Product category:
Fieldbus systems, Fibre-optic systems
News Release from: Fieldbus Foundation
Edited by the Processingtalk Editorial
Team on 16 February 2005
EDD to be extended into OPC architecture
The OPC Foundation joins an industry cooperation project: EDD and unified architecture open data exchange specifications are planned to benefit suppliers and users
The Fieldbus Foundation today announced that the OPC Foundation (OPCF) has joined the international cooperative team of the three leading fieldbus organizations, the Fieldbus Foundation (FF), HART Communication Foundation (HCF) and PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e.V (PNO), to extend the reach of Electronic Device Descriptions (EDDs) into the OPCF Unified Architecture
This article was originally published on Processingtalk on 18 Nov 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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The joint working group developed extensions enabling robust organization and graphical visualisation of device data, and providing support for persistent data storage, while maintaining operating system (OS) and platform independence.
The extensions will be integrated within the respective control network technologies and added to the IEC 61804-2 standard upon completion.
Following its successful Phase 1 collaboration, the joint working group has begun efforts to further extend the open and interoperable EDD standard for delivery of extensive device, control configuration and diagnostic data to the OPCF Unified Architecture.
According to ARC Advisory Group Analyst Larry O'Brien, the automation community has long speculated on the role that OPC would play in the context of Foundation fieldbus.
"The inclusion of EDD in the OPC framework is a smart move that will enhance interoperability significantly at the system and enterprise level in a truly open fashion that is independent of any operating system architecture," said O'Brien.
"EDD also provides OPC with a technology that is an accepted part of the IEC fieldbus standard and is already embedded in millions of FOUNDATION fieldbus, HART, and Profibus devices and systems that are installed in the field and running today." Fieldbus Foundation President and CEO Richard Timoney said, "Phase 2 of this agreement will continue to enhance the delivery of critical data from the device, and provide a standard and consistent structure for data transport within the OPCF Unified Architecture.
The overall effect will be a vastly simplified approach for users to access and distribute performance measurements and process data such as alarms.
Users will also take advantage of increased system interoperability and cost-effective control system integration." According to Tom Burke, OPCF president, users will benefit most from the interoperability of the OPCF Unified Architecture.
"This is the beauty of working with standards like OPC and EDDL.
Users can take advantage of open systems, but be assured of connectivity and interoperability among these systems," said Burke.
"Without this standards-based approach, the industry would have to create a community of software developers to support all the different systems, each with a unique set of software drivers and the associated revision management issues that are part and parcel of operating system changes.".
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