Cisco PVDM3-16 Full Official Product Description
1. Part Number & Naming Definition
Official Full Name
Cisco 16-Channel High-Density Packet Voice Digital Signal Processor Module Generation 3
Spare SKU:PVDM3-16=
Naming Breakdown
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PVDM3: Packet Voice Digital Signal Processor Module, Generation 3
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16: Maximum 16 voice/fax media processing channels under low-complexity G.711 codec configuration
Core Product Positioning
The Cisco PVDM3-16 is a 240-pin DIMM-format pluggable DSP daughterboard designed exclusively for Cisco ISR Generation 2 (2900/3900 series) integrated services routers. As the third-generation voice media processing module, it delivers higher DSP performance and channel density compared to PVDM2 series. It provides dedicated hardware resources for TDM-to-IP voice gateway operations, voice compression/decompression, fax relay, codec transcoding, and audio conferencing. Deployed in branch unified communication gateways, it interconnects traditional PSTN trunks, PBX systems, analog telephones and fax machines with Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) IP telephony infrastructure, supporting SRST survivable voice services and toll bypass over IP WAN links.
2. Hardware Compatibility & Supported IOS Releases
Supported Router Platforms
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Cisco 2900 ISR G2: 2901, 2911, 2921, 2951
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Cisco 3900 ISR G2: 3925, 3945, 3925E, 3945E
Note: Cannot be directly installed on ISR G1 (2800/3800). PVDM3 is physically incompatible with PVDM2 slots.
Unsupported Platforms
1700/2600/2800/3800 legacy ISR G1, ISR 4000/9000 series, Catalyst switches.
Minimum Supported IOS Version
IOS 15.0(1)M for standard 2900/3900; IOS 15.1(1)T for 3925E / 3945E; Validated releases: 15.0M, 15.1M, 15.2(4)M
3. Physical & Electrical Specifications
Form Factor
240-pin DIMM pluggable module; non-hot-swappable. Router power cycle required for installation or removal.
Hardware Architecture
Multi-core DSP processor with integrated DDR memory, enhanced multi-gigabit packet fabric.
Channel Capacity by Codec Complexity
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Low Complexity (G.711a / G.711μ, Fax Passthrough): Up to 16 channels
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Medium Complexity (G.726, G.729A, G.729AB, G.722): Up to 10 channels
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High Complexity (G.729, G.729B, iLBC, G.728): Up to 12 channels
Important Restriction: PVDM3 doesnotsupport G.723.1 codec. Mixed PVDM2 and PVDM3 on the same voice module is prohibited.
Typical Power Consumption
Environmental Operating Parameters
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Operating Temperature: 0°C to 40°C (32°F – 104°F)
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Storage Temperature: -40°C to 70°C (-40°F – 158°F)
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Relative Humidity: 5% – 85% non-condensing
4. Supported Codecs & Key Functional Features
Supported Voice Codecs
G.711a/μ, G.722, G.726, G.729A, G.729AB, G.729, G.729B, iLBC, G.728
Media Processing Capabilities
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Hardware accelerated voice encoding and decoding for TDM-IP gateway
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T.38 Fax Relay, Fax Passthrough and Modem Passthrough
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Multi-party audio conferencing bridge resources
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Transcoding between heterogeneous voice codecs for CUCM integration
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ITU-T G.168 compliant acoustic echo cancellation (128ms coverage)
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Voice Activity Detection (VAD), Comfort Noise Generation (CNG)
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Dynamic jitter buffer management for real-time voice streams
Advanced Architecture Features
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Shared DSP resource pooling within the router
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Fast hardware DSP health monitoring for fault detection
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Unified DSP firmware image for all PVDM3 models
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Backward compatible with PVDM2 voice service framework for investment protection
Management & Diagnostics
Complete configuration and monitoring via Cisco IOS CLI
DSP resource utilization tracking, firmware upgrade, loopback testing, voice call debugging
Alarm reporting via SNMP v1/v2c/v3 and Syslog
5. Typical Enterprise Deployment Scenarios
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Small branch VoIP gateway for analog lines or low-density T1/E1 PSTN trunk connections
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SRST (Survivable Remote Site Telephony) backup voice services during WAN outages
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T.38 Fax over IP transport for branch office multi-function fax devices
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Codec transcoding between local PSTN trunks and centralized CUCM clusters
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Local audio conferencing resources for remote-site unified communications
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Toll bypass voice services to reduce enterprise PSTN long-distance expenses
6. Regulatory & Compliance Certifications
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Safety Standards: UL 60950-1, CSA C22.2 No.60950-1, IEC/EN 60950-1
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EMC Compliance: CE Mark, FCC Part 15 Class A, ICES-003 Class A, VCCI Class A
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Environmental Directives: EU RoHS 2.0 compliant, WEEE compliant
7. Standard Factory Package Contents
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Cisco PVDM3-16 16-channel Generation 3 Packet Voice DSP Module
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Hardware installation guide
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Safety and regulatory documentation
End-of-Life Status
The PVDM3 product family has reached Cisco End-of-Sale (EoS). Original new hardware manufacturing has been discontinued with limited software maintenance support. Recommended migration: ISR 4000 series routers equipped with PVDM4 media DSP modules.
UNSPSC Classification Code
43222608 – Cisco PVDM3-16 16-channel Generation 3 Packet Voice DSP Module for Cisco 2900/3900 ISR G2 Integrated Services Routers, delivering hardware-based voice compression, fax relay, transcoding and conferencing media processing resources for small-density enterprise branch IP telephony deployments.
Hardware Warranty
Brand-new original modules carry a 1-year limited Cisco factory warranty covering manufacturing defects. Warranty terms for refurbished hardware are subject to reseller contractual agreements.
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