30 September 2009

EXPO will demonstrate device interoperability technology

Device manufacturers use EDDL to control what information shows up on the systems’ screens and devices from different vendors appear consistent thanks to standardization.

The Fieldbus Foundation (FF), HART Communication Foundation (HCF), PROFIBUS, and the OPC Foundation, along with major automation vendors, are demonstrating EDDL solutions for devices and automation systems at the ISA104 display in Booth #1117 at ISA EXPO 2009, 6-8 October in Houston.

EDDL functionality is being demonstrated with a range of devices from Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Foxboro Eckardt, ISE-Magtech, Ohmart/VEGA, Metso, Microcyber, MTL, Pepperl+Fuchs, Samson, and Siemens.

These devices will be communicating via HART, FOUNDATION fieldbus, PROFIBUS, and WirelessHART protocols.

The OPC Foundation is also demonstrating how EDDL works with its technology.

Device types on display include simple pressure and temperature transmitters, complex devices such as variable speed drives, level transmitters (radar and magnetostrictive), current to fieldbus converter, control valve positioners, and bus diagnostics.

The EDDL standard (IEC 61804-3) was created to support rich user interfaces for advanced diagnostics and sophisticated setup for multiple protocols in an easy to load and license key free format.

The EDDL technology demonstrated on the automation systems is the enhanced EDDL technology, which includes the ability to:

• Display illustrations to simplify setup and diagnostic
• Display multiple waveforms like radar echo curve for setup and valve hysteresis curves for diagnostics as well as multi-pen trend charts
• Display and use menu functionality for more intuitive operation
• Simplify calibration procedures with wizards
• Communicate via Foundation fieldbus, HART, PROFIBUS, or WirelessHART
• Tap into device manufacturer expertise through context sensitive help
• Handheld field communicator 
• Easy migration from traditional DD

For expanded coverage of this and sister technologies, go to www.isa.org/intech/20090902.

For related information, go to www.isa.org/networks.