Major manufacturing companies today are relying heavily on industrial automation and communication networks, with smart manufacturers integrating different components like sensors and controllers over converged networks.
This increased demand for industrial automation and the need for communication networks will boost adoption of time-sensitive networking (TSN) solutions, according to a recent study by Global Market Insights (GMI).
Connected components in smart factories send data to the remote monitoring system by multi-access edge computing and radio access networks. TSN technology helps routing increased traffic caused by this data transmission by a converged network. They give protocol layers and high bandwidths in comparison to standard Ethernet switches in the network infrastructure. Although, time-sensitive networking takes more time to refresh the switches, resulting in high maintenance costs and enhancing the total cost of ownership for enterprises.
The GMI study predicts the surging demand for Industrial IoT (IIoT), industrial automation and real-time networking will garner remarkable gains for the TSN market in the coming years.
What is TSN?
Even infrequent delays are unacceptable in control systems such as those inside automobiles, production lines or concert halls. The most important aspects for these systems are latency and jitter or variation in the latency of control data through the network. The maximum time a packet takes to reach the destination in the system defines the communication cycle or control frequency in the network.
TSN, an Ethernet extension defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), is designed to make Ethernet-based networks more deterministic. Industries like automotive, industrial and performance audio use real-time communication with multiple network devices and will benefit from the TSN standard.
TSN-based networks are characterised by guaranteed packet transport with bounded latency, low packet delay variation, and low packet loss. Moreover, it also renders superior bandwidths and protocol layers as opposed to the conventional Ethernet switches present in the network infrastructure.
Robust growth
“The controller and processor segment in the time-sensitive networking market is likely to register a notable growth rate through 2026. Communication technology providers are constantly introducing novel products to support advancements in time-sensitive networking market,” said GMI in a statement.
As an example, the market research firm pointed out CAST, Inc. had recently introduced a switched TSN Endpoint Controller. The technology helped CAST to facilitate controller IP core that combines with hardware stacks and renders low latency Ethernet MAC, time synchronisation capability and management of traffic.
Meanwhile, GMI predicts the professional service segment is anticipated to surpass nearly US$200 million by 2026.
“Companies with adequate experience in the field of TSN technology are offering services to their customers to address issues related to the deployment and maintenance of the network. The professional service segment in the TSN market is subjected to amass nearly USD 200 million in the next six years.” GMI said.
Indeed, GMI noted that firms operating in the market are constantly aiming at extending time-sensitive network solutions. In May 2018, Microsemi – a prominent name in the system and semiconductor sector, introduced Carrier Ethernet, ISTaX and SMBStax. The software technology services focus on various enterprise, carrier, and industrial applications.
“Enterprises having specialised expertise in time-sensitive networking technology are offering services to solve customer’s network issues in maintenance and deployment. Organisations operating in the industry are concentrating on offering TSN solutions,” GMI said.
Meanwhile, Europe is anticipated to emerge as one of the more profitable revenue terrains for time-sensitive networking market in the next few years.
For one, increasing use of managed services and controllers and processes across firms in the regional automotive vertical is intensifying growth.I
“Constant innovations to enhance vehicle communication technologies is projected to increase the amount of investment in the European automobile sector. The region is home to some of the most advanced automakers in the world, including BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen, ensuing robust developments in mobility and the demand for TSN technology,” GMI said.
