June 2021

35 www.drivesncontrols.com June 2021 COMMUNICATIONS, SECURITY AND NETWORKING n TSN will be a must- have for competitive manufacturing C onnected manufacturing enterprises are highly productive, flexible and responsive because of their ability to leverage the power of data, which can offer a unique understanding of what is happening on the factory floor in real-time. As a result, they can run automated processes to ensure they operate smoothly at all times, maximising their efficiency. The backbones of such systems are their networks, which connect every part in a plant or enterprise to share key information. To support Industry 4.0 functions, these infrastructures need to be able to ensure the large volume of data generated is transmitted reliably and in a timely manner. The move towards gigabit bandwidths is helping to drive these requirements. TSN (Time-Sensitive Networking) can help businesses to create data-driven operations. The most important aspect of this technology is its ability to turn standard industrial Ethernet into a real-time communications systemwith extremely low jitter and latency. It provides the key network technology to support the latest data-driven systems and Industry 4.0 applications. These, in turn, are essential to help companies enhance productivity by creating responsive and flexible operations. TSNmakes industrial Ethernet deterministic by design and provides the basis for converged networks. The technology is defined by the IEEE 802.1 specifications to set up a common, unified solution. As a result, any user can benefit from highly reliable and responsive networks, which support interconnectedness, independent of vendor-specific systems. This ensures openness and interoperability among automation devices and systems, simplifying the creation of well-linked plants and enterprises. Furthermore, TSN can bring together different parts of an enterprise, such as operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT). The technology was originally developed for transferring audio and video streams in commercial applications. Only later, was it adopted to support industrial automation. As a result, TSN applications in one sector are influenced by the developments in another, shaping and converging the future of the technology and industries themselves. This unique aspect will also play a crucial role in enhancing the acceptance of TSN. Automation system-builders and end-users are well aware of the potential of TSN – particularly its ability to provide a unified path towards interoperability. Many companies are looking forward to adopting the technology, and TSN will become a must-have in the short- to mid-term. In fact, the extensive rollout of innovative industrial Ethernet technologies is a matter of when, not if. A thrilling time The adoption of TSN-based systems is experiencing a growth phase and it is a thrilling time for the technology specialists. Fieldbuses and conventional Ethernet have been established for many years. Now that TSN is here, engineers are up for a new challenge as they develop new products with ground-breaking capabilities. It is truly inspiring to see how committed and motivated these teams are. A challenge for the TSN revolution may be shaping successful collaborations between automation vendors. As a key element of TSN is interoperability, specialists need to be willing to collaborate closely to develop suitable systems and migration strategies. Within such a framework, the existing networks of key automation players are on the right path and have a competitive advantage. For example, the CLPA (CC-Link Partner Association), of which HMS is a member, released the first network technology based on TSN standards to the market. Using the CC-Link IE TSN specifications, HMS is developing TSN- compatible devices. The first of these products, appearing in mid-2021, will be the Anybus CompactCom for CC-Link IE TSN, which will make it easy for device-makers to implement this promising technology in their products. n Industrial networks that incorporate Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) will be key enablers for future connected industries that rely on responsive, data-driven operations. Christian Bergdahl, product marketing manager at HMS Industrial Networks, explains why he believes TSN is a gamechanger. TSN can help to deliver a unique understanding of what is happening on factory floors in real-time. Photo: istock/GCShutter