IEEE 1451 is a planned set of standards for smart sensors that will make it easier and cheaper to deploy a wide variety of sensors.

1. IEEE 1451.0 – This portion of the standard defines the structure of the TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheets) the interface between .1 and .X, message exchange protocols and the command set for the transducers.
2. IEEE 1451.1 – Specifies collecting and distributing information over a conventional IP network.
3. IEEE 1451.2 – Wired transducer interface – 12 wire bus working on a revision which will put IEEE 1451 on RS-232, RS-485 and USB.
4. IEEE 1451.3 – This is the information to make multi-drop IEEE 1451 sensors work within a network.
5. IEEE 1451.4 – This portion of the standard specifies the requirements for TEDS (Transducer Electronic Data Sheets). This is software only.
6. IEEE 1451.5 – This section of the standard specifies information that will enable 1451 compliant sensors and devices to communicate wirelessly, eliminating the monetary and time costs of installing cables to acquisition points. The IEEE is currently working on three different standards, 802.11, Bluetooth and Zigbee.
7. IEEE 1451.6 – This is the information required for the CAN (consolidated auto network) bus.

Currently, IEEE 1451.1 and IEEE 1451.4 have become published standards. IEEE 1451.3 has been approved and is awaiting publication. IEEE 1451.2 is awaiting revision. IEEE 1451.4 has commercially available products, largely because National Instruments has enthusiastically backed this standard and is encouraging its clients and alliance members to take advantage of the synergies it provides.

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