TSN for real-time synchronization and predictive measurement information
International standardization movement is diligent

As 'real-time networking', which analyzes and processes data in real time and controls networking time, is gaining attention as a next-generation network, attention is also being focused on the progress of standardization.

While networks have evolved to be able to upload large amounts of data quickly, real-time networking is evolving into TSN (Time Sensitive Networking), which can transmit information in real time and even predict measurement information.
Research is in progress by establishing a working group and test bed related to TSN.

TSN is currently being standardized by two associations, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

Since 2014, IETF has been forming a working group to extend time-controlled network technology to the L3 network layer using IP/MPLS-based DetNet (Deterministic Networking) technology, and is currently in the process of standardizing it.

Time-sensitive technologies are based on the Software Defined Networking (SDN) architecture. It uses an integrated control method. SDN sets the final transmitter and receiver within the domain, calculates a path that satisfies the maximum packet size, transmission rate, and delay of the DetNet flow based on the extended PCE (Path Computation Element), and then reserves time-sensitive stream resources to each node through the SDN controller. There are many things to consider when introducing time-sensitive technology to the entire L3 layer, so the scope of DetNet was limited to the enterprise network.

According to ETRI's report on trends in ultra-low latency infrastructure technology, the IETF is moving toward DLNEx (Latency Characteristic Exposure for 'Deterministic' Latency Network), which expands time-controlled network technology to the entire Internet.
IEEE is working on standardizing TSN technology, which applies AVB (Audio Video Bridging), an audio and video transmission technology, to Ethernet.

It uses time-sensitive lossless protection techniques to deliver streams without loss and with low latency. It splits the stream and delivers it through multiple paths within the TSN domain, and merges the traffic received through multiple paths to provide high redundancy even in the event of a failure.

For the same priority, the ID and VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) ID, destination address, maximum frame size and number of frames in the stream, priority, maximum delay value are transmitted, and a TSN is allocated between relay nodes after receiving a ready message.

Accordingly, TSN-related technology development is also actively taking place domestically and internationally. In Korea, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Korea Aerospace University, etc. are developing AVB-related chipsets and systems, and ETRI is researching TSN technology as an infrastructure technology for unmanned vehicle business.

Internationally, Cisco, National Instruments, Intel, KUKA, Schneider Electronic, TTTech, and Bosch Group's Rexroth have formed the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) to build a TSN testbed and develop related products that support TSN 802.1.

If you don't use a 'common language' like TSN and OPC-UA protocols, you may be left behind in the relevant industries.

“There will come a time when it will be difficult to survive without using the OPC-UA protocol or TSN,” said Jongwoo Kim, manager of measurement embedded marketing at National Instruments (NI). At the NI Measurement Forum, Manager Kim emphasized interoperable control rather than one-sided monitoring, saying, “If you uploaded data, you should take it down.”
This year, Cisco and NI each released a network switch (IE4000Switch) and controller (cDAQ-9185 and cDAQ-9189) that implement TSN.

TSN is utilized not only as a network but also as a power switch. Manager Kim said, “TSN increases the efficiency of power distribution in smart grid projects. It has already been introduced in smart grid projects abroad, and there will be a move to introduce it in Korea as well.”