MULTI-CHANNEL TRANSCODER RATE ADAPTER HAVING LOW DELAY AND INTEGRAL ECHO CANCELLATION

A multi-channel transcoder with rate adapter converts the data rate of GSM and PSTN network data in a multi-channel network. A transcoder having echo-cancellation features uses the robust voice activity detection functions of the GSM transcoder functions to enhance the accuracy of echo-cancellation of near-end signals. A method for decoding a GSM signal in which the transmission of the audio data over the network is commenced prior to the completing of the decoding process. A transcoder unit having rate adaption and echo-cancellation with improved decoding is implemented in a single DSP and processes multiple traffic channels simultaneously.