Scalable, Variable-speed Time-Sensitive Ethernet

Time critical data requires low latency and deterministic data transfer. Sensor, command and control data of mission-critical, high-reliability, real-time applications such as collision avoidance, avionics require on-time delivery of critical information. Autonomous systems forsea, air, space vehicles, ground vehicles, robots, etc., all have requirements for time criticaltransfer.Ethernet is ubiquitous - being used everywhere. Its large ecosystem of products and services provides key advantages -low cost,high availability. Not to mention the countless engineers and service technicians forservicing such technology. However, data transferred via Ethernet network is best-effortcausingsignificant jitter and non-deterministic. Packets across Ethernetmay be dropped. Delivery is not guaranteed. Solutions are required to overcome these problems in endpoints and network equipment (e.g., bridges,switches, etc.) 2 standardsdefined by the industry for time-critical applications: Time-triggered Ethernet (TTE) or SAE AS6802 and Time-Sensitive Network (TSN). LeWizdeveloped TTE technologies (IP core, FPGA switch, endpoint chip and software) for use in endpoint and switching nodes for NASA andDoD.LeWiz also developed a time-critical Ethernet IP core for either TTE or TSN(TTSN Core). TTSN Core can be used in endpoint or network infrastructure systems supporting speed up to 10Gbps and beyond. In Phase 2 (24 months), we propose to extend TTSNtechnology to (1) support the new IEEE802.1DP/SAE-AS6675 TSN for Aerospace Standard, (2) develop a multi-port, fault-tolerant bridge system for bridging TTE andTSN networks for aerospace applicationsand (3) develop the software for the bridge system and to support the testing. This proposal supports the new TSN aerospace standard; provides solutions for NASA to be compatible with TTE systems and networks deployed by NASA for space vehicles,Lunar Gateways, and likely Moon base camps and others in the Artemis Program and beyond. Time critical data requires low latency and deterministic data transfer. Ethernet is ubiquitous - being used everywhere. Its large ecosystem of products and services provides key advantages - low cost, high availability. Data transferred via Ethernet network is “best-effort” causing significant jitter and non-deterministic. Packets across Ethernet may be dropped. Delivery is not guaranteed. Solutions are required to overcome these problems in endpoints and network equipment/bridges. 2 standards defined by the industry for time-critical applications: Time-triggered Ethernet (TTE) and Time-Sensitive Network (TSN). LeWiz developed TTE technologies (IP core, switch, endpoint chip and software) for NASA and DoD. LeWiz also developed a time-critical Ethernet IP core for either TTE or TSN (TTSN Core). applicable for endpoint or network systems speed up to >10Gbps.  In Phase 2, we will extend TTSN technology to (1) support the new IEEE802.1DP/SAE-AS6675 TSN for Aerospace Standard, (2) develop multi-port, fault-tolerant bridge system for TTE and TSN networks and (3) develop required software The main goals are to (1) develop a TTSN Core compliant to the new IEEE802.1DP TSN for Aerospace Specification, (2) develop a bridge enabling communications between TTE and TSN networks (TTSN Bridge), (3) develop software supporting the bridge and for use in testing. The details of the objectives are: Goal 1:  Aerospace TTSN Core 1.1    Develop specification for the Aerospace TTSN Core 1.2    Modify the TTSN Core hardware code to implement Aerospace TTSN Core 1.3    Enhance the TTSN Core testbench for simulating the Aerospace TTSN Core  1.4    Verify the Aerospace TTSN Core Goal 2:  TTSN Bridge for aerospace 2.1    Develop a specification for the TTSN Bridge for aerospace application 2.2    Develop the hardware code for the TTSN Bridge 2.3    Develop a testbench and test vectors for verification of the TTSN Bridge in simulation 2.4    Verify the TTSN Bridge Goal 3:  FPGA Implementation of TTSN Bridge, Software and testing 3.1    Implement the TTSN Bridge in FPGA hardware 3.2    Develop software for configuring and operating the TTSN Bridge 3.3    Test the TTSN Bridge and software in TTE-TSN network Deliverables:  Specification for TTSN Bridge, Reviews and reports for development, testing and final results    

NASA applications: Networking endpoints, switches, bridges, gateways sensors and backbone on-board networks for flight control, landing control, instrumentations, payloads, navigation systems, scientific processing, image processing, communication sub-systems for satellites, space stations, vehicles, space habitats robots,  rovers, helicopters   Non-NASA applications: sensors and on-board networks, flight/landing control, instrumentations, payloads, navigation systems, networking, image processing, communication sub-systems for satellites, space stations, air/space/ground/sea vehicles, hypersonic/weapon systems. Commercial:  Industrial control, wind turbine, commercial aircrafts, Army copters, medical equipment, automotive, and many others  

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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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