TTTech Aerospace announces the release of its TTESwitch Module A664 Pro, the world’s first 1 Gbit/s, fully ARINC 664 part 7/AFDX®[1] compatible, TTEthernet® switch module for the aerospace market. The switch module is currently in the final Stage of Involvement (SOI4)[2] and will be certifiable to the highest aerospace safety standards: Design Assurance Level A (DAL A). It can be used at the core of a wide range of certifiable on-board Ethernet networks.
“We are very excited to now offer the TTESwitch Module A664 Pro for a wide range of use cases to the aerospace industry. A highlight of the switch module is its versatility since it is suitable for different Ethernet-based avionics platforms. This allows our customers to use it not only for their current avionic platforms, but also for retrofit use cases. The TTESwitch Module A664 Pro is also well-suited for future applications that require higher data transfer rates since it supports speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s,” explains Wolfram Zischka, Product Manager, TTTech Aerospace.
The TTESwitch Module A664 Pro is a Deterministic Ethernet switch acting as the core of high-performance avionics networks in fixed wing aircraft, business jets, rotorcrafts and UAVs. It offers three key benefits, making it the most competitive solution on the market:
- High-performance data transfer
In today’s avionics systems, more and more data is gathered and processed. The TTESwitch Module A664 Pro is the world’s first certifiable ARINC 664 part 7/AFDX® switch module that supports speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s. This ensures high-performance data transfers in the avionics network, simplifying network architecture and lowering space, weight and power (SWAP).
- Versatility in terms of use case and traffic classes
Aerospace comprises a wide range of different aircraft and rotorcraft. This means that form factors and network requirements may vary. With the TTESwitch Module A664 Pro, customers can develop their own flight switch for multiple aircraft/rotorcraft and levels of determinism of Ethernet, including "best-effort" Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), ARINC 664 part 7/ADFX® and time-triggered Ethernet (SAE AS6802). This reduces obsolescence and supplier management costs. VLANs (IEEE 802.1Q) and forwarding frames based on IP addresses are also supported. The switch module’s small size, weight and power needs allow it to be used in avionics switches with different form factors such as ARINC 600, 3U VPX, 6U VPX or as a standalone line replaceable unit (LRU). When building such a switch, the TTESwitch Module A664 Pro covers the complex electronics certification for hardware, software, chip and for the systems aspect, offering a simplified way to reach a complete switch certification.
- Certifiable switch module
After the completion of SOI4, the TTESwitch Module A664 Pro can be used in applications requiring the highest aerospace safety standards (DAL A) in DO-178C / DO-254, which places it at the core of certifiable avionics Ethernet networks for civil aircraft and rotorcraft. In the future, there will be additional applications, e.g., in the field of urban air mobility (UAM), where DAL A certification will also be a prerequisite.
Find out more:
[1] AFDX® is a registered trademark of Airbus.
[2] The four SOI (Stages of Involvement) are part of the process leading to a product that is certifiable to the highest safety level for complex hardware and/or software (RTCA DO-178C) in the aerospace sector.
