Access

Ethernet, based on the IEEE 802.3 CSMA/CD protocol, is by far the most popular network access technology in LANs because of its low price and easy installation and administration.
From its dominant position in local networks, Ethernet has recently also moved strongly into public wide area and metropolitan systems (WAN, MAN). NEC supports this trend by recasting its Ethernet technology in a range of multi-speed multi-port Ethernet MAC devices for the popular 10/100 Mbps systems but also for a triple speed MAC supporting gigabit Ethernet.

Another key technology in transport and access networks is ATM. Here NEC has developed a family of products which include all the functions needed: physical interface / framing (PHY), segmentation and re-assembly (SAR), and ATM switching.

For optical access applications, NEC supports optical Ethernet modules and PON (Passive Optical Network) modules.
Finally, a family of RISC controllers combines a powerful RISC CPU with communications interfaces and security functions.