Most of today's home networking applications are primarily concerned with ensuring the integrity of delivered data, but devices and paths are typically not synchronized so the timing of delivery can't be precisely predicted. However, applications for timing-aware networking are growing, and some network AV distribution systems already use a combination of standards-based protocols and proprietary technology to achieve synchronization. Meanwhile, standards are evolving to broadly transition networks to become inherently timing-aware and deterministic, namely with the IEEE's Time Sensitive Networking (TSN) standards.  

This white paper explores the basis, scope, and direction of synchronous and deterministic networks in the home, with insight to system design and implementation requirements that are key to achieving predictable and reliable performance. 

Updated March 2024

8 Pages