Simulation Framework for Clock Synchronization in Time Sensitive Networking

Abstract

Hard real-time systems like industrial control applications have strict temporal requirements. Many hard real-time systems depend on a global time base for coordinating access to shared resources and for time-stamping events. Hence, the Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) task group introduces a fault-tolerant and robust clock synchronization mechanism (i.e. IEEE 802.1AsRev) that results in a synchronized network. This paper presents a simulation framework for IEEE 802.1AsRev to evaluate the reliability of the global time base in TSN-based systems. The simulation models are developed on top of our existing TSN models that support the time-based features of TSN (e.g. IEEE 802.1Qbv and IEEE 802.1Qci standards). Moreover, the evaluation of different TSN synchronization modules such as Best Master Clock Algorithm (BMCA), synchronization and peer delay measurement are carried out in our simulation framework. We also study the behavior of IEEE 802.1AsRev in the presence of either a node failure or a link failure using an example scenario of a train communication network. The experimental results validate the correctness and applicability of TSN clock synchronization for modern cyber physical systems with demanding timing requirements.