STAR-Dundee’s SpaceWire Lab Cables are compatible with the SpaceWire Standard, but are a lighter and more flexible alternative to flight-qualified cables. Captive jack screws allow the connector to be mated before fully screwing the jacks, making them easy to connect/disconnect and ideal for lab use. The Lab Cables have similar electrical properties to flight-cables and 360 degree termination. They are available in lengths of 0.5m, 1m, 2m, 3m, 5m, and 10m. A screwdriver for the connectors is provided with the cables. More information, including pin out diagrams, is provided in the datasheet below.

Type A and Type AL Cable Assemblies

The latest issue of the SpaceWire standard, ECSS-E-ST-50-12C Rev.1, defines two types of cable assemblies: Type A and Type AL. STAR-Dundee offers both Type A and Type AL SpaceWire Lab Cable Assemblies.

The cable assembly defined in previous issues of the SpaceWire standard is now named Type AL in the latest revision of the standard, with the “L” standing for legacy. These were the cable assemblies STAR-Dundee previously offered as standard. The SpaceWire standard states that these cable assemblies should not be used for new designs.

The inner-shields of Type AL cable assemblies are connected to pin 3 of the connector at the transmit end of the cable only. The Type A cable assembly improves on this by connecting the inner shields to the connector shell at both ends. Pin 3 is not connected.

Type A cables are recommended for all new applications.