SpaceWire Traffic Supervision via Logical Address Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current traffic supervision solutions in SpaceWire communication networks require multiple supervision equipment and involve cumbersome disconnection and reconnection of flight equipment, which can damage connectors and is inefficient, especially during integration and test phases of satellite systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication network architecture that uses routing techniques based on multiple logical addresses, allowing a single test equipment to acquire all network traffic by adding a specific address to data packets and updating router routing tables, enabling efficient supervision and recording of network traffic without modifying the packets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple supervision equipment are inserted between each node of the network, then traffic supervision coverage is improved, but device complexity and intervention difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic supervision coverageVSAvoidnumber of supervision equipment
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single supervision equipment performs multiple functions by receiving packets from multiple routers through different ports, filtering them based on destination addresses, and recording all network traffic. This eliminates the need for separate supervision equipment at each node while maintaining comprehensive monitoring coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The supervision equipment acts as an intermediary that collects traffic from multiple routers indirectly through the routing table mechanism, rather than requiring direct connection to each node. The routing tables serve as the mediator that directs packets to the supervision equipment for analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If supervision equipment is inserted between each node, then traffic monitoring capability is improved, but the disconnection and reconnection operations become more frequent and damaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic monitoring capabilityVSAvoidconnector durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The routing tables serve as a virtual intermediary that enables traffic redirection without physical disconnection. By updating routing table entries, the system can direct traffic to the supervision equipment through existing connections, eliminating the need for physical connector manipulation and maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the logical parameters (routing table entries) rather than physical connections to achieve traffic supervision. By modifying routing table configurations, traffic paths are redirected without touching the physical connectors, thus protecting them from damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If a single supervision equipment is used to acquire all network traffic, then device complexity is reduced, but routing table updating operations become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of supervision equipmentVSAvoidrouting table configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The single supervision equipment is configured to handle multiple routing table updates and packet filtering operations through a unified design. The equipment processes packets from different routers by filtering on destination addresses, consolidating what would otherwise require multiple separate supervision devices into one multi-functional unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If multiple supervision equipment are deployed, then overall traffic picture is improved, but intervention time and operational difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverall traffic pictureVSAvoidintervention time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the functions of multiple supervision equipment into a single device that receives packets from multiple routers. By consolidating traffic collection and analysis functions, the system reduces intervention time while maintaining comprehensive traffic visibility through the unified supervision equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3122005B1Routing system allowing the filtering of data for integrating and testing operational equipment
Publication Date: 2018.04.18 THALES SA
  • EP3122005B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3122005B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3122005B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication network comprising nodes (110, 121 to 126) identified by addresses and exchanging data in packets, and at least one router (131 and 132), the communication network being characterized in that: • said nodes are configured to append a specific address to the beginning of each transmitted data packet, • said communication network allows at least one data monitoring device (210) to be connected to one of the routers, • the routers are configured to forward data packets containing a specific address to said monitoring device or destination node based on the specific address, and • the monitoring device is configured to return received data packets to the router to which it is connected via a port, without modification. Associated monitoring equipment and method.