New sensor standards

The IEEE has approved two new smart transducer standards in its IEEE 1451 series, which provides for common interfaces among sensors, actuators, instruments and networks and allows for interoperable and interchangeable transducers. It has also approved work to begin on a new standard in the series.

The first of the new standards is IEEE 1451.0, “Standard for a Smart Transducer Interface for Sensors and Actuators - Common Functions, Communication Protocols, and Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) Formats”.

IEEE 1451.0 creates a common set of functions, protocols and formats to facilitate interoperability among other standards in the IEEE 1451 series.  It also will simplify the creation of future standards in the family for different physical layers.

The second new standard, IEEE 1451.5, “Standard for a Smart Transducer Interface for Sensors and Actuators - Wireless Communication Protocols and Transducer Electronic Data Sheet (TEDS) Formats”, establishes uniform wireless communication methods and data formats for transducers.  It was created to support users, transducer manufacturers and system integrators as they develop wireless communication interfaces and protocols for sensors.  It is also intended to increase the acceptance of the wireless technology for transducer connectivity.

The approved project, IEEE P1451.7, “Standard for a Smart Transducer Interface for Sensors and Actuators - Transducers to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Systems Communication Protocols and Transducer Electronic Data Sheet Formats”, will addresse the integration of sensors in RFID infrastructures.  By providing for the use of sensor data in supply-chain reporting, such as identifying products and tracking of their condition, the standard opens new opportunities for sensor and RFID system manufacturers. 

Other standards in the IEEE 1451 family are:  IEEE 1451.1, which addresses the overall network and linking transducers in systems and networks; IEEE 1451.2, which looks at how to place digital transducers on a network; IEEE 1451.3, which allows for placing many transducers on the same cable; and IEEE 1451.4, which adds plug-and-play capability to analog transducers in networks for digital systems. IEEE 1451 standards are sponsored by the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society.