4Links Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder Version 4 User manual

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User Manual for the
4Links
Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder
Version 4

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Revision History
Version
Date
Notes
4
February 2019
General updates
3
September 2013
Additions to regulatory and specification sections; zero-cost
options listed with cost options.
2
June 2012
Substantial additions and use of new text processing
tools.
1
February 2009
Initial version.
Legal notice and disclaimer: Copyright 2018 4Links Limited, all rights reserved. The name 4Links and the accompanying device are registered as a
Trademark in the European Union and in the United States of America. The name SpaceWire was originated by the European Space Agency whose rights are
acknowledged, and 4Links makes no claim to the word SpaceWire being a 4Links trademark. The information supplied in this document is believed to be
accurate at the date of issue. 4Links reserves the right to change specifications or to discontinue products without notice. 4Links assumes no liability arising
out of the application or use of any information or product, nor does it convey any licence under its patent rights or the rights of others. Products from 4Links
Limited are not designed, intended, authorised or warranted to be suitable for use in
life-support devices or systems. 4Links Limited is registered in England and Wales, with Company Number 3938960. Issued 2nd February 2018
2019 4Links Limited

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Contents
Revision History........................................................................................................................................................2
Introduction..................................................................................................................................................................6
Product Features ......................................................................................................................................................6
Product Options........................................................................................................................................................6
1. General Safety Summary......................................................................................................................................7
1.1. Terms in this Manual.........................................................................................................................................7
1.2. Symbols on the Product.....................................................................................................................................8
2. Description of Operation..........................................................................................................................................9
2.1. General ..............................................................................................................................................................9
2.2. Getting Started ..................................................................................................................................................9
2.3. Standard MSR Capabilities...............................................................................................................................10
2.4. Summary of MSR Options................................................................................................................................12
2.4.1. TT - Time-Tags...........................................................................................................................................12
2.4.2. ER - Event / Error Reporting .....................................................................................................................12
2.4.3. EW - Event / Error Waveforms .................................................................................................................12
2.5. Front-Panel Display..........................................................................................................................................13
2.5.1. Ethernet information................................................................................................................................13
2.5.2. SpaceWire information.............................................................................................................................13
2.6. Communication Protocols ...............................................................................................................................14
3. Specification ...........................................................................................................................................................15
3.1. SpaceWire Links...............................................................................................................................................15
3.1.2. SpaceWire Connectors .............................................................................................................................15
3.1.3. SpaceWire Time Codes.............................................................................................................................16
3.2. The Ethernet Connection.................................................................................................................................17
3.2.1. ICMP Echo (ping) Support.........................................................................................................................17
3.2.2. Full-Duplex Ethernet.................................................................................................................................17
3.3. SMA Synchronization Connectors ...................................................................................................................17
3.4. Discovering a Unit’s Serial Number and Installed Product Options................................................................18

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3.4.1. Installed Product Options.........................................................................................................................18
3.5. The RG408 Hardware Platform........................................................................................................................18
3.5.1. Dimensions ...............................................................................................................................................18
3.5.2. Environmental Requirements...................................................................................................................19
3.5.3. Power Supply............................................................................................................................................19
3.5.4. Handling and Transportation....................................................................................................................21
3.5.5. RG Platform Firmware ..............................................................................................................................22
4. Block Diagram.........................................................................................................................................................22
5. Front Panel Display.................................................................................................................................................24
5.1. Initial (power-up) display.................................................................................................................................24
5.2. Normal (status) display....................................................................................................................................24
6. Front Panel Interactions .........................................................................................................................................26
6.1. IP address.........................................................................................................................................................30
6.2. Time Synchronisation ......................................................................................................................................30
6.3. Health Display..................................................................................................................................................30
7. The MSR Options ....................................................................................................................................................31
7.1. Option TT - Time-Tags......................................................................................................................................31
7.2. Option ER - Event / Error Reporting ................................................................................................................31
7.3. Option EW - Event / Error Waveforms ............................................................................................................32
8. Unit-to-Unit Time-Tag Synchronisation..................................................................................................................33
8.1. Setting the Synchronisation Source.................................................................................................................35
9. Software for the Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder ...................................................................................................38
9.1. Files Supplied with the MSR ............................................................................................................................38
9.2. Data Capture using the msr Program..............................................................................................................39
9.3. Data Inspection and Analysis using the read Program....................................................................................40
9.3.1. Example Output from the read Program..................................................................................................43
9.3.2. Plug-ins for the read Program ..................................................................................................................43
9.4. Waveform Handling.........................................................................................................................................44
9.5. The MSR File Format........................................................................................................................................46
10. Troubleshooting Guide.........................................................................................................................................47

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11. Statement of Volatility..........................................................................................................................................49
11.1. Removing all information from a Unit...........................................................................................................49
11.2. Security Notice...............................................................................................................................................49
12. Product Limitations and Features.........................................................................................................................49
13. Regulatory Information ........................................................................................................................................50
13.1. Electromagnetic Compatibility ......................................................................................................................50
13.2. Product Safety ...............................................................................................................................................50
13.3. Equipment Recycling .....................................................................................................................................50
13.4. Restriction of Hazardous Substances ............................................................................................................50
14. RG408 Product Drawings......................................................................................................................................51
14.2. Front view......................................................................................................................................................51
14.3. Rear view .......................................................................................................................................................52

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Introduction
4Links’ EtherSpaceLink family Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder (MSR) is a rack-mounted SpaceWire recorder that
allows SpaceWire traffic to be captured, buffered and transmitted over Ethernet via a TCP/IP socket connection.
TCP/IP is a standard interface mechanism supported by all major operating systems, so no additional software
drivers are required.
The MSR provides for detailed analysis of SpaceWire networks, including routing switches. Recordings can be
made of all of the SpaceWire traffic, with each packet time-tagged to a resolution better than 2 ns. There is no
limit to the length of the SpaceWire packets that may be captured and transferred.
Multiple MSRs can be synchronized to within 10 ns to provide uniform time-tags across a system, even if that
system has many SpaceWire links and the recordings are being made onto different computers. Software is
provided to help manage and search the recordings.
The basic MSR-RG40x unit provides data recording facilities, event reporting and time-tag capture for some
(or all) of the tokens in the SpaceWire streams. It may be extended with an option to provide waveforms that
show the precise state of the SpaceWire signals around the time that an error was detected. This optional
capability can be added as a simple field upgrade by replacing the removable memory card installed in the
front panel of the unit.
The Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder is available to record 1, 2 or 4 SpaceWire links using two adjacent ports per
link. These ports may be mounted on the front panel of the unit (see the picture above), or on its rear panel.
Product Features
Feature
Description
1U support
3U support
SpaceWire
SpaceWire Link rate (Mbps)
400Mbps
400Mbps
Ethernet
Ethernet Speed
1Gbps
1Gbps
Ports
Number of SpaceWire Links
1/2/4
1
Power
Input supply to unit
24V DC @48W
12V DC @15W
Product Options
Option
Description
1U support
3U support
TT
Time Tags
Option
No
ER
Event/Error Reporting
Option
Standard
EW
Event/Error Waveforms
Option
Standard

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1. General Safety Summary
Review the following safety precautions to avoid injury and prevent damage to this product or to any products
connected to it.
To avoid potential hazards, use this product only as specified.
There are no user-serviceable parts inside this equipment.
Do not remove covers.
Do not operate with suspected failures. If you suspect that there is damage to this product, refer to 4Links
for advice.
Do not operate in wet or damp conditions.
Do not operate in an explosive atmosphere.
Keep product surfaces clean and dry.
Provide proper ventilation. The air inlet and outlet on the rear panel must not be obstructed.
1.1. Terms in this Manual
Caution:
Caution statements identify conditions or practices that could result in damage to this
product or to other property

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1.2. Symbols on the Product
The following symbol may appear on the product:
Caution:
Refer to this user manual for safety information.

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2. Description of Operation
This section describes the main features of the Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder.
2.1. General
The Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder (MSR) is connected to an Ethernet network and passively waits for a
connection from a host computer. Connection is made using a TCP/IP socket, which is flow-controlled and is
capable of recovering from errors that might occur on the network between the user and the EtherSpaceLink unit.
The MSR is identified by an IP address (see section 6.1, “IP address”) that is used by the host computer to make
this connection.
Operation of the Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder falls into two distinct phases:
Data Capture, when SpaceWire traffic is collected, time-tagged and stored to a file on the host computer;
and
Data Inspection and Analysis, which is performed after the data has been captured.
2.2. Getting Started
The MSR is supplied with up to eight active SpaceWire connectors (ports). Each pair of adjacent ports allows a
bidirectional SpaceWire connection (a link) to be monitored and all of the traffic flowing on that connection to be
recorded.
To connect a link through the MSR, unplug the SpaceWire connection that you wish to record from the devices
under test, and use two SpaceWire cables to route it via a pair of ports on the MSR, as shown in figure 2.1.
Figure 2.1: Connecting the MSR into a link under test
To record the traffic on this connection to the file named filename, enter

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msr <IP-address-of-MSR> <filename>
Use CTRL/C to stop the recording at any time.
To view your recording, execute
java -jar read.jar <filename>
Alternatively,
java -jar read.jar <filename> /s 0
provides a summary overview.
You will probably need to pipe the output from this command through a paging program, such as “more” or
“less”, or use the read program’s I/O parameters to direct it to a file, from where it can be viewed by a separate
program.
See section 9, “Software for the Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder”, which discusses the data capture and analysis
phases in more detail and provides further examples.
2.3. Standard MSR Capabilities
All Multi-link SpaceWire Recorders include the following capabilities:
The ability to capture all of the traffic passing along one, two or four bidirectional SpaceWire links, and to
relay it across Gb/s Ethernet to a host computer.
The SpaceWire links to be recorded should be reconnected through the MSR’s front panel connector
ports [or rear connectors on -R suffix units]. Each link should use one of the pairs of ports, 1 - 2, 3 - 4, 5 -
6, and 7 - 8, depending on the number purchased, as shown in figure 2.2.

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Figure 2.2: Connecting the MSR into a link under test
The MSR electrically connects each pair of ports together, just imposing a buffering delay of about 7 ns to
the signals propagating between each of these ports. No re-clocking of the signals is performed in this
buffer. Remember that SpaceWire cables introduce a delay of about 5 ns per metre, so the extra cabling
in a monitored link might present a similar delay to that of the MSR itself. The MSR is thus a passive
repeater of the traffic on the SpaceWire links - it does not modify the signals other than by electrical
buffering. Thus, no SpaceWire tokens are injected onto a link by the MSR.
The MSR internally maintains state machines to keep track of the SpaceWire links, but these are purely
used for reporting purposes. It cannot control the start-up of a link, so if it is enabled after a link is
established, it is unable to synchronize to that data stream. The MSR therefore needs to be booted before
the link is connected, but not necessarily running the msr software yet. If, for any link, the MSR’s front-
panel display shows the link speed in each direction, as well as the exchange of NULL tokens, flow-control
tokens or data characters (as in figure 2.3), then it will be able to record from that link.
Traffic on SpaceWire links, with speeds up to 400 Mb/s, may be recorded.
Traffic on the SpaceWire links being monitored may be captured and written to a file using the msr
program provided (see section 9.2, “Data Capture using the msr Program”). The basic MSR device
records the SpaceWire packet bytes and EOP / EEP framing markers that were observed on each direction
of the attached links. Additional information is provided by the options described in section 2.4,
“Summary of MSR Options”, below.
The front-panel display shows the state of the monitored links, even when the msr program is not
running.
Post-capture software (see section 9.3, “Data Inspection and Analysis using the read Program”) can be used to
present the recorded traffic in an easily-readable textual form.

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The captured traffic may be further displayed, analysed or animated by user-written software.
2.4. Summary of MSR Options
A Multi-link SpaceWire Recorder can be supplied with firmware that provides additional optional features:
2.4.1. TT - Time-Tags
The time of receipt of all SpaceWire tokens may be recorded, to a resolution of better than 2 ns, to assist the
correlation of events on different links. With support from inter-unit synchronisation or an Absolute Time
Interface (ATI) unit, the time-tags recorded by most members of the 4Links EtherSpaceLink family may be
synchronised to an accuracy of better than 10 ns.
2.4.2. ER - Event / Error Reporting
SpaceWire tokens defined as errors, that would normally be hidden (typically resulting in a link reset) or replaced
by an EEP character, can be made visible for recording purposes.
2.4.3. EW - Event / Error Waveforms
Each SpaceWire port has an associated waveform store that captures the transmit and receive wire signals for
that port. The capture of a waveform will be triggered by a wide variety of events on that port.

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Each captured waveform contains:
traces of the wire signals at the port;
an indication of the event that triggered the capture;
the time-tag of the triggering event.
The waveform viewer software (see section 9.4, “Waveform Handling”) allows a waveform to be viewed at
various zoom levels, and saved to a file. This software interprets the recorded signal waveforms as SpaceWire
characters, and supplies a labelled time axis.
2.5. Front-Panel Display
The MSR’s front panel display continuously monitors and displays the states of the Ethernet and SpaceWire links.
The top line of the display shows the product number, the current IP address of the EtherSpaceLink unit, and the
name “4Links” on the right.
Figure 2.3: The MSR display
2.5.1. Ethernet information
Information about the remote Ethernet connection is shown on the upper section of the display. The status of the
Ethernet connection is provided, together with indications of when Ethernet transmit and receive activity occur.
2.5.2. SpaceWire information
Information about the SpaceWire links is shown on the lower section of the display. The speed of both directions
of each link is shown, and any receive or transmit activity is indicated.

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2.6. Communication Protocols
4Links EtherSpaceLink units provide access to a SpaceWire network from computers on a conventional TCP/IP
Ethernet network. TCP/IP is used over Ethernet to provide an error checked guaranteed delivery system, even
through noise or the intervening network failing and being restored (for example, a cable being removed and
reconnected).
In the event of an EtherSpaceLink unit being powered down, the computer will expect the connection to be
restored, but the EtherSpaceLink unit will have lost connection information and the computer application
program will have to be restarted.
Similarly, a failure of the computer will leave the EtherSpaceLink unit waiting for a connection restoration that is
not possible, and in this case the EtherSpaceLink unit must be reset, by cycling power or by removing and re-
inserting the removable memory card on its front panel.

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3. Specification
3.1. SpaceWire Links
The SpaceWire Links conform to ECSS-E-ST-50-12C (31st July 2008).
3.1.1. SpaceWire Receive Performance
Receive speeds may be in the range from 1.2 Mb/s to more than 400 Mb/s [the lower-limit is set by the SpaceWire
standard timeout period of 850 ns]. The edge separation on the SpaceWire signal lines must be greater than 1.4 ns.
3.1.2. SpaceWire Connectors
Eight standard 9-way Micro-miniature D-type SpaceWire socket connectors are mounted either on the front
panel (on RG hardware platforms) or on the rear panel (on RG-R platforms).
The connectors are labelled 1 to 8, from left to right, corresponding to software and API ports 1 to 8 respectively.
The pinout of the SpaceWire socket connectors (looking from the outside of the EtherSpaceLink unit) is shown in
figure 3.1:
Figure 3.1: SpaceWire connector pinout
The female “Din” and “Sin” contacts provide inputs to the MSR; the female “Dout” and “Sout” contacts carry
output signals from the MSR.
All eight of these signals are buffered within the MSR using LVDS buffers for each of the differential signal pairs.
Within the MSR, all signal grounds are bonded to the chassis of the unit. Notice that the ground potential
difference between each device-under-test must be held within each receiver’s input common-mode voltage
range.

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3.1.3. SpaceWire Time Codes
SpaceWire defines a mechanism for transferring a global time reference across a network. MSR stores these time
codes in its recorded data files for analysis.

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3.2. The Ethernet Connection
An RJ45 socket, housed in an SFP module situated on the front panel, supports 1000 Mb/s (1000BaseT) or 100
Mb/s (100BaseT) full-duplex Ethernet connections over twisted-pair cable. The interface has an auto-crossover
function allowing direct connection of the EtherSpaceLink unit, with a standard or crossover cable, to a computer
or to an Ethernet hub or switch.
3.2.1. ICMP Echo (ping) Support
The MSR will respond to an ICMP echo request - as provided on Windows and Unix/Linux operating systems via
the ping command. This can provide a simple test to check that the unit is accessible on the network.
3.2.2. Full-Duplex Ethernet
Only full-duplex Ethernet connections are supported.
3.3. SMA Synchronization Connectors
Synchronization (to other 4Links units or to external devices) is achieved using SMA connectors, on units with the
“-S” model number suffix where they are fitted.
The rear panel of a suitably-equipped MSR contains eight SMA connectors, labelled J1 to J8 from left to right
when looking at the rear panel, corresponding to software and API synchronization connections J1-J8
respectively.
These connectors are used as four pairs, J1-J2, J3-J4, J5-J6 and J7-J8. Connector pairs J1-J2, J3-J6 or J7-J8 may not
be present on all platforms. Refer to the functions and options installed for details of their usage.
The outer conductor of each SMA connector is ground / shield, and the inner conductor carries the signal. The
two SMA connectors in a pair are internally wired to each other and may be used as a loop-through connection
for a 50 Ω-terminated line. Alternatively, a 50 Ω resistive terminator may be inserted into one of the connectors
in each pair so that the other forms a terminated connection.
Figure 3.2: SMA connector layout
Connector pair J7-J8 is used on the MSR for time synchronisation; see section 8, “Unit-to-Unit Time-Tag
Synchronisation”, for details.

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3.4. Discovering a Unit’s Serial Number and Installed Product Options
4Links EtherSpaceLink unit serial numbers are of the form Annn (e.g. A202).
The least-significant bits of the Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) address of a unit are directly related to its
serial number:
Serial numbers
MAC addresses
A1 to A4095
00-50-C2-20 01 to 00-50-C2-21-2F-FF
A unit’s serial number may be read off its front panel display at boot time. Alternatively, click the toggle switch
upwards once to view the serial number of a running unit.
3.4.1. Installed Product Options
When viewing the serial number of a running unit, as above, the installed Product Options are listed as two-
character acronyms within square brackets.
For example, in the illustration in figure 6.1, the options are EW, ER and TT. See section 2.4, “Summary of MSR
Options”, for further information on the available MSR options.
3.5. The RG408 Hardware Platform
The RG408 hardware platform is supplied with eight SpaceWire ports and with front or rear mounted SpaceWire
connectors (RG408 or RG408-R, respectively).
The hardware is optionally available with SMA connectors for external synchronization (on the RG408-
S). These enable inter-box time-tag synchronization (on the DSI, SRR, MSR and ATI), as well as external
triggers (on a DSI).
The -L and -M suffixes indicate the FPGA size in an RG408 unit. The smaller FPGA is supplied in RG408-L
units. An Extra Resources “-M” option (on the RG408-M) supplies greater processing and memory
facilities. This provides for more than four ports on a DSI, for double the recording buffer memory on
an MSR, and for more ports or larger RMAP memories on an SRR.
The unit is intended to be used in a 19-inch rack and is 1U high.
3.5.1. Dimensions
Dimension
Metric
Imperial
Maximum height
45 mm
1.75 inches
Maximum width
483 mm
19 inches

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Maximum depth
(overall)
335 mm (405 mm with mated
power connector)
13.25 inches (16 inches with
mated power connector)
Maximum depth
(inside rack)
290 mm (360 mm with mated
power connector)
11.5 inches (14.25 inches with
mated power connector)
Weight
Approximately 2.8 kg
Approximately 6 lb
Heat output
(power consumption)
Approximately 25 Watts
(depends on the installed functions and activity levels)
3.5.2. Environmental Requirements
Parameter
Requirement
Operating Temperature
5 °C to 35 °C
Humidity
Non-condensing humidity environments
Maximum Operating Altitude
2,000 m
Pollution Degree
2; Indoor use only
3.5.2.1. Ventilation Requirements
The 4Links RG platform products require unobstructed airflow to their rear ventilation grilles to allow the internal
fans to operate efficiently and thus to allow operation across the temperature range specified in section 3.5.2,
“Environmental Requirements”, above.
3.5.3. Power Supply
Power is provided by an external supply.
3.5.3.1. Supply Voltage
The power input is designed to accept DC 22 to 50 V, with either polarity.
The power input circuit is isolated from both the rest of the circuit and from the equipment case. The potential
difference between the power source and the equipment case (functional ground) must not exceed 50 V. A 1.2
MΩ resistor is fitted internally to prevent the build-up of a static potential difference between the power input
and the case.
Note: This input has limited surge protection and must be connected to a surge-free supply. The AC/DC adapter
supplied with the unit contains surge protection at its mains-voltage input and should be used where surge
protection is required.

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Caution:
The AC/DC adapter supplied with the unit provides mains isolation to UL60950/EN60950. If an alternative power
source is used, it must have an equivalent rating.
3.5.3.2. Power Consumption
Total power consumption depends on the number of active ports and options: up to around 25W. 3.5.3.3.
Power Connector
Power is supplied using a rear-panel-mounted 5-way 240° DIN connector with a screw-locking mechanism.
Figure 3.3: The 4Links RG Platform power connector
Pins
Function
1,2
Power (either polarity)
3
Functional ground (connected to case)
4,5
Return
The connector type is a Binder 680-series 5-pin 240° chassis plug. A compatible mating connector is Binder part
number 09-0314-00-05.