Exploring avionic connectivity in modern space systems: design and experimental evaluation of ethernet-based communication architectures with FTT-Ethernet and Time Sensitive Networking

This thesis investigates and evaluates two Ethernet-based architectures, Flexible Time Triggered Ethernet (FTT-Ethernet) and Time Sensitive Networking Lite (TSN-Lite), as innovative solutions for real-time communication within space launch vehicles. The growing demands in aerospace for high data rates, deterministic message delivery, and resilient network architectures have highlighted the limitations of traditional protocols like MIL-STD-1553B, which lacks the bandwidth and temporal precision necessary for modern mission requirements. As a response to these demands, FTT-Ethernet and TSN-Lite were developed to provide scalable, cost-effective alternatives that meet the strict latency and jitter constraints of aerospace applications. FTT-Ethernet, a cost-efficient solution designed around IEEE 802.1Q standards, employs commercial off-the-shelf Ethernet switches and a unique centralized scheduling system to deliver microsecond-level jitter. By leveraging low-cost hardware, FTT-Ethernet achieves significant cost savings, making it a practical choice for space missions that require efficient real-time data transfer. The adaptability of the architecture is further validated through extensive experimental testing in ground and stratospheric environments, confirming its robustness in dynamic launch vehicle conditions. However, the reliance on proprietary protocols presents a limitation in its market availability, which could restrict scalability in broader applications. In parallel, TSN-Lite is introduced as a streamlined variant of Time Sensitive Networking, developed under IEEE standards. TSN-Lite is tailored to the specific requirements of space missions, offering real-time communication with simplified configuration. Two versions, TSN-Lite-v1 and TSN-Lite-v2, are evaluated for their performance in maintaining deterministic scheduling while balancing complexity. TSN-Lite-v2, based on dynamic priority coding, achieves bandwidth efficiency similar to TSN employing all the standards, making it viable for environments requiring precise message timing and minimal jitter. TSN-Lite-v1, though simplified, provides nanosecond-level jitter, enhancing its suitability for time-sensitive data flows. By tapping into the multi-vendor market enabled by IEEE’s standardized TSN, TSN-Lite promises cost advantages and broader compatibility across industries, from aerospace to automation. A comparative performance analysis of these architectures highlights their strengths relative to traditional standards such as TTEthernet, underscoring their potential to fulfill critical timing and reliability needs at reduced costs.