Across the industrial, ProAV, automotive, and other key sectors, we are seeing businesses turn their attentions toward converged networking for integrating IT (information technology) and OT (operational technology). These are integral to support realtime applications and optimized operations. Combining wired and wireless connectivity with enhancements for deterministic and realtime performance, converged networks allow for easy integration and co-existence of device types and applications with mixed-criticality requirements.
TSN (time sensitive networking) standards define capabilities to enable converged networks where time-critical data is delivered seamlessly to different devices with determinism, co-existing with other traffic types on the same network. As a result, the data can reach its intended destination without any disruption or delay due to congestion. Interoperable TSN components and devices are essential for augmenting IT networks to enable convergence across enterprises and other large-scale networks.
The Requirements for Converged Networking
Devised by the IEEE 802.1 TSN Task Group, TSN standards define how networks can be made timing-aware and support the convergence of mixed-criticality applications. A core set of capabilities, defined as a family of open industry standards, TSN facilitates the convergency of multiple higher-layer communication protocols and applications on a shared, standards-based network.
Of course, any network will include infrastructure and end devices from a range of manufacturers, all using a wide array of components. Therefore, it’s vital all perspectives—from infrastructure providers and component vendors to end device manufacturers—are brought together to enable interoperability and achieve reliable converged networks.
Through not-for-profit industry organizations like Avnu Alliance, businesses, manufacturers, device vendors, technology developers, and end users can define current and future TSN conformance requirements, interoperability testing, and certification programs to enable converged networks. This ensures devices from a range of manufacturers and applications can co-exist on a shared, open network, designed for the benefit of all.
The Benefits of Converged Networks
This industry collaboration can be seen through the first TSN component-focused certification program. Launched in June 2024, the program focuses on the IEEE TSN standards for time synchronization (based on IEEE 802.1AS) and enhancements for scheduled traffic (based on the IEEE 802.1Qbv). Through certification, these capabilities can be implemented in devices used across a range of critical sectors, enabling general purpose networks to benefit from enhanced time synchronization, bounded latency with determinism.
By ensuring interoperability down to the silicon level, Avnu certified devices enable greater flexibility in the deployment of converged networks. These can then cross-pollinate from one market to another. This ‘interoperable by design’ approach and greater network flexibility also gives businesses the chance to become less dependent on legacy/proprietary infrastructure and specialised skill sets, ensuring significant cost savings can be made.
At the same time, the ability to choose from a diverse set of tested and validated TSN features empowers manufacturers to design products that meet unique market demands. As more devices become certified, end users will benefit from a larger selection of off-the-shelf products throughout the entire value chain. These can then be plugged into the user’s network with no disruption to operations.
Underpinned by TSN standards, converged networks hold the key to greater simplicity, savings, and scalability. Designed to enhance standard networks, TSN should be considered a crucial enabler by the larger IT ecosystem rather than something specialized only for certain markets.
Obtaining certification enables manufacturers to start deploying key TSN features and functionalities, with further expansion of the certification program expected this year, including IET (interspersed express traffic) and the FQTSS (forwarding and queuing of time-sensitive streams). These will help facilitate interoperability, ensuring market demands for compatibility and interoperability can be suitably quenched.
By: Dave Cavalcanti, president of Avnu Alliance.