Avnu Alliance and the OPC Foundation have signed a cooperation agreement aimed at turning Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) from a set of standards into a technology that can be deployed with confidence on the factory floor. The partnership focuses on testing, certification and practical integration of OPC UA FX running over TSN, so that devices from different manufacturers can work together reliably in real automation systems.
Combining two areas of expertise
Avnu Alliance contributes its experience in TSN conformance testing, certification and interoperability programs. The OPC Foundation brings its work on the OPC UA FX (Field eXchange) specifications and their test framework for secure, deterministic industrial communication. Together, the two organizations want to give suppliers, system integrators and end users a clear path to systems built from certified TSN components that comply with the IEEE/IEC 60802 TSN Profile for Industrial Automation.
Joint certification pathways
A central goal is to align TSN test capabilities with the requirements of OPC UA FX integration. Both organizations were key contributors to TIACC (TSN Industrial Automation Conformance Collaboration). They will use the Common Test Specification for the IEC/IEEE 60802 profile to validate test tools and to define joint certification routes for switches and end stations. Harmonizing conformance criteria, acceptance tests and integration scenarios should shorten time to market for OPC UA FX on 60802-ready networks and reduce the risk of multi-vendor projects.
First plugfest in Stuttgart
The collaboration has already produced a first hands-on activity. On September 28–29, 2026, the University of Stuttgart hosted a two-day industrial plugfest attended by Avnu, the OPC Foundation and other industry groups. Participants with hardware tested existing TSN functions, new capabilities and fieldbus integration scenarios, including OPC UA FX over 60802-ready TSN networks. Attendees without devices could observe the test setups and join the technical discussions to prepare for future events.
From specification to deployment
Avnu President Dave Cavalcanti explained that the aim is to help the automation community move beyond specification work towards testable, certifiable devices ready for real installations, and that the approach could serve as a model for other organizations. Peter Lutz, Director of the Field Level Communication initiative at the OPC Foundation, said the next step is to work with members and partners to identify conformance and interoperability needs for TSN in industrial automation.
By linking specifications, shared test requirements, certification programs and practical interoperability events, both organizations expect to lower integration risk and give users confidence that TSN-capable devices from different vendors will behave predictably together.