Ethernet Networks for Real-Time Systems: Application to Launchers

The present paper highlights the results obtained in CNES french Research & Technology activity. The objective of this study is to replace the historical serial data bus (MIL-STD 1553B) with a COTS (Components Off The Shelf) solution into a launcher as Ariane 5. As a matter of course, this solution must guarantee at least the same performances (real-time, reliability, etc). As a result this paper focuses on Ethernet standard. Nowadays, Ethernet is a consensual solution implemented in several domains as such industrial context (Jaguar, etc) or even avionics (Airbus A380). The paper highlights the first is- sues of the native Ethernet and its main evolutions which enable to embed an Ethernet network in a launcher, while ensuring real-time performances. Finally, a methodology is proposed to design an Ethernet reliable architecture.