General Station Description \ File

The device specific features of a PROFINET IO Device are documented in an electronic data sheet, the General Station Description File “GSDML”. This XML-based GSD-file describes uniquely and completely the characteristics of a device in a vendor-independent format. For the CI50x-PNIO Devices these characteristics are:

• Description of the inputs and outputs of the IO Devices
• Parameters that are necessary for correct operation of the IO Devices
• Diagnostics and its meanings that can be delivered from an IO Device
• Description of the S500 expansion modules that can be used on the IO bus

Due to the predefined file format the configuration of a PROFINET system is simplified. The GSDML files are normally supported by the vendors.

The PROFIBUS user organization (PNO) provides the GSDML files of several PROFINET devices in its product overview.

The address of the PNO is: http://www.profibus.com