Description
The NP Interface employs the very high performance Intel IXP2350 network processor/32-bit
microcontroller with four embedded MicroEngines to perform the high-speed Layer 3 routing
functions.
A functional block diagram is provided in Figure 8-2. The front-end of the NP Interface design
incorporates a Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) switch device that provides all Layer 2 management. The
back-end of the NP Interface design incorporates an FPGA to provide the WAN framing and
deframing, plus the interface into the main modem design.
Network Processor (NP) Interface
Figure 8-2. NP Interface Block Diagram
8–2
SLM-5650B Satellite Modem
Revision 2
MN-SLM-5650B