SBIR-STTR Award

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 Potential NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): Space vehicles, satellites, space telescopes, aircraft, drones, rovers, robots, autonomous systems Potential Non-NASA Applications (Limit 1500 characters, approximately 150 words): hypersonic vehicles, space systems, satellites, aircrafts, drones, weapons, ground/sea vehicles Duration: 6

LeWiz Phase 1 research showed strong needs for US based time-triggered Ethernet (TTE) solutions for use by US agencies and their contractors. TTE is an SAE AS6802 standard for aerospace applications. Current market leader is an Austrian company. NASA used 1Gbps foreign solution in Artemis projects and called for TTE development by US companies in its 2022 SBIR Z2.02 topic. The US Navy also has requested for US based TTE solution. In NASA Phase 1, we developed a TTE IP core - scalable to speed up to 100Gbps. We also developed a working relationship with NASA to do joint testing for potential use in the Artemis program. LeWiz also worked with the US Navy to develop low-end IP core to target endpoint ASIC devices – specifically for slower sensors and other end systems. In NASA Phase 2, we propose to further develop the hardware and software to target high performance TTE switching systems suitable for backbone network and others. LeWiz’s works with NASA and the Navy will produce a comprehensive solution for both endpoint and switching applications. By working with actual end-user experts from Artemis Program, LeWiz products will meet requirements for space travel including radiation hardened and fault tolerant capabilities - more suitable for commercialization to the Navy and others for hypersonic and aerospace applications. Proposed Phase 2 TTE switch would support 1G to 10Gbps, scalable in port count with speed up to 100Gbps - allowing us to quickly create a family of products to meet different customer requirements. Products achieved extremely high accuracy timing rate, designed for low-latency, support priority-based, mixed traffic: PCF, TT, RC, BE; Arinc664p7 compatible, interface to copper or fiber, support high end/rugged OpenVPX or low-end/low-cost form factors. In addition, Phase 2 will also develop application software and easy to use tool for designing TT network. Also validate them with the developed hardware. Anticipated

Benefits:
NASA applications: sensors and backbone on-board networks for flight control, landing control, instrumentations, payloads, navigation systems, networking, scientific processing, image processing, communication sub-systems for satellites, space stations, vehicles, space habitats. NASA is the leader in using TT Ethernet. NASA JSC has approved and provided equipment for testing LeWiz implementation with NASA equipment for potential deployment to the Artemis program - further strengthen this implementation for use by Navy and others Non-NASA applications: sensors and on-board networks for flight control, landing control, instrumentations, payloads, navigation systems, networking, image processing, communication sub-systems for satellites, space stations, air/space/ground/sea vehicles, hypersonic/weapon systems. TTE used in wind turbine, commercial aircrafts, Army copters. We also worked with US Navy targeting TTE endpoint.