Hannover Fair 2005: HCF debuts enhanced DDL, starts wireless HART effort at Interkama

Hannover, Germany— The HART Communication Foundation (HCF) introduced Highway-Addressable Remote Transducer (HART) technology advances at the Interkama show this week at Hannover Fair 2005 . HART’s enhanced Device Description Language (eDDL) specification has been successfully validated, and is near completion. And a new HCF initiative to develop a wireless HART standard is now underway.

Developed in a cooperation with the Fieldbus Foundation, Profibus Nutzerorganisation e.V., and now the OPC Foundation, eDDL extends the capabilities of DDL to provide an industry-standard solution for advanced visualization of intelligent device information to maintain the proven integrity of existing DD technology across all three communication technologies.

The wireless HART initiative will result in new HART communication technology to ensure interoperable products and new connectivity solutions for leveraging the intelligence of HART-smart devices.

“The HCF continues to invest in new technology capabilities and tools, like the eDDL, Integrated Development Environment and Smart Device Configurator technology, and wireless HART, to support the evolving needs, advanced capabilities and increasing intelligence of HART-enabled devices,” says Ron Helson, HCF’s executive director.

Enhanced DDL
The foundation reports that HART’s eDDL enhancements include an improved user interface with support for menus, windows, tabs and groups, as well as added graphic support for graphs, trends, charts, and dial indicators. eDDL also standardizes the user interface for managing intelligent devices, and reportedly eliminates the need for Windows resource files, supplemental files, and other DD modifications previously required by some asset management applications.

HCF adds that DDL is the most important and widely used digital communication descriptive language in the manufacturing and process industries. HART was the first protocol to implement DDL, enabling suppliers to define and document their device capabilities in one open, consistent format.

HCF-member companies assisting in the eDDL validation process include Emerson Process Management, Endress+Hauser, Honeywell, Rosemount Analytical, Rosemount Measurement, SAAB Rosemount, and Siemens. During the eDDL validation test process, engineers from these companies recognized the advantages of the new eDDL capabilities.

“I think device integration in the future will become much easier with the use of eDDL,” says Detlef Zappe, of Endress+Hauser. “As we provide our customers with very complex devices, it’s good technology to make parameterization of our devices easier.”

Advanced eDDL capabilities are being demonstrated this week in the HART Interkama+ exhibit at the fair. HART-enabled intelligent devices, systems applications and integrated solutions are being shown by leading automation suppliers, including ABB, CEAG, Emerson, Endress+Hauser, Foxboro-Eckardt, Honeywell, MACTek, Masoneilan, Micro Motion, MTL, Phoenix Contact, Rosemount Analytical, Rosemount Inc., Saab, Samson, Siemens, Smar and Yokogawa.

Wireless HART
HCF adds that its newly launched Wireless HART initiative will result in new HART Communication technology, which will provide major benefits for all users. A Wireless HART standard will provide new capabilities, ensuring seamless, interoperable solutions for connecting HART devices in a wireless environment. T

he foundation’s Wireless HART Working Group has set an aggressive goal to produce draft specifications in early 2006. The group will coordinate activities with other industry wireless organizations, such as the ISA SP100 Wireless Committee, to insure continuity and uniformity with wireless standardization efforts currently underway.

HCF members participating in HCF’s wireless group include major automation suppliers and leaders in wireless technology, such as ABB, Adaptive Instruments, Elpro Technologies, Emerson, Endress +Hauser, Honeywell, OmNex Controls, Phoenix Contact, Siemens, Smar and Yokogawa.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news editor
jmontague@reedbusiness.com

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