Getting an Ident Number for PROFIBUS Devices

As specified in the PROFIBUS guidelines, an Ident Number (ID number) is required for all PROFIBUS devices using PROFIBUS DP communication (except Master Class 2 device), and for PROFIBUS FMS devices which are configured with a GSD file.

The ID number allows devices connected to the bus to be identified with a minimum amount of protocol overhead. In addition, the ID number is used to archive files which contain information on device features and configuration (i.e. GSD files). An ID number is only assigned for devices which conform with the PROFIBUS guidelines.

Manufacturers must register each device type at PI and get either a manufacturer and/or profile specific ID number. The ID number is not a serial number. The value range is 0001 Hex to FFFE Hex. As soon as an ID number for a device type has been assigned to a manufacturer by PNO, this number can be used for each manufactured device of this type without renewed registration. If the device is modified technically, it remains associated with the device type only if it is still possible to describe the parameters, modules and options (e.g. modular I/O devices) in a single GSD file.

Getting an Ident Number for PROFINET Devices

The Device Identification for PROFINET IO has been defined to enable easy identification of a field device. It consists of a company key (Vendor_ID) and a manufacturer-specific key (Device_ID). The Vendor_ID is assigned by PNO uniquely to a company. The Device_ID can be defined by the manufacturer specifically for the device.

PI provides the schemes and the GSDML specification required to create a GSD-File. PI’s PROFINET XML-Viewer (only for members of PI) supports validation and viewing of a GSD-File.