{"id":46971,"date":"2021-07-19T00:08:08","date_gmt":"2021-07-18T16:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"\/blog\/?p=46971"},"modified":"2021-07-19T00:08:11","modified_gmt":"2021-07-18T16:08:11","slug":"intro-to-time-sensitive-networking-for-m2m-communication-in-iot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.seeedstudio.com\/blog\/2021\/07\/19\/intro-to-time-sensitive-networking-for-m2m-communication-in-iot\/","title":{"rendered":"Intro to Time-Sensitive Networking for M2M Communication in IoT"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Internet of Things isn\u2019t just enabling large scale monitoring and data collection – it\u2019s also enabling intelligent, automated systems through Machine-to-Machine or M2M communication. In this article, we\u2019re going to be discussing the use of time-sensitive networking for M2M communication in IoT; from what it is, the benefits it brings, all the way to hardware that can support TSN effectively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Introduction to M2M Communication<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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M2M communication is a form of direct communication between electronic devices, and is often used to allow different, independent industrial systems to work more seamlessly with one another without human intervention. This allows for a variety of applications in which machines can leverage an increasingly prevalent IoT interconnectivity to work together in a more cohesive and effective manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For example, M2M communication is enabling industrial automation on a larger scale as previously separate systems can communicate with one another. In addition, it can help to improve industrial safety<\/a> by employing failsafes and enforcing operating procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Naturally, such new opportunities also come with their own set of challenges. For effective M2M communication to occur, one important factor to consider is none other than timing. When should devices expect incoming communications? How much time should subsequent devices in a communication chain have to process data? How do we ensure that devices receive communications on time?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Apart from timely communications, IoT networks must also have the flexibility and scalability to support communications between small devices and large servers as they increase in scale. Fortunately, this is precisely where Time Sensitive Networking comes in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is Time-Sensitive Networking?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Time-Sensitive Networking<\/a> (TSN), is a set of IEEE 802 standards for Ethernet that aims to make it deterministic by design. This enables it to support time-sensitive applications with features like precision time synchronisation, data delivery timelines and traffic scheduling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What does it mean to be deterministic?<\/strong> Well, in networking, determinism refers to when data exchange in communications occurs with a defined latency. Although Ethernet has made rapid advances over the years to deliver faster speeds and greater bandwidth, it works on the \u201cbest effort\u201d principle, which means that unforeseen circumstances could cause momentary spikes in latency that are detrimental to industrial applications, such as control systems that require high levels of precision and coordination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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TSN operates on Layer 2 of the OSI Model<\/a>, and adds specifications to enforce determinism in Ethernet communications. While additional standards may be added or adapted over time, some present Ethernet TSN standards include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n