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History of EDDL

Device Description technology has been in use since 1992. The first generation of this technology was called (Device Description Language (DDL). This technology was used separately by the HART Communication Foundation, the Fieldbus Foundation and Profibus International. They are "essentially" the same, with small differences to accommodate unique protocol features.

The first generation of the technology did not include any visual elements or capability for long term storage of data. When the technology was standardized as IEC 61804-2 in March 2004 all three bus organizations adopted the common acronym EDDL, Electronic Device Description Language.

Figure 30 EDDL standardization process

The ECT (EDDL Cooperation Team) was formed by the HART Communication Foundation (HCF), Fieldbus Foundation, PROFIBUS Nutzerorganisation e.V. (PNO), and the OPC Foundation at the Hanover Fair in April 2004.

Next, the capabilities of EDDL were extended to provide an industry standard solution for advanced visualization of intelligent device information closing the gap of early DD for visualization. The visual elements were added without deviating from the original concept. Graphs (stored waveform), charts (continuous trend), grids (tables), and images were added along with better menus and methods. Capability for persistent long term storage of data and retrieval for comparison was also added. EDDL was approved as the international standard IEC 61804-3 in 2006. EDDL is included in the OPC-UA specification. A group was formed to make EDDL and ANSI/ISA standard. It is expected that it will be approved in March 2007.