Mitsubishi Electric continues to invest in the development of CC-Link IE TSN technology. Current research and development efforts focus on fibre optic implementations for long-distance signal transmission while maintaining precise timing parameters. This advancement will be particularly valuable for large manufacturing facilities or distributed production environments where network spans can extend over significant distances.
Enhanced security applications are another area of focus, addressing scenarios where reliability and speed requirements are exceptionally demanding. As industrial systems become increasingly connected, the need for networks that can maintain deterministic performance while implementing robust security measures becomes critical.
This discussion is particularly timely considering the European Union's Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), which represents a significant shift in the regulatory landscape for connected products. The CRA, which entered into force on 10 December 2024, establishes comprehensive cybersecurity requirements for products containing digital components.
For industrial systems, the implications are substantial. The Act mandates that manufacturers and retailers ensure cybersecurity throughout the entire lifecycle of their products—from planning and design to development and maintenance. This means industrial networks must not only meet deterministic performance requirements but also demonstrate compliance with these new regulatory standards.
Particularly noteworthy for industrial applications is that certain critical products with significant cybersecurity relevance will require third-party assessment by an authorised body before they can be placed on the EU market. Industrial control systems and connected machinery will likely fall into this category, requiring additional verification steps.
The CRA will rebalance responsibility towards manufacturers, who must ensure their products with digital elements meet cybersecurity standards to receive the CE marking that indicates compliance. For industrial network designers and operators, this means incorporating security-by-design principles from the outset rather than as an afterthought.
While the main obligations introduced by the Act will apply from 11 December 2027, organisations should begin preparing now, particularly as industrial systems often have lengthy development cycles and extended operational lifespans. The establishment of the CRA Expert Group will provide guidance on implementation, which industrial stakeholders should monitor closely.
It's worth noting that the CRA complements other legislation, particularly the NIS2 Directive, creating a more comprehensive cybersecurity framework that industrial systems must navigate. This regulatory evolution underscores the importance of developing industrial networks that can balance stringent security protocols with the speed and reliability demands of modern industrial applications, while also maintaining compliance with an increasingly complex regulatory environment.
Increased bandwidth capabilities to support even more data-intensive applications are also under development, anticipating the growing demands of advanced analytics, machine vision systems, and other high-data-volume industrial applications. Alongside these technical improvements, Mitsubishi Electric is expanding the CC-Link IE TSN device ecosystem to provide even greater flexibility in system design. This expansion is particularly noteworthy as CC-Link IE TSN implements a structured classification system that certifies nodes and switches according to specific functionality and performance levels. Products within this ecosystem are categorised as either Class A or Class B, with each classification offering distinct capabilities tailored to various industrial requirements.
Class B compatible products are essential for implementing high-speed motion control systems that demand precise timing and synchronisation, whilst Class A devices serve other industrial communication needs. This tiered approach enables system integrators to select components that precisely match their application requirements, ensuring optimal performance without unnecessary cost. When designing systems that incorporate both Class A and Class B devices, engineers should consult the relevant master product manuals to ensure proper configuration and interoperability. As the CC-Link IE TSN ecosystem continues to grow, it offers industrial users increasingly diverse options for building systems that can effectively meet the technical demands of modern industrial applications.
These ongoing innovations ensure that CC-Link IE TSN will remain at the cutting edge of industrial networking technology for years to come, providing manufacturers with a future-proof foundation for their automation infrastructure.
