Deep Dive into SpaceWire Link Analysis with the Mk3 Analyzer
For engineers and developers working with SpaceWire technology, efficient debugging and validation are crucial. The SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3 from STAR-Dundee offers a comprehensive solution for monitoring, capturing, and analyzing traffic on SpaceWire links. This unobtrusive tool provides invaluable insights into link behavior, significantly aiding in the development and testing phases of SpaceWire-based systems.
What is the SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3?
The SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3 is a specialized device designed to passively monitor the communication occurring on a SpaceWire link. It sits between two SpaceWire devices, capturing bi-directional traffic without interfering with the normal operation of the link. This capture capability allows engineers to:
- Visualize live link statistics.
- Decode SpaceWire link characters and events.
- Output data to an external logic analyzer for deeper analysis.
Key Features and Benefits
The Link Analyser Mk3 offers a range of features designed to streamline the debugging and validation process:
- Unobtrusive Monitoring: Capture and display SpaceWire link traffic travelling between two devices without disrupting communication. This passive monitoring ensures accurate data capture under real-world conditions.
- Extensive Recording: Record up to 67 million events, providing a substantial buffer for capturing complex communication sequences.
- Advanced Triggering: Capture SpaceWire traffic to memory when a specific sequence of SpaceWire characters, data, time-code value, or errors are detected. This enables engineers to focus on specific events of interest.
- Multi-Level Views: View captured SpaceWire traffic in bit-stream, character, packet, and network level software views. This layered approach simplifies the process of identifying and diagnosing issues at different levels of abstraction.
- RMAP Protocol Analysis: RMAP protocol analysis displays the fields of packets conforming to the RMAP standard, enabling efficient debugging of systems utilizing the Remote Memory Access Protocol.
- Search Functionality: Search captured traffic for specific SpaceWire characters or for packets containing a particular data sequence, expediting the process of locating relevant information within the captured data.
- Customizable Capture: Enable/disable capture of specific SpaceWire character types for efficient memory usage.
- Data Export: Export captured traffic to CSV file for custom software interpretation and analysis.
- Live Statistics: View live link statistics in the status counter software view for real-time monitoring of link performance.
- Error Injection: Inject errors into the SpaceWire bit-stream for fault injection testing and verifying system robustness.
- External Interface: Interface with external equipment using external SMB triggers to synchronize capture with external events.
- Logic Analyzer Connection: View decoded SpaceWire link characters and events on an external logic analyzer connected by a 40 pin MICTOR connector.
- Rack Mountable: 19” rack mountable with the use of a 19″ Rack Mounting Kit.
Technical Specifications
Here's a summary of the key technical specifications for the SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3:
- Part Number: 162
- Size: 110 x 30 x 112 mm (excluding feet)
- Power: +5V DC, power brick supplied
- SpaceWire Ports: Compliant to ECSS-E50-12A, ECSS-E-ST-50-12C and ECSS-E-ST-50-12C Rev.1
- Number of SpaceWire Ports: 2
- Maximum Speed: 400 Mbit/s
- Connectors: 9-pin micro-miniature D-type
- USB Port: USB 3.0, Backwards compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1
- EMC/CE/FCC: Certified
Software and Included Accessories
The Link Analyser Mk3 comes complete with the necessary software and accessories:
- Windows drivers (Windows 10, 8 and 7)
- Linux drivers (5.x, 4.x and 3.x kernels)
- Link Analyser Mk3 software application
- C API with example code
- User manuals
- USB cable
- 1 year’s technical support and maintenance
Downloads and Resources
For more in-depth information, consider downloading the following resources:
Conclusion
The SpaceWire Link Analyser Mk3 is an essential tool for anyone working with SpaceWire technology. Its ability to unobtrusively monitor and capture link traffic, combined with its powerful analysis software, significantly simplifies the debugging and validation process. By providing detailed insights into SpaceWire communication at multiple levels, the Link Analyser Mk3 helps engineers develop robust and reliable SpaceWire-based systems. This tool supersedes previous models like the Mk2, offering substantial improvements in both hardware and software.
