Improving Test & Measurement with TEDS

The first step in taking measurements using a modern data acquisition system is setting it up. The user must input the characteristics of the sensor (e.g. cubic fittings, sensitivity, rated output) to allow the system to determine physical parameters by the electrical output of the sensor.

Set up is a time intensive and potentially risky process, as any human error in information input can lead to vastly incorrect results.

TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheet) technology can remove these issues by assisting users with data acquisition system set up.

What is TEDS Technology?

TEDS are miniaturized electronic chips that contain unique information about the sensor. TEDS technology adheres to the international standard IEEE1451.4 meaning it can communicate with devices from different manufacturers, which are linked together into one measurement system.

TEDS is a tiny electronic chip that carries unique sensor information. Image credit: Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH

HBM played an active role in developing TEDS identification by electronic transducers and the development of the IEEE1451.4 standard.

The data stored in TEDS chips is provided in templates containing all of the sensor parameters. Different templates are available for different types of sensors such as current output sensors, electrical sensors and bridge sensors, i.e. strain-gauge systems.

The measurement chain is automatically established when a TEDS sensor is connected to a TEDS compliant data acquisition system. This eradicates the possibility of typing errors and significantly reduces the time to set up measurement systems.

This technology means that even if measurement configurations are regularly adjusted, or if many different transducers are connected, accurate measurements are still guaranteed.

TEDS systems are highly beneficial for measurements and testing in manufacturing, production environments and R&D labs.

TEDS Systems by HBM

The majority of sensor systems from HBM can be provided with TEDS. In addition, the data acquisition systems and amplifiers produced by HBM are all TEDS-compatible.

HBM's U10M load cell with TEDS capability. Image credit: Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH

The electrical connecting of a TEDS system and a strain-gauge sensor can be achieved using the six wires used to connect the sensor to a regular data acquisition system. This means any advanced circuit facilitates the switching of the TEDS sensor to two different states:

• If switched to Measure the sensor behaves as a regular sensor and measurements are taken.
• If switched to Read TEDS the system is ready to read out, allowing a measurement chain to be configured.

This versatility means that existing cable infrastructure can be used alongside TEDS and means it is possible for two additional wires to connect the data acquisition system with TEDS.

HBM provides a range of different TEDS solutions which include amplifiers that can communicate with TEDS, TEDS modules for the upgrading of transducers and new transducers which use TEDS.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH (HBM).

For more information on this source, please visit Hottinger Baldwin Messtechnik GmbH (HBM).