Implementation of Middleware Switch ASIC Processor

Abstract

The new spacecraft area network (SCAN) system for internal satellite communication provides data transfer between different satellite components. The satellite components have their own communication protocols, which are translated by middleware (MW) switch processor into a universal middleware protocol, understandable for the satellite operating system. The MW switch processor is the main part of a new proposed approach. Instead of current board computer based systems, the new data transfer approach based on network provides a more reliable solution. The processor is fabricated in the 250 nm IHP technology. This paper introduces a description of MW switch architecture, a comparison between possible architecture approaches and the characteristics of the implemented MW Switch processor.

Keywords

• Architecture
• ASIC
• communication switching
• middleware
• reliability
• satellite communication