The space ethernet physical layer transceiver (sephy) project: a step towards reliable ethernet in space

Space applications are no strangers to the need for the speed of modern networks. Scientific missions use increasingly powerful sensors that produce images and data that requires high-speed communication, while each new generation of commercial satellites needs to support higher data rates. This trend is expected to continue in the future and therefore there is a need to define a roadmap for space networks that supports this vision. Additionally, networks are needed for a variety of functions in a space vehicle that range from non-critical sensor data collection and processing to tele-commands that are vital for the system operation. Ideally, future space networks can integrate all those functions on a single network, thus simplifying the system design and operation. Today, most space networks are based on standards that support only low bit rates like the very deterministic military standard (MIL-STD)-1553 or that are specific to lower-criticality payload data like SpaceWire. In the first case, the standards cannot support the speeds needed for future systems while in the second, the development cost are high and may not justify future evolution to higher speeds.