IEC TR 62453-62:2017

Field device tool (FDT) interface specification - Part 62: Field device tool (FDT) styleguide for common language infrastructure

IEC TR 62453-62:2017(E), which is a Technical Report, explains the guidelines and rules for the CLI‑based implementation of a Device Type Manager (DTM) and parts of a Frame Application with regard to the user interface and its behaviour. These guidelines and rules are part of the FDT specification (IEC TR 62453‑42) and are intended to ensure that all users are provided with clear and consistent user interface functions and features across DTMs in a system.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 23-Jan-2017
• ICS: 25.040.40 - Industrial process measurement and control
• ICS: 35.100.05 - Multilayer applications
• ICS: 35.110 - Networking
• Technical Committee: SC 65E - Devices and integration in enterprise systems
• Current Stage: PPUB - Publication issued
• Start Date: 24-Jan-2017
• Completion Date: 24-Jan-2017

Standards Content (sample)

IEC TR 62453-62
Edition 1.0 2017-01
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Field device tool (FDT) interface specification –
Part 62: Field device tool (FDT) styleguide for common language infrastructure
IEC TR 62453-62:2017-01(en)
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IEC TR 62453-62
Edition 1.0 2017-01
TECHNICAL
REPORT
colour
inside
Field device tool (FDT) interface specification –
Part 62: Field device tool (FDT) styleguide for common language infrastructure
INTERNATIONAL
ELECTROTECHNICAL
COMMISSION
ICS 25.040.40; 35.100.05; 35.110 ISBN 978-2-8322-3793-9

Warning! Make sure that you obtained this publication from an authorized distributor.

® Registered trademark of the International Electrotechnical Commission
---------------------- Page: 3 ----------------------
– 2 – IEC TR 62453-62:2017 © IEC 2017
CONTENTS

FOREWORD ........................................................................................................................... 4

INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................... 6

1 Scope .............................................................................................................................. 7

2 Normative references ...................................................................................................... 7

3 Terms, definitions, symbols, abbreviated terms and conventions ..................................... 7

3.1 Terms and definitions .............................................................................................. 7

3.2 Symbols and abbreviated terms .............................................................................. 8

3.3 Conventions ............................................................................................................ 8

3.3.1 Data type names and references to data types ................................................ 8

3.3.2 Vocabulary for requirements ............................................................................ 8

3.3.3 Specific formatting ........................................................................................... 8

4 Fundamentals of designing DTM user interfaces .............................................................. 8

5 Benefits from the FDT user’s point of view ....................................................................... 9

6 DTM user interface ........................................................................................................ 10

6.1 Objective .............................................................................................................. 10

6.2 Appearance .......................................................................................................... 10

6.2.1 General ......................................................................................................... 10

6.2.2 DTM user interface categories ....................................................................... 10

6.2.3 DTM user interface areas .............................................................................. 13

6.3 General behaviour ................................................................................................ 20

6.3.1 General ......................................................................................................... 20

6.3.2 WPF user interfaces ...................................................................................... 20

6.3.3 UI navigation ................................................................................................. 21

6.3.4 UI resize ........................................................................................................ 21

6.3.5 Display of information .................................................................................... 21

6.3.6 Use of modal user interfaces ......................................................................... 22

7 Parameter handling ....................................................................................................... 22

7.1 Representation within Application Area ................................................................. 22

7.2 Change of parameter values ................................................................................. 22

7.2.1 Relation between parameters ........................................................................ 22

7.2.2 Block mode .................................................................................................... 22

7.2.3 Direct Mode ................................................................................................... 22

7.2.4 Continuous Check and One Time Check ........................................................ 23

7.3 Representation of parameters ............................................................................... 24

7.3.1 Parameter value and associated information .................................................. 24

7.3.2 Parameter value modifications ....................................................................... 25

8 Applications of a DTM.................................................................................................... 25

8.1 General ................................................................................................................. 25

8.2 Application categories ........................................................................................... 26

8.2.1 Online application/data source: device ........................................................... 26

8.2.2 Offline application/data source: data set ........................................................ 26

8.2.3 Synchronized application/data source: data set and device ........................... 26

8.3 User role related default application ...................................................................... 27

8.4 Main Operation ..................................................................................................... 27

8.5 Typical workflow ................................................................................................... 27

8.5.1 General ......................................................................................................... 27

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IEC TR 62453-62:2017 © IEC 2017 – 3 –

8.5.2 Parameterize device offline............................................................................ 27

8.5.3 Parameterize device with online connection (synchronized) ........................... 29

8.5.4 Parameterize device with online connection (non synchronized) .................... 30

9 DTM behaviour .............................................................................................................. 31

9.1 Close of user interface .......................................................................................... 31

9.1.1 Close of user interface with modified parameter values ................................. 31

9.1.2 Synchronization on close of user interface ..................................................... 32

9.2 Data set ................................................................................................................ 32

9.2.1 Parameter in multiple user interfaces ............................................................. 32

9.2.2 Locking mechanism ....................................................................................... 32

9.3 Error handling ....................................................................................................... 33

9.4 Localization .......................................................................................................... 33

9.5 Global report information ...................................................................................... 33

Annex A (normative) Dictionary of standard terms ............................................................... 34

Annex B (normative) Dictionary of standard phrases ............................................................ 37

Bibliography .......................................................................................................................... 42

Figure 1 – IEC 62453-62 in IEC 62453 (all parts) .................................................................... 6

Figure 2 – Areas of a Standard user interface ....................................................................... 11

Figure 3 – Areas of an Advanced user interface .................................................................... 12

Figure 4 – Areas of a Wizard user interface .......................................................................... 13

Figure 5 – Structure of the Identification Area ....................................................................... 13

Figure 6 – State diagram: Continuous Check ........................................................................ 23

Figure 7 – State diagram: One Time Check ........................................................................... 24

Figure 8 – Parameter value and associated information ........................................................ 24

Figure 9 – Parameterize device offline .................................................................................. 28

Figure 10 – Parameterize device with offline parameterize and subsequent download ......... 29

Figure 11 – Parameterize device with online connection (synchronized) ............................... 30

Figure 12 – Parameterize device with online connection (non synchronized) ......................... 31

Table 1 – Contents of Identification Area .............................................................................. 14

Table 2 – Toolbar.................................................................................................................. 15

Table 3 – Methods for UI using Block Mode .......................................................................... 16

Table 4 – Methods for UI using Direct Mode ......................................................................... 17

Table 5 – Wizard actions ...................................................................................................... 17

Table 6 – Contents of Status Bar .......................................................................................... 18

Table 7 – Possible connection states .................................................................................... 18

Table 8 – Possible data source and target states .................................................................. 19

Table 9 – Possible states of the instance data set ................................................................. 19

Table 10 – Possible modification states ................................................................................ 20

Table 11 – Possible device diagnostic states (see [1]) .......................................................... 20

Table 12 – Display of inadmissible data ................................................................................ 24

Table 13 – Priority of parameter value states ........................................................................ 25

Table 14 – Recommended default application ....................................................................... 27

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– 4 – IEC TR 62453-62:2017 © IEC 2017
INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
____________
FIELD DEVICE TOOL (FDT) INTERFACE SPECIFICATION –
Part 62: Field device tool (FDT) styleguide
for common language infrastructure
FOREWORD

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The main task of IEC technical committees is to prepare International Standards. However, a

technical committee may propose the publication of a Technical Report when it has collected

data of a different kind from that which is normally published as an International Standard, for

example "state of the art".

IEC TR 62453-62, which is a Technical Report, has been prepared by subcommittee 65E:

Devices and integration in enterprise systems, of IEC technical committee 65: Industrial-

process measurement, control and automation.
The text of this Technical Report is based on the following documents:
Enquiry draft Report on voting
65E/442/DTR 65E/515/RVC
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IEC TR 62453-62:2017 © IEC 2017 – 5 –

Full information on the voting for the approval of this Technical Report can be found in the

report on voting indicated in the above table.

This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The list of all parts of the IEC 62453 series, under the general title Field device tool (FDT)

interface specification, can be found on the IEC website.

The committee has decided that the contents of this document will remain unchanged until the

stability date indicated on the IEC website under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to

the specific document. At this date, the document will be
• reconfirmed,
• withdrawn,
• replaced by a revised edition, or
• amended.
A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

IMPORTANT – The 'colour inside' logo on the cover page of this publication indicates

that it contains colours which are considered to be useful for the correct

understanding of its contents. Users should therefore print this document using a

colour printer.
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– 6 – IEC TR 62453-62:2017 © IEC 2017
INTRODUCTION

This document is a user interface design specification for developers of FDT (field device tool)

components for Function Control and Data Access within a Client/Server architecture. This

document is a result of an analysis and design process to develop standard interfaces to

facilitate the development of components by multiple vendors that interoperate seamlessly.

A device-specific software component, called DTM (Device Type Manager), is supplied by the

field device manufacturer with its device. The DTM is integrated into engineering tools via the

FDT interfaces defined in this specification. The approach to integration is in general open for

all kinds of fieldbusses and thus meets the requirements for integrating different kinds of

devices into heterogeneous control systems.

To ensure the consistent management of a plant-wide control and automation technology,

fieldbusses, devices and sub-systems are fully integrated as a seamless part of a wide range

of automation tasks covering the whole automation life-cycle. This integration also requires a

consistent look and feel of device specific components.

Figure 1 shows how IEC TR 62453-62 is aligned in the structure of IEC 62453 (all parts).

IEC TR 62453-62
FDT styleguide
IEC TR 62453-42
Object model
integration profile
IEC
Figure 1 – IEC 62453-62 in IEC 62453 (all parts)
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IEC TR 62453-62:2017 © IEC 2017 – 7 –
FIELD DEVICE TOOL (FDT) INTERFACE SPECIFICATION –
Part 62: Field device tool (FDT) styleguide
for common language infrastructure
1 Scope

IEC TR 62453-62, which is a Technical Report, explains the guidelines and rules for the

CLI-based implementation of a Device Type Manager (DTM) and parts of a Frame Application

with regard to the user interface and its behaviour. These guidelines and rules are part of the

FDT specification (IEC TR 62453-42) and are intended to ensure that all users are provided

with clear and consistent user interface functions and features across DTMs in a system.

This specification neither contains the FDT specification nor modifies it.
2 Normative references

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their

content constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition

cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including

any amendments) applies.

IEC 62453-1, Field device tool (FDT) interface specification – Part 1: Overview and guidance

IEC 62453-2, Field device tool (FDT) interface specification – Part 2: Concepts and detailed

description

IEC TR 62453-42, Field device tool (FDT) interface specification – Part 42: Object model

integration profile – Common Language Infrastructure
3 Terms, definitions, symbols, abbreviated terms and conventions
3.1 Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in IEC 62453-1,

IEC 62453-2, [7] and the following apply.

ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following

addresses:
• IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
• ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1
Application
DTM UI Applications and DTM UI Functions
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3.2 Symbols and abbreviated terms

For the purposes of this specification the symbols and abbreviated terms given in

IEC 62453-1, IEC 62453-2, IEC 62453-42 and the following apply.
UI user interface
NAMUR User Association of Automation Technology in Process Industries
WPF Windows Presentation Foundation (Microsoft user interface library)
3.3 Conventions
3.3.1 Data type names and references to data types
The conventions for naming and referencing of data types are explained in [7].
3.3.2 Vocabulary for requirements
The following expressions are used when specifying requirements.
Usage of "shall" or "Mandatory" No exceptions allowed.
Usage of "should" or Strong recommendation. It may make sense in special
"Recommended" exceptional cases to differ from the described
behaviour.

Usage of "can" or "Optional" A DTM may provide the function or behaviour depending

on the task and type of the DTM. If a function or
behaviour is provided, it shall follow the style guide.
3.3.3 Specific formatting
The following formatting is used to describe specific context.
CAPITAL LETTERS Names of keys on the keyboard – for example, SHIFT,
CTRL, or ALT
[Button text] Button with the specified text
ClassName::PropertyName Name of property or method according to definition in
or FDT 2.0 Technical Specification
InterfaceName::MethodName
4 Fundamentals of designing DTM user interfaces

The design of UIs for DTMs is based on the ten general principles for user interface design

accepted in general public [3], [4]. They are called "heuristics" because they are more in the

nature of rules of thumb than specific usability guidelines. The heuristics should give the DTM

developer some general hints on how to implement a DTM. For additional fundamentals of

user interface design, please see the available literature (e.g. [5], [6]). The ten general

principles are the following.
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IEC TR 62453-62:2017 © IEC 2017 – 9 –
Visibility of system status

The system should always keep users informed about what is going on, through appropriate

feedback within an acceptable time limit (dependant on the task, e.g. 1 sec.).
Match between system and the real world

The system should speak the users' language with words, phrases and concepts familiar to

the user, rather than system-oriented terms. Follow real-world conventions, making

information appear in a natural and logical order.
User control and freedom

Users often choose system functions by mistake and need a clearly marked "emergency exit"

to leave the unwanted state without having to go through an extended dialogue. Support undo

and redo.
Consistency and standards

Users should not have to wonder whether different words, situations, or actions mean the

same thing. Follow platform conventions.
Error prevention

A careful design, which prevents a problem from occurring in the first place, is even better

than good error messages.
Recognition rather than recall

Make objects, actions, and options visible. The user should not have to remember information

from one part of the dialogue to another. Instructions for use of the system should be visible

or easily retrievable whenever appropriate.
Flexibility and efficiency of use

Accelerators – unseen by the novice user – may often speed up the interaction for the expert

user such that the system can cater to both inexperienced and experienced users. Allow

users tailoring of frequent actions.
Aesthetic and minimalist design

Dialogue should not contain information, which is irrelevant or rarely needed. Every extra unit

of information in a dialogue competes with the relevant units of information and diminishes

their relative visibility.
Help users recognize, diagnose, and recover from errors

Error messages should be expressed in plain language (no codes), precisely indicate the

problem, and constructively suggest a solution.
Help and documentation

Even though it is better if the system can be used without documentation, it may be necessary

to provide help and documentation. Any such information should be easy to search, focus on

the user's task, list concrete steps to be carried out, be context sensitive and not be too large.

5 Benefits from the FDT user’s point of view

Using DTMs compliant with this style guide enables a user to operate more efficiently and

more safely. The user is able to parameterize and manage the data of devices from various

manufacturers in a uniform way. Therefore, the user is presented with a clearly structured

concept regardless of the manufacturer or the type of the device. Details or requirements for

developers of a DTM are given within the following clauses.
Guideline and rules are defined for:

• Uniform user guidance: DTM user interfaces are used and displayed in engineering

systems and stand alone tools in the same manner regardless of the device or DTM
manufacturer or communication protocol employed.
• Uniform behaviour of a DTM.
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– 10 – IEC TR 62453-62:2017 © IEC 2017
• Clear identification of the DTM and the assigned device.

• Ensuring users will be updated on the status and the parameterization of the configuration

constantly. All changes of the configuration are marked.

• Informing users, whether UI input affects the device directly or the offline configuration.

• Executing plausibility checks of the configuration on a lexically (e.g. only certain

characters are accepted), syntactically (e.g. a limited number of characters) and

semantically (e.g. given value is below upper limit) correct basis.
6 DTM user interface
6.1 Objective

The user interface of a DTM application shall be designed to provide a user with a software

component that is easy to use and self-explanatory. The user interface assists the user to be

able to concentrate on his/her main tasks. Novel user interface elements or features should

not detract the user.
6.2 Appearance
6.2.1 General
In general, a DTM user interface is divided into the following areas:

• Identification Area: contains information about the device that is handled by the DTM;

• Application Area: contains all necessary UI elements for the selected function.

These areas shall be arranged as described in the following subclauses.

In addition, the two following DTM related areas are displayed and controlled by the Frame

Application:
• Action Area that contains buttons to initiate the user’s choice;
• Status Area that contains status information of the DTM.

Icons of the FDT icon library should be used for all FDT tools and states that are described in

this document.
6.2.2 DTM user interface categor
...