EDDL enhancements

Enhancements relating to EDDL (Electronic Device Description Language)

Thanks to EDDL (Electronic Device Description Language), millions of field devices such as valve positioners, radar level transmitters, and bus diagnostics modules work together even if they are made by different manufacturers. PI (ProfiBus and ProfiNET International) welcomes the incorporation of the latest enhancements of the EDDL technology in the second edition of the IEC 61804-3 international standard.

These enhancements include the option for offline configuration with the standard parameter values suggested by the manufacturer in order to simplify and speed up device commissioning. Effective immediately, diagnostic messages and other texts can be displayed in many different languages – including Japanese and Chinese. Device diagnostics and setup information can be displayed in one easy to overview page, simplifying commissioning and maintenance.

Device-internal mechanisms prevent the displayed overviews or configuration wizards from becoming cluttered with irrelevant information, and thus wasting the valuable time of technicians. A further important innovation involves the illustrations: Explanations appearing in the graphics are now displayed in the language selected in each case, which greatly facilitates interpretation of the diagnostic and setup information by operating personnel.

EDDL was originally introduced in 1992. Its backwards compatibility has ensured against incompatibilities with installed devices and systems. And this also applies to the current enhancements. EDDL remains a compressed text file so that the advantage of being independent from the respective operation system still applies.

The new edition of EDDL brings immediate benefits to users, while representing an important step towards the Field Device Integration (FDI) project, since EDDL will be an integral component of the FDI technology.