HART Communication Foundation Supports Latest Enhancements to Electronic Device Description Language Standard
EDDL is key industry standard for integrating intelligent devices with automation systems
Austin, Texas (10 March 2011)—The HART® Communication Foundation (www.hartcomm.org) announces support for the latest enhancements to Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) incorporated in the second edition of the International Electrotechnical Commission’s IEC 61804-3 standard. EDDL is the key industry standard for integrating real-time diagnostic and asset management information from millions of intelligent field devices for optimum data and device interoperability with automation systems.
“The latest improvements to the EDDL standard benefit users throughout the process automation industry. Devices continue to get more sophisticated and EDDL makes them easier to use, transforming data into information so users can take full advantage of intelligent instrumentation,” says Ron Helson, HART Communication Foundation Executive Director. “The EDDL standard delivers unparalleled ease of use, stability and backward compatibility for industrial automation – ensuring that existing DDs are protected and users have a continuous forward migration path with no investment loss.”
Recent improvements to the EDDL standard enhance the integration of intelligent devices with automation systems, specifically:
- support for offline configuration with default parameter values suggested by the device manufacturer to simplify and speed device commissioning;
- support for Unicode character sets, enabling parameter labels, diagnostics, and device manufacturer expert help text to be displayed in many different languages including Chinese, Japanese, Russian, etc.;
- ability to display all device diagnostics and setup information with rich user friendly graphics for easier and faster completion of commissioning and maintenance tasks;
- new capabilities to support the display of illustrations based in user preferred language, such as images with explaining text to convey know-how from the manufacturer for help in the interpretation of advanced diagnostics, guide setup and for troubleshooting.
A key element of the HART Communication Protocol since 1990, EDDL is the HART standard and the only technology endorsed by the HART Communication Foundation for configuration, set-up, maintenance and support of HART-enabled devices. With these new enhancements: the EDDL standard remains backward compatible and stable for the long life cycle needs of industrial automation; installed devices and systems remain compatible; EDDL files load and perform on systems in the same way; and updates continue without the problems of executable software.
EDDL is a text-based language standard to describe the unique characteristics of intelligent field devices for integration with systems. The HART Communication Protocol was the first to implement EDDL, enabling suppliers to define their products in a single, open and consistent format readable by the multitude of host applications required by industry including handheld communicators, control systems, PCs and other process interface devices.
To learn more about EDDL, go to www.eddl.org or visit www.hartcomm.org.
The HART Communication Foundation is an independent, not-for-profit membership organization that provides global support for the application of HART technology. The Foundation is the technology owner, standards setting body and central authority on the HART Communication Protocol, establishing and controlling new technology developments and enhancements that support the needs of the process automation industry. Founded in 1993, Foundation membership includes more than 245 companies worldwide. The HART Protocol is the leading communication technology for smart process instruments with more than 30 million devices installed worldwide.
HART® and WirelessHART® are trademarks of the HART Communication Foundation