Why should you chose EDDL

With the new enhancements in IEC 61804-3, EDDL is far easier to use than the earlier "DD" from 1992. Moreover, a system based on EDDL is easier to manage than a system based on other device integration technologies.

Easier Calibration

Calibration trim has been easy on systems support EDDL Wizards (known as "Methods" in IEC 61804-3 terminology). The problem was that initially not all device management software supported the interpretation of these method scripts and therefore users of some control systems could not benefit from this ease of use. However, now most device management software support methods and it methods are now mandatory for FOUNDATION fieldbus along with the enhancements.

The Wizard methods take the technician step-by-step through the calibration procedure, using interactive prompts instructing the technician. This ensures steps are not missed and thus that calibration is done properly. Moreover, a better menu system makes it easier and more intuitive to navigate to the calibration methods in order to trim the sensor.

Handheld Field Communicator Laptop	Laptop

Usually calibration is done in the field or possibly on a bench in the workshop using a light-weight but rugged handheld communicator designed for field use. However, the Wizards work just as well on Microsoft Windows as on embedded operating systems so if you want to do calibration using a laptop in the field to enjoy the full-color graphics, then that is of course also possible.

Only EDDL gives you the option to pick the best tool to get the job done allowing time to be saved during calibration.

Fieldbus Configuration

To build a control strategy using FOUNDATION fieldbus function blocks the control system engineering tool needs to know what function blocks are available in the associated devices, plus what input and output parameters those function blocks have. This sort of information is only provided to the control system engineering tool using the EDDL file for the device. That is, to build a control strategy using FOUNDATION fieldbus function blocks (IEC 61804-2) it is necessary for the control system engineering tool to use EDDL (IEC 61804-3). In other words, the system must either be based on only EDDL, or EDDL plus another technology. It cannot be based on just another technology without EDDL. Clearly a system using only one technology and only one set of device integration files is easier to manage than a solution based on two technologies.

A system based on EDDL is easier to use and to manage.

Easier Field Work

Remote diagnostics from the control room is ideal to verify if a process upset is due to a process problem or a device problem. However, if the problem is a genuine device fault, it is necessary to go into the field to fix the problem, either by calibration, repair, or replacement. For example, when zeroing a pressure transmitter it is necessary to be in the field to isolate, equalize, and vent the manifold. To stroke a valve you want to be in the field to physically see the stem moving fully to both opened and closed and not getting jammed in between resulting in false calibration. In these and other use cases it is inconvenient to radio back to the control room and bother others to trim and stroke etc. The most efficient way for the technician to get the work done quickly is to do it himself without having to rely on others all the time. The field environment is often harsh including high and low temperature, humidity, water or sea spray, shocks and knocks, and possibly flammable gas. A notebook PC, even ruggedized tablet, may not be suitable for this environment. Most importantly, they are too heavy to carry around or hold with one hand, and battery does not last. A light-weight handheld communicator based on EDDL is the best tool for field work.

Modern field communicators support the graphical enhancements to EDDL and are therefore possible to use also with sophisticated device, including diagnosing them.

No other technology provides access to the mix of devices in a plant using a handheld field communicator. Picking the right tool ultimately saves time, also by reducing the number of persons involved.

Easier Device Setup

The original "DD" technology from 1992 did not support graphics. It was therefore not suitable for setup of sophisticated devices such as radar level transmitters and variable speed drives. However, this was solved by the enhancements incorporated into IEC 61804-3 EDDL. First of all, a better menu system makes it easier and more intuitive to navigate to the setup parameters in order to configure the device. Once in the setup menu, EDDL now provides images to illustrate the explanation of the parameters and options.

EDDL enables presentation of waveforms such as the radar echo curve familiar from the setup of radar level transmitters. It should be noted that the tools for zooming and panning graphs and charts work the same way regardless of device type, vendors, or protocol. This level of consistency of look and feel is not ensured by other technologies.

Setup of sophisticated devices is simplified using wizards (methods) guiding the technician step-by-step as explained for calibration trim. A major benefit of wizards is that they eliminate options which are not applicable based on prior selections. For example, the low-flow cutoff point is only displayed if square root transfer function has been selected in the previous step. Moreover, important parameters are not missed as technician cannot proceed before settings have been done.

Large data sets such as strapping tables can be edited in Excel-like tables

Thus EDDL provides a quantum leap in improved user friendliness over the original DD, and does so while still enabling use of handheld field communicator and ensuring much greater consistency of look and feel between devices of different type, from different vendors, and using different protocols. EDDL saves time by reducing mistakes and the need to do it over.

Easier Device Diagnostics

Lack of graphics also meant that the original "DD" technology from 1992 was not suitable for diagnostics of sophisticated devices such as machinery health transmitters and "simple" devices having sophisticated diagnostics such as plugged impulse line detection. The enhancements incorporated into IEC 61804-3 EDDL solved this. For a start, a better menu system makes it easier and more intuitive to navigate to the diagnostics information in order to troubleshoot the device. Once in the diagnostics menu, EDDL now provides images to illustrate the fault and where to troubleshoot.

EDDL enables presentation of waveforms such as the vibration spectrum from pump, motor, and coupling to be visualized. It should be noted that the tools for zooming and panning graphs and charts work the same way regardless of device type, vendors, or protocol. This level of consistency of look and feel is not ensured by other technologies.

Wizards (methods) thus simplify troubleshooting of sophisticated devices, guiding the technician step-by-step as explained for calibration trim. Thus EDDL provides a quantum leap in improved user friendliness over the original DD, and does so while still enabling use of handheld field communicator and ensuring much greater consistency of look and feel between devices of different type, from different vendors, and using different protocols.

The device manufacturers build in their device know-how in the EDDL file in the form of help text to guide the technician in the troubleshooting effort using actionable information in the context of the fault.

EDDL enables time to be saved by helping technician find the fault and correcting it faster.

Easier System Management

The main reason for selecting EDDL is the ease of system management. The new EDDL with enhancements is just as easy as the earlier "DD", and much easier than other solutions. A plant has a mix of different kinds of devices from different manufacturers. For example, there could be a few brands and different models of pressure transmitters, a few brands and different models of temperature transmitter, plus flow, level, and various analyzers as well as valve positioners and drives etc. Depending on how harsh the working conditions are, these devices will inevitably fail after a few years. During the life cycle of the plant many replacements will have to be done. For a large plant with thousands of devices, failures may occur every couple of weeks or months. Since several years pass between device replacements, the original device will probably have been replaced by a newer version with higher performance, and more features such as better diagnostics. The control system and device management software were created many years before this new version of device was made available and are therefore not compatible with the new device. The control system and device management software must be brought up to date with the new device. Three possible solutions exist:

Install an upgrade to the entire control system and device management software
Install new "driver" software for the new device version
Copy a device description file

Option 1 is not possible because control system and device management software are not updated as frequently as new device versions become available. Option 2 is also not possible because most plant policies do not permit installation of software on the running control system because it could affect the runtime stability (a phenomenon known as "DLL-hell"). The only viable solution is option 3 which is the concept used by EDDL.

Because the EDDL file is a (compressed) text file, not executable software, it can simply be copied onto the control system and device management software without installation. The 'administrator' level password need not be revealed to technicians, there are no difficult installation prompts regarding program folder, licensing agreements, or file replacement (Yes/No/Yes to All/No to All) etc. Wizards exist in control system and device management software to automate the copying of the EDDL files into the correct folder.

EDDL is easier and also minimizes the risk of conflicts between device types and the risk of losing support for certain devices when the operating system is upgraded.