Trends in Level Measurement Technology
One software standard
to configure them all
By James Powell, P.Eng.
The search for one software package to configure all field
instruments has seemed like the quest for the Holy Grail, but
enhanced EDDL technology suggests the prize may yet be won
B
ack in 1990, the HART
Communication Foundation
(HCF) adopted the use of a text-
based language called Electronic Device
Description Language (EDDL) to
describe the parameters of field instru-
ments, interactions between parame-
ters, and how to communicate parame-
ters to the field instruments via the
communication channel.
This worked very well and met the
needs of simple field instruments. It
also had the big advantage of being
independent of operating systems.
During the next 15 years, the complex-
ity and intelligence of field instru-
ments grew and so did the various soft-
ware packages that were used to pro-
gram them. EDDL, however, remained
pretty much the same. This meant that
each software vendor had to add to the
language to meets his expanded needs. The new enhanced EDDL international software standard will make it easy for this
It also meant that each configuration technician to configure process instruments from any supplier.
software package had to have its own
Device Description. Foundation got together to standardize this new language. The new enhanced
At the same time, the number of EDDL and expand it so that one stan- EDDL will open up the world of
fieldbuses grew from one to three — dard could meet everyone’s needs. automation by offering:
HART was joined by PROFIBUS PA and They also worked on getting this made
Foundation Fieldbus. Each of these into an IEC standard which is an inter- ■ New and improved functions such
protocols used EDDL and modified it nationally recognized standard. as graphics
slightly for its needs. Now EDDL is an IEC standard (IEC ■ Full backward compatibility to the
More recently, there has been an 61804-2), and end users will soon start first version of EDDL so that it will
amazing breakthrough! The HART to see the benefits of all this work. In be able to configure any existing
Communications Foundation, PROFIBUS early 2006, configuration software HART field device (HART has a huge
International, and the Fieldbus such as SIMATIC PDM will start using installed base)
© 2005 Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc. www.siemens.com/processinstrumentation 1
Trends in Level Measurement Technology
started to position FDT as a comple-
mentary technology to EDDL.
More than 15 million HART,
PROFIBUS and Foundation Fieldbus
installed field devices are based on the
EDDL specification. This makes EDDL
technology the most common integra-
tion method used in automation sys-
tems.
Recently, the future of EDDL tech-
nology was assured when the OPC
Foundation joined HCF, Fieldbus
Foundation, and PROFIBUS
International to form a steering com-
mittee for further EDDL development.
OPC is Object Linking and Embedding
for Process Control and is the preferred
technology by many software vendors
for Human Machine Interfaces (HMI) to
connect to industrial systems. With
This setup screen is an example of the graphical wizards that can now be incorporated OPC membership on the steering com-
into a Device Description (DD), making for more user-friendly configuration. mittee, EDDL technology will be
extended up to the systems level.
■ Expanded functions that meet the (DTM). These were proposed by a work- Finally, we have an open interna-
needs of new instruments, whether ing group of PROFIBUS International. tional software standard that can be
HART, PROFIBUS PA, or Foundation FDT/DTM is not an international stan- used to configure all process instru-
Fieldbus protocols dard, there are few devices supported, ments. This is the standard for the
■ One Device Descriptor that will work and it is very dependent on the future. ■
in all configuration software Windows ActiveX controls platform;
however, at the time proposed, DTM
EDDL can now meet the needs of did address the shortcomings of EDDL
today’s complex field instruments. It and contained some great ideas. Most James Powell, P.Eng, is Product Manager,
works independently of the operating of these great ideas have now been Communications Systems, with Siemens
system to ensure long life. It is the only included in the EDDL standard. EDDL Milltronics Process Instruments Inc.
international standard for configuring can now do pretty much everything
field instruments. DTM can do, but it is independent of Hart is a registered trademark of HART
The recent expansion of EDDL the operating system and there’s a Communication Foundation. PROFIBUS is a
addressed some shortcomings that, for huge installed base. Now, one has to registered trademark of Profibus International.
awhile, had some people looking at wonder the value of continuing with SIMATIC is a registered trademark of Siemens
alternative approaches like Field Device using DTM technology for field devices. AG. Windows and ActiveX are registered
Tool (FDT) and Device Type Manager In fact, the FDT organization has now trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
© 2005 Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc. www.siemens.com/processinstrumentation 7ML 1996-5GG03 Printed in Canada
