IEEE P1451.4 Smart Transducers Template Description Language

Abstract

The IEEE 1451.4 smart transducer interface standard [1] provides a mechanism for both analog and digital, or mixed mode, interfacing to sensors and actuators, which are collectively referred to as transducers. The analog mode allows normal interfacing to the transducer. The digital mode is intended to provide the ‘smarts’ by allowing the transducer to provide basic information to the application system. This information is referred to as the transducer electronic data sheet (TEDS) and contains information ranging from serial number to calibration data and electrical characteristics. A major driving force behind the development of the standard was to minimize the amount of memory required to store a TEDS; with a stated objective of only needing 256 bits, although more are allowed. This requires a method of mapping the bits in a precise fashion. This bit mapping is accomplished through templates which are text based files written in the Template Description Language (TDL). The TDL is a formal language similar to programming languages, but with considerably less looping and conditional control. This is because the entire purpose of the language is to map bits and not to implement general processing or mathematical capabilities. This paper outlines the functionality and syntax of the TDL.