Arizona electronic maker moves into aerospace

TTTech Computertechnik AG, a supplier time-triggered communications protocols and technologies, is working with On Semiconductor (Phoenix, Ariz.) to develop a controller for the time-triggered protocol (TTP), intended for use in industry and aerospace applications.
TTTech (Vienna, Austria) and On Semiconductor are developing a bus controller supporting up to 25-Mbit per second data transmission per channel. Engineering samples are due to be available in the second quarter of 2009.

The device is intended to be compatible with the TTP controller AS8202NF from Austriamicrosystems and will have the same pin configuration. In addition, the On Semiconductor TTP device will offer a configurable 8B10B coding at communication speeds of 10-Mbit/s using the RS-485 physical layer.

The data rate for TTP communication over RS-485 is therefore doubled compared to previous technologies while maintaining DC-free operation according to aerospace requirements. This higher speed option will be supported by TTTech products in line with upcoming customer projects.

The TTP chip IP is designed to meet aerospace requirements in compliance with DO-254/DO-178B Level A. The IP has been applied in modular and distributed control systems in aerospace programs such as the Airbus A380, Lockheed Martin F-16 and in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. "We decided to invest in the TTP technology because of its benefits for the aerospace market. TTP aligns well with our strategy for military and aerospace," said Vince Hopkin, vice president responsible for military, aerospace and digital products, in a statement.

"With this exciting technology partnership now in place we are able to offer TTP controllers from two independent suppliers," said Guenter Motzet, director of chip IP design at TTTech.