TSEP has extended its PTP stack, CHRONOS, to include support for the real-time operating system INtime. This enables TSN applications, with the Precision Time Protocol (PTP, IEEE 1588) providing the foundation for system-level time synchronization. As part of a technology partnership, TSEP and TenAsys have aligned their respective solutions.
With the increasing adoption of Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN), the requirements for time synchronization in industrial networks are rising. A precise and consistent time base is crucial to ensure that TSN functions, such as scheduling and traffic shaping, can be implemented reliably.
Time Synchronization as a System-Level Prerequisite for TSN
In practice, the precise synchronization of all network participants poses challenges for many manufacturers: While the protocol itself is standardized, the achievable quality of time synchronization depends critically on the specific implementation and its integration with the operating system, drivers, and hardware. These aspects are not part of the standard and must be implemented individually. Consequently, the integration effort increases significantly, delaying the realization of TSN applications.
In the joint solution, the MHPE stack handles the connection to the network hardware, while TSEP CHRONOS ensures system time synchronization in the background.
Operating system-level extension without modifying the standard
The extension of TSEP CHRONOS was implemented via the existing operating system abstraction layer, which was augmented with INtime. The Precision Time Protocol standard (IEEE 1588) remains unchanged in this process. The stack is already deployed on Windows and Linux and utilizes INtime’s MHPE stack for hardware access.
Time synchronization for the entire system and all INtime nodes takes place in the background and is available for use without additional implementation. This is comparable to the use of the Network Time Protocol (NTP), where the time base is transparently provided in the background.
A Technology Partnership as a Foundation
The implementation was carried out in close collaboration with TenAsys. In this process, TSEP contributed its expertise specifically in the areas of time synchronization and system-level integration. Based on this foundation, the requirements for the interfaces between the operating system, network stack, and timing logic were jointly defined and implemented.
TSEP supports companies as a technology partner in the implementation of PTP and TSN applications.