New, updated CANopen specs: EDS, injector, connector

The CAN in Automation (CiA) nonprofit organization has several new and updated CANopen specifications for XML and device profiles.

Erlangen, Germany —The CAN in Automation (CiA) nonprofit organization has several new and updated CANopen specifications for XML and device profiles. The CiA 311 XML electronic data sheet (EDS) specification defines the XML scheme to be used for the electronic description of CANopen devices and is based on the ISO 15745 standard. As specified in CiA 306, XML electronic data sheets will substitute the well-known ASCII-based EDS in the future. EDS are used by configuration, diagnostic, or testing tools to get information about CANopen devices.The CiA 425-2 profile for contrast media injectors has been updated and will be implemented by several American, European, and Japanese injector manufacturers as well as by several companies producing image processing medical devices. Version 2.0.1 is the first profile in the range of add-on devices for computer tomography, magnetic resonator, and angiography. It could also be used for ultrasonic devices.The updated and reviewed CiA 303-1 recommendation describing the pin assignment for several connectors contains the first Chinese connector. This 3-pin connector (em069A-3) is dedicated to low-cost devices. The recommendation contains more than 20 connectors to be used for CANopen devices.—Edited by Lisa Sutor , Control Engineering