Question: While using the internal temperature sensor of MAX2871, do all the steps outlined in the temperature sensor section of the datasheet need to be followed for every temperature sample?
Answer: There would be a lot of overhead associated with setting the bits every time the temperature sensor is read. A good implementation of code would set the CDIV and ADCM bits (step 1 and 2) in the initial configuration of the part and then utilize a subroutine which implements steps 3 - 6 for every sample of the temperature data.