Time-Sensitive Networking switching directly in XMC form factor
The XMC-TSN and XMC-10TSN expand the SOC-E / RelyUm deterministic networking portfolio offered by ECRIN Systems for embedded networks requiring time synchronisation, controlled traffic behaviour and availability.
The family includes XMC-TSN for 1GbE networks and XMC-10TSN for systems requiring both 1GbE and 10GbE connectivity. Up to 17 configurable Ethernet ports can be supported depending on model and integration.
The XMC form factor allows TSN switching functions to be integrated directly into a compatible embedded computer or processing system.
TSN synchronisation and deterministic traffic management
Supported Time-Sensitive Networking functions include:
- IEEE 802.1AS – Timing and Synchronisation;
- IEEE 802.1Qav – Credit Based Shaper;
- IEEE 802.1Qbv – Time Aware Shaper;
- IEEE 802.1Qci – Per-Stream Filtering and Policing;
- IEEE 802.1CB – Frame Replication and Elimination for Reliability;
- IEEE 802.1Qcc – stream reservation and configuration enhancements.
FRER can replicate selected frames and eliminate duplicates, while MSTP provides complementary network-path management.
For a deeper overview of these mechanisms, see the ECRIN Systems guide on the TSN protocol, how it works and its comparison with AFDX.
Up to 17 configurable Ethernet interfaces
P16 connectivity can include:
- 4 × 1000BASE-T;
- up to 8 × 1000BASE-(K)X or 10GBASE-(K)R;
- 1 × 1000BASE-(K)X service port;
- UART;
- PPS input and output;
- optional 10 MHz oscillator input.
Air-cooled variants can also provide 4 × 1GbE/10GbE SFP+ front-panel ports.
Port availability therefore depends on the selected version and system configuration.
Reconfigurable MPSoC and edge computing
The platform is based on a Xilinx UltraScale+ MPSoC integrating four 64-bit Arm Cortex-A53 cores, two 32-bit Cortex-R5F cores, an Arm Mali GPU and a 16 nm UltraScale+ FPGA.
It supports up to 4 GB DDR4 RAM, 32 GB eMMC and 512 Mb QSPI Flash.
User applications can run at the network edge, with DDS and MQTT support through a KVM virtual machine and support for a DDS Extension for TSN gateway.
The reconfigurable FPGA also provides flexibility for adapting communication functions to TSN profiles and system requirements.
Time synchronisation
IEEE 802.1AS provides the core timing and synchronisation capability.
Optional time-server and clock-bridging functions can also be integrated where the system requires time distribution across several network devices.
These features are particularly relevant to Information & Communication Systems combining distributed computers, sensors and communication equipment with controlled timing requirements.
They also address Defense, Aerospace & Security applications using deterministic Ethernet and distributed embedded networks.
Network security and management
Depending on model and configuration, security capabilities can include:
- IEEE 802.1X;
- IEEE 802.1AE MACsec;
- RADIUS and LDAP;
- RBAC;
- SSHv2;
- HTTPS;
- TPM 2.0;
- Secure Boot;
- encrypted and digitally signed firmware and bitstreams.
Management options include HTTPS, SSHv2, SNMP and NETCONF/YANG, together with PBIT, CBIT and IBIT built-in-test functions.
VITA and SOSA® integration
The XMC-TSN / XMC-10TSN family supports:
- VITA 42.0;
- VITA 61.0;
- VITA 42.3.
P16 mapping is optimised for selected VITA 46.9 profiles, while the platform is developed in alignment with a SOSA® X16s+X8d+X12d profile.
The family is also DO-254 / DO-178 DAL-D certifiable.
Air- and conduction-cooled versions
Air-cooled versions support a VITA 47 AC3 operating range from -40°C to +70°C and weigh 128 g.
Conduction-cooled versions support VITA 47 CC4 from -40°C to +85°C and weigh 118 g.
Power consumption ranges from 15 to 25 W depending on FPGA design.
From an XMC TSN switch to a complete embedded network
The XMC-TSN can be integrated as a networking building block within a system combining CPUs, FPGAs, acquisition devices, GPU computing and other interfaces.
ECRIN Systems can support this integration through its COTS and Modified COTS approach, selecting and combining standard technology building blocks according to program requirements.
Project management, production and system integration and obsolescence management can also be included according to project scope.
