AiVibeTime-Sensitive Networking (TSN)
Time-Sensitive Networking is a set of IEEE 802.1 standards that add precise time synchronisation, scheduled traffic, bounded latency and redundancy to standard Ethernet, allowing deterministic control traffic to share a network with other data.
TSN is a toolbox of standards rather than a single protocol. IEEE 802.1AS provides time synchronisation based on a profile of the IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol. IEEE 802.1Qbv defines the time-aware shaper, which opens and closes transmission gates on a schedule so that critical frames are sent without interference. IEEE 802.1CB provides frame replication and elimination for seamless redundancy, IEEE 802.1Qbu with IEEE 802.3br enables frame preemption, and IEEE 802.1Qcc covers stream reservation and configuration.
TSN grew out of the IEEE Audio Video Bridging work and aims to converge operational and IT traffic on standard Ethernet infrastructure, replacing separate proprietary real-time networks. Industrial protocols that use it include PROFINET over TSN, CC-Link IE TSN and OPC UA PubSub over TSN, and it is also used in in-vehicle networks and professional audio and video. The joint IEC/IEEE 60802 project addresses a TSN profile for industrial automation.
Deterministic behaviour requires every switch and end device in the path to support the relevant TSN features, along with network-wide configuration and scheduling, typically through centralised configuration tools. Migration from existing industrial Ethernet is gradual, and interoperability between vendors depends on common profiles and testing. Security, network design and management must be addressed alongside timing.
Key points
- Set of IEEE 802.1 standards for deterministic Ethernet
- IEEE 802.1AS provides time synchronisation based on IEEE 1588
- IEEE 802.1Qbv schedules traffic with a time-aware shaper
- IEEE 802.1CB adds seamless redundancy through frame replication
- IEC/IEEE 60802 addresses a TSN profile for industrial automation
Where AiVibe comes in
AiAmbA IoT is AiVibe's edge protocol layer: it discovers devices and normalises industrial signals, with supported protocols including Siemens S7, Mitsubishi MC, Delta Modbus, OPC UA and MQTT, and driver availability confirmed per installation. Writes to machines are deny-by-default.