Microelectronics

Fraunhofer IPMS: 10G TSN Endpoint IP Core for deterministic high-speed Ethernet networks

February 16, 2026. The demands placed on Ethernet networks in automotive, industrial and safety-critical applications are increasing rapidly: Ever higher data rates must be combined with precisely plannable time sequences. The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS is responding to this with a new 10G TSN endpoint IP core that enables deterministic real-time communication with data rates of up to 10 Gbit/s.

Symbolic image of 10G TSN endpoint. Photo: Fraunhofer IPMS

Precise time synchronization in the nanosecond range

Technically, the new 10G TSN-EP IP core relies on a robust, hardware-accelerated implementation of time synchronization in accordance with IEEE 802.1AS 2020 (gPTP). As a result, it achieves synchronization accuracies of less than 10 nanoseconds in Ethernet networks and ensures stable time bases even at very high data rates. Central TSN standards such as IEEE 802.1Qav for audio/video traffic shaping, IEEE 802.1Qbv for time-controlled scheduling, IEEE 802.1Qci for per-stream policing and IEEE 802.1CB (FRER) for redundant, fault-tolerant transmissions are supported.

Easy integration and short time-to-market

For fast implementation, Fraunhofer IPMS provides powerful Linux driver packages and reference implementations. The latter cover both native XGMII interfaces and common 10G interfaces such as 10G-BASE R / SFI / XFI, for example on AMD Xilinx FPGAs. The 10G TSN-EP IP core is designed for a variety of proven FPGA and ASIC target platforms, facilitating rapid integration into customer-specific designs.

Broad range of applications

In modern in-vehicle networks, the 10G TSN-EP IP core serves as a deterministic backbone for domains such as ADAS, infotainment and central computers. In sensor technology, it enables low-loss and low-jitter data paths for video, RADAR and LIDAR data – even in simultaneous multistream operation. In industrial automation, it supports scalable, real-time-capable networks for synchronized drives, robotics and image processing lines. Predictable latency budgets across the entire network increase the reliability and efficiency of complex production systems.

Kick-off for a new generation of high-speed TSN IP cores

“With our new 10G TSN endpoint, we are expanding our portfolio of TSN IP cores by an important expansion stage and at the same time laying the foundation for a series of high-speed TSN IP cores,” says Alexander Noack, Head of Data Communication & Computing (DCC) at Fraunhofer IPMS in Dresden. “We are thus driving forward the development of a new generation of IP cores for real-time capable high-speed Ethernet networks in which exact time synchronization is crucial – from automotive and industry to space and defence.”

As part of the CeCas funding project, Fraunhofer IPMS is currently working on the development of a supercomputing platform for highly automated automobiles, in which 25G TSN solutions are being tested. In addition to the new 10G TSN-EP IP core, a 10G TSN switched endpoint and a 10G TSN switch are already being implemented and will be available in the course of the year.

Fraunhofer IPMS is a leading international research and development service provider for electronic and photonic microsystems in the application fields of intelligent industrial solutions, medical technology and health, mobility as well as green and sustainable microelectronics. Research focuses on customer-specific miniaturized sensors and actuators, MEMS systems, microdisplays and integrated circuits as well as wireless and wired data communication. Research and development takes place in the clean rooms on 200 and 300 mm wafers. The services offered range from consulting and design to process development and pilot series production.

As an expert in secure data communication solutions, the Data Communication and Computing (DCC) division develops innovative technologies in the future-oriented fields of IP cores, Li-Fi (light-based data transmission) and quantum technologies. These developments pave the way for novel and secure communication solutions in key industries such as mobility, telecommunications, industrial automation and energy supply.

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