ADI's RAPID-TSNEK-V0001 is an evaluation kit that is configured to provide TSN Gateway functionality in order to quickly assess how TSN works. This kit utilizes the fido5000 real-time Ethernet multi-protocol (REM) switch chip to provide a TSN solution in the product application.

Using the TSN gateway functionality allows a non-TSN device to participate in a TSN network without implementing TSN-specific features natively. The TSN gateway has built-in features from the following IEEE specifications:

• 802.1AS, AS-REV – time synchronization
• 802.1Qbv – scheduled traffic
• 802.1Qci – ingress policing
• 802.1CB – seamless redundancy
• 802.1Qcc – stream reservation protocol
• 802.1Qbu/802.3br – preemption

The TSN gateway comes pre-installed with software that supports 802.1AS, 802.1Qbv, 802.1Qcc, and stream translation. Software updates will be provided to add TSN features and correct any interoperability issues. The 802.1Qcc specification is currently implemented using a web server, but will ultimately be implemented so the gateway can be configured by a Central Network Controller (CNC).

The RAPID-NIEK-V0004 is a pretested RapID platform network interface solution that manages industrial protocol and network traffic. Thanks to the module's Unified Interface, a single host interface hardware, and software design supports PROFINET, PROFINET IRT, PROFIBUS, EtherNet/IP, EtherNet/IP with DLR, EtherCAT, and ModbusTCP. Choose the type of Network Interface to support the required Industrial protocols. The Unified Interface also ensures the host processor hardware or software interface does not need to change even when switching or updating protocols. The Network Interface connects to a host processor via a UART, 16-bit Parallel Interface, or Ethernet (future).

The evaluation kit provides a quick assessment for interfacing a host processor to the Network Interface module (module is sold separately). Once host-side communication is established, communication can be evaluated using third-party PC-based tools or vendor-specific programmable logic controllers (PLC). The communication path between the host processor and a PLC can be completely verified before integrating the Network Interface into an end field device.