Backplane Design Considerations for High Speed SpaceWire Networks

SpaceWire is becoming a preferred protocol for board to board communication over a backplane in addition to its existing use over cabled interfaces, replacing other protocols due to its simplicity and readily available flight quality physical layer devices, IP cores and test equipment. However, without specific guidelines for implementing SpaceWire over a backplane, designers are left to make trade decisions regarding connector selection, layout design rules and test accessibility issues. This paper will discuss NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center s implementation of high speed SpaceWire over backplane on James Webb Space Telescope and other missions.