End-to-end delay performance analysis of the 5G-TSN network using network calculus

Abstract The emerging Ultra-Reliable and Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) of the Fifth Generation Communication Network (5G) makes the integration of Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) and 5G communication access possible. Unfortunately, there is a lack of a theoretical study for analyzing the end-to-end (E2E) delay upper bound of different characteristic traffic in the integrated 5G-TSN scenario. Furthermore, current scheduling solutions are not able to meet the scheduling demands of different hybrid traffic in the integrated 5G-TSN network. Therefore, in this paper, we deduce the probabilistic E2E delay bound of the 5G-TSN, considering its wired and wireless complex network structure, its different traffic characteristics and requirements, and the impact of the improved strict priority Deficit Round-Robin scheduling (SP-DRR) strategy. We employ Jake’s fading model for the 5G wireless channel service process analysis based on Meijer G-functions and obtain a tighter delay upper bound, compared with current works. The results show that the 5G wireless component is what limits the E2E delay of the 5G-TSN network. The wireless resource scheduling strategy is the key to the E2E service guarantee in the 5G-TSN scenarios. Moreover, related parameters such as weight, quantum, and the number of allocated resource blocks (RBs) should be appropriately allocated to improve E2E delay according to a match requirement of delay upper bound and reliability. It is expected that this theoretical study will provide resource allocation advice and guidelines for the following 5G-TSN delay optimization simulation experiments.