New device description (DDL) features

By Control Engineering Staff February 13, 2006

Austin, TX —The Fieldbus F OUNDATION has announced an updated version of its F OUNDATION fieldbus specifications. The new specification defines features that enhance fieldbus functionality and provide additional incentives for automation equipment suppliers to adopt fieldbus.

According to Stephen Mitschke, Fieldbus Foundation’s product manager-fieldbus products, the updated specifications are an essential tool for controls and instrumentation manufacturers wanting to take advantage of the rising demand for fieldbus-based control solutions around the world.

Specification 6.0 includes powerful new features standardized in device description language (DDL). The updated DDL specification extends the concept of interoperability to the HMI and diagnostic data level with improved visualization and graphical features. New features focus on device data organization, graphical visualization consistency, and support for persistent data storage. These enhancements are backward and forward compatible due to the IEC 61804-2 standard.

Fieldbus Foundation members purchasing or renewing a specification maintenance agreement will automatically receive a complete copy of the F OUNDATION fieldbus H1 and HSE Specification 6.0, including all updates to these specifications.

— Richard Phelps , senior editor, Control Engineering