In today’s world, many devices need to talk to each other quickly and reliably, especially in industries like automation, robotics, smart manufacturing, and multimedia systems. That is where Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) comes in.
Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) is a set of networking standards that adds real-time communication to regular Ethernet. It ensures that critical data, like a video feed or a sensor reading, arrives exactly when it’s needed, with no delay or interruption.
The i.MX 8M Plus processor in iW-RainboW-G40M is designed with integrated support for TSN features, enabling developers to implement real-time, synchronized Ethernet-based communication directly within their embedded systems without the need for external TSN hardware. This article showcases how TSN 802.1Qbv was demonstrated using the i.MX 8M Plus System on Module (SoM) that manages network traffic effectively and ensures deterministic behaviour.
Understanding TSN 802.1Qbv: Time-Aware Shaper
One important part of TSN is IEEE 802.1Qbv, also called a time-aware traffic shaper, which brings predictability to network traffic by dividing Ethernet communication into fixed, repeating time cycles. This mechanism ensures high-priority traffic can be transmitted without interference.
- Each class of traffic is allocated a designated time slot.
- The network path is pre-cleared for time-sensitive traffic.
- Deterministic latency is maintained across the network.
This scheduling strategy makes it possible to guarantee the delivery of critical data, such as video streams or sensor feedback, in tightly controlled time windows.
TSN 802.1Qbv Demonstration using i.MX 8M Plus
The TSN demo setup uses a combination of two devices:
- i.MX 8M Plus – Operates as a client or camera source.
- i.MX 8M Mini – sends data using a tool called iPerf (to simulate regular network traffic)
This setup simulates real-world scenarios where simultaneous video streaming and bandwidth-heavy data transfers must coexist without compromising performance
Traffic Scheduling Modes
The demonstration includes three configurations to highlight the impact of TSN scheduling:
- Qbv1 — Video priority Mode:
The camera traffic runs at the maximum rate that the camera supports, whereas the iPerf traffic is limited to half the bandwidth.
- The first 500000 ns (500 μs) of the 1 ms gate schedule has only queue 0 open. This queue is used exclusively for the camera traffic.
- The second 500 μs of the 1 ms gate schedule has only queue 0 and queue 2 open. Therefore, this period is shared between any camera and iPerf traffic.
- Because camera traffic alone is mapped for a specific time period, therefore, it is provided full bandwidth during this time. On the other hand, iPerf traffic is only permitted to share line rate during the second half of the gate schedule; therefore, it is in effect limited to half line rate.
- Qbv2 — iPerf priority Mode:
The iPerf traffic runs at full line rate, whereas the camera traffic is limited to a much reduced bandwidth.
Initially, the iPerf traffic mapped queue 2 is open for 500 µs.- The second GCL entry has the camera and iPerf queues open together for 40 µs.
- Because the iPerf traffic alone is mapped for a specific time period, therefore, it is provided full bandwidth. On the other hand, the camera traffic is provided with limited bandwidth.
- No Qbv — No priority Mode:
Both the iPerf traffic and camera traffic run at full line rate.
- With No qbv (No Prioritization), the iperf throughput must result between 900 Mbit/s to 950 Mbit/s.
- The camera must stream fine with FPS values of 25 FPS to 30 FPS.
TSN Traffic Flow Architecture
In the TSN Qbv demonstration, a USB camera generates time-sensitive video traffic, while iPerf simulates best-effort data traffic over Ethernet. These two traffic types are assigned to different queues with different priorities through the TSN-enabled port. When the Qbv configuration is applied, the system schedules and prioritizes the traffic accordingly. The iPerf bandwidth, camera frame rate, and live camera streaming are displayed on the GUI of i.MX 8M Mini.
i.MX 8M Plus (iW-RainboW-G40M) System on Module Overview:
- i.MX 8M Plus Q/QL/D CPU with 64-bit ARMv8 Architecture
- NPU with up to 2.3 TOP/s Neural Network performance
- 2GB LPDDR4 expandable up to 8GB
- 16GB eMMC Flash expandable up to 256GB
IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5.0
Supports HDMI 2.0a TX, LVDS, MIPI CSI and MIPI DSI - Integrated Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, CAN-FD, and Ethernet
The i.MX 8M Plus System on Module is currently the only device of the i.MX 8M family that offers multiple CAN-FD interfaces. It also comes with reliability features such as inline ECC for high-reliability industrial applications.
Real-Time Applications for i.MX 8M Plus with TSN Support
- Industrial Automation – Precise machine control and sensor communication
- Collaborative Robotics – Real-time coordination between robots
- Smart Surveillance – Low-latency video streaming and AI analytics
- AGVs / AMRs – Timely navigation and obstacle detection
- Automotive Systems – In-vehicle networking and ADAS support
- Medical Devices – Real-time patient monitoring and diagnostics
TSN is essential for future-ready systems where timing is critical. Whether it’s a robot on a factory floor or a smart camera in a hospital, you need data that arrives on time. With built-in TSN support and robust processing capabilities, the i.MX 8M Plus SoM and SBC from iWave enable developers to achieve deterministic Ethernet communication without added complexity.
By using the i.MX 8M Plus platform with TSN 802.1Qbv, developers can:
- Prioritize what data matters most
- Build systems with real-time responses
- Avoid delays, jitter, and congestion
By partnering with iWave, businesses gain the advantage of faster time-to-market, flexibility in design, and seamless integration of i.MX solutions. With its dedicated support, extensive portfolio, and customizable solutions, iWave empowers businesses to take control of their product development journey. Whether your project requires advanced connectivity, robust security, or powerful processing, iWave’s expertise ensures a smooth path from concept to completion.
For more information or enquiries, please write to mktg@iwave-global.com
