Lunar-ready modular avionics

NASA has recognized the value of a fault-tolerant deterministic data network for large exploration programs. For the “Lunar Gateway”, TTTECH and partner Beyond Gravity Austria have developed and fully qualified an avionics product family for computing, data handling, and networking which is now ready to be used in deep space exploration projects – in particular on the lunar surface.
 

Safety and reliability are key in all space programs, but especially in human space flight. TTTECH Aerospace provides reliable networking and computing platforms that connect the systems on board spacecraft, launch vehicles, or satellites. 

These platform solutions are based on decades of experience in Ethernet-based distributed avionics architectures and deep know-how in designing modular, scalable deterministic systems. This enabled us to develop our own chip IP and software, which makes us independent and allows us to continuously improve our products.

We have applied our certification expertise from civil aviation and have achieved space qualification to the highest criticality levels with ESA and NASA.

Fully qualified, ready-to-use building blocks and unit-level solutions for avionics networks

TTTECH Aerospace provides Ethernet-based space equipment as a range of ready-to-use building blocks for data networks in space stations, spacecraft, or satellites. While initially deep space and lunar applications were in focus, the modular design of the equipment allows for their use in other mission profiles.

Our deterministic Ethernet-based space equipment can be easily integrated into spacecraft data network and flight applications, either as single-function building blocks or integrated with additional modules in an avionic hosting unit, thanks to certifiable embedded software supporting industry real-time operating systems and hypervisors (e.g. VxWorks, PikeOS, RTEMS) and also NASA’s cFS. 

The qualified networking and computing platform consists of a hosting unit developed and manufactured by Beyond Gravity Austria as well as TTEthernet interface cards and switching units co-developed by TTTECH and Beyond Gravity Austria. The platform has passed generic product qualification as part of the ESA’s General Support Technology Programme (GSTP). The qualification covered the complete product baseline, including the hosting unit, interface cards, the ^TTEController ASIC, and the integrated software layer.  

The Lunar Gateway provided the first major program context for applying this qualified product platform. Specific units based on the platform were qualified for the Habitation and Logistics Module (HALO), including a complex Avionics Core Unit and a fault-tolerant ^TTESwitching Unit with three network planes. The resulting qualification data packages and product heritage can now be reused for comparable exploration architectures, including lunar habitats, moon ports, commercial space stations, and other missions where reliable onboard communication is mission-critical. 

Learn more about the technology background:

Deterministic Ethernet & TTEthernet
 

A main challenge in large space exploration programs like NASA Artemis is finding durable interoperable equipment and software which are qualified to the highest safety standards and can be used for human and robotic exploration. At TTTECH, we have developed a modular, Ethernet-based avionics product platform that includes unit-level solutions and board-level solutions in standard form factors. Cost-efficient, off-the-shelf engineering development units are a key part of this portfolio, so software development can begin instantly.

Modularity and scalability are achieved by combining hosting units which provide power and connectivity with different arrangements of pre-qualified network interface and switch cards, as well as 3U single board computers.

• Engineering development units (EDUs) enable customers working on NASA Artemis or other lunar programs to build fully representative systems on the ground. EDUs are thus ideal for flight software development, and functional verification of avionics, as they are functionally equivalent to the flight variants. 
• EDUs are assembled in mid-sized batches using cost-efficient, industrial-grade components, and are typically available for shipping at short notice.
• PROTO units are equivalent to the FLIGHT variant both functionally and on a component level. The only difference is the level of qualification testing which means that PROTO units can be delivered faster and can be used to build proto-flight systems that remain on the ground.
   

TTTECH’s Ethernet-based solutions

At TTTECH, we offer the full lineup – from testing equipment to proto and flight units. Our TTEthernet^® solutions uniquely integrate three standards, i.e. regular Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), ARINC 664 part 7 with bandwidth guarantees and SAE AS6802 (Time-Triggered Ethernet). A TTEthernet-based digital backbone can be combined with TSN for non-critical functions.

Check out our qualified space product portfolio below.