January 23, 2024 — With the advancement of digitalization, the importance of communication network security is increasing. The “RealSec5G” project aims to test the data security requirements of communication devices for 5G/6G infrastructure in deterministic time-sensitive networks (TSN). To this end, the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS is designing a TSN-MACsec functional block that will be tested as part of the demonstrator. The final implementation and performance analysis will be carried out in cooperation with the industrial company albis-elcon system Germany GmbH.
As wireless technology continues to evolve, the security of communications networks becomes increasingly important, especially with the introduction of 5G and consideration of 6G. These new generations promise significant increases in speed, capacity, and connectivity. But it also raises data security challenges. Reliable and secure networks are essential for critical applications such as rail and energy networks, as well as autonomous vehicle and robot monitoring and control. Special cases such as closed-loop applications already meet these requirements, but open architectures such as 5G/6G networks generally do not.
In the “RealSec5G” project, Fraunhofer IPMS and consortium leader Albis Elcon Systems Germany GmbH aim to develop and test communication solutions that improve data reliability and security for 5G/6G applications. This project aims to incorporate deterministic requirements such as real-time capabilities, redundancy, transmission guarantees, and data security into a cost-effective and easy-to-integrate system. To achieve this objective, Fraunhofer IPMS is designing a TSN-MACsec functional block to be tested as part of the demonstrator.
“MACsec stands for Media Access Control Security and is a security standard specified by the IEEE for the protection of Ethernet-based networks. It ensures the confidentiality and integrity of Ethernet frames.” Dr. Frank Dyke, Head of Computing, explains. Fraunhofer IPMS Division. “Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) adds time synchronization and deterministic communication to many Ethernet specifications. Final implementation and performance analysis will be done in collaboration with albis-elcon.
The goal of this project is to test and evaluate on a practical and relatively inexpensive FPGA platform (off-the-shelf module) that supports high data rates in the multi-gigabit range and in a realistic test environment.
The project, in cooperation with albis-elcon, will strengthen innovation capabilities in core areas of the German value chain. Both project partners have confirmed that, once the project is successfully completed, despite the technical risks, the relevant applications are expected to be quickly and effectively exploited due to the wide range of safety-critical applications in Germany. I believe that there will be many opportunities for In addition to the energy and transportation focus areas, the project solution can also be extended to other critical infrastructure application scenarios. These include applications in government and administration, healthcare, information technology, and communications.
About Fraunhofer IPMS
Fraunhofer Institute Photonic Microsystems IPMS stands for Applied Research and Development in the fields of smart industrial solutions and manufacturing, medical technology and health, and mobility. Research focuses on small sensors and actuators, integrated circuits, wireless and wired data communications, and customized MEMS systems.
The Institute has more than 20 years of experience in IP core design and licensing and has hundreds of users worldwide in a wide range of applications in the automotive, aerospace and automation industries. Fraunhofer IPMS offers platform-independent IP core modules that can be implemented in all FPGA types and ASIC technologies. IP cores allow designers to quickly incorporate complete functional areas into their standard products such as SoCs, microcontrollers, FPGAs, and ASICs, significantly reducing development time and costs. In addition to standard IP cores, Fraunhofer IPMS can also provide customized design adaptations or develop systems based on specific customer requirements.
About Alvis Elcon Systems Germany GmbH
Alvis Elcon provides hardware for devices, systems, complete networks and services that enable communications service providers and large enterprises to better deploy and operate national and international gigabit networks and reduce energy requirements. and develops software. With over 15 million systems installed in more than 40 countries, the company specializes in fixed and mobile 5G networks, software-defined and virtualized network architectures, cloud and edge computing, enterprise connectivity and the Internet of Things.
www.alvis-elcon.com/