HART foundation releases device description development tools

Austin, TX— To help reduce device description (DD) development time reportedly by 30-40%, the HART Communication Foundation (HCF) recently released its new Device Description Integrated Development Environment (DD-IDE). This new HCF-standard software consists of a set of integrated tools for efficient development, testing and maintenance of DDs. DD-IDE is one of several enhancements to the device description language (DDL) technology underway at the foundation.

“The new Integrated Development Environment reduces the time requirements for develop-ment of a typical HART Device Description by as much as 30-40%,” says Wally Pratt, HCF’s chief engineer. “DD-IDE simplifies and streamlines the DD development process with an integrated tool suite to support rapid edit-build-test cycles, allowing the developer to test new scenarios quickly and efficiently.”

DD-IDE supports the entire DD development cycle by automating routine DD development tasks and enhancing visualization features to simplify maintenance and re-learning of existing DDs. Key components of the new DD-IDE include: a DDL-knowledgeable editor with wizards and search capability; sample DDs; an improved DDL tokenizer; XMTR-DD device simulator; and the new SDC-625 smart device configurator for DD validation and testing.

The foundation says that DDL is the HART standard and the only technology endorsed by it for configuring HART devices. A key element of HART technology since 1990, DDL has proven to be a reliable, robust and stable platform for suppliers to consistently define and document the capabilities of HART-enabled products. In March 2004, DDL was unanimously approved as the International Electrotechnical Commission’s (IEC) international standard IEC 61804-2, EDDL.

HCF adds that its HART Field Communications Protocol is the global standard for smart process instrumentation. Seventy percent of all smart process measurement and control instruments installed worldwide each year use HART Communication and the global installed base of HART-enabled devices is the largest of all communication protocols at more than 14 million. Key features of this unique open standard communication technology are 4-20mA compatibility, ease of use, low risk, and cost-efficient implementation for both users and suppliers.

Control Engineering Daily News DeskJim Montague, news editorjmontague@reedbusiness.com

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