Ariane 6 launch vehicle

Europe’s new flagship launcher Ariane 6 ensures independent access to space for Europe.

Today’s modern avionics need to cope with increasing data rates and enable more modular architectures. At the same time, launchers face strong market pressure through increased competition, affecting both development and recurring cost. Further challenges are avoidance of both obsolescence and export restrictions at component level.

Research funded by the French space agency (CNES) and the European Space Agency (ESA) showed that architectures based on TTEthernet^® are a great fit for launch vehicles. TTEthernet^® enables cost savings thanks to modular, scalable systems architectures. It has been chosen as the single avionics network for Ariane 6.

"We are delighted that our network solution based on Deterministic Ethernet is providing a very powerful platform simplifying the electronic architectures of launch vehicles worldwide!"

Georg Kopetz Member of the Executive Board, TTTech Computertechnik AG

Introducing Ariane 6

Ariane 6 is a modular three-stage launcher (solid–cryogenic–cryogenic) with two configurations using: four boosters (A64) or two boosters (A62). Video by ESA © ESA-David Ducros

"Using TTTech Aerospace’s ^TTEController HiRel ASICs to implement TTEthernet^® connectivity allowed us to reduce our recurring cost. These components come in automotive-grade packaging, and qualifying both this ’off-the-shelf‘ solution and the Ethernet-based data network is one of several key innovations in Ariane 6."

Andre Hubert Roussel Former CEO of ArianeGroup

Creating a single, redundant avionics network for all data traffic with TTEthernet^®

TTTech Aerospace’s radiation tolerant TTEthernet^® controller ASICs ^TTE Switch Controller HiRel and ^TTE End System Controller HiRel ASICs are the key components to achieve fully deterministic high-speed connectivity.

They are integrated into more than 50 avionic units handling functions such as guidance, computing, power distribution, or thrust-vector actuation, which all connect to a single, redundant TTEthernet® network, the launcher’s ‘nervous system’. The controller chips (integrated circuits) are based on a radiation-hardened design process, which ensures high reliability in harsh environments requiring radiation and latch-up protection for applications such as launch vehicles and satellites. Among the European equipment manufacturers integrating our controllers and the qualified software running on them were Safran and Airbus-CRISA.

Ariane 6 inaugural flight

The first liftoff of Ariane 6 from the European spaceport in Kourou on July 9, 2024. (Credit: © European Space Agency - ESA)

"We are proud about our partnership with ArianeGroup and to contribute to Europe’s Ariane 6 launcher with our second generation TTEthernet^® products reliably operating this highly advanced spacecraft."