Dynamic Engineering PCI-SpaceWire-BK SpaceWire card

Product Description

Dynamic Engineering PCI-SpaceWire-BK – 4-Channel SpaceWire Controller Card for PCI Bus

This used Dynamic Engineering PCI-SpaceWire-BK is a specialized controller card designed to interface a standard PCI bus with up to four independent SpaceWire channels. SpaceWire is a high-speed serial data link standard (ECSS-E-50-12C) used extensively in the aerospace and defense industries for onboard satellite and spacecraft communications .

The card features a Xilinx FPGA that handles the PCI interface, FIFOs, and the SpaceWire protocol logic. Each of the four ports has its own dedicated DMA engines and internal FIFOs to support high-speed, low-latency data transfers . It is designed to meet the rigorous demands of industrial and space applications with industrial temperature-rated components .

Key Specifications

Key Features

Four Independent High-Speed Ports:
The card provides four full-duplex SpaceWire ports, each with its own dedicated DMA channel and FIFOs. Each port can operate at independent, user-programmable bit rates up to 200 MHz .

Efficient DMA Engines:
The onboard scatter-gather DMA significantly reduces host CPU overhead. The DMA controllers can access the PCI bus directly to read and write data to and from system memory using a chained descriptor list .

Advanced Protocol Handling:
The hardware handles critical aspects of the SpaceWire protocol, including link initialization, error checking (parity, disconnect, escape), flow control (token-based), and time-code distribution .

Flexible Clock Generation:
The onboard PLL (Programmable Phase-Locked Loop) can be programmed via software to generate a wide range of reference clocks for each port, providing flexibility for various mission requirements. The PLL configuration can be generated using a utility from Cypress (CyberClocks) .

Robust Software Support:
Dynamic Engineering provides comprehensive software support. This includes drivers for Windows 10/11 and Linux, as well as a “UserAp” reference application that demonstrates the card’s features (loopback tests, BIT, PLL programming, etc.). The software package is included with the purchase of SpaceWire-BK models .

Proven in Aerospace:
The card is designed and manufactured in the USA by Dynamic Engineering, which holds AS9100 and ISO9001 certifications, indicating its suitability for mission-critical aerospace and defense applications .

Applications

• Satellite Onboard Communication: Primary interface for payload data handling and telemetry.

• Spacecraft Instrumentation: Connecting scientific instruments, mass memory units, and processors.

• Launch Vehicle Telemetry: High-speed data links for rocket telemetry systems.

• Avionics Backplanes: Replacing legacy, slower data buses with high-speed serial links.

• High-Reliability Ground Systems: Ground support equipment for testing satellite communication systems.

• Defense & Aerospace R&D: Developing and testing next-generation avionics and sensor systems.

Condition

SOLD AS IS
USED – SHOWS NORMAL HANDLING
FUNCTIONALITY NOT TESTED
NO SOFTWARE OR DOCUMENTATION INCLUDED (unless specified; software available from manufacturer with proof of purchase )
PICTURE MAY NOT MATCH PRODUCT