Faxing and PCI (was Re: [Asterisk-Users] Digium cards, so disappointing !)

[Kevin P. Fleming]

Jeff Gustafson wrote:

> 	Is there any reason an easier implementation of the same, basic, idea
> could be created for the "Asterisk generation?"  According to a quick
> search of H.100 it's "just" a TDM bus.  It handles 2,048 full duplex
> calls.  Would a lightweight version that only supports 512 or 256 calls
> be any cheaper?

It's doubtful. The issues are the cables and connectors are not cheap,
and getting the boards to pass EMI and other certifications would be
more complex. In addition, it means every board now has to have support
for a super-speed TDM bus, even if it's only a 4-port analog interface
card, and it also needs onboard logic to be able to map channels around.
That would increase the card cost quite a bit, even for people that have
no desire to use this method of connection.