F2EConvert On DemandTeam Members:Damola AlabiAndrew HillocksMontaque JonesJasmine Little

Background Modern radar systems utilize digital signal

processing. The radar receivers contain high speed A/D converters at the end of the analog signal path. The digital data is transmitted by fiber to the signal processor. Data rates on these signal paths are extremely high (6+ Gb/sec).

Northrop Grumman would prefer

to not use expensive MIL-SPEC hardware simply to test receivers in the factory.

Problem We need to build a test receiver system that can

handle data at high rates but is more cost effective than the expensive MIL-SPEC hardware that is in use.

In a nutshell, we need to build a cost effective system that will help Northrop Grumman test receivers in the factory.

The main question asked is: How can we design and test this on demand converter

Design Requirements Overall Function:

The unit should receive data, convert it back into 32 bit words, buffer a large quantity of these words, and then upon request transfer the block over a lan interface to a requesting computer. The data comes in as serial data encoded in the Xilinx

Aurora 64B/66B protocol. Real time conversion from fiber to lan is not

required.

Compliance IEEE electrical standard 802.3 Fibre channel physical and signaling standard ANSI X3.230-1994

ISO 14165-1

Aurora Interface Aurora is a scalable, lightweight, link-

layer protocol that is used to move data across point-to-point serial links.

It is an open protocol and is free of charge.

Why use the Aurora? Very efficient low-latency protocol that

uses the least possible amount of logic Aurora increases bandwidth through

bonded lanes. Aurora also requires little time to

integrate in to existing user designs.

Current Status of Art

Currently there are no commercial products that have the ability to do on demand conversations.

The only products available are MIL-SPEC hardware. This hardware is very expensive and is not for commercial sale.

Initial Solution Approach The basic operational concept

1. External controller commands box to acquire X words (commands come over the lan interface)

2. Box acquires data on fiber interface and buffers in memory.

3. Box reports completion (or is polled by controller).4. External controller requests data acquired be

transferred over lan (FTP or other standard TCP protocol required).

5. Box transfers data6. Box awaits next command.

Hardware diagram

RabbitCore RCM 2100 Design Advantages

5 V design 10Base-T Ethernet on-board Plug-in design

Applications Embedded Control Process Control Test and Measurement

Tasks/Duties Since we are dealing with Ethernet and fiber optic

cables we divided the research up: Montaque and Jasmine will focus on the Ethernet

portion of the project Damola and Andrew will handle fiber optics portion of

the project.

  Even though research on each side is done separately

we still we all will have a full understanding of both fiber optics and Ethernet. From the knowledge and information we gathered, we will then collaborate and be able to form a solution to the problem statement.

TimelineMilestone Scheduled Date

Initial Proposal : Version I October 12, 2011

Initial Proposal Presentation October 19, 2011

Written Proposals: Version II October 19, 2011

Second Proposal Presentation November 2, 2011

Proposal Presentation November 9, 2001

Evaluation/Selection of Design November 2011

Finalize Design November 2011

Ordering of components/Parts December 2011

Project prototype January 2012

Project Presentation April 2012

Cost and Resources

Item Unit Cost ($) Quantity Cost ($)

RabbitCore RCM 2100 kit 280 1 280

Fiber to Ethernet Converter

150 1 150

Aurora Interface Kit 60 1 60

Cables 20 2 40

Miscellaneous     150

Total Cost     680

Below we have provided a tentative budget chart to help us visualize what is needed physically and monetarily to go forward with the project.

Conclusion

Our team will design and create an on demand converter.

The box we develop will take in one fiber interface, converts it to copper, buffer it in local memory, and ultimately make it available to the test system through a lan interface.

Questions