High Multi-speed Time-Triggered Ethernet

Time critical data requires low latency and deterministic transfer. Sensor, command and control data of mission-critical, high-reliability, real-time applications such as collision avoidance, avionics require on-time delivery. Images from a camera of an autonomous spacecraft to its processing system must be communicated deterministically and low latency for the system to function correctly. Ethernet is ubiquitous. It’s being used everywhere from small devices to high performance computing system. Its large ecosystem of products and services provides key advantages - low cost, high availability, wide range of available developers and support. However, data transferred via Ethernet is “best-effort” and may be buffered. This causes significant jitter and non-deterministic in information delivery timing. Packets transferred may be dropped by Ethernet switches, routers and delivery is not guaranteed. Time-triggered Ethernet (TTE) has been specified and standardized by SAE International as AS6802 for aerospace applications overcoming time critical issues in Ethernet and supports fault tolerant (synchronization, handshake, etc.). However, solution for the upper Ethernet speeds with radiation tolerant does not exist. NASA SBIR topic Z2.02 requests for IP core for TTE for use in onboard networks with >10Gbps. Proposed is a TT IP core with speed 10Gbps and beyond for TT Ethernet with radiation tolerant. It uses a novel architecture that can span multiple speeds, allowing software reuse, ultra-low jitter, implementable in FPGA or ASIC. Designers can configure the design to suit specific application (e.g., routers, switches, high performance endpoints) or available technology. Several immediate applications in NASA and non-NASA have been identified for commercialization. For the long term, this solution is suitable for use in space vehicles, satellites, aircrafts, drones, etc. - applicable to NASA, DoD and others

Space vehicles, satellites, space telescopes, aircraft, drones, rovers, robots, autonomous systems

hypersonic vehicles, space systems, satellites, aircrafts, drones, weapons, ground/sea vehicles

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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