 Fiber optic network in ring topology  Custom software implementing a Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) scheme  Documentation summarizing conclusions  Engineers at Lockheed Martin & researchers at Iowa State University  Provide a low latency medium for transmission of high resolution video and other high bandwidth data  Test the viability of different protocols, processor configurations, and future fiber optic technology solutions May Team Members: Layth Al-Jalil (Cpr E) Adam Fritz (EE) Jay Becker (Cpr E/ComS) David Sheets (EE/CprE) Faculty Advisors: Dr. Mani Mina Dr. Arun Somani Dr. Robert Weber IntroductionProject Schedule Problem Statement & Solution Operating Environment  There is no requirement to develop a custom network interface card  Development of this system will be largely drawn from existing research  Budget of $5000  Project lifespan is 9 months  COTS equipment must be primarily used Assumptions & Limitations End Product Project Requirements  Topology will support bi-directional signal propagation  Scheduling software will run on NIC independent of host  Network will tolerate insertion and removal of nodes  Design must be a cost effective solution  $5000 budget does not support an extensive system  Range of commercially available fiber optic transceivers and attenuation through topology limits the network to four nodes  Software must run on the NIC, not host platform  Power loss across node sub-networks limits total number of nodes Estimated Cost for Spring 2007 ($18,390) ($18,390)  Research will be conducted to determine similar industry solutions  Consultation with customer to clarify requirements  Consultation with advisors and graduate students on technical issues  Subsystem prototyping and testing used to guide final integration The performance of high speed fiber optic systems is interlaced with the issues of network topology, fault tolerance, and decentralized control. Our team is building a fiber optic network supporting ten gigabit per second baud rate that utilizes a ring topology and bi-directional data transfer to provide a fault tolerant network solution. This design enables every node in a network to serve as a scheduler, thus providing decentralized control where the loss of a control node is mitigated by having immediate back up available. When complete, this solution will be directly integrated into conventional avionics architectures. Abstract Avionics platforms are increasingly demanding greater throughput between system elements. These requirements are driven by the need to transmit real time video to the pilot and crew, broadcast complex tactical data throughout a military vehicle, and to provide expansion bandwidth for the next generation of equipment. This team is realizing that vision as a fiber optic network because as data transfer moves beyond the ten gigabit per second rate the only effective, EMI insensitive medium is fiber optics. Estimated ResourcesApproach and ConsiderationsClosing Summary  Modern avionic platforms require data networks that can accommodate current and future bandwidth needs  Industry trend is for many modules to share in tasks of processing data  Build a network capable of 10 Gbps transceiver to transceiver communication Client:  Military avionic platforms and derivative systems  High Speed Communication and Dependable Computing Laboratories Intended Users and Uses Estimated Personnel Hours (1,290 Total Hours) (1,290 Total Hours)  Department equipment was utilized for initial testing  None of the available equipment supports 10Gbps  Multimode equipment is available in the lab; single mode equipment is not  Concepts must be proven with lab equipment before making purchases TDM/Loop Topology Bi-directional data flow Bi-directional Data Flow Input / Output NIC TransmitterNIC ReceiverTDM Order of Transmission Node n to transmit (Represents order of control, not signal path) Node 2 to Transmit Node 3 to transmit Design Objectives Functional Requirements Design Constraints Measurable Milestones Proposed Approach Technologies Considered Testing Considerations  Fiber optic transceivers will transmit and receive serial data at a 10 Gbps  Each node will distinguish between a strong signal and a weak signal  Scheduler will determine the order and duration of each node’s transmission  Each node will transmit when the scheduler transmits authorization  Measure power output from a dummy fiber optic network to confirm that signals propagate in the design  Implement a two node network to test the TDM scheduling algorithm  Expand network to four nodes and test TDM scheduling algorithm  Upgrade network from 2.5 Gbps to 10 Gbps and measure bit rate  Single mode technologies chosen for ease of use (fiber, couplers, splitters, etc.)  Myrinet supports 10Gbps but software is not customizable, thus it was rejected  Xilinx Virtex IV supports 10Gbps and is reprogrammable Optical signal up to 10Gbps Electrical RF signal Digital signal Processed digital signal