Troubleshooting ET200M IM153-1 PROFIBUS DP with OMRON CJ1W-PRM21

David Krause10 min read
ProfibusSiemensTroubleshooting
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1. System Overview

PROFIBUS DP networks routinely mix masters and slaves from different vendors. A common field configuration pairs an OMRON CJ1W-PRM21 PROFIBUS DP master (built on the Siemens ASPC2 ASIC) with SIMATIC ET 200M distributed I/O slaves, while also integrating Siemens PP17-I pushbutton panels and SIMODRIVE 611U drives on the same segment. The ASPC2 chipset used in the PRM21 is fully PROFIBUS-DP compliant and has been validated against SPC3-based slaves such as the IM 153-1AA03-0XB0.

Typical segment at the reported site:

Role Device Order Number GSD File ASIC
Master (Class 1) OMRON CJ1W-PRM21 CJ1W-PRM21 OMRON master config (CX-Profibus) Siemens ASPC2
Slave PP17-I pushbutton panel 6AV3 684-1AA00-0AX0 (typical) siem8065.gse V1.1 SPC3
Slave SIMODRIVE 611U 6SN1118-xAA00 (typical) si02808f.gsd V2.3 SPC3
Slave ET 200M IM 153-1 6ES7 153-1AA03-0XB0 siem801d.gsd V1.21 / V1.25 (DP) or si01801d.gse V1.6 (DPV1) SPC3

The PP17-I and SIMODRIVE 611U both go into data exchange. The ET 200M IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 remains in failure state. The reported front-panel diagnostic on the IM 153-1 lists:

  1. Configuration fault
  2. Station not ready
  3. Reparameterization requested

These three items are the standard PROFIBUS diagnostic bits Fault_1, Stat_Diag, and PRM_Diag. The combination points to a host/master configuration mismatch — not a hardware failure of the IM 153-1 itself.

Note. The IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 revision supports both DP (per IEC 61158 / EN 50170) and DPV1 (acyclic record read/write). The PRM21 master (Firmware 1.x/2.x) is a DPV0 master with limited DPV1 passthrough. If the master is set to expect a DPV1 slave and the GSD is the DPV1 variant, mismatched parameter telegrams will also produce the same configuration-fault pattern.

2. Problem Description

The IM 153-1 accepts parameter assignment, the BUSF (bus fault) LED on the IM 153-1 blinks red or is solid red, and the IM 153-1 does not enter the Data_Exchange state. The SM 321 (6ES7 321-1BL00-0AA0, 32 DI) signal-status LEDs never light in the running system because the host is in the failure state and is not being polled for I/O data.

Parameterization completes — the master writes its Set_Prm telegram to the slave — but the slave rejects the configuration. The PROFIBUS diagnostic telegram returned to the master contains PrmData error bits and the PRM_Diag flag, which is the cause of the reparameterization request and the configuration-fault diagnostic.

3. Root Cause Analysis

The IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 is a parameter-rich slave. The set of available GSD files for this single part number is the leading cause of mismatch faults. The relevant files are:

GSD File DP Profile User Prm Length Suitable for PRM21?
siem801d.gsd V1.21 DP (basic) Standard Recommended baseline
siem801d.gse V1.25 DP (extended user Prm) Extended (with diagnostic enable, isochronous bits, etc.) May fail if OMRON tool does not surface extended Prm slots
siem801d.gsg V1.25 (DE) DP (extended user Prm) Extended Same as .gse; language only differs
si01801d.gse V1.6 DPV1 DPV1 record structure Use only with DPV1 master
si01801d.gsg V1.6 (DE) DPV1 DPV1 record structure Use only with DPV1 master

Three independent causes must be ruled out in this order:

  1. GSD profile mismatch. Loading a DPV1 GSD (V1.6) into a DPV0-only master (PRM21) makes the master transmit a DPV1-formatted parameter telegram that the IM 153-1 either rejects or interprets as a different module layout.
  2. Extended user-parameter bytes. The V1.25 GSD exposes the User_Prm_Data byte at the slot level. If the CX-Profibus configuration tool does not pass those bytes through to the PRM21, the IM 153-1 sees a parameterization error and asserts Prm_Data fault.
  3. Slot/module mismatch. The IM 153-1 enumerates empty slots 1, 2, and 3 before the SM 321 in slot 4. If those empty slots are not declared as empty slots (slot 0 placeholder) in CX-Profibus, the slave will detect an unexpected module ID and raise CFG_Fault.

4. GSD File Selection Procedure

Follow this order when commissioning an IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 behind a PRM21 master:

  1. Open the official Siemens SIMATIC ET 200M product support page for order number 6ES7 153-1AA03-0XB0 and download the DP basic GSD (siem801d.gsd, file version V1.21 or V1.25, dated 06/2003 or later).
  2. Avoid the DPV1 GSD set (si01801d.gse/.gsg V1.6) unless the PRM21 firmware is upgraded to the DPV1-aware revision and CX-Profibus is configured for DPV1 parameterization.
  3. Place the GSD in the OMRON GSD library directory and re-index the catalogue in CX-Profibus. The vendor key (Siemens) and the model key (ET 200M IM 153-1) must be visible after re-indexing.
  4. Add the device to the bus at the configured PROFIBUS address (avoid duplicate addresses — the PRM21 will flag station failure on a duplicate address).
Tip. If the GSD revision is older than the IM 153-1 hardware revision, the slave returns a Prm_Fault with revision mismatch. Use the newest basic GSD that matches the firmware stamp on the front of the IM 153-1.

5. Hardware and Bus Check

Before touching the configuration tool, verify the physical layer of the segment because IM 153-1 configuration faults are sometimes caused by a slave that drops the bus long enough for the master to consider the slave to have failed parameterization.

Check Acceptable Value Action on Failure
Segment termination Active terminator ON at both ends only Enable terminating resistor on the PRM21 and the last slave; turn off on all middle slaves
Shield continuity 360° bonding at every connector Re-clamp PROFIBUS connector shields to the backshell, not to a pigtail
Baud rate / segment length 1.5 Mbps ≤ 200 m; 12 Mbps ≤ 100 m Reduce baud rate or shorten cable
PROFIBUS address Unique on the segment (1–125) Re-address any duplicate
IM 153-1 rotary switches Match software address Cycle power after a hardware-address change
24 V load supply at the IM 153-1 DC 24 V (20.4–28.8 V) per module spec Recheck the power module feeding the ET 200M backplane

6. CX-Profibus Slot Configuration

This is the most common failure path with a third-party master. The IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 occupies slots as follows when fitted with a single SM 321 (6ES7 321-1BL00-0AA0):

Slot Module Module ID (hex)
0 IM 153-1 (DP interface) 0x00 (implicit)
1 Empty placeholder 0x00 (per GSD)
2 Empty placeholder 0x00 (per GSD)
3 Empty placeholder 0x00 (per GSD)
4 SM 321 32 DI (6ES7 321-1BL00-0AA0) Per GSD module list (e.g. 0x10 / 0x20 series ID)

Step-by-step in CX-Profibus:

  1. Open the master project, right-click the IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 entry, and select Edit Slave Configuration.
  2. Insert three empty slot entries for slots 1, 2, and 3 before inserting the SM 321. Skipping the empty slots is the single most common cause of configuration fault on this hardware revision.
  3. Insert the SM 321 32 DI in slot 4, matching the exact order number (6ES7 321-1BL00-0AA0). Do not substitute a different order number — the module ID will not match the GSD entry.
  4. Open the Parameter Data tab. For the DP-basic GSD (V1.21), keep the default values. The diagnostic enable bit and watchdog-related parameters should be left at their default unless the application requires disabling them.
  5. If the V1.25 GSD is used, ensure that the User_Prm_Data octet is fully populated in the CX-Profibus editor. Most early versions of CX-Profibus do not surface the user-parameter bytes; in that case drop back to V1.21.
  6. Download the configuration to the PRM21. Cycle power on the IM 153-1 to force re-parameterization.

7. LED Diagnostics on the IM 153-1

Use the front-panel LEDs of the IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 to confirm whether the slave is in parameterization failure or in steady data exchange:

SF (red) BF (red) ON (green) State Action
OFF OFF ON Data exchange OK None
ON OFF ON Slave diagnostic pending (e.g. wire-break on a DI) Read the diagnostic buffer via the master or STEP 7
OFF Flashing ON Parameterization error — slave rejected Set_Prm Check GSD version, slot layout, and user-parameter bytes
OFF Solid ON ON No bus communication / address conflict / wiring break Check bus termination, baud rate, PROFIBUS address, cable
OFF Flashing OFF No 24 V supply to the IM 153-1 or firmware in startup Verify 24 V at the backplane and allow full boot
Flashing Flashing Flashing Firmware update in progress Do not power cycle
Note. The reported diagnostic items — configuration fault, station not ready, reparameterization requested — are reflected in the Standard Diagnostic Byte 1 / Byte 2 / Byte 3 of the PROFIBUS diagnostic telegram, not in the LED pattern alone. Always read the diagnostic buffer through the master to confirm.

8. Verification Procedure

After the new GSD and slot layout are downloaded, run the following checks in order:

  1. Inspect the IM 153-1 LEDs: SF OFF, BF OFF, ON green — confirms the slave is in data exchange.
  2. In CX-Profibus, monitor the bus and confirm the IM 153-1 shows Data_Exchange state (not Fault or Wait_Prm).
  3. Force a digital input on the SM 321 and confirm the corresponding input word in the PRM21 input area updates. The default mapping for a 32 DI module in slot 4 is 4 input bytes at the I/O address assigned by the master configuration.
  4. Disconnect the bus connector from the IM 153-1; the PRM21 should report station failure for that address within the configured watchdog time (default 10 s). Re-connect and confirm automatic recovery.
  5. Cycle the IM 153-1 power; the master should automatically re-parameterize the slave on next scan.

9. Field-Commissioning Notes for Mixed PROFIBUS Segments

  • GSD stacking. Do not load two GSD files that resolve to the same order number. The catalogue indexer can pick either one when CX-Profibus re-indexes and the result is intermittent. The Siemens product support entry for the IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 lists both the DP and DPV1 GSDs in a single folder — keep the folder, but install only the variant you intend to use.
  • Reserved PROFIBUS addresses. OMRON reserves address 0 for the master (PRM21). Slave addresses must be in 1–125. Do not set address 0 on the IM 153-1 rotary switch — the slave will be silent and the master will report no response.
  • Watchdog. Keep the PROFIBUS watchdog enabled in the master. A slave that drops off-bus is detected within the watchdog window. The IM 153-1 stores the watchdog setting passed by the master; mismatches trigger the PRM_Diag flag.
  • Address change on the fly. PROFIBUS address changes on the IM 153-1 take effect only after a power cycle. The slave does not re-enter the bus after a switch change without a reset.
  • Identifying the ASIC at the master. The OMRON CJ1W-PRM21 module ID and revision are visible in CX-Profibus. If revision is below 2.0, certain DPV1 acyclic records are not supported. The DP basic GSD (V1.21) is the safest baseline.
  • EMERGENCY STOP and Failsafe. The IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 (standard) does not handle PROFIsafe. For fail-safe I/O, replace the IM 153-1 with the IM 153-2 (6ES7 153-2BA00-0XB0 or later) and use the F-GSD. Mixing F-GSDs in a DPV0 segment will produce the same configuration-fault pattern documented here.

10. Quick-Reference Checklist

  • [ ] Use the DP basic GSD (siem801d.gsd V1.21) for the IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 when the master is a PRM21.
  • [ ] Reserve the DPV1 GSD (si01801d.gse V1.6) for DPV1-capable masters only.
  • [ ] Declare slots 1, 2, 3 as empty slot placeholders before the SM 321 in slot 4.
  • [ ] Match the module order number exactly when adding the SM 321.
  • [ ] Confirm the PROFIBUS address is unique on the segment and is in the 1–125 range.
  • [ ] Confirm bus termination is active at the two physical ends only.
  • [ ] Verify 24 V load supply to the IM 153-1 backplane.
  • [ ] Verify the SF/BF/ON LED pattern after download.
  • [ ] Force an input and confirm the input area in the PRM21 updates.

11. Frequently Asked Questions

Which GSD file is correct for the IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 behind an OMRON CJ1W-PRM21?

Use the DP basic GSD siem801d.gsd at file version V1.21 (or V1.25 if CX-Profibus surfaces the User_Prm_Data bytes). Avoid the DPV1 GSD si01801d.gse V1.6 unless the PRM21 firmware is upgraded to a DPV1-aware revision and CX-Profibus is configured for DPV1 parameterization.

What does "configuration fault, station not ready, reparameterization requested" on the IM 153-1 mean?

It is the PROFIBUS standard diagnostic set CFG_Fault, Stat_Diag, and PRM_Diag. The slave rejected the master's Set_Prm telegram — typical causes are wrong GSD revision, missing empty-slot placeholders, or mismatched module order numbers in slots.

How many empty slots must be declared before the SM 321 in an IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 with one module?

Three empty slot placeholders (slots 1, 2, 3) followed by the SM 321 in slot 4. The IM 153-1 enumerates the backplane from slot 0 (itself); skipping the empty slots is the most common cause of configuration fault in mixed-vendor DP networks.

Is the IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 PROFIsafe-capable?

No. The IM 153-1AA03-0XB0 is a standard DP interface module. For PROFIsafe, replace it with the IM 153-2 (for example 6ES7 153-2BA00-0XB0) and install the F-GSD.

Can the ASPC2 master in the CJ1W-PRM21 talk to the SPC3 slave in the IM 153-1AA03-0XB0?

Yes. Both ASPC2 and SPC3 are Siemens PROFIBUS ASICs and are interoperable at the DP protocol level. The fault seen in the field is configuration-layer, not physical-layer — the master and slave speak the same protocol, but the master's configuration tool has not yet produced a configuration string that the slave accepts.

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