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• Profibus QUICKDESIGNER
The Device Data Base Files provide a clear and comprehensive description of the characteristics of a
device type in a precisely defined format. The GSD files are prepared individually by the vendor for
each type of device and made available to the user in the form of a device data base sheet and a device
data base file. The precisely defined file format permits the configuration system to simply read in the
device data base file of any PROFIBUS-DP device and automatically use this information when
configuring the bus system. Project engineers are spared the time-consuming job of determining this
information from the technical manuals. During the configuration phase, the configuration system
automatically performs checks for input errors and consistency of the data entered in relation to the
total system.
GSD File Format
The device data base file is divided into three parts:
General specifications
This section contains vendor and device names, hardware and software release states, baud rates
supported, possible time intervals for monitoring times and the signal assignment on the bus plug
connector.
DP master-related specifications
This section contains all parameters which only apply to DP master devices (i.e., the maximum number
of slaves which can be connected or upload and download capabilities). This section does not exist for
slave devices.
DP slave-related specifications
This section contains all specifications related to slaves (i.e., the number and type of I/O channels,
specification of diagnostic tests and information on the consistency of the I/O data).
GSD File Installation
Total Control Products has created a GSD file for use with the QuickPanel and vendor specific
Profibus protocol. You must install the GSD file as described in the README.TXT file, which is
found on the protocol release disk. The file name is Hms-1002.gsd.
GSD files of all PROFIBUS-DP devices that are tested for their conformity to the PROFIBUS standard
are available in the GSD library on the World Wide Web Server of the PROFIBUS User Organization
for free downloading. When the Profibus protocol for Total Control has been tested for conformity, it
will appear in the GSD library. The address is:
http://www.profibus.com.
Ident Number
Every type of a DP slave must have an ident number. Masters require this number to enable them to
identify the types of devices connected without creating significant protocol overhead. The master
compares the ident number of the connected DP devices with the ident number specified by the
configuring tool in the configuration data. Transfer of user data is not started until the correct device
types with the correct station addresses have been connected on the bus. This provides a high degree of
security against configuration errors.
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