Time-Sensitive Networking for Industrial Control Systems

Industrial control systems are evolving rapidly with Industry 4.0 initiatives, requiring deterministic communication for real-time control applications. Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) provides the foundation for converged networks that can handle both critical control traffic and standard IT traffic on the same infrastructure.

Key Challenges in Industrial Networks

Deterministic communication: Ensuring predictable delivery of control messages with microsecond precision
Converged networks: Combining OT (Operational Technology) and IT (Information Technology) traffic on a single network
Vendor interoperability: Integrating devices from multiple vendors in a standardized network
Scalability: Supporting large-scale industrial deployments with hundreds or thousands of nodes
Migration path: Enabling gradual transition from legacy fieldbus systems to TSN-based networks

TSN Features for Industrial Applications

Time Synchronization (IEEE 802.1AS)

Precise time synchronization is fundamental for coordinated industrial operations. OMNEST simulations can model the gPTP (generalized Precision Time Protocol) to achieve sub-microsecond synchronization across the factory floor.

INET TSN Time Synchronization Showcase

Scheduled Traffic (IEEE 802.1Qbv)

Time-aware shapers enable deterministic transmission of control traffic by scheduling network access using gate control lists. This ensures that high-priority traffic (like motion control commands) is transmitted without interference from lower-priority traffic.

INET TSN Scheduled Traffic Showcase

Credit-Based Shaper (IEEE 802.1Qav)

For traffic that requires bandwidth guarantees but not strict time scheduling, credit-based shapers provide fair bandwidth allocation while preventing traffic bursts from affecting other streams.

INET TSN Credit-Based Shaper Showcase

Per-Stream Filtering and Policing (IEEE 802.1Qci)

This feature provides protection against faulty devices or malicious attacks by filtering and policing individual streams, ensuring that misbehaving devices cannot disrupt the entire network.

INET TSN Stream Filtering Showcase

Industrial Automation Use Cases

Motion Control

TSN enables precise coordination of multiple axes in motion control applications, where controllers must synchronize motors with sub-millisecond precision to achieve smooth and accurate movement.

Process Automation

In process industries, TSN provides reliable communication for monitoring and control of continuous processes, ensuring that critical process variables are transmitted with deterministic latency.

Machine-to-Machine

TSN facilitates deterministic communication between machines on the factory floor, enabling coordinated operations and improving overall production efficiency.

Remote I/O

Distributed I/O systems benefit from TSN's deterministic communication, allowing controllers to access remote I/O with predictable timing, regardless of network load.

Advanced TSN Applications in Industrial Settings

Recent research has expanded the application of TSN in industrial environments. According to a comprehensive study (Cavalcanti et al., 2023), TSN is being integrated with other technologies to create more robust industrial communication systems:

TSN with OPC UA: The combination of OPC UA (Open Platform Communications Unified Architecture) with TSN creates a powerful framework for industrial communication, providing both semantic interoperability and deterministic transport.
TSN with 5G: Integration of TSN with 5G networks enables wireless deterministic communication for mobile industrial equipment and flexible production lines.
TSN for Edge Computing: TSN supports edge computing architectures by providing deterministic communication between sensors, edge devices, and cloud systems, enabling real-time analytics and control at the edge.

Simulation Capabilities with OMNEST

OMNEST provides comprehensive simulation capabilities for industrial TSN networks:

Network topology design: Model complex factory floor network topologies with multiple switches and end devices
Traffic pattern analysis: Simulate realistic industrial traffic patterns and analyze their impact on network performance
Configuration optimization: Test different TSN configuration parameters to find optimal settings for specific industrial applications
Failure scenario testing: Evaluate network behavior under various failure conditions to ensure production continuity
End-to-end latency analysis: Measure and analyze latency for critical traffic flows across the network

Industry Standards and Profiles

Several industry organizations have developed TSN profiles to standardize the use of TSN in specific industrial contexts:

IEC/IEEE 60802

TSN profile for industrial automation, defining a common set of features and configurations for industrial applications.

Avnu Alliance

Industrial automation TSN testbed and certification program, ensuring interoperability between TSN devices from different vendors.

Conclusion

Time-Sensitive Networking is transforming industrial control systems by providing deterministic communication over standard Ethernet. OMNEST's simulation capabilities allow industrial engineers to design, validate, and optimize TSN networks before deployment, ensuring they meet the strict timing and reliability requirements of modern industrial automation.