Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) is a set of IEEE 802.1 standards that transforms standard Ethernet into a communication technology capable of guaranteed, low-latency, real-time data transmission. By combining features such as traffic scheduling, time synchronization, redundancy, and bandwidth reservation, TSN ensures that critical information always arrives on time and in order.
Already widely adopted in industrial automation and automotive applications, TSN profiles have now been extended to meet the needs of aerospace and defense. For avionics suppliers and OEMs, TSN offers a compelling foundation for future-proof, Ethernet-based control and mission systems. However, deploying TSN in real-world avionics networks presents two key challenges:
- End-to-end network configuration, as most existing tools focus on individual devices rather than the full system
- Interoperability, particularly when integrating products from multiple vendors
TTTECH has been active in shaping the development of TSN standards since their inception, and is now leveraging its long experience from industrial and automotive sectors into aerospace – all while specifically addressing system-level configuration and multi-vendor interoperability.
Wolfram Zischka, Senior Product Manager - Aviation at TTTECH Aerospace, sees TTTECH’s mission in supporting customers to make the most out of TSN for their applications: "A key part of our offering is Slate XNS, a planning and configuration tool that allows customers to configure complex TSN networks in a more user-friendly way. Our customers no longer need to do deep level configuration requiring in-depth technology know-how on each separate device. Instead, they can model the network, add streams, and deploy configurations for any TSN standard-compliant device within the network. Slate is vendor-agnostic and allows users to easily import 3rd part devices into its library. We’re also in the process of adding third-party devices natively to Slate to further support interoperability requirements.”
TSN for aerospace - product initiative at TTTECH
TTTECH’s TSN portfolio is designed to simplify the development, evaluation, and deployment of TSN-based avionics networks. Products can be used independently or combined into a fully integrated workflow, and training options are available. The following products are currently available as part of a cohesive TSN portfolio that is evolving and growing quickly:
The TSNEnd Point IP Integration Kit provides mission-critical hardware suppliers a quick, cost-effective way to add TSN network features into an onboard SoC / FPGA, supporting the 802.1DP Aerospace profile.
Slate XNS 2.6.0: A fielded graphical tool for designing, planning, and configuring TSN networks without requiring in-depth networking or TSN expertise. Recent enhancements specifically target aerospace applications and compliance with the 802.1DP Aerospace profile, including:
- New YANG models and 10 Gbit network modeling
- Improved third-party device integration through a new “PC” device type
The upcoming Slate XNS 2.7.0 release adds support for redundant network architectures with FRER (Frame Replication and Elimination for Reliability) - a key requirement for avionics systems.
TSN-End Point Lab (PCIe): A development platform for evaluating and building deterministic, highly reliable TSN-based systems. The PCIe-based solution supports dual-redundant networks, data rates up to 1 Gbit/s, and compliance with the IEEE 802.1DP Aerospace profile. The platform is upgradeable to TTEthernet® / ARINC 664, reducing the risk of technology lock-in.
In the coming months, TTTECH will complete its portfolio for development and evaluation with the release of a TSNSwitch Lab and TSNDevelopment System, several aerospace-form factor TSN switches are also being developed.
A scalable path toward safety-critical systems
Wolfram Zischka sees a gradual implementation of TSN in safety-critical systems, “TSN is likely to replace classical Ethernet and CAN on aircraft and land systems, with a focus on mission systems with lower safety requirements. The next step will then be an extension of the technology and the standard to include more safety-critical system applications. TTTECH has the expertise in safety-critical applications and aerospace certification know-how required to build certifiable, future-proof products.”
Find out more
Slate XNS tool - Static TSN network planning
TSN-End Point Lab (PCIe) - system evaluation and development
TTTECH releases 10 Gbit TSN-End Point IP Integration Kit
