Overview
ISO 15745-4:2003/Amd 1:2006 is an amendment to ISO 15745-4 that adds PROFINET profiles for Ethernet-based control systems to the ISO Application Integration Framework. The amendment specifies technology-specific elements and rules for describing GSDML (Generic Station Description Markup Language) device and communication network profiles, XML schema templates, and normative rules for PROFINET device description files (GSDML-based files). It extends the ISO 15745 framework to support PROFINET device interoperability and engineering-tool integration.
Key topics and technical requirements
- GSDML device profile templates - XML schemas and class structures (DeviceProfile, DeviceIdentity, DeviceFunction, ApplicationProcess, ModuleInfo, VirtualSubmoduleItem, RecordDataList, etc.) define how device characteristics are described.
- Communication network profile - a GSDML communication network profile template is defined; for PROFINET the classes are intentionally empty because device communication options are not parameterized in the profile.
- Device Access Point (DAP) concept - GSDML files may contain multiple DAPs to represent device network connection points and shared module families.
- Data types and validation - normative data types (Boolean, Enumeration, IdT, Unsigned8/16/32, ValueList, SignedValueList) and regular-expression rules are specified for consistent XML content.
- Version control and naming rules - strict rules require stable IDs for key XML elements and prescribe the filename format: e.g. "GSDML-Vx.y-Vendor-DeviceFamily-yyyymmdd.xml" using dashes as delimiters.
- Schema location and structure - xsi:schemaLocation is specified and a relative path (“..\xsd”) is recommended for GSDML schema files to support XML validation.
- Object identification rules - ID attributes for addressable elements (ModuleItem, VirtualSubmoduleItem, ValueItem, GraphicItem, etc.) must remain unique within their category and unchanged across released versions.
Practical applications and users
- Device manufacturers: to produce interoperable PROFINET device descriptions (GSDML files) that engineering tools and controllers can consume.
- System integrators and automation engineers: to ensure consistent device modeling, version control, and predictable behavior during commissioning and maintenance.
- Engineering-tool and asset-management vendors: to implement XML schema validation, import/export of GSDML, and UI mapping for device configuration.
- Network architects: to document device access points (DAPs), I/O mapping and timing properties for Ethernet-based control systems.
Related standards
Keywords: PROFINET profiles, GSDML, ISO 15745-4 amendment, Ethernet-based control systems, device profile, communication network profile, industrial automation standard, PROFINET device description.
Open preview (PDF)Industrial automation systems and integration — Open systems application integration framework — Part 4: Reference description for Ethernet-based control systems — Amendment 1: PROFINET profiles
