What Is Time-sensitive Networking?
Time-sensitive networking (TSN) is a collection of standards that enables deterministic communication over standard Ethernet. As defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 standards, including 802.1AS, 802.1Qbv, and 802.1CB, TSN guarantees that critical transmissions are delivered within a precisely defined and bounded timeframe. This capability makes standard Ethernet suitable for demanding industrial automation and control applications. To achieve this, TSN leverages the following key techniques:
Time Synchronization
Based on the IEEE 802.1AS standard, all TSN devices must synchronize their clocks with each other, ensuring a common time base. This clock alignment forms the indispensable foundation for deterministic communication in real-time applications.
Bounded Low Latency
By adopting the concept of non-negotiable time period allocation for end-to-end transmissions defined by IEEE 802.1Qbv Time-Aware Shaper, the TSN network components ensure deterministic data transmissions with ultra-low latency.
Exceptional Reliability
Achieving exceptional reliability in a deterministic networking environment relies on the IEEE 802.1CB standard. This standard ensures optimal data delivery by enabling the redundant transmission of critical data via frame replication and elimination, effectively preventing single points of failure.
Resource Management
TSN offers comprehensive resource management and visibility tools that device providers can incorporate based on network requirements. For example, YANG (Yet Another Next Generation) models define network resources and TSN capabilities in a standard format, simplifying the configuration, monitoring, and management of diverse network devices.
TSN Is Driving Digital Transformation
Digitalization through seamless IT/OT convergence is the engine driving modern manufacturing, IIoT, and Industry 4.0. However, many businesses are struggling to collect and process real-time data on the factory floor because of inhibiting legacy network infrastructure. Here is where TSN comes in, bridging the gap between today's fragmented networks and the unified networks of tomorrow. By introducing deterministic capabilities to standard Ethernet, TSN transforms legacy networks into a unified backbone capable of seamlessly integrating diverse industrial protocols.
Fragmented IT/OT Networks of Today
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- Siloed Architecture: Traditional OT networks rely on multiple proprietary protocols, creating complex silos and preventing unified system management.
- High Cost & Complexity: Integrating vendor-specific protocols and maintaining rigid topologies translates in high setup costs and operational complexity. This, in turn, limits system scalability and application options.
- Data Bottlenecks: Critical operational data is often trapped within specific layers, hindering the ability of IT engineers to perform real-time analytics for informed decision-making.
Futureproof TSN Networks of Tomorrow
- Unified Standardized Communication: TSN consolidates all IT and OT network traffic onto unified and reliable Ethernet framework, optimizing interoperability across devices from different vendors.
- Simplified Architecture: By eliminating protocol fragmentation, TSN enables a simplified network architecture. This reduces integration and maintenance overhead while enabling flexible topologies for plug-and-produce deployment.
- Deterministic Data: TSN guarantees timely and reliable transmission of both mission-critical control data and regular data, accelerating the journey toward a fully autonomous industrial network.
How Moxa Is Transforming Industrial Networks With TSN?
In our latest RealPars collaboration, we dive deep into how TSN unifies and optimizes your industrial networks. Besides TSN, we also delve into Single-pair Ethernet (SPE) and Ethernet Advanced Physical Layer (Ethernet-APL), and showcase how our TSN switches empower your industrial applications. Check out the video!
Applications
From industrial automation, to smart manufacturing, to automotive systems, TSN revolutionizes industries by enabling precise, low-latency, deterministic communication over standard Ethernet, providing enhanced performance and reliability for critical applications. Explore the many uses of TSN and how it is driving innovation and efficiency in different industries.
CNC Machines
A leading manufacturer of industrial machinery leveraged TSN technology to unify and optimize multiple applications in its CNC machinery. By integrating TSN, the network enabled seamless integration of remote I/O and machine vision cameras, ensuring precise data transmissions and reducing maintenance efforts. This upgrade helped the company achieve deterministic communication for critical machine control and enhance scalability. It furthermore improved the efficiency and potential of their advanced machinery.
Home Appliance Manufacturing
A home appliance manufacturer faced difficulties with increasing data volumes and struggled to meet performance and precision goals with their existing infrastructure. To address these challenges, they modernized their network by integrating TSN technology into their automated production line. By deploying TSN Ethernet switches, they ensured real-time, reliable, and deterministic network communication. This upgrade improved operational efficiency, reduced production times, and minimized resource use, helping the business achieve both their bottom line and sustainability goals.
Hydropower Plant
A hydropower plant aimed to upgrade its systems for greater efficiency by integrating multiple control networks. Before, the different systems ran on separate protocols, leading to high maintenance costs and complexity. By adopting TSN technology, the plant unified these networks, achieving high speeds, precise control, and advanced security. This integration enabled real-time communication, improved efficiency, and allowed quick adjustments to power output, resulting in lower costs and improved adaptability.
Modern Mass Customization
A product manufacturer aimed to unify their production, assembly lines, and logistics systems to achieve shorter production cycles and lower costs. Leveraging TSN technology, they achieved high-speed networking, precise motion control, and low-latency communication by prioritizing critical network traffic. This transformation enabled adaptive production, mass customization, and operational efficiency, fulfilling diverse market needs and enhancing their Industry 4.0 and IIoT capabilities.
How Moxa Can Help With Building TSN Networks
Our TSN switches are designed to meet the demanding needs of modern industrial networks. With advanced features that ensure deterministic communication, low latency, and high reliability, our TSN switches provide the backbone for real-time data exchange in diverse applications. Whether you are looking to upgrade your existing network or build a new one from the ground up, our TSN switches offer unparalleled performance and flexibility.
Showcases of Our TSN Switches
Latest TSN Demos Using IEEE 802.1CB Standard and Other Advances
Moxa showcased TSN applications with CLPA, Cognex, ELS, Fraunhofer IPT, Intel, Keysight, Mitsubishi Electric, NXP, OPTEX, port GmbH, Renesas, Sumyen Automation, and Xilinx. Together, these industry players are contributing to the comprehensive TSN ecosystem for unfied networks that are paving the way for digital transformation.
Simulating a Smart Factory Network with and without TSN
Real-time communication is crucial for smart factory automation as networks grow in scale and complexity. Let's see how TSN realizes deterministic communication in converged applications.
See 6 Real-world TSN Applications Powered by Moxa and Partners
Moxa was invited by CLPA and Mitsubishi Electric to Taipei Automation. During the event, Moxa showcased applications with CLPA, Mitsubishi Electric, Intel, port GmbH, Orisol, and Sumyen Automation, to demonstrate a unified network for different automation scenarios.
Moxa Drives TSN Development With Our Partners
Moxa is thrilled to be a contributor to Avnu Alliance's pioneering Component Certification Program, the first to certify time-sensitive networking (TSN) capabilities based on IEEE SA's 802.1 standards. As dedicated testing collaborators, Moxa helped translate these standards into test specifications and completed test cases for devices like Ethernet switches, ensuring the program's feasibility.
Moxa is one of the initial members of the OPC Foundation Field Level Communications (FLC) Steering Committee, which focuses on advancing OPC UA and TSN integration at the field level. They oversee the OPC UA TSN ecosystem, ensuring seamless connectivity from sensors to the cloud for unified automation networking.
Joined Testbeds for Technical Compatibility — As part of Moxa's ongoing commitment to creating innovative industrial connectivity technologies and solutions, Moxa is collaborating with other industry leaders to rigorously test TSN interoperability and ensure that the developing implementation is stable and reliable before going to market.
Explore Our TSN Resources
Featured Articles
- Taking the Proven Benefits of Time-sensitive Networking to the Real World
- How TSN Is Scaling Up and Accelerating Digital Transformation for Industrial Automation
- How Time-sensitive Networking Is Revolutionizing Smart Manufacturing
- TSN-The Future is Now
- Embracing Smart Manufacturing With Futureproof Technologies: 2 Industry Experts Weigh in
- 5 Things You Should Know That TSN Can Accomplish for the IIoT and Industry 4.0
- Enabling Interoperability to Ensure the Success of TSN in Industry 4.0
- TSN—Is It Ready to Take Your Smart Factory up a Notch?
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