Reconfiguration Algorithms for High Precision Communications in Time Sensitive Networks: Time-Aware Shaper Configuration with IEEE 802.1Qcc (Extended Version)

TL;DR

This paper explores reconfiguration algorithms for Time-Aware Shaper in TSN networks, using IEEE 802.1Qcc to optimize deterministic, low-latency communication for mission-critical applications.

Contribution

It introduces methods for configuring TAS switches with IEEE 802.1Qcc to achieve ultra-low latency and minimal jitter in TSN networks, comparing centralized and decentralized control models.

Findings

IEEE 802.1Qcc enables precise TAS configuration for deterministic traffic.

Hybrid and decentralized models are effective for maximizing scheduled streams.

Configurations can achieve zero packet loss and minimal jitter.

Abstract

As new networking paradigms emerge for different networking applications, e.g., cyber-physical systems, and different services are handled under a converged data link technology, e.g., Ethernet, certain applications with mission critical traffic cannot coexist on the same physical networking infrastructure using traditional Ethernet packet-switched networking protocols. The IEEE 802.1Q Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) task group is developing protocol standards to provide deterministic properties on Ethernet based packet-switched networks. In particular, the IEEE 802.1Qcc, centralized management and control, and the IEEE 802.1Qbv, Time-Aware Shaper, can be used to manage and control scheduled traffic streams with periodic properties along with best-effort traffic on the same network infrastructure. In this paper, we investigate the effects of using the IEEE 802.1Qcc management protocol to accurately and precisely configure TAS enabled switches (with transmission windows governed by gate control lists (GCLs) with gate control entries (GCEs)) ensuring ultra-low latency, zero packet loss, and minimal jitter for scheduled TSN traffic. We examine both a centralized network/distributed user model (hybrid model) and a fully-distributed (decentralized) 802.1Qcc model on a typical industrial control network with the goal of maximizing scheduled traffic streams.