TSNn

TSNn, short for Time-Sensitive Networking next generation, is a proposed extension of the IEEE Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) technology. It is intended to provide deterministic communication guarantees over larger, more heterogeneous networks, including cross-domain fabrics that span multiple administrative domains and different transport layers. The concept emerges from efforts to scale TSN beyond single-fabric industrial environments to support complex automation and multimedia workflows.

Design concept emphasizes an integrated architecture with an orchestration layer, cross-domain controllers, and enhanced synchronization mechanisms. The core idea is to coordinate scheduling, bandwidth allocation, and reliability across boundaries, leveraging existing TSN primitives (such as time-aware shapers and frame replication) while adding domain-aware policies and dynamic reconfiguration.

Key features include dynamic bandwidth reservation with end-to-end latency guarantees, jitter control, and resilience through path diversity and redundancy. TSNn envisions advanced clock synchronization across domains and a management plane that can negotiate commitments between different networks, potentially using a common federation or governance model.

Standards status: TSNn is not currently standardized as of the latest publicly available documents. It is typically described as an extension concept that builds on the TSN standards family (IEEE 802.1) including timing, scheduling, and reliability mechanisms, while calling for harmonized cross-domain interfaces and policy models.

Applications include industrial automation, automotive and rail networks, robotics, and high-end audio/visual production where predictable latency and synchronization are essential. Potential drawbacks include increased system complexity, interoperability challenges, and higher deployment costs, which must be addressed through industry collaboration and mature tooling.