Test and Measurement: Know It All

Appendix Standard Interfaces

Most embedded systems interface to sensors and output devices directly. However, there are a couple of standard interfaces used in industrial applications. Devices meeting these specifications are usually attached to an industrial computer (industrial PC) or a programmable logic controller (PLC). They are briefly covered here, because the embedded designer may run into them somewhere along the way.

1. IEEE 1451.2

The IEEE 1451.2 is an open standard that provides a standard interface for sensors and actuators. IEEE 1451.2 defines the electrical and interface protocol. IEEE 1451 sensors and actuators contain an embedded microprocessor on a module called a smart transducer interface module (STIM). The STIM microprocessor ...