SAN JOSE – October 29, 2026 -- NASA has awarded LeWiz Communications, Inc. a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract to develop a TTE-to-TSN Bridge System that links spacecraft electronics running on two different Ethernet standards. The award builds on the company's collaboration with multiple NASA centers and the U.S. Navy.
LeWiz will connect Time-Triggered Ethernet with Time-Sensitive Networking
Conventional Ethernet does not fully meet the deterministic timing and reliability demands of aerospace systems. Time-Triggered Ethernet (TTE), advanced by SAE International and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, has been deployed aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft in support of the Artemis program. Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) extends Ethernet to time-critical communications, improved interoperability and advanced network management.
The bridge will let devices on both standards communicate, supporting existing and emerging avionics subsystems while preserving NASA's investment in established spacecraft systems.
Contract covers a complete SOSA Space Appendix-compliant hardware system
LeWiz's scope includes the chassis, backplane, networking boards and associated firmware and software. The design must meet spaceflight environmental and reliability requirements and applicable aerospace standards. The technology targets spacecraft, space stations, and Lunar and Mars exploration architectures.
Phase III moves SBIR Phase I and II research toward operational systems
The award transitions technology from LeWiz's earlier SBIR Phase I and Phase II projects into operationally relevant aerospace systems. LeWiz chairs SAE International's Avionics Network Committee and has developed radiation-hardened chips using GlobalFoundries' 12LP semiconductor process.
CEO Chinh Le called the award an important milestone reflecting years of research in advanced avionics networking. LeWiz will discuss the work at the Radiation Hardened Electronic Technology event in San Diego, Nov. 3-5.