21 Jul 2020
The European Space Agency has just added high speed MicroMach® SpaceWire links into the European Preferred Parts List making Axon’ the only company to be EPPL2 listed for this range of products. Compact and robust, this impedance-matched, high speed connector is capable of data rates well in excess of typical SpaceWire performance, even up to 3 Gb/s.
Higher performance
As data rates and EMI requirements increase in spacecraft computer networks, Axon’ introduces MicroMach®, an impedance-matched, high speed connector, initially developed for optimized SpaceWire performance, but which can equally be used for other protocols, such as SpaceFibre, Wizardlink, TT-Ethernet & XAUI. Qualified by ESA, the MicroMach® range includes equipment connectors, saver connectors and accessories all based on the generic ESCC 3401 specification. In addition, MicroMach® cable assemblies have been evaluated by ESA based on the brand new high data rate ESCC3409 generic specification.
Axon’s MicroMach® links raise a SMILE!
MicroMach® which has been developed under an ESA Technology Development Element has already been selected for its first ESA mission – SMILE! The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer, or SMILE, is a joint mission between the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). SMILE aims to build a more complete understanding of the Sun-Earth connection by measuring the solar wind and its dynamic interaction with the magnetosphere (source: ESA). The MicroMach® connector will be used together with another successful Axon’ development for ESA – the Low Mass SpaceWire cable – to provide onboard SpaceWire links with unparalleled performance v weight capability.