Glossary Updates12 new terms added to the glossaries · October 2, 2026, 22:44 CEST
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Glossary · Data, timing and communication

Electronic device description (EDD)

Also known as: EDDL device description

German: Electronic Device Description (EDD)

In process automation, an electronic device description (EDD) is a file written in the Electronic Device Description Language (EDDL) that describes the parameters, functions, menus and data structures of a field device, so that host systems can configure and diagnose it without device-specific software.

  • Data and interfaces

In one sentence

An EDD is an EDDL file describing a field device's parameters, menus and functions so host systems can configure and diagnose it.

Example

The engineering station imports the EDD of a pressure transmitter and shows its range, damping and diagnostic parameters without a vendor tool.

How it applies

  • Engineering: EDDs are used with HART, PROFIBUS PA and FOUNDATION Fieldbus devices; FDI device packages combine an EDD with further files.
  • Maintenance: Device diagnostics shown by the asset management system are based on the EDD; the EDD version must match the device firmware.
  • Documentation: Parameter names and menu paths in the device manual should match those in the EDD; the documentation team should publish which EDD revision the manual refers to.
  • Versioning: Keep EDD files under version control with the device firmware they belong to; loading a wrong EDD revision can show parameters that do not exist or hide new ones.

EDD vs. DTM

An EDD is a description interpreted by the host. A DTM (FDT technology) is executable software supplied by the vendor. FDI aims to unify both approaches.

By knowledge.aitechdoc.world · Published September 26, 2026 · Last reviewed

Source: IEC 61804-3, Devices and integration in enterprise systems — Function blocks (FB) for process control and electronic device description language (EDDL) — Part 3: EDDL syntax and semantics

Definitions follow the cited standards and specifications. Where a source is a copyrighted publication, such as an ISO, IEC or EN standard, the definition is a close paraphrase, not a verbatim quotation, so as not to infringe copyright. We recommend reading the original publication. The sections “How it applies” are editorial commentary by AI TechDoc Knowledge and are not part of any standard.

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