1
                                    Exhibit 5

             Opinion and consent of Brobeck, Phleger & Harrison LLP
   2
                                 July 17, 1996



Applied Digital Access, Inc.
9855 Scranton Road
San Diego, California   92121

        Re:      Applied Digital Access, Inc. Registration Statement for
                 Offering of 1,500,000 Shares of Common Stock

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  In connection with your registration of 1,500,000 shares of
the Common Stock of Applied Digital Access, Inc. (the "Company") under the
Company's 1994 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, 1994 Employee Stock Purchase
Plan and 1996 Non-qualified Stock Option Plan on Form S-8 (the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, we advise you that, in
our opinion, when such shares have been issued and sold pursuant to the
provisions of the Company's 1994 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan, 1994 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan and 1996 Non-qualified Stock Option Plan, and in accordance
with the Registration Statement, such shares will be duly-authorized,
validly-issued, fully-paid and non-assessable shares of the Company's Common
Stock.

                  We hereby consent to the reference to the filings of this
opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

                                Very truly yours,



                                BROBECK, PHLEGER & HARRISON LLP