Today: Automation Pyramid

In the current Purdue model, industrial automation forms a pyramid where isolated purpose-built protocols automate specific tasks within distinct layers. However, this model gives rise to a number of infrastructure challenges for modern industrial networks. The protocols are essentially speaking different “languages”, which often results in difficulties when real-time communication is required.


Tomorrow: Autonomous Pyramid

With the advent of Time-sensitive networking (TSN), standard Ethernet networks are now able to provide deterministic services and integrate the “islands of automation” that were previously isolated by the numerous purpose-built protocols.

Introducing Time-sensitive Networking

The unified network infrastructure that is set to become the foundation of Industry 4.0

Digital Transformation

The current trends of automation and data exchange in manufacturing, also referred to as “Industry 4.0” or the “Industrial Internet of Things” (IIoT), are based upon digitization. By converting analog signals, sounds, images, texts, and other information into a computer-readable format, digitization has been transforming industries for decades. For manufacturers to make sense of all these bits of information, the data must be transported from numerous sensors and equipment on the factory floor and processed for humans or other machines to make informed decisions in real-time.

The Road Toward IIoT and Industry 4.0

Today


Automation Pyramid


  • Multiple protocols and standards
  • Few topologies result in limited applications
  • It is hard to access data
  • Higher integration and maintenance costs

Tomorrow


Autonomous Pyramid


  • Vendor independent but can communicate with each other (same language)
  • A flexible topology allows for more new applications
  • Data can be directly accessed from the cloud or the field
  • Easy to maintain and can achieve plug-and-produce manufacturing

What Is TSN?

TSN is a collection of standards that enables deterministic messaging over standard Ethernet networks. As defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), TSN involves a form of network traffic management to ensure non-negotiable time frames for end-to-end transmission latencies. Consequently, all TSN devices must synchronize their clocks with each other and use a common time reference to support real-time communications for industrial control applications.

Time Synchronization


As the name suggests, time-sensitive networking focuses on establishing a common time reference between all devices within a unified and interoperable infrastructure, which forms the foundation of its entire operations.

Bounded Low Latency


By adopting the concept of non-negotiable time period allocation for end-to-end transmissions, these components ensure deterministic data transmission over the network.

Ultra Reliability


To implement and maintain all aspects of a deterministic networking environment, a set of components has been defined to ensure optimal reliability and security.

Resource Management


When the network and applications become more converged and larger in scale, additional tools are required to provide better manageability and visibility.




Simulating a Smart Factory Network With and Without TSN

Real-time communication is crucial for smart factory automation as networks grow in scale and complexity. Let’s see how time-sensitive networking (TSN) realizes deterministic communication in converged applications.

Moxa Showcases TSN Applications for Smart Factories at Taipei Industrial Automation Exhibition 2020

Moxa was invited by CLPA to demonstrate the TSN converged network infrastructure together with Mitsubishi Electric at the Taipei International Industrial Automation Exhibition 2020. In the demo kit, Moxa showcased a unified network for a controller, servo motors, I/Os, and a camera.


This demonstration previews the fully unified network infrastructure that will define the next generation of automation.

Moxa Showcases Real TSN Applications Together with Partners at SPS 2019

Through close collaboration with other key players in the industry, our TSN solution framework offers a unified network infrastructure that supports critical and non-critical package transmissions across a converged network. The unified network can also support a variety of applications that require high bandwidth, real-time communication, and high levels of determinism such as motion control.


Our TSN solution has demonstrated the potential of using TSN to easily build highly flexible, futureproof automation network infrastructure.




Moxa Drives TSN Development With Our Partners

Moxa Participates in the TSN Workshop at the ARC Industry Forum Europe 2021


Moxa will be participating in a workshop at the ARC Industrial Forum Europe 2021 to discuss “Time-sensitive Networking (TSN): What, Why, and Who”. The discussion panel will invite Christian Bergdahl from HMS Networks Group, John Browett from CC-Link Partner Associations – Europe, Chih-Hong Lin from Moxa, Piotr Siwek from Mitsubishi Electric, and Frank Thomas from ARC Europe to share their viewpoints on the development of TSN and its benefits towards accelerating Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things. Click here to learn more about the event and stay tuned for the full article covering this insightful panel discussion.

Initial Supporter of the OPC Foundation Field Level Communications (FLC)


Moxa was one of the initial members of the OPC Foundation Field Level Communications (FLC) Steering Committee and we continue to support the initiative of extending OPC UA including TSN to the field level. The steering committee covers all aspects of the OPC UA TSN ecosystem, from sensors to the cloud, which will achieve a truly unified infrastructure for automation networking.

Joined Testbeds for Technical Compatibility

As part of our ongoing commitment to creating innovative industrial connectivity technologies and solutions, Moxa is collaborating with other industry leaders to rigorously test TSN interoperability and ensure that the developing implementation is stable and reliable before going to market.



Moxa’s TSN Commitment


Moxa has always been passionate about building innovative industrial connectivity technologies and solutions. As part of our commitment to developing TSN technologies, Moxa is an active member of four of the world’s most significant TSN interoperability testbeds to ensure that TSN solutions are stable and reliable before going to market.


Moxa continuously participates in the evolution of TSN technologies, paving the way to IIoT and Industry 4.0 with unified and open standard Ethernet infrastructure for our customers.