FDI spec. & developer tools now available!

The Fieldbus Foundation has announced first public release of FDI Cooperation, LLC's Field Device Integration (FDI) specification and a demo of the FDI developer toolkits, both of which will make it possible for automation suppliers to prepare for developing products and host systems compatible with FDI.

The Fieldbus Foundation is one of the founding members of FDI Cooperation, LLC.

At the core of the FDI specification is the FDI Device Package that includes everything a host system needs to integrate an intelligent device. With FDI, a single FDI Device Package that can scale according to the complexities and requirements of each device represents individual instruments.

Each FDI Device Package contains a mandatory Device Description (EDD), providing parameter definitions, structure for the parameters for context-specific views, and automated work processes for device procedures such as calibration. FDI Device Packages may also incorporate User Interface Plug-Ins, software components that support advanced device setup and diagnostic functions. Additionally, product manuals, documentation, images, electronic certifications and other attachments may be delivered in the FDI Device Package.

FDI Device Packages make it easier for automation suppliers to develop and integrate intelligent devices because they only need to create a single, unified FDI Device Package for each intelligent device that can work with all host systems and tools, reducing overall development costs while preserving and expanding existing functionality. Users will also find it easier to manage information from intelligent devices with a single device package, instead of juggling different technologies and investing significant capital in custom integration efforts to connect multiple technology platforms.

With the release of the FDI specification, FDI Cooperation demonstrated a preview edition of the common cross protocol Integrated Development Environment (IDE), which will help device manufacturers create FDI Device Packages for FOUNDATION^™ fieldbus, HART and Profibus devices. The purpose of standard developer tools is to ensure that automation suppliers can develop high-quality, reliable FDI-based solutions in a consistent manner. A standard set of developer tools significantly reduces development costs and speeds time to market for both device developers and system developers.

The IDE will include a reference host that allows device developers to execute and test FDI Device Package against a standard implementation to ensure product quality.

The demo of the developer tools was based on the protocol-independent FDI Common Host Components. Host system manufacturers implement FDI Common Host Components for device management tools, asset management tools, and process automation systems. FDI Common Host Components allow for rapid development and ensure FDI Device Packages behave consistently across different systems. FDI Host Components fully support legacy EDD libraries to protect end user investments.

The live demonstration at the NAMUR Annual General Meeting showed FDI functionality in field devices from six different suppliers, all of which are integrated with the help of FDI device packages within a process control system. The demonstration, organized and constructed by Siemens, included typical use cases, such as parameter assignment, configuration, diagnostics, functional testing, and maintenance. This was the first time a commercial system based on common components was applied to interpret FDI device packages. 

As part of the release, which coincided with the NAMUR annual meeting, the FDI specification and the latest Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) specifications were handed over to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) for the next important phase—the Committee Draft for Vote—in the international standardization process. FDI will be included in the emerging standard IEC 62769.

New IEC technical report is good news for automation end users

The Fieldbus Foundation is supporting a new International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) report that provides guidance to end users for selecting an industry-standard device integration technology encompassing all host systems, field instruments and device protocols.

The new technical report, IEC 61804-6 Ed 1: Function blocks (FB) for process control – Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) – Part 6: Meeting the requirements for integrating fieldbus devices in engineering tools for field devices, explains the requirements for field device integration and how they are met using the EDDL standard (IEC 61804-3). (Dab hands at the simple easy to remember titles are our IEC!)

EDDL is a universal, proven and state-of-the-art method for accessing diagnostic, real-time and asset management information contained in more than 20 million field devices from the world's leading instrumentation manufacturers. EDDL has the power to integrate field devices for optimal control strategies and consistent Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs) across different platforms. The technology extends interoperability to the HMI and diagnostic data levels with improved visualization and graphical capabilities.

The IEC report is based on the recommendations of NAMUR, an international end user association of automation technology in the process industries. The NAMUR NE105 specification was published in 2004 to clearly define requirements for device integration technologies enabling a mixture of sophisticated device types—based on different protocols—from multiple manufacturers, and keeping control systems up to date with new versions of these devices. Device integration technology impacts both the ease of use for devices and system administration.

The Fieldbus Foundation's global marketing manager, Larry O'Brien, said, "This report is good news for automation end users because it illustrates how EDDL can satisfy key requirements for integrating the large amount of data provided by today's fieldbus devices with the applications that must turn that data into useful information–not just FOUNDATION fieldbus devices, but all devices that rely on EDDL technology.
"NAMUR writes excellent recommendation documents, and NE105 provides a very effective outline of how information from multiple intelligent devices should be integrated in a process plant. BIS, one of the leading industrial services suppliers in the world, conducted extensive research to match the functionality of EDDL with the NAMUR NE105 end user requirements. To get this report admitted as part of the IEC 61804-6 standard is beneficial because users now have a roadmap for implementing EDDL-based technologies in accordance with NAMUR NE105 recommendations."

As a standard that is totally independent of computer operating systems, EDDL protects investments in control systems and devices by ensuring obsolescence cycles are not shortened by new Microsoft Windows™ versions. Future devices with EDDL files can be commissioned without upgrading Windows. Likewise, a new version of Windows does not require updated drivers in existing devices; new device management software can be installed while still supporting the older equipment. EDDL also avoids version conflicts with system software, since EDDL files do not require software installation for loading and are non-executable.

EDDL allows operators to receive detailed information about failures of critical devices so that action can be taken before the process is affected. Additionally, EDDL files are organized according to device type and version, enabling the system to automatically find the right file for the device without manual binding. Keeping control systems up to date with EDDL is easy since EDDL files are copied documents, not installed software. The process is the same for all devices regardless of protocol, manufacturer, or type. Updates are guided by a wizard and done once—in a central location—for all workstations in the system.

EDDL graphics are rendered the same for all devices regardless of protocol, device type or manufacturer, thus ensuring a consistent look and feel for device configuration and diagnostics. This is key to the technology's ease of use. A standard dictionary also ensures consistent terminology, and device-specific functions such as advanced diagnostics are integrated with the same user interface as the standard overview.

Because device management software can use EDDL files without special programming, it can maintain an audit trail and keep the configuration database synchronized for all devices. Since graphics are rendered, the parameter status is consistently indicated for all devices. Audit trail and configuration can also be exported and printed for all devices.

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.

EDDL enhancements supported

HART Communication Foundation supports latest enhancements to Electronic Device Description Language  Standard

The HART® Communication Foundation has announced that supports 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.

EDDL/DDL host test suite

The HART Communication Foundation has released the new enhanced HART EDDL/DDL (Electronic Device Description Language) Host Test Suite. The test suite is used by suppliers and developers of host products to test compliance of their implementation and is used by the Foundation to verify and validate compliance of host products submitted for HART Registration.

The new HART EDDL/DDL Host Test Suite is one of the most extensive and rigorous host test programs in the process industry using 950 automated test cases and 8300 individual verification points.

“Everyday users rely on HART technology’s promise of interoperability to harness the power of continuous communications among new and existing HART devices,” says Ed Ladd, HART Communication Foundation Director of Technology Programs. “To meet user expectation, the new test suite automates and standardizes the host testing process to verify proper functionality, behavior and interoperability with all HART products.”

The EDDL/DDL Host Test Suite includes Test Libraries, Specifications and adaptable Device Simulator to stimulate and verify proper host functionality and behavior for all HART protocol versions. The Test Suite extensively exercises the host product application to verify compliant operation and functioning with respect to DDL/EDDL Operation, User Interface, Data Modeling and Method execution.

Building on the efforts of the EDDL Cooperation Team (HART Communication Foundation, Fieldbus Foundation, OPC and PROFIBUS Nutzer-organisation) and the HART DDL Working Group, realization of the test suite enhancements was a major undertaking that required many man years of cooperative effort by Foundation staff and multi-company volunteers.

Products submitted for HART registration are tested by the Foundation to independently verify test results and validate that device and data meet HART Protocol requirements. The HART Registration Program is a quality assurance program to ensure interoperability of products produced to the HART Standard regardless of the manufacturer.

FDI

Accelerated deployment of Field Device Integration accepted

Foundation joins other industry leaders in recent expansion of EDDL Cooperation Team into new FDI Cooperation

The HART® Communication Foundation announces its support of accelerating the deployment of the Field Device Integration (FDI) technology by enlarging the scope of the EDDL Cooperation Team into the new FDI Cooperation. The FDI Cooperation supports a uniform device integration solution for process industries across all control and host systems, devices and field device communication protocols as requested by end users around the world.

The new cooperation initially consists of major technology trade organizations, FDT Group, Fieldbus Foundation, HART Communication Foundation, OPC Foundation and PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation, and control equipment supplier companies, ABB, Emerson, Endress+Hauser, Honeywell, Invensys, Siemens, and Yokogawa. The addition of these supplier companies, who have agreed to support FDI solutions in their systems and products, will provide valuable resources for the completion of this project.

“The Foundation fully supports the development of a unified device integration solution. Not only are we working towards fulfilling the requirements of our global users but we are also simplifying the development and support requirements for suppliers,” says HART Communication Foundation Executive Director Ron Helson. “Simplifying the integration of a variety of devices manufactured by different suppliers into multiple control and asset management systems is our common goal.”

In addition to the finalization of the FDI specification, which is scheduled for mid 2010, the scope of the enlarged FDI Cooperation is to cover common design and test tools, common binary format and interpreter across the protocols of HART, FF and PROFIBUS.

The FDI project was initially kicked-off at the 2007 Hanover Fair at which time ECT welcomed FDT Group with the primary objective of harmonizing EDDL and FDT/DTM technologies. Since then, the project has carefully shaped the technology direction for the converged FDI solution.