Deep Dive into SpaceWire Link Analysis with the Mk3 Analyzer

SpaceWire is a widely used standard for high-speed data communication in space applications. As systems become more complex, the need for robust testing and debugging tools becomes increasingly critical. Enter the SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3 from STAR-Dundee, a powerful tool designed to dissect and understand the intricacies of SpaceWire communication. This article will provide an in-depth look at the capabilities and benefits of this essential piece of equipment for SpaceWire developers and testers.

Why Analyze SpaceWire Links?

Developing and testing SpaceWire equipment requires more than just connecting devices and hoping for the best. Understanding the flow of data, identifying errors, and validating correct operation are crucial steps. The SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3 provides the visibility needed to achieve these goals, making it an indispensable tool. Some key reasons for analyzing SpaceWire links include:

• Validating Communication: Ensuring that data is transmitted and received correctly between devices.
• Debugging Errors: Identifying the root cause of communication problems, such as incorrect data formatting or timing issues.
• Optimizing Performance: Analyzing link statistics to identify bottlenecks and improve overall system performance.

Introducing the SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3

The Link Analyser Mk3 is engineered to monitor traffic on a SpaceWire link without disrupting the communication. It acts as a transparent observer, capturing and displaying bi-directional traffic, providing live statistics, and outputting decoded information to external logic analyzers.

Key Features:

• Unobtrusive Monitoring: Observes SpaceWire traffic without interfering with the communication link.
• Bi-Directional Traffic Capture: Records data flowing in both directions between SpaceWire devices.
• Live Link Statistics: Displays real-time information about link utilization, error rates, and other key metrics.
• External Logic Analyzer Output: Provides decoded SpaceWire characters and events to external logic analyzers for deeper analysis.

How the Link Analyser Mk3 Works

The Link Analyser Mk3 typically sits between two SpaceWire devices, passively monitoring the data exchange. When a pre-defined trigger is detected, the analyser captures SpaceWire characters, errors, and data/strobe signal traces into its hardware memory. This captured data is then uploaded to a host PC, where specialized software interprets and presents the information in various detailed views. This layered approach allows engineers to analyze the traffic at different levels:

• Network Level: Provides a high-level view of the communication network, showing packet flows and device interactions.
• Packet Level: Displays the structure and content of individual SpaceWire packets.
• Link Level: Shows the raw SpaceWire characters and control signals.
• Signal Level: Offers a detailed view of the data and strobe signals, enabling precise timing analysis.

Key Features and Benefits in Detail

• Extensive Capture Capabilities: The device can record up to 67 million events, providing sufficient data for comprehensive analysis.
• Flexible Triggering: Capture can be triggered by specific SpaceWire characters, data sequences, time-code values, or errors, allowing users to focus on particular events of interest.
• Multi-Level Software Views: Captured data can be viewed in bit-stream, character, packet, and network level views, catering to different analysis needs.
• RMAP Protocol Analysis: Supports analysis of the RMAP protocol, displaying the fields of packets conforming to the RMAP standard.
• Efficient Memory Usage: The ability to enable/disable the capture of specific SpaceWire character types optimizes memory usage.
• Error Injection: Enables the injection of errors into the SpaceWire bit-stream for testing error handling mechanisms.
• External Triggers: Allows interfacing with external equipment using SMB triggers for synchronized analysis.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: 162
• Dimensions: 110 x 30 x 112 mm (excluding feet)
• Power: +5V DC (power brick supplied)
• SpaceWire Ports: Two ports compliant to ECSS-E50-12A, ECSS-E-ST-50-12C and ECSS-E-ST-50-12C Rev.1, supporting up to 400 Mbit/s. Uses 9-pin micro-miniature D-type connectors.
• USB Port: USB 3.0 (Backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1)
• Connectors: 2 x SpaceWire ports, 1 x USB 3.0 port, 2 x 40 pin MICTOR logic analyser connectors (1 operational) and 4 SMB connectors (1 trigger in, 1 trigger out and 2 disabled)

Software and Included Accessories

The SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3 comes with a comprehensive software package and accessories, including:

• Windows and Linux drivers
• Link Analyser Mk3 software application
• C API with example code for custom integration
• User manuals
• USB cable
• One year of technical support and maintenance

The Evolution: Mk3 vs Mk2

It's important to note that the Link Analyser Mk3 is a significant upgrade from previous versions, including the Mk2. Both hardware and software have been substantially improved. For a detailed comparison, refer to the document "SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3 vs Mk2."

Conclusion

The SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3 is a vital tool for anyone working with SpaceWire technology. Its ability to unobtrusively monitor, capture, and analyze SpaceWire traffic makes it invaluable for development, testing, and debugging. With its comprehensive features, robust software, and improved hardware, the Link Analyser Mk3 provides the visibility needed to ensure the reliable operation of SpaceWire-based systems. For more information, including datasheets and downloads, visit the STAR-Dundee website.