Devices used within the Industrial, Pro Audio Visual (ProAV), Automotive and other sectors will benefit from enhanced time synchronization, bounded latency, and reliability, thanks to the new Component Certification Program from Avnu Alliance.
The program is the first of its kind to certify capabilities relating to Time Sensitive Networking (TSN), specifically the 802.1 TSN standards developed by IEEE SA. By obtaining certification, manufacturers across multiple markets can ensure their components comply with the core TSN standards, facilitating greater interoperability while mitigating integration issues during deployments.
“We are delighted to have launched the first ever Component Certification Program,” said Avnu Alliance President Dave Cavalcanti. “The program’s profile agnostic nature will play a pivotal role in ensuring conformance within TSN standards and enabling seamless integration of compliant components and devices from multiple vendors and industries. As a result, the market demand for greater interoperability and standards-based converged networks can be met.”
Businesses are increasingly turning to converged networks for integrating IT and Operations Technologies (OT). In time-critical applications where data needs to be delivered reliably and with bounded latency, TSN capabilities can enable the co-existence of different types of traffic on the same network. In order for these devices to be successfully deployed and managed, interoperability and conformance with the IEEE SA-defined TSN standards are essential.
The program initially focuses on core standards for timing and synchronization for time-sensitive applications (802.1AS), and enhancements for scheduled traffic (EST). It is set to expand and cover interspersed express traffic (IET) and the forwarding and queuing of time-sensitive streams (FQTSS) later this year.
The Component Certification Program has been designed to enable the adoption of converged networking. By certifying their products, manufacturers, vendors, and solution providers can ensure their TSN-capable products meet market demands. Users will also benefit from a larger selection of certified, off-the-shelf devices, which can be integrated within their networks with no disruption to operations.
Leading providers of industrial networking, computing, and automation solutions, including Intel, Texas Instruments, NXP Semiconductors, Keysight Technologies, Analog Devices, and Moxa are supporting Avnu Alliance and the Component Certification Program.
Intel, a founding member of the Avnu Alliance, works to promote standards-based networking for time-sensitive and converged networks. Along with its Alliance members, Intel has driven the creation and launch of Avnu certification programs, providing technical expertise and leadership in real-time networking, testing, and multi-vendor interoperability.
“Intel’s contributions to the Avnu Component Certification Program not only underscores our commitment to advancing industry standards but also paves the way for a future where seamless integration of real-time computing and networking is the norm, not the exception,” said Sunita Shenoy, Senior Director of Technology Products in the Federal and Industrial Solutions Division at Intel. “By embracing the TSN standards, Intel’s computing and networking solutions will be pivotal for businesses to successfully transition to converged networks.”
Texas Instruments (TI), a key player in advancing real-time Ethernet technologies, has been instrumental in the development and implementation of the TSN Component Certification Program. TI has actively contributed to the refinement of certification test plans and the validation of TSN solutions, ensuring robust and reliable standards for the industry.
“Real-time Ethernet with TSN has transitioned from a visionary concept to a practical reality, thanks to the collaborative efforts within the Avnu Alliance,” said Pekka Varis, Senior Member Technical Staff at TI. “TI’s involvement in shaping the TSN Component Certification Program and our commitment to developing devices and software that support interoperability will accelerate the adoption of TSN technologies across various industrial applications, ensuring high standards and reliability.”
NXP® Semiconductors, a leading provider of secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, is also contributing to the new certification processes, validating test plans and TSN solutions as the certification programs have matured.
“TSN will continue to grow as the foundational real-time networking technology across many end segments. NXP sees Avnu Alliance’s TSN Component Certification Program as a key enabler for more widespread adoption of TSN technologies by promoting multi-vendor interoperability and therefore improved ease-of-use,” said Vice President and General Manager, Industrial Edge Processing at NXP, Jeff Steinheider. “We are pleased to continue contributing our thought and technology leadership, helping drive these groundbreaking developments in this important area. The Avnu Certification Program helps build confidence in TSN implementations by defining clear behavior and performance requirements that are needed for the next generation of Industrial edge applications.”
Keysight Technologies delivers market-leading protocol emulation and automated certification solutions that accelerate product development and deployment, with less risk throughout the product life cycle. Along with other Alliance members, Keysight provides leadership in TSN testing and device interoperability.
“Keysight is committed to the development of world-class network test and conformance tools, which enables the adoption of TSN across several industrial applications,” said Vice President and General Manager, Network Test & Security Solutions at Keysight, Ram Periakaruppan. “Through Avnu’s verification and validation process, industry experts evaluated the Keysight Network Conformance (KNC) test platform, the industry’s first Avnu-certified component test tool, ensuring it to be a complete and compliant test solution.”
“ADI’s participation in the Component Certification Program is an example of our commitment to the development of Industrial Ethernet standards and the ecosystem. The launch of this program is a critical milestone enabling faster development cycles and easier adoption of component level TSN solutions in the marketplace” said Mark Geisler, Strategic Marketing Manager for Industrial Ethernet Products at ADI and Member of the Avnu Board of Directors.
Moxa, a leader in industrial communications and networking, has supported the Avnu Alliance in translating the IEEE SA 802.1 TSN standards into test specifications and completing the test cases for networking devices such as Ethernet switches, ensuring that the certification program can be feasibly implemented.
“As a promoter member of the Avnu Alliance, Moxa is committed to developing TSN standards and collaborating with key industry leaders such as Intel, Texas Instruments, NXP, ADI, and Microchip to harness the power of automation network convergence,” said Head of Edge Segment, IEI Business Department at Moxa, Jack Lin, also Project Lead of Moxa’s Global TSN Initiative. “We are excited to play an integral part in the creation of the new Component Certification Program, which certifies conformance with IEEE-defined TSN standards. Moxa’s TSN devices are among the first to be tested, and we believe that completing the certification process will help bring industries one step closer to achieving truly converged networks.”
More information on the program, including guidance on how to get a device certified, can be found on the organization’s website.