Frequently Asked Questions about TEDS Sensors

TEDS stands for "Transducer Electronic Data Sheets." To learn more about the structure and contents of the IEEE 1451.4 TEDS, including the Basic TEDS and each of the different sensor template contents, look at the IEEE 1451.4 Sensor Templates Overview.

TEDS sensors are supported on the following NI software:

• DAQmx 7.2 API and later (version 7.3 added the DAQmx Write TEDS Data.vi)
• MAX 3.1 and later
• LabVIEW 7.1 and later
• Smart Sensors: Virtual TEDS for real sensors available online now.

These are some of the benefits of using TEDS sensors:

• Data reliability
• Automatic “upload” of transducer data to software
• Ease of connectivity
• Faster sensor setup
• Eliminate manual entry
• Open standard

There are two IEEE 1451.4 interfaces:

• Class 1 Device - Shared wires for analog and digital

In class 1, the digital signal is shared with the analog signal on the same lines, although it is time multiplexed based on the biasing of the sensor. The sensor would include the TEDS EEPROM and the circuitry for switching based on bias direction, which is usually only a resistor and a diode or two.

• Class 2 Device - Independent Digital TEDS Interface

In class 2, the sensor only has the addition of the EEPROM and the two additional wires, while the DAQ instrument has a digital interface in addition to the analog.

• IEEE 1451.4 Sensor Templates Overview
• Scan for TEDS Slow on DSA Device
• How Do I Install the TEDS Library into LabVIEW?