A TSN-Enabled Measurement Approach to Latency Assessment in Real-Time Wireless Networks

Networked measurements are essential for the design and implementation of cooperative cyber-physical systems in the Industry 4.0/5.0 era. Indeed, the need for accurate models of real-time communication systems and, especially, of their latency is paramount for enabling technologies such as advanced manufacturing solutions, simulation and industrial internet. This paper presents a novel approach to measuring latency in wireless communication networks, focusing on the metrological characterization of individual subsystem contributions. By leveraging Time- Sensitive Networking (TSN) for synchronization, and employing cost-effective hardware solutions, we aim to provide a structured assessment of the measurement system’s capability to isolate and quantify latency contributions of individual communication modules, from the protocol stack to the Wireless Network Interface Controller (WNIC). The proposed approach is practical, flexible, and adaptable to various environments and deployment scenarios, representing a significant advancement in latency measurement techniques for modern network environments.