Belden joins TSN testbed initiative

Belden has joined the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC) Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Testbed, which aims to improve multivendor interoperability and to display the value of the IEEE 802.1 Ethernet standards for time-sensitive networking in a manufacturing ecosystem.

“By enabling a single Ethernet network to deliver time-guaranteed messages for both mission-critical and time-sensitive applications, while simultaneously delivering high-bandwidth, supervisory, data collection, video and other traffic, TSN fulfils a critical need in bringing the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to manufacturing environments,” said Jeff Lund, senior director of product line management at Belden and co-chair of the IIC marketing working group. “Belden has been a leading participant in the IEEE TSN standardisation effort since 2009 and we’re excited to be at the point where that hard work is now demonstrated in a multivendor environment. We hope our many years of experience with TSN will add valuable insight to the testbed and ensure it delivers on its mission.”

The TSN Testbed has been on display at the 2016 IoT Solutions World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. Event attendees have had the opportunity to view live demonstrations of the testbed, which includes Hirschmann’s prototype TSN-enabled RSP Ethernet switches, and see firsthand the possibilities TSN enables for industrial networks.

“The addition of Belden to our TSN Testbed will help bring our collective efforts one step closer to reality as we all work together in the pursuit of converging IT and operational technologies,” said Dr Richard Soley, executive director of the IIC. “Testbeds serve as a centre of innovation, and we know Belden’s TSN experience will help us achieve our goal. This testbed in particular seeks to show the value of TSN technology, as well as identify and address any implementation challenges to continue improving the standards.”

Following the event, the testbed will be moved to National Instruments’ headquarters in Austin, Texas. In addition to National Instruments, Belden is working alongside leading industrial companies including Schneider Electric and Bosch Rexroth, among others.