Device Description Language

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Device Description Language ( DDL ; German  device description language ) is a formal language for describing the operation and parameterization of devices in process and production automation.

background

Today's devices in process and production automation have a large number of setting options in order to adapt them to the individual application (parameterization). They also offer a digital communication interface ( HART , PROFIBUS , Fieldbus Foundation ). Various software tools allow the devices to be operated and parameterized. In order not to create a separate software tool for each device type, DDL was developed in the early 1990s. A single software tool can operate and parameterize many different device types by interpreting the device description (DD). Creating the description using DDL is less time-consuming than creating an individual software tool.

Development of the Electronic Device Description Language

The HART Communication Foundation, PROFIBUS and Fieldbus Foundation have merged and expanded their respective description languages. The result is standardized under the designation Electronic Device Description Language ( EDDL ) in IEC 61804.

The harmonization and further development of the EDDL is promoted in the ECT (EDDL Cooperation Team) interest group. The ECT includes the board members of the Fieldbus Foundation, the PROFIBUS user organization, the Hart Communication Foundation, the OPC Foundation and the FDT Group.

Structure of the Device Description Language

The Device Description Language (DDL) describes:

  • Data (e.g. parameters)
  • Communication (addressing)
  • Operation structure
  • Operations (e.g. calibration)

Software tools

An EDD ( electronic device description ) is a text file and can in principle be created with a normal ASCII editor. However, as with any other description or programming language, this is prone to errors, so that special developer tools are available that enable the creation of standard-compliant EDDs.

The following tools support the creation of EDDs:

  • isEDD Workbench (ifak eV Magdeburg) - standard conformity to IEC 61804-3

The following operating and parameterization programs interpret DDL:

See also

literature

  • Matthias Riedl, Frank Naumann: EDDL. Electronic Device Description Language . Oldenbourg Industrieverlag, Munich 2011, ISBN 978-3-8356-3106-9 (English)

Web links