Encoder and weighing device profiles updated

The nonprofit CAN in Automation (CiA) association has released new versions of the CANopen profiles CiA 406 and CiA 461. CANopen is internationally standardized in EN 50325-5. This European standard specifies the CANopen application layer and communication profile.

The updated CiA 406 specification provides improvements regarding the CRC polynomial for CANopen Safety encoders. Additionally, some parameters for functional safety have been introduced. The Annex C provides examples for CANopen Safety configuration handling. CANopen Safety is standardized in EN 50325-5 (formerly CiA 304).

The CiA 461 series specifies the CANopen interfaces of weighing devices. Part 1 (PDO specification) and part 2 (load cells) originally published in 2015 have been updated marginally. Just a few minor changes have been introduced. More important is the completion of the profile series. Part 3 specifies the CANopen interface for scales. This includes the process data and the mapping into PDOs as well as configuration parameters. Part 4 provides the device profile for weighing displays and indicators. It specifies the process data and configuration parameters. Additionally, it describes the PDO communication and mapping parameters.