r conditions) to multiple years (for changing standards and features). This goes beyond the capabilities of applica- tion programming interfaces (APIs) and functional specifications. This type of DSP functionality does not show up in cloud data center environments. However, there is a very successful example of a similar type of specialized function in general purpose Building the Network of the Future computing-specifically, the graphics processor, used in PCs by consumers to support the generation of high-resolution video for high-end games. One key element that has made the graphics processor highly successful is OpenGL-a graphics language and library that abstracts the computations of the graphics processor from the details of the underlying hardware. OpenCL is a similar language devel- oped for defining FGPA-based accelerators for parallel computing [5]. This concept can be extended to the specialized DSP engines needed to support high-performance mobile wireless services. In place of OpenGL or OpenCL, an open interface specification and language needs to be developed to support the specialized accelerators needed for access technology-it might be called the Open Access Language (OpenAL). Access accelerators executing OpenAL could then provide the special- ized hardware functions needed by access networks, such as the DSP engines required to support mobile wireless networks. This enables the development of a range of hardware accelerator platforms in various sizes and configurations, suitable for deployment in small highly distributed nodes as well as large centralized nodes. Software can be written once, and run on specialized hardware accelera- tors in a variety of sizes and capacities. As Moore's law enables more power, new higher-performance accelerators could be introduced without requiring a change in the underlying hardware or software. Figure 11.2 illustrates the architecture for access networks using AIC components in an extended configuration, including support for small distributed nodes and speci