Overview and applications of the IEEE P1451.4 smart sensor interface standard

With the goal of promoting the development and adoption of smart transducers, the IEEE 1451 family of smart sensor interface standards defines a set of standardized interfaces for different categories of smart sensors and smart actuators. One member of this family, the IEEE P1451.4 standard, defines a mixed-mode interface that combines that traditional analog sensor signal with a digital interface that enables self-identification of the sensor for plug and play operation. This self-identification is provided by a transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS) that is stored within the transducer. In addition to explaining the components and mechanisms of IEEE P1451.4, the paper describes the implication of plug and play sensors for test and measurement systems. The paper also documents an example implementation of a computer-based data acquisition system that exploits the plug and play sensor concept.