A SpaceWire/SpaceFibre architecture based on ADHA

Nowadays all traditional satellites are based on electrical architecture interconnecting units containing electronics modules. The space industry understood the benefit of having flexible units that can welcome recurrent and generic modules to be then complemented by specific modules for targeting different applications. However, the standardisation effort necessary for the module compatibility has not been technically and programmatically coordinated among the companies in the space industry. In parallel, the need of real time information created new opportunities for mass production of small satellites, which rapidly adopted the model of CubeSats composed of boards having standardised interfaces. To meet the three technology targets about spacecraft development time reduction, cost efficiency, and finally faster development and adoption of innovative technologies, ESA in cooperation with all European industry has initiated the Advanced Data Handling Architecture (ADHA). ADHA is based on standardised, interchangeable, and interoperable electronics modules with last generation of microelectronics components. The data exchange of the modules is - dependent on the needed data rates - realized with CAN-Bus, SpaceWire and/or SpaceFibre. This paper introduces the concept of ADHA, the standardization approach and finally the architecture and protocol for SpaceWire and SpaceFibre within ADHA.