A Protocol Conversion Scheme Between WIA-PA Networks and Time-Sensitive Networks

With the development of industrial Internet of Things, many new industrial networks are emerging. Among these networks, the standard of Wireless Networks for Industrial Automation-Process Automation (WIA-PA) is one typical specification for industrial wireless networking, while Time-Sensitive Network (TSN) is another typical specification for industrial wired networking. A factory network often consists of multiple kinds of networks, including wireless media and wired media. Therefore, effective protocol conversion among different industrial networks becomes more and more significant. To address this issue, this paper presents a conversion scheme between WIA-PA and TSN based on data flow mapping. The proposed scheme is composed of a set of conversion methods, including priority conversion method, flow identification conversion method, address conversion method, cross-network clock synchronization method, and bandwidth reservation method. The conversion mechanism is designed in detail and implemented on experimental platform. Test results show that the mutual conversion of data streams of the two networks is achieved effectively by the proposed scheme, while the key network characteristics such as the data stream priorities are maintained.