The TSN-EP implements a configurable controller meant to ease the implementation of endpoints for networks complying to the Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards. It integrates hardware stacks for timing synchronization (IEEE 802.1AS-2020) and traffic shaping (IEEE 802.1Qav and 802.1Qbv), frame-preemption (IEEE 802.1Qbu and IEEE 802.3br) and a low-latency Ethernet MAC. Enhanced reliability features can also be supported, using the optional hardware modules for Frame Replication and Elimination for Reliability (IEEE 802.1CB) and Per-Stream Filtering and Policing (IEEE 802.1Qci).

The controller core is designed to enable high-precision timing synchronization and flexible yet accurate traffic scheduling. Requiring minimal software assistance for its initialization, it features extremely low and deterministic ingress and egress latencies and simplifies the development of time-aware applications. While operating autonomously, the TSN-EP provides the system with timing information (timestamps, alarms, etc.) that is typically required for the operation of a TSN network endpoint device. Furthermore, it allows the system to define and tune in real time the traffic shaping parameters according to an application’s requirements.

The TSN-EP uses standard AMBA® interfaces to ease integration. Its configuration and status registers are accessible via a 32-bit-wide APB bus, and packet data are input and output via 32-bit-wide AXI-Streaming buses. To further expedite and ease the implementation of customer applications, DMA engines providing access to the stream interfaces via a memory-mapped AXI4 master port, and software stacks supporting higher-layer protocols, such as IEEE 802.1Qcc, IEEE 802.1Qca and SNMP, are optionally available.

The TSN-EP is designed with industry best practices and is available in synthesizable RTL (Verilog 2001) source code or as a targeted FPGA netlist. Deliverables provide everything required for a successful implementation, including sample scripts, an extensive testbench, and comprehensive documentation.