Engineers using an incremental encoder for the first time often have a misunderstanding about what types of signals are provided by an encoder and how to interface an encoder to their application.

An absolute encoder includes a coding disk in binary or gray code format, the electronics to read it, and communications circuits. A multiturn encoder may have several disks connected by gears as ...

Last year, Automation World examined the differences between accuracy, resolution, and precision in the encoder world. And while understanding the differences among these terms is important to ...

To attain accurate positioning, a servo system requires a feedback signal to close its feedback loop. Instruments that typically supply the feedback signal include optical encoders, resolvers, and ...

Understanding the fundamentals is key to a tailor-made solution. This is the first of a two-part series. Part 2 can be found here. Encoders play an integral role in almost every mechanical system that ...

This article is part of the Ideas for Design Series: Vol. 3, No. 8. In many applications, accurately sensing the position of an electrically controlled mechanical device such as a motor is critical.

Analog transmission is not particularly efficient. When the signal-to-noise ratio of an analog signal deteriorates due to attenuation, amplifying the signal also amplifies noise. Digital signals are ...