Extending TSN over Wireless

Recent advances in 5G and IEEE 802.11 wireless connectivity technologies in providing low latency and high reliability have enabled the extension of TSN capabilities over wireless.

WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM BENEFITS

Flexibility

Reduced Wiring Costs

Mobility

Enabling wireless TSN capabilities that are interoperable and compatible with existing wired TSN standards is key for a wide industry adoption of TSN solutions.

Avnu Alliance members from various markets including professional audio video, silicon, and industrial control came together to form a new working group to enable an ecosystem of interoperable  wired and wireless TSN solutions.

Wireless TSN Workgroup Goals:

  • Identify market and performance requirements for TSN capabilities in wireless networks (Wi-Fi 6/6E, Wi-Fi 7, 5G and beyond)
  • Enable seamless integration of wireless and wired TSN (Unify TSN across Ethernet, Wi-Fi and 5G)
  • Enhancements for discovery and configuration of wireless TSN link
  • Wireless (Wi-Fi and 5G) TSN test plans, tools, and certification programs

Wireless Use Cases

Wireless Use Cases in Industrial
The industrial segment has the most diverse set of use cases and requirements for wireless TSN. This segment has received significant interest and has motivated the development of the 5G Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) mode. Closed loop control is one of the most widely applicable use cases given its generic control loop model (input + compute + actuation). Mobile robots are also an important use case as wireless is fundamental for mobility and flexibility and reconfigurability of tasks and routes. One unique aspect to be considered in some electrical power grid systems is the required coverage area, which may vary from local (e.g. substation) to wide areas (distribution and transmission). Industrial control systems require the highest level of determinism and reliability and rely exclusively on IEEE 802.1Qbv for scheduling.
Wireless Use Cases in ProAV/Milan
Professional Audio and Video (Pro AV) use cases can also benefit from wireless technologies. In many Pro AV scenarios, cabling is complex and costly. On a typical tour, several kilometers of Ethernet cables are needed and are transported from venue to venue for a total of 60-100 shows. Most issues arise from defective cable connections, which are hard to identify. Replacing cables with wireless connection can significantly reduce the overall cost of deployment and operation of Pro AV systems.
Wireless Use Cases in Low Latency Interaction
Emerging real-time applications that may also benefit from wireless TSN capabilities are gaming and augmented/virtual reality. These applications were described in detail in the IEEE 802.11 Real Time Applications (RTA) report [7]. High latency and jitter cause lag, which significantly degrades use experience. AR/VR applications also share some of the same requirements for bounded latency and low jitter.
Potential future use cases for wireless
Other use cases that require TSN-enabled networks, such as automotive and transportation applications, may also benefit from wireless. For instance, the wiring harness within vehicles, airplanes, and trains add significant production costs. If wireless technologies can provide the required time-sensitive media performance, it would bring value to such systems. However, due to stringent latency, safety requirements and regulations, use cases that have safety critical requirements are beyond the scope of this document and the current wireless standards in 802.11 and 5G. Use cases that require under 100 microsecond level cycle times are also considered out of scope for wireless. Such use cases may be considered in the future as wireless technologies evolve.

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