Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) for Industrial Automation: Current Advances and Future Directions

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent advances in Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards, discussing their potential to improve real-time communication in industrial automation amidst interoperability challenges and future research directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of current TSN standards, analyzes integration challenges in industrial automation, and highlights promising future research directions.

Findings

TSN standards enhance real-time Ethernet communication.

Interoperability remains a significant challenge.

Future research directions include integration and scalability improvements.

Abstract

With the introduction of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, the automation industry is undergoing significant changes, particularly in improving production efficiency and reducing maintenance costs. Industrial automation applications often need to transmit time- and safety-critical data to closely monitor and control industrial processes. Several Ethernet-based fieldbus solutions, such as PROFINET IRT, EtherNet/IP, and EtherCAT, are widely used to ensure real-time communications in industrial automation systems. These solutions, however, commonly incorporate additional mechanisms to provide latency guarantees, making their interoperability a grand challenge. The IEEE 802.1 Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) task group was formed to enhance and optimize IEEE 802.1 network standards, particularly for Ethernet-based networks. These solutions can be evolved and adapted for cross-industry scenarios, such as large-scale distributed industrial plants requiring multiple industrial entities to work collaboratively. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current advances in TSN standards for industrial automation. It presents the state-of-the-art IEEE TSN standards and discusses the opportunities and challenges of integrating TSN into the automation industry. Some promising research directions are also highlighted for applying TSN technologies to industrial automation applications.