F2E Convert On Demand

1. F2EConvert On Demand Team Members: DamolaAlabi Andrew Hillocks Montaque Jones Jasmine Little

2. Background • Modern radar systems utilize digital signal processing. The radar receivers contain high speed A/D converters at the end of the analog signal path. The digital data is transmitted by fiber to the signal processor. Data rates on these signal paths are extremely high (6+ Gb/sec). • Northrop Grumman would prefer to not use expensive MIL-SPEC hardware simply to test receivers in the factory.

3. Problem • We need to build a test receiver system that can handle data at high rates but is more cost effective than the expensive MIL-SPEC hardware that is in use. • In a nutshell, we need to build a cost effective system that will help Northrop Grumman test receivers in the factory. • The main question asked is: • How can we design and test this on demand converter

4. Design Requirements • Overall Function: • The unit should receive data, convert it back into 32 bit words, buffer a large quantity of these words, and then upon request transfer the block over a lan interface to a requesting computer. • The data comes in as serial data encoded in the Xilinx Aurora 64B/66B protocol. • Real time conversion from fiber to lan is not required. • Compliance • IEEE electrical standard 802.3 • Fibre channel physical and signaling standard • ANSI X3.230-1994 • ISO 14165-1

5. Aurora Interface • Aurora is a scalable, lightweight, link-layer protocol that is used to move data across point-to-point serial links. • It is an open protocol and is free of charge.

6. Why use the Aurora? • Very efficient low-latency protocol that uses the least possible amount of logic • Aurora increases bandwidth through bonded lanes. • Aurora also requires little time to integrate in to existing user designs.

7. Current Status of Art • Currently there are no commercial products that have the ability to do on demand conversations. • The only products available are MIL-SPEC hardware. This hardware is very expensive and is not for commercial sale.

8. Initial Solution Approach • The basic operational concept • External controller commands box to acquire X words (commands come over the lan interface) • Box acquires data on fiber interface and buffers in memory. • Box reports completion (or is polled by controller). • External controller requests data acquired be transferred over lan (FTP or other standard TCP protocol required). • Box transfers data • Box awaits next command.

9. Hardware diagram

10. RabbitCore RCM 2100 • Design Advantages • 5V design • 10Base-T Ethernet on-board • Plug-in design • Applications • Embedded Control • Process Control • Test and Measurement

11. Tasks/Duties • Since we are dealing with Ethernet and fiber optic cables we divided the research up: • Montaque and Jasmine will focus on the Ethernet portion of the project • Damola and Andrew will handle fiber optics portion of the project. • Even though research on each side is done separately we still we all will have a full understanding of both fiber optics and Ethernet. From the knowledge and information we gathered, we will then collaborate and be able to form a solution to the problem statement.

12. Timeline

13. Cost and Resources • Below we have provided a tentative budget chart to help us visualize what is needed physically and monetarily to go forward with the project.

14. Conclusion • Our team will design and create an on demand converter. • The box we develop will take in one fiber interface, converts it to copper, buffer it in local memory, and ultimately make it available to the test system through a laninterface.

15. Questions