CANeds 3.6 The EDS Generator for CANopen Systems Functions In terms of specifics, CANeds provides the following functions: > Creation of new EDS files > Convert EDS/DCF files > Modification of EDS files > Testing of EDS files > Scanning of devices, with EDS files generated semi-automatically > Define signal descriptions for objects CANopen® is an open, CAN-based communication protocol used in range of applications including transport and control technology, measurement systems, medical technology, railway technology, maritime applications, in general, wherever great flexibility and rapid data transmissions are in demand. The CANopen specification drew on the experience of many component manufacturers and users, resulting in an established standard that is maintained by the CAN in Automation (CiA®) user organization. CANopen Electronic Data Sheets (EDS) are device description files similar to the Profibus GSD. These files make it possible to use man-ufacturer- 2/16 Creating EDS files is very easy due to the ability of accessing standard objects and their attributes via CiA-CODB databases. CANeds displays the structure of an EDS in a hierarchical tree structure (see figure) and represents CANopen object attributes such as object and data types symbolically. The user can drag the desired object dictionary entries and drop them into the tree view of the EDS file that is being created. An object dictionary entry that deviates from the specified default values is flagged with a red exclamation mark. The numerous types required in EDS files are automatically converted to their numeric values. This elimi-nates independent project planning, configuration, and analy-sis tools. A proper EDS file is required to pass the CiA CANopen con-formance test. Features and Advantages The editor/generator CANeds is a tool for creating and testing EDS files. CANeds also supports the XML format for EDS or DCF files specified in CiA311. CANeds takes over the difficult and errorprone task of creating EDS files manually. CANeds enables device manufacturers and sys-tem the time-consuming task of manual processing that was required previously. User-specific data types can also be created and are available for defining the object dictionary. Of course, modular devices are also supported in a user-friendly way. integrators to avoid problems when working with correspond-ing CANopen configuration programs. The CANeds inter-face for creating EDS files. The desired object entries can be taken over comfortably.