Sithambaram Palaniappan
Avago

Accurate angular positioning is extremely important in many fields, including photonics, life sciences, microelectronics and robotics. Although there are various types of digital encoders available, there is increasing demand for higher resolution optical encoder features with smaller form factor, reliable operating conditions and low-cost elements. These encoders are prominently gaining attention in the feedback devices market to serve the increasing demand of industrial applications, such as X-Y and rotary positioning stages.

This paper describes Avago Technologies' AEDA-3300 series optical encoder solution, which fulfills these industrial application demands. It is a three-channel optical incremental encoder module with integrated bearing stage. It is rated for operation in the temperature range of -40°C to +125°C and comes in 17mm diameter form factor packaged for space constraint industrial applications. All this helps reduce manufacturing and Research and Development costs, also eliminating the need for purchasing additional supporting components.