Time Sensitive Networking via 5G - An Overview and Recent Advances

Abstract:
Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) is a promising and widely used Ethernet based technology for precise timeaware networking. It enables low latency communication, prioritization of traffic, and replicated and precise machine to machine communication. While Industry 4.0 have exactly these requirements, wide coverage is also needed, which can be difficult with the Ethernet based TSN. Thus, the integration of the 5G and TSN emerges as a solution for Industry 4.0’s ultra reliable low latency and strictly timed communication requirements. 5G’s Release 16 and 17 aims to provide TSN functionality through 5G networks as a service. This paper investigates various approaches regarding how 5G and TSN can be integrated to preserve ultra reliability, low latency, and precisely timed TSN data streams as they navigate through the 5G network. It also focuses on major TSN components, how 5G plans to handle each components’ requirements, and what are the challenges to reach the final TSN- 5G integrated solution. Results of private 5G network testings are also presented for easier understanding of the challenges faced in the TSN-5G integration.