Renco - Glossary of Encoder Terms from RENCO Encoders Inc.

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Rotary Optical Encoders for Precise Motion Sensing

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Glossary of Encoder Terms

Absolute Encoder: An encoder that identifies position not just relative to a starting position, but in an absolute sense, as a specific position. An absolute encoder has a specific digital output for each encoder position. An absolute encoder may be depowered and will still recall its position in absolute terms (not relative terms) when power is restored. Absolute Measuring System: The measuring value is determined by reading information from a scale, without counting. The measuring value is immediately available after switch-on. Accuracy: The match between an actual bit edge and its expected or theoretical position. Accuracy grade: Grade of quality, determined by the max. permissible measuring deviations within a predetermined measuring range (e.g. 1m) Amplitude evaluation: Method of evaluating signals generated by dynamic scanning (with carrier frequency): the amplitude variation of two alternating voltages of the same frequency are used to determine the measuring value. Angle encoder: Angle measuring device, converts the shaft rotation angle into electrical signals (can be incremental or absolute). Channel: A single output signal. Carrier frequency method: Scanning method used mainly with magnetic and inductive measuring systems (see dynamic scanning). Direction discriminator: Part of a bi-directional counter which determines the counting direction. Distance-coded reference marks: Incremental measuring method, whereby the absolute position can be determined by evaluating the systematically varying distances between consecutive reference marks. Duty Jitter: Encoder data signals are ideally square waves. Any variation in the width of these "squares" (the time that passes in the "on" state or in the "off" state) is duty jitter. Dynamic scanning: Scanning method by which two alternating signals of constant amplitude and slightly different frequencies are generated and where the phase between the two signals represents the measuring value. Eccentricity error: Measuring error of an angle encoder caused by an eccentricity in the mounting of the circular graduation. Encoder: Apparatus consisting of a measuring standard and a scanning unit (transducer, sensor). Gray code: Unit-distance code system in which only one code signal changes with the transition from one measuring step to the next. Incremental Encoder: An encoder that identifies position relative to a starting position. When the power is shut off, the location identification process begins at whatever position it is in when repowered. An incrementatl encoder does not provide absolute position, only relative position. Incremental measuring system: Measuring method by which the measuring value is derived by the summation (counting) of increments (measuring steps). Integral coupling:

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11/19/2008

Renco - Glossary of Encoder Terms from RENCO Encoders Inc.

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Innovative angle encoder design with built-in coupling, located preferably on the statorside. Interferential measuring system: Photoelectric measuring system with a phase grating scale where scanning signals are produced via the interference of diffracted beams. Interpolation: Method for producing measuring increments which are smaller than a fourth of the scanning signal period. Measuring system: Consists of an encoder and associated electronics incorporating interpolation, counter, readout and/or data interface. Modular angle encoder: Angle encoder, consisting essentially of disk and scanning unit assemblies (rotor and stator) which are integrated into a machine or a rotary table. Moire principle: Photoelectric scanning method to produce periodic signals using two fine gratings which are closely positioned to each other and have approximately parallel and equally spaced lines. Multiturn rotary encoder: Absolute rotary encoder which determines the angular position of the shaft and the number of shaft rotations. Phase evaluation: Method of determining position by detecting the phase between alternating voltages having a slight variation in frequency. Phase grating scale: Scale with step grating which diffracts the transmitted or reflected light into 2 or more orders. Phase jitter: Encoder data signals are ideally square waves. When multiple channels of data exist in an encoder, they are expected to maintain a phase relationship to each other. Any deviation from this expected phase relationship is called phase jitter. Quadrature: Data channels are designed to be out of phase with each other by 90 . This provides rotation direction information (i.e."A leads B by 90 counter-clockwise viewing top of encoder") and increases the number of line counts that can be detected by a motor controller. Radian: Standard unit of angle: the angle at which the arc of circle has the same length as the radius. Reference mark: Random graduation pattern which - when traversed over - produces a signal peak, which may be used to determine an absolute datum within an incremental measuring system. Reference pulse: Square-wave signal produced when the scale reference mark is traversed over; normally one measuring step wide; may be used to define an absolute datum within an incremental measuring system. Resolution: Measuring step, smallest digital unit of the measuring value. Resolver: Inductive angle measuring device, producing two alternating voltages whose amplitudes or phases depend on the (shaft) rotation angle. Reversal error: Measuring error which results from approaching a position from different directions. Scanning frequency: Response level which limits the velocity of an incremental measuring system. Static scanning: Scanning method which generates periodic signals during movement; the signal periods and fractions thereof correspond to a definite linear or angular displacement. Systematic error: Reproducible measuring deviation, which can be compensated for by e.g. computation. Torsional stiffness: Rotational rigidity of a precision coupling governing the reversal error of a rotary encoder.

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11/19/2008

Renco - Glossary of Encoder Terms from RENCO Encoders Inc.

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11/19/2008