Enabling Time-Sensitive Network Management Over Multi-Domain Wired/Wi-Fi Networks

Deterministic performance and reliable operation are vital for many applications with industrial-grade requirements. Such applications rely on Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) to enable time-critical deterministic communication. While standardization efforts were focused mainly on TSN features for wired domains, recent advances in wireless technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi 6/7) are extending time-sensitive communication towards wireless networks as well. However, achieving multi-domain LAN/ Wireless LAN (WLAN) end-to-end TSN communication requires addressing challenges on end-to-end time synchronization, multi-domain control plane interoperability, run-time end-to-end scheduling, and fine-grained monitoring. Because state-of-the-art TSN controllers’ scope lays far below these new required capabilities, in this work we present a novel, fully-programmable controller for end-to-end TSN-enabled networks. Our controller is based on a modular architecture to be adaptable to challenges arising when shifting the standard TSN scope towards WLAN domain. We deploy a proof-of-concept in a cloud-wired environment to evaluate its key performance indicators when handling increasing numbers of nodes and simultaneous requests. Further, we run experiments on real TSN-enabled networks comprising Ethernet and Wi-Fi technologies, demonstrating the effectiveness of the controller in performing seamless fine-grained traffic control in both domains.