The Ethernet specification for Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) is fully developed and was released in 2016 — and adoption is already underway. TSN provides enhanced Ethernet capabilities with precise timing and synchronization, allowing deterministic data transfer that is essential for real-time industrial applications like robotics, autonomous systems, and factory automation.

But more importantly, TSN enables the co-existence of both time-sensitive communications for demanding applications such as motion control, plus general-purpose TCP/IP communications for safety, data analytics, and IoT communications.

With TSN, various industries have started implementing advanced, reliable, low-latency communication solutions, benefiting from the now-standardized protocols that ensure interoperability across devices and systems. The maturity of the TSN standards, and supporting products, lets OEM manufacturers build new solutions with standard off-the-self products. The rapid adoption of TSN Ethernet demonstrates its readiness and immediate impact on industrial automation.

Let’s delve into some of the details of features incorporated in Ethernet with Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and specific technical attributes to that enable real-time data transmission with high reliability and precision.

Key technology benefits

Key attributes and benefits include:

Deterministic Data Transmission: TSN ensures that data packets are delivered predictably within strict timing windows, which is crucial for applications requiring synchronized operations, such as robotics and automated machinery in industrial environments. Determinism is achieved through time synchronization and traffic scheduling protocols, allowing TSN-enabled devices to manage data flows precisely, even under high network load.

Time Synchronization: TSN uses protocols like IEEE 802.1AS to provide high-precision clock synchronization across networked devices, maintaining microsecond-level timing accuracy. This feature is essential for coordinated, latency-sensitive processes in automation, such as motion control and vision systems, where timing discrepancies can disrupt operations.

Traffic Prioritization and Quality of Service (QoS): Through mechanisms like IEEE 802.1Qbv, TSN assigns priority levels to different data types, ensuring high-priority, time-sensitive data reaches its destination without interruption. This QoS approach allows for a mix of data types—such as control, video, and general information—over a single network, enhancing operational efficiency and reducing the need for separate infrastructures.

Interoperability: As TSN is built on Ethernet, it seamlessly integrates with existing Ethernet-based networks, allowing for flexible and scalable solutions. This interoperability supports Industry 4.0 goals by connecting diverse devices and systems across manufacturing and industrial environments without requiring specialized cabling or network structures.

These features make TSN Ethernet a versatile, high-performance solution for industries needing precise, real-time control, typically in motion-related applications.

TSN is invaluable for automating complex manufacturing processes that involve real-time, coordinated operations. It ensures low-latency and synchronized communication between sensors, controllers, and actuators, essential in assembly lines and robotic systems where split-second timing impacts quality and efficiency.

TSN is invaluable for automating complex manufacturing processes that involve real-time, coordinated operations.

The TSN network

Solutions leveraging Ethernet with TSN integrate with existing systems. Most TSN-based applications leverage TSN switches that can isolate the specific TSN data streams within a machine or process that needs it. Consider this as an island of TSN, internal to a machine or process, over a simplified network combining all protocol traffic inside the machine but bridged to the IT and OT network through an Ethernet switch.

There are over a dozen manufacturers of Ethernet Switches that support TSN, from major suppliers such as CISCO, MOXA, Mitsubishi Electric, Phoenix Contact, Belden, among others.

In robotics, TSN’s precise timing and low latency ensure seamless operation between robotic arms, sensors, and controllers. TSN supports coordinated multi-axis motion control and complex robotic movements, which are critical in high-speed packaging, welding, and pick-and-place applications.

These applications require the development of TSN-based devices for servo control, real-time I/O, pneumatic or hydraulic valve control and more. Device vendors have been working with their protocol providers to incorporate Ethernet with TSN into their products and many are on the market today. Leading device suppliers are Mitsubishi Electric, Weidmeuller, CKD Corporation, OPTEX FA Co., with many more in development. Device protocol suppliers Hilscher, HMS, Renesas, Sila, Port Industrial and others are delivering support for rapid adoption.

TSN adoption and standardization

Vendors adopt Ethernet with TSN by implementing TSN-compliant hardware and software into their industrial communication solutions. Adoption often includes upgrading some network components—such as switches, controllers, and network interface cards— where the TSN benefits are needed. This requires device manufacturers to align with IEEE standards (e.g., IEEE 802.1AS for time synchronization and IEEE 802.1Qbv for traffic scheduling), ensuring interoperability across TSN devices from different vendors.

Adopting TSN allows vendors to deliver solutions that meet the high reliability and low-latency requirements of industries that demand real-time data exchange, such as automotive manufacturing and process automation.

The CC-Link Partner Association (CLPA) plays a crucial role in facilitating TSN adoption by setting interoperability standards and providing a collaborative platform for vendors to test and certify their TSN-enabled products. CLPA’s CC-Link IE TSN protocol is one of the first open industrial networks to integrate TSN technology.

It extends Ethernet with TSN’s real-time communication capabilities, supporting seamless data exchange and coordination across production lines. By offering certification for TSN-compatible products, CLPA helps ensure that devices from different vendors can work together reliably, accelerating TSN adoption across industries.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the adoption of Ethernet with TSN, since its standardization in 2016, has revolutionized industrial communication by providing deterministic data transmission, precise time synchronization, and traffic prioritization, which are critical for real-time industrial applications. TSN’s ability to coexist with general TCP/IP traffic while maintaining high performance for time-sensitive tasks has made it invaluable in sectors like robotics, automotive manufacturing, and process automation.

The involvement of bodies like the CC-Link Partner Association in setting standards and certifying products ensures interoperability, fostering a unified approach to network upgrades. With ongoing developments and widespread implementation by major manufacturers and device suppliers, TSN is not only enhancing current automation systems but also paving the way for future innovations in industrial networking. This widespread adoption signifies TSN’s readiness and its immediate, impactful presence in enhancing industrial automation processes.

Roy Kok, Senior Partner and Alliances Manager, CC Link Partner Association (CLPA)