Per CiA311, EDS files can be saved in XML format. One aspect of this standard is that it permits subdividing an object’s value into signals. Accordingly, a digital 8-bit input value can be described by 8 separate signals. In accessing a device it is possible to perform specific manipulations and display object values via signals, provided that they have been described in the EDS file.
Node-specific saving of databases improves organization:
Besides the existing global saving of databases, you can now also save them node-specifically. In node-specific saving, a separate CAN database is created for each node. It contains all messages that can be assigned to a node. This leads to considerably better organization, making it easier to select messages or signals.
CANopen