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Time-Sensitive Networking: The Benefits, the Challenges, and How to Integrate Successfully
Imagine a factory floor where machines communicate with each other with such precision that even a millisecond of delay can lead to costly downtime. How can we prevent a scenario like this and ensure the timely and accurate data transmission? What if an advanced Ethernet technology, prioritizing every millisecond, galvanized a complete shift in industrial automation?
This is the promise of time-sensitive networking (TSN), a cutting-edge technology that is on its way to changing industrial automation. The numbers don't lie: analysts project that the global TSN market will grow by a staggering 58.3% annually, reaching a value of USD 1.7 billion by 2028, according to a MarketsandMarkets report.
In this article, we will explore what's driving the rise of TSN, how it's reshaping industrial efficiency, the challenges when deploying this technology, and how to tackle them.
5 Benefits of Adopting TSN
TSN's transformative power is evident, for example, in a major home appliance manufacturer, resulting in significant improvements across several key areas:
1. Deterministic Communication
The low-latency, deterministic traffic scheduling of TSN allowed for precise control and synchronization of production line devices. This enhanced real-time control and overall system responsiveness, crucial for maintaining high performance in data-intensive environments.
2. Interoperability
TSN enabled an integration of diverse production equipment from different vendors, simplifying network management and optimization. This streamlined network management and optimization ensured consistent compatibility and performance throughout the production line.
3. Convergence of IT and OT
By unifying IT and OT systems on a single network, TSN streamlined operations, reduced overhead, and enabled faster decision-making.
4. Simplified Network Complexity
TSN consolidated network communications into a single, simplified architecture based on standard Ethernet, reducing complexity and costs while allowing for easy scalability.
5. Enhanced Productivity
TSN's ability to prioritize control data and ensure timely transmission enhanced productivity for the manufacturer, resulting in reduced downtime, faster response times, and increased equipment effectiveness.
The cumulative effect of these enhancements resulted in improved operational efficiency, higher productivity, and substantial progress toward the manufacturer's goals for efficiency and precision.
3 Possible Challenges of Adopting TSN Technology
TSN offers convincing benefits that make it appealing for businesses to integrate their systems and assets into a unified TSN-powered industrial network. While there are benefits to combining mission-critical and non-critical networks, integrating a new technology such as TSN will introduce additional challenges.
Organizations considering implementing the new technology may have concerns regarding these requirements. The following section will focus on these specific requirements and offer strategies for successful implementation.
1. Growing Data Volumes
As more devices and applications connect to networks, the amount of data traffic surges, requiring high-bandwidth capabilities to effectively handle this increased demand. While Gigabit and 10G connections are crucial for speed, they also come with increased costs and complexity in network resource management. The effective handling of bandwidth becomes even more critical as advanced applications like AI and machine learning continue to put a strain on these systems.
2. Network Management Complexity
With the growth of connected devices in a converged TSN network, managing the network will become more complex. Sophisticated management and configuration tools, such as Central Network Controllers (CNCs), are essential for simplifying these processes. However, enterprises may feel overwhelmed when implementing these solutions, given the need for technology investment, training, and ongoing maintenance.
3. System Compatibility
Using products that adhere to relevant testing specifications or are integrated into established testbeds makes achieving a smooth TSN implementation easier. These standards ensure compatibility and reliability, which are critical for easing integration challenges and speeding up efficiency gains. However, finding, validating, and integrating these standardized products can be time-consuming and resource-intensive, often requiring specialized expertise to navigate the various standards and certifications.
4 Tips for Successful TSN Integration
It's important to recognize that TSN integration involves complexities. As mentioned before, the benefits—including improved real-time control, seamless interoperability, and converged network architectures—are substantial, but there are also challenges to address.
To ensure a successful deployment, organizations must consider multiple critical aspects:
1. Choose TSN Solutions With Full Gigabit Performance
As data demands increase in industrial environments, efficient handling of higher data volumes necessitates high-bandwidth capabilities. Therefore, it's important to choose TSN solutions that support full Gigabit speeds on each port to ensure robust network performance.
If you're looking for a vendor that can help you set up TSN systems, Moxa is one that actively takes part in global TSN initiatives like the IEC/IEEE 60802 TSN profile and IEEE 802.1 TSN Task Group.
Moxa TSN-G5004 and TSN-G5008 Series Ethernet switches achieved a historic milestone in the summer of 2024 by receiving the world's first TSN component certification from the Avnu Alliance. With up to eight full Gigabit ports, these switches make it easy for automation engineers to set up fully integrated networks.
For more information on TSN technologies and how they can transform your operations, visit the Moxa website: TSN portal
2. Choose Intuitive Management Tools With Easy Configuration
Look for intuitive management tools, such as web-based graphical user interfaces (GUIs), that simplify device setup and management. This is particularly important for large-scale deployments where complexities can escalate.
3. Choose Equipment With a Compact and Flexible Design
Choose equipment with a compact and adaptable design that can easily fit into small areas. Space-saving designs allow for seamless integration of advanced networking capabilities into your existing infrastructure.
4. Choose Compatible Devices
Make sure the products align with the required testing specifications or are included in existing testbeds. Adhering to these standards helps guarantee seamless compatibility and reliable performance, essential for successful TSN integration.