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With the introduction of digital field devices, manufactures of control systems and asset management applications were faced with the challenge of how to access and display information in devices that were produced by different automation suppliers. Over the years, a number of approaches have been developed including an international standard, IEC 1804-3.
Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) is a universal interface to diagnostic, real-time and asset management information contained in what is currently a growing installed base of more than 20 million field instruments from a host of manufacturers. With EDDL, you can calibrate instruments, diagnose problems, see data from these digital field devices on many types of displays, identify process alarms, and use this wealth of information on process control system hosts, like the DeltaV system.
EDDL - Enables Interoperability
This standard language is supported by virtually every automation system supplier worldwide, and the information it describes is available in any HART Communication-, FOUNDATION fieldbus-, or Profibus-based instrument made since 1990. In fact, ALL registered HART and FOUNDATION fieldbus instruments have EDD files.
EDDL is a tokenized text file, not software code, and hence independent from the operating system. Unlike device driver software, it is not executable code. This makes systems based on EDDL easy to setup and easy to manage and maintain. Once an EDD has been written for a particular revision of a device, it NEVER has to be re-written to accomodate upgrades in operating systems, host systems or maintenance tools. It is FOREVER compatible with all future versions of operating systems, hosts and tools.
EDDL is secure, robust, and applicable to not only process control system hosts, but also portable tools, such as handheld communicators, calibrators, and other non-Windows applications.
EDDL and DeltaV
Foundation fieldbus devices convey what kind of function blocks and where they are located via EDD files. The DeltaV system reads these EDD files to fully understand the capabilities of these function blocks and how they can be used in DeltaV control strategies, displays, and served to other applications.
Because the EDD files are read rather than executed, there are no procedure calls to other supplier-developed drivers or revision management issues that process manufacturers must manage over time. The DeltaV system simply reads the EDD file to understand the capabilities of the device and where the information can be accessed.
Emerson technologists perform extensive interoperability testing with other suppliers' FOUNDATION fieldbus devices. These devices are stress tested and files of those products completing the testing are available for download.
For new devices not yet available in the device download area, visit the Fieldbus Foundation's registered products page to access the files. There you can then download the EDD files and use the DeltaV Device Add utility as explained in Books Online.
Additionally, AMS Intelligent Device Manager software reads these EDD files to discover the information in the transducer and resource blocks used for calibration and device diagnostics.
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