spandan

Is there a possibility to read the contents of a .xml file in the STEP 7 project. My task is to communicate with the sensors and PLC. And each sensor has parameter information stored in .xml file. It would make the task a lot easier if the contents of .xml file can link with the PLC program.

What You Should Know about GSD Files for PROFINET IO Devices

Basic information

The properties of PROFINET IO devices are not stored in a keyword based text file (as for PROFIBUS DP slaves) but in an XML file whose structure and rules are determined by a GSDML schema.

The language used to described GSD files is GSDML (Generic Station Description Markup Language). It is defined by the GSDML schema.

A GSDML schema contains validity rules that, among other things, allow the syntax of a GSD file to be checked. Manufacturers of IO devices get the GSDML schemas (in the form of schema files) from PROFIBUS International.

Expanded functionalities in the area of PROFINET IO also effect the GSDML specification and the associated schema. Expanded functionalities result in a new version of the GSDML specification and the schema.

Names of GSD files for IO devices

The structure of the names for a GSD file is explained based on the following example:

"GSDML-V1.0-Siemens-ET200S-20030616.xml"