LeWiz Communications, Inc. It is stated that the company has been awarded a contract for the third phase of the NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, which will involve the development of an advanced avionics network system aimed at improving communication and interoperability between spacecraft electronic systems. This award is based on the long-term collaboration between LeWiz and multiple NASA centers, as well as with the United States Navy. Both parties have previously been working together to develop advanced Ethernet network technologies for demanding aerospace and defense applications.
Addressing Critical Aerospace Network Challenges
Ethernet is widely used in commercial and industrial networks. However, traditional Ethernet technology cannot fully meet the requirements of aerospace systems for deterministic timing, reliability, and mission-critical performance. To address these challenges, industry standard organizations – SAE International and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) – have promoted the development of two important technologies:
- Time-triggered Ethernet ( TTE ): Provides predictable and deterministic communication for mission-critical systems, and has been deployed on the "Orion" spacecraft in NASA to support the "Artemis" program.
- Time-sensitive networks ( TSN ): Expanding Ethernet capabilities to support time-critical communications, enhance interoperability, and provide more advanced network management.
As spacecraft architectures continue to evolve, it becomes increasingly important to enable systems operating under different network standards to connect with each other.
Build a bridge between TTE and TSN.
According to this third-phase contract, LeWiz will develop a bridging system from TTE to TSN, enabling devices running on these two network technologies to communicate with each other and achieve interoperability. The system will support both existing and emerging avionics systems, assisting NASA in integrating new capabilities while maintaining investments in existing spacecraft systems. The development work for LeWiz includes a complete hardware system, comprising chassis, backplanes, network cards that comply with SOSA Space Appendix specifications, as well as firmware/software related to the system. This design will meet the stringent environmental and reliability requirements of spaceflight and comply with applicable aerospace standards. This technology is intended to support spacecraft, space stations, as well as lunar and Mars exploration architectures, where reliable and interoperable communication is crucial for the success of missions.
Built on years of NASA and naval research
This third-phase award marks an important step for LeWiz in transforming the technology developed in the previous first and second phases of projects led by SBIR into aerospace systems that are relevant to practical operations. Through collaboration with NASA and the United States Navy, LeWiz has accumulated expertise in deterministic Ethernet networks, including TTE and TSN technologies. The new contract will advance this research to develop a integrated network solution to meet the evolving needs of future aerospace missions.
LeWiz Communications CEO Chinh Le stated: "We are honored and delighted to receive this award for the third phase of NASA. This opportunity represents an important milestone for the company and reflects the results of our years of dedicated research and development in the field of advanced avionics networks. Being able to contribute to technologies that may support future manned space exploration missions is not only a significant responsibility but also the realization of our long-term vision."
The company also stated that it welcomes further exchanges during the Radiation Hardened Electronic Technology event to be held in San Diego from November 3rd to 5th.
Regarding LeWiz Communications, Inc.
LeWiz Communications, Inc. Develops advanced network and semiconductor solutions for aerospace, defense, data centers, and embedded systems. The company serves as the chair of the SAE International Avionics Network Committee, participating in the formulation and integration of next-generation aerospace network standards. The LeWiz technology portfolio includes TTE, TSN, embedded FPGA technologies, as well as radiation-resistant chips developed using GlobalFoundries 12LP semiconductor processes.
All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Source: LeWiz Communications
