Achieving high-speed box-to-box interconnects in space

A distance limitation has been observed on a program of record between engineering model boxes with shielded quadrax cables carrying an aggregate of 36Gbps of user data. Estimates for the performance of the flight design suggest interconnects would be further distance-limited given flight components and a planned increase in signaling rates. The fundamental challenge is achieving high-speed data rates while meeting distance, environmental, power, EMI/EMC and manufacturability requirements. This observed copper cabling limitation will render infeasible deployment of higher rate sensors currently under development. Recent advances in optical fiber and transceiver components that can survive the space environment are poised to eliminate this limitation. Solutions derived from these advances will be presented along with test data and their development roadmap.