Fill one form and get quotes for cable assemblies from multiple manufacturers
Jean-Jacques DeLisle - Mouser Electronics
5G-based wireless time-sensitive networking (WTSN) will bring new capabilities such as bounded latency, private and converged networks, and network slicing to TSN. It will increase the deployment flexibility, reduce the installation costs of TSN, and support improved resource and network management.
Many industrial applications require fast, deterministic communication for real-time control—services known as time-sensitive networking (TSN) and time-critical services (TCS). In IEEE 802.1, definitions have been added to make Ethernet deterministic. Compatible time-sensitive networking features are now being progressively added to 5G cellular networking standards under 5G ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC).
3GPP Release 16 supports the integration of TSN protocols to guarantee latencies in 5G communications. Release 17 and pending Release 18 will take 5G further toward supporting Wireless Time-Sensitive Networking (WTSN) technologies. The upcoming IEC/IEEE 60802 profile specifies the application of TSN for industrial automation and gives guidelines regarding the TSN support needed from 5G.
In addition to the 3GPP, IEC, and IEEE, several efforts are underway to integrate 5G with TSN to create combined WTSN/TSN industrial networks. The EU-funded 5G-SMART is a consortium of industry partners and research institutes exploring 5G-enabled smart manufacturing concepts, including WTSN. The 5G Alliance for Connected Industries and Automation (5G-ACIA) has identified how 5G has all the essential capabilities required to interwork with TSN for industrial automation.
Four main areas are included in IEEE 802.1 TSN standards: Time synchronization, bounded latency, reliability, and resource or network management. This article explores how the most recent and upcoming 3GPP 5G releases pertain to TSN and what capabilities have emerged and will emerge with 5G for TSN applications.
Release 16: 5G System As a TSN Bridge When Integrated with an External Network
3GPP Release 16 introduced support for IEEE 802.AS TSN clock synchronization distribution over 5G wireless networks. IEEE 802.1Q, which defines TSN bridge operations (Qbv, Qcc, and Qci), is also included in Release 16. This release added support for IEEE 802.1AB-based TSN bridge neighboring discovery. The result of these features is that after Release 16, it is possible to implement time-sensitive translators—namely Device-side TSN Translator (DS-TT) and Network-side TSN Translator (NW-TT)—with the control plan TSN Application Function (TSN-AF).
In this way, the 5G network is integrated as a TSN bridge with an external network. This works as the 5G network acts as a Layer 2 Ethernet bridge. The 5G system bridge includes single UPF/PSA side ports, the ports on the device translator side, and a user plane tunnel between the user equipment (UE) and UPF. The device-side translator ports are associated with the PDU session, which provides connectivity to the TSN network for the TSN bridges/end stations. The network-side translator port supports the connectivity to the TSN network.
As a result, 5G systems have two synchronization processes independent of each other: the 5G Access Stratum Timing Distribution System and the (g)PTP domain synchronization. The DS-TTs and NW-TTS at the edge of the 5G system provide the Precision Time Protocol (PTP) time stamping and (g)PTP end-to-end support, which is why the 5G system behaves as a bridge/time-aware network or PTP boundary/transparent clock. These systems and the UE, gNodeB, and UPF are all synchronized with the 5G Grandmaster (GM) clock.
Release 17: Support of Time-Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Functions
The 3GPP Release 17 defines additional support for Time-Sensitive Communication and Time Synchronization Function (TSCTSF) to include all the bridge synchronization types in IEEE 1588. Additional support for Time Sensitive Communication Assistance Information (TSCAI) is also included, along with Uplink Time Synchronization from the user equipment to the networking-side translator. This release supports the TSCTS service as requested by the Application Function (AF) via the User Plane Node Management Information Container (UMIC) and Port Management Information Container (PMIC). Release 17 also supports round-trip-time (RTT)-based propagation delay compensation, including application survival time in quality-of-service (QoS) configuration for more accurate clock distribution over 5G. Deterministic QoS via a third-party application function request outside of the 5G system (5GS) is also supported in Release 17 for IP-based and Ethernet-based traffic.
TSCTSF is defined in 3GPP TS29.565 and TS29.522 to provide direct services to the AF or indirect services via NEF using several application programming interfaces (APIs). These services include:
This QoS requirement is defined in terms of the packet delay budget, priority level, and maximum data burst volume. It allows the 5GS to optimally determine and perform end-to-end QoS treatment to the service data flow. The AF should also provide the 5GS with the traffic characteristics, such as burst arrival time, service survival time, and periodicity, for deterministic periodic traffic to allow for sufficient scheduling.
Release 18: 5G Architecture Supporting IETF Deterministic Networking and TSN Enabled Transport Network
3GPP Release 18 is intended to expand upon the TSN capabilities of the previous release by allowing for a TSN-enabled transport network (TN) to be deployed to realize the N3 interface between a radio access network (RAN) and UPF. In this way, the RAN and UPF act as the TSN TN's end states. The 5GS is integrated into the deterministic network (DetNet) as a logical transit router per IETF RFC 8655. The TSCTSF performs control plane mapping between the 5GS internal functions and the DetNet controller. This arrangement is designed so the DetNet may be combined with time synchronization mechanisms.
Release 18 is intended to offer other enhancements to the 5G-Advance System (5GAS). Proposed enhancements include allowing the 5GAS to control the time synchronization service based on the subscription, support for status monitoring of the network timing synchronization, and the capability to provide a time synchronization service for one or more UEs in a designated coverage area.
Conclusion
As the 3GPP is wrapping up the standards work for Release 18—the initial release of the 5G-advanced system—the interest in TSN/TSC applications and capabilities for 5G continues to grow. With additional URLLC features being integrated into the latest 5G releases alongside TSN/TSC, there is substantial effort to develop 5G technology into the de facto wireless networking technology for critical networking for industrial, military/defense, transportation, autonomous vehicles, autonomous robotics, and the Internet of Things.
About the Author
Jean-Jacques (JJ) DeLisle attended the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he graduated with a BS and MS degree in Electrical Engineering. While studying, JJ pursued RF/microwave research, wrote for the university magazine, and was a member of the first improvisational comedy troupe @ RIT. Before completing his degree, JJ contracted as an IC layout and automated test design engineer for Synaptics Inc. After 6 years of original research--developing and characterizing intra-coaxial antennas and wireless sensor technology--JJ left RIT with several submitted technical papers and a U.S. patent.
Further pursuing his career, JJ moved with his wife, Aalyia, to New York City. Here, he took on work as the Technical Engineering Editor for Microwaves & RF magazine. At the magazine, JJ learned how to merge his skills and passion for RF engineering and technical writing. In the next phase of JJ’s career, he moved on to start his company, RFEMX, seeing a significant need in the industry for technically competent writers and objective industry experts. Progressing with that aim, JJ expanded his company's scope and vision and started Information Exchange Services (IXS).
Create an account on everything RF to get a range of benefits.
By creating an account with us you agree to our Terms of Service and acknowledge receipt of our Privacy Policy.
Login to everything RF to download datasheets, white papers and more content.
