Automation vendors to demonstrate EDDL

Several automation vendors are demonstrating EDDL functionality in their automation systems and for their devices at the ISA104 standards committee's booth at ISA Expo in Houston, Texas.

Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) functionality is to be demonstrated on automation systems made by ABB, Emerson, Invensys, and Siemens interoperating with devices from Emerson, Endress and Hauser, Foxboro Eckardt, Metso, MTL, Samson, and Siemens.

The information displayed on the systems is controlled by the device vendors, yet devices from different vendors will appear consistent on the same system.

Device types include simple transmitters, but the focus this year is on complex devices such as variable speed drives, control valve positioners, and bus diagnostics.

The EDDL standard (IEC 61804-3) was created to support rich user interfaces for advanced diagnostics and sophisticated setup for multiple protocols.

Also new this year is a demonstration of the use of EDDL technology coupled with the Wirelesshart communications protocol, demonstrating its use in an easy to load and license key-free format.

This demonstration of EDDL represents a broad commitment of automation suppliers to the support of EDDL technology and expanded user benefits in the use and diagnostics of field devices.

EDDL functionality to date was typically demonstrated via hand-held devices or in standalone instrument diagnostic software.

By further integrating EDDL technology into automation systems, automation vendors are increasing the effectiveness of the device diagnostics in operations and maintenance by also making it accessible from operator consoles.

As a text-based standard, EDDL files are independent of operating systems and thus not made obsolete by operating system upgrades.

EDDL enhancements have acceptance and commitment among automation suppliers to its use, further development, product innovation, and deployment as the technology of choice for integrating intelligent field devices.

The EDDL technology demonstrated on the automation systems is the enhanced EDDL technology, which includes the ability to: display images to simplify setup and diagnostic; display waveforms like radar echo curve for setup and valve hysteresis curves for diagnostics; display and use menu functionality for more intuitive operation; simplify calibration efforts with wizards; communicate via Foundation fieldbus, Hart, or Profibus; tap into device manufacturer know-how through context sensitive help.

Standardisation ensures access to full functionality of a device for easier adoption regardless of automation system choice.

EDDL supports the complete life-cycle from configuration and commissioning, to operations and maintenance.

EDDL is also used for automatic configuration of OPC servers to make device data accessible to a variety of software applications.

The ISA104 standards committee, EDDL, continues its efforts to provide education and information on the international standard, IEC 61804-3.

This standard has been adopted by ISA/ANSI for use with Hart, Profibus, and Foundation fieldbus.

Rigorous independent testing of the EDDL file as part of the device registration process ensures interoperability amongst automation system and devices from many different manufacturers.

Integration of new devices or software versions can now be accomplished without new software installation, file overwriting or license management.

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