Network technology

CC-Link IE TSN adds TSN to increase openness while further strengthening performance and functionality.

• CC-Link IE TSN's protocol uses layers 3 ~ 7of the OSI reference model, building on the TSN technology located in layers 2.

(1) Integration of OT and IT

• By enabling control communication that ensures real-time performance while integrating communication of other open networks and IT system information on the same network, it chieves the freedom of system configuration and significantly reduce wiring costs.

(2) Communication methods

• Conventional CC-Link IE uses a token passing method. A station transfers transmission rights to the next station after transmitting its own data by transfer of the token.
• CC-Link IE TSN adopts the time sharing method, enabling time synchronization across the network. The input and output communication frames are simultaneously transmitted in both directions in a fixed time. Combining this method with TSN technology shortens the network cyclic data update time.

• CC-Link IE TSN allows for multiple communication cycles to be used within the same network.
  This makes it possible to maintain the device performance that require a high-performance communication cycle, such as servo amplifiers and connect devices that do not require a high-speed communication cycle, such as remote I / O, to match the characteristics of each device.
  It can optimize the communication cycle, maximize the drive control performance, and shorten the tact time.

(3) Reduction of man-hours for start-up, operation, and maintenance

• CC-Link IE TSN also supports SNMP. With a general-purpose SNMP monitoring tool, both CC-Link IE TSN devices and IP communication devices such as switches and routers can be analysed together.
• The time synchronization protocol regulated by TSN is used to calibrate time differences between devices compatible with CC-Link IE TSN, keeping them synchronized with high accuracy. Time information stored in both manager and remote stations is kept synchronized to the microsecond. If a network error occurs, this makes it possible to check operation logs and accurately trace events up to the error in chronological order.
• It is also possible to provide production site information and accurate time information to IT systems. This will allow AI enabled data analysis to provide further process improvement via predictive maintenance.

(4) Expansion of compatible products through various development methods

• CC-Link IE TSN supports implementation on both hardware and software platforms. ASIC and FPGA based hardware methods are supported. Moreover, development with software protocol stacks on a general purpose Ethernet chip is also possible for both manager and device stations. In all cases, 100 Mbit and 1 Gbit physical layers are supported.
• This flexibility permits device vendors to develop products by the most optimal methods while minimizing time to market. This results in a wider range of products for end users.