PECM Issue 50 2021 | Page 46

Why TSN will soon be a must-have for competitive manufacturing

CONTROL & AUTOMATION A GAMECHANGER

CLPA
Why TSN will soon be a must-have for competitive manufacturing
Futureproof Connected Industries rely on responsive , data-driven operations . Advanced industrial networks that incorporate Time-Sensitive Networking ( TSN ) are key enablers for such systems . By selecting them , companies can benefit from high-speed , reliable communications for Industry 4.0 applications .
Christian Bergdahl , Product Marketing Manager at HMS Industrial Networks , a member of the CC-Link Partner Association ( CLPA ), explains why the technology is a gamechanger and how the company is getting ready to launch its first TSN compatible products .
The Connected Industries of the future 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 realtime .
As a result , companies can run automated processes to ensure smooth operations at all times , maximising their efficiency . The backbones of such systems are their networks , which connect every part within a plant or enterprise to share key information . In order to support Industry 4.0 functions , these infrastructures should be able to ensure the large volume of data generated is transmitted with high reliability and in a timely manner . The move towards gigabit bandwidth is further supporting these requirements .
TSN can provide further support and help businesses create data-driven operations . Christian Bergdahl explains : “ The most emphasised feature of this technology is its ability to turn standard industrial Ethernet into a real-time communications system with extremely low jitter and latency . Therefore , it provides the key network technology to support the latest data-driven solutions and Industry 4.0 applications . These , in turn , are essential to help companies enhance productivity by creating responsive and flexible shop floors .”
MORE THAN SIMPLE DETERMINISM
He continues : “ TSN will make industrial Ethernet deterministic by design and provide the basis of converged networks . In effect , the technology is being defined by the IEEE 802.1 specifications , which will set up a common , unified solution . As a result , any user will be able to benefit from a highly reliable and responsive network , whose nature supports interconnectedness , independently of vendor-specific solutions . This ultimately ensures openness and interoperability among automation devices and systems , simplifying the creation of welllinked plants and enterprises .”
Furthermore , TSN has the ability to bring different parts of an enterprise , such as the operational technology ( OT ) and information technology ( IT ) sectors closer together . “ The technology was originally developed for transferring audio and video streams in commercial applications . Only later , this solution has been looked at to support industrial automation systems . As a result , TSN applications in a given sector will be influenced by the developments in another segment , shaping and converging the future of the technology and industries themselves ,” adds the HMS Industrial Networks specialist . This unique feature will also play a crucial role in enhancing the acceptance of TSN .
NO DOUBT ON TSN ACCEPTANCE
Automation system builders and end users are highly perceptive and well aware of the potential of TSN , particularly its ability to provide a unified way towards interoperability . Therefore , many companies are actively looking forward to adopting this technology . Furthermore , it is a well-accepted concept that TSN will certainly become a must-have in the short- to mid-term . In fact , the extensive roll out of innovative industrial Ethernet solutions is a matter of when , not if - and businesses are ready to act now .
Currently , the creation of TSN-based solutions is experiencing a growth phase and it is certainly a thrilling time for the technology specialists . Christian Bergdahl comments : “ Fieldbuses and conventional Ethernet have been established for many years . Now that the innovation of TSN is here , engineers are up for a new challenge as they develop new products with groundbreaking capabilities . It is truly inspiring to see how committed and motivated these teams are .”
PROACTIVE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TSN SOLUTIONS
A challenge in driving the TSN revolution may be shaping successful collaborations between automation vendors , according to Christian Bergdahl . “ As the key element of TSN is interoperability , specialists need to be willing to collaborate closely to develop suitable systems and migration solutions . Within such a framework , existing networks of key automation players , such as the CLPA , are on the right path and have a competitive advantage .
“ Being part of the CLPA has always been extremely beneficial . With TSN , we are witnessing a number of unique advantages . In addition to being able to rely on a community of leading automation experts , we can be the first to develop TSN-compatible devices by utilising the CC-Link IE TSN specifications . This is the first network technology incorporating the innovative TSN standards that was released to the market . By offering the earliest solutions with TSN , we can enhance our role and acceptance in the automation sector , particularly in Asia , where the CLPA ’ s technologies are de facto standards . The first product appearing from HMS in mid- 2021 will be the Anybus CompactCom for CC-Link IE TSN , which will allow device makers to easily implement this new promising technology .”
For further information , please visit eu . cc-link . org
46 PECM Issue 50