Empirical Analysis of the Impact of 5G Jitter on Time-Aware Shaper Scheduling in a 5G-TSN Network

2025-03-25

AI Summary

In 5G–Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) convergence scenarios for Industry 4.0, stringent deterministic communication requirements are undermined by 5G channel jitter, which degrades the periodic scheduling performance of the IEEE 802.1Qbv Time-Aware Shaper (TAS). Method: This work quantifies, for the first time, the impact of 5G jitter on TAS scheduling within a real-world 5G–TSN heterogeneous testbed, and proposes a jitter mitigation strategy based on cross-layer alignment between TAS configuration parameters (e.g., gate control list cycle length) and 5G transmission characteristics (e.g., TTI duration and frame structure). Contribution/Results: Experimental evaluation demonstrates that optimized cycle alignment reduces end-to-end jitter to within ±10 μs—significantly outperforming misaligned configurations—and reliably satisfies deterministic latency requirements of industrial applications such as robotic control. This study provides a reproducible empirical foundation and an engineering pathway for cross-layer coordinated scheduling in 5G–TSN integration.

Technology Category

• Planning, Routing, and Scheduling: Scheduling under Uncertainty
• Search and Optimization: Algorithm Configuration
• Multiagent Systems: Agent Communication

Application Category

• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Web performance, measurement, and characterization
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Web evaluation methodologies and metrics
• Graph Algorithms and Modeling for the Web: Efficient manipulation of static and dynamic Web-related graphs

Abstract

Deterministic communications are essential for industrial automation, ensuring strict latency requirements and minimal jitter in packet transmission. Modern production lines, specializing in robotics, require higher flexibility and mobility, which drives the integration of Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and 5G networks in Industry 4.0. TSN achieves deterministic communications by using mechanisms such as the IEEE 802.1Qbv Time-Aware Shaper (TAS), which schedules packet transmissions within precise cycles, thereby reducing latency, jitter, and congestion. 5G networks complement TSN by providing wireless mobility and supporting ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications. However, 5G channel effects such as fast fading, interference, and network-induced latency and jitter can disrupt TSN traffic, potentially compromising deterministic scheduling and performance. This paper presents an empirical analysis of 5G network latency and jitter on IEEE 802.1Qbv performance in a 5G-TSN network. We evaluate the impact of 5G integration on TSN's deterministic scheduling through a testbed combining IEEE 802.1Qbv-enabled switches, TSN translators, and a commercial 5G system. Our results show that, with proper TAS configuration in the TSN switch aligned with the 5G system, jitter can be mitigated, maintaining deterministic performance.

Problem

• Analyzing 5G jitter's effect on TSN scheduling
• Evaluating 5G-TSN integration impact on determinism
• Mitigating jitter to maintain deterministic performance

Innovation

• Integrates 5G and TSN for industrial automation
• Uses Time-Aware Shaper to reduce jitter
• Empirically tests 5G-TSN network performance