Abstract: A common part sublayer (CPS) ATM adaptation device provides an interface between a narrow band network and a broad band network. The adaptation device is functionally partitioned to provide scheduling, prioritization and multiplexing of ingress traffic to the broadband network independently of the adaptation layer (AAL) type of that traffic. The device incorporating ingress and egress paths respectively to and from the broadband network. The egress path provides segregation and delineation of incoming data units on to respective external data ports, and the ingress path incorporates a common memory for payload storage whereby to perform multiplexing at both AAL and ATM layers.