The Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS), in collaboration with communications company aconnic AG, has developed an intellectual property (IP) core as part of the RealSec5G project. The core combines the advantages of a MACsec IP core with those of a time-sensitive networking (TSN) IP core to combine functional safety and data security in data transmission.
The RealSec5G project, which is coordinated by aconnic, aims to explore the extent to which it is possible at present to implement the dual requirements of security and safety in communication devices for 5G/6G infrastructures within the framework of a feasibility study.
By combining TSN functionalities and line-speed encryption, Fraunhofer IPMS and aconnic developed a system that combines real-time capability and redundancy. The organizations pursued a hardware/software co-design approach, with a demonstrator built using standard components to evaluate the overall system.
The system combines two existing IP cores for TSN and MACsec along with a field programmable gate array developed from an off-the-shelf assembly capable of supporting high data rates in the multi-gigabit range. Tests under realistic conditions, including simulated attack scenarios, showed no negative impact on timestamps or transmission speed, and the system also demonstrated correct and authenticated data transmission.
In addition to the focused areas of traffic, transport, and energy, the organizations stated that the results also open up new opportunities in network structures for administration, healthcare, information technology, and telecommunications. Furthermore, the results could be transferred to other industrial communication solutions within the framework of subsequent collaborations. Fraunhofer IPMS and aconnic also see potential in combining the long-term project results with quantum technologies to influence future security requirements with regard to post-quantum cryptography.
