TechTip: How do I manage the I/O connection points
Eplan Platform Version 2025
Status: 12. July 2024

TechTip: How do I manage the I/O connection points
Identification of the PLC devices for the PLC data exchange is effected both in Eplan and in
the PLC configuration program either by means of the PLC type designation or by specifying
a device description file (GSD file / GSDML / EDS file). A device description file contains device information that is not contained in the default hardware catalog of a manufacturer. This
file is always bound to the network standard used. Meaning that a GSD file can always onlydescribe PROFIBUS devices and a GSDML file can only describe PROFINET devices.
Gateways are used to combine different bus systems within a configuration project. Thegateways are managed in Eplan as PLC devices and are known to the PLC configuration
program either through the PLC type designation or through the device description file.
The special feature of the gateways is that the terminal devices connected to the gateway do
not have device description files. Therefore the terminal devices cannot be made known tothe PLC configuration program.
The gateway thus takes on the role of managing the address spaces and the symbolic addresses of the terminal devices.

Configuration suggestion in Eplan
Basic information on devices that are identified via a device description file is also available
in the TechTip "TechTip-Configuring-PLC-devices-with-device-description-files".
Configuring in Eplan is always oriented to the actual hardware. However, the address management must be carried out additionally in the gateway. The start addresses and, if required, the data lengths must be entered here. Depending on the gateway, further PLCboxes (virtual modules) which are then plugged on the gateway are required for this purpose.
The corresponding details are available in the manufacturer's documentation.

Example: AS-i Gateway BWU2919 by Bihl+Wiedemann
The device is modeled in the PLC configuration program by means of the device description
file and is exported into an AML file.
In the following section the specification <GSD> stands for the device description file used
"GSDML-V2.25-BIHL UND WIEDEMANN-ASI GATEWAY BW2919-20151127.XML".

1

TechTip: How do I manage the I/O connection pointsEplan Platform Version 2025
Status: 12. July 2024

Structure of the AS-i gateway in the AML file:
StationGenericRack <GSD>/R/DIM 1<GSD> device
Bus interfaces
Additional (virtual) module <GSD> for the management of the real and symbolic addresses. This
device can contain further optional modules for
managing further address spaces.

Table view of the PLC data in the AML file:
Slot /
moduleRow

1<GSD>/DStation2

TypeIdentifier<GSD>/R/DAP 3

Rack3

Head module0<GSD>/DAP/DAP 3→ This is a PLC device

616 byte DEA (0-31)_1

1<GSD>/M/IDM_1_16

Virtual device for digital I/OThe following exist here:•A head station (Head Module) [Row 3]•A further module for managing an address space [Row 6]

The device can contain further modules that are used for the management of further address
spaces.

The following data has to be entered at the individual PLC boxes according to the configuration suggestion:
Row36

RackIs placed on
the rackPosition (slot /module)00

1

Device description: Index in fileDAP 3

Bus coupler /head station

IDM_1_16

2

TechTip: How do I manage the I/O connection points
Eplan Platform Version 2025
Status: 12. July 2024

Data of the main device (line 3 in the table) in the parts management:
Tab Function templates:
Function definition

Bus system

PLC box

Other bus systems

Network / bus cable connection
point, general
Network / bus cable connection
point, general
Network / bus cable connection
point, generalPlugdesignation

Ethernet

P1

Ethernet

P2

ASI

ASI

PLC subdevice:
Index

During the configuration the Bus interface: Name property has to be specified for the two
Ethernet bus ports (for example X1). The first bus port must furthermore be identified as theBus interface: Main bus port. This bus port contains all the relevant bus data (for example
Physical network: Bus ID / item number).
The Bus interface: Name and Bus interface: Main bus port properties are not filled for the
ASI bus port.
Tab Properties:
Property
Device description: File name

Value
GSDML-V2.25-BIHL UND WIEDEMANN-ASI GATEWAY
BW2919-20151127.XML

Device description: Index in file

DAP 3

Bus coupler / head station

The virtual module "16 Byte DEA (0-31)_1" used in this example is one of several modules
that are also defined by the device description file. The PLC configuration program helps
here in determining which modules are available.
In the concrete case the module is responsible for the management of the digital inputs andoutputs with a maximum address space of 32 bytes.

3