TTTECH has officially started the Terabit Per Second Ethernet Switch for Constellations with Optical Intersatellite Links” project, which marks a major step forward in high-performance networking for next generation satellite constellations. This publicly tendered project is being carried out within the European Space Agency’s (ESA) ARTES 4.0 program, reinforcing Europe’s ambition to develop advanced, sovereign space communication technologies. The project’s intended duration is twelve months, ending in the first quarter of 2027.
The Terabit project addresses the growing demand for ultra-high throughput, reliable inter-satellite and intra-satellite payload networking in modern satellite constellations. Future multi-orbit systems with optical intersatellite links require switching solutions capable of routing massive data volumes while guaranteeing predictable latency, quality of service, and resilience. With this project, TTTECH is extending its proven space-grade Ethernet expertise into the terabit performance class.
At the core of the project is the development of a technology-agnostic Ethernet switch chip IP supporting OSI Layer 1 to Layer 3 functionality, optimized for use in inter-satellite communication and regenerative satellite payloads. The Terabit switch is designed to scale up to 16 ports with 100 Gbit/s per port, delivering an aggregate data throughput of up to 1.6 Tbit/s (or 3.2 Tbit/s in full duplex mode) in a non-blocking architecture. The IP is configurable and prepared for future SoC and PCB/System-level implementations, providing flexibility for a wide range of space platforms and missions.
The project aims at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4, i.e. validation in lab environment. The objectives for the Terabit Ethernet Switch are:
- Tbit/s bandwidth needed for switching optical and RF communication or other payloads
- Reliable performance with guaranteed latency and jitter for critical traffic
- Support for Ethernet, Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and IP routing, enabling advanced onboard data handling
- Scalability and configurability in port count and data rates
- On-orbit management and monitoring via a dedicated service interface
- Design readiness for space requirements, including fault tolerance, redundancy, and radiation robustness
TTTECH and its Finnish subsidiary TTTECH Flexibilis Oy will deliver a complete technology demonstrator and a clear product development roadmap toward future chip level and system level space qualified solutions. TTTECH’s contribution to the project builds on its established space Ethernet portfolio and verification infrastructure, combining state-of-the-art simulation and hardware demonstrators to validate performance and feasibility.
The participation in the Terabit Ethernet Switch project is a continuation of TTTECH Aerospace’s efforts to push the boundaries of Ethernet for space, enable the data-driven satellite architectures of tomorrow, and help strengthen Europe’s position in advanced data networking technologies for space.
