An optical encoder uses light to determine position - a sensor identifies a particular position as light passes through the encoder wheel. The encoder wheel like this one has transparent or opaque areas. This is how the sensor discerns an optical pattern, like in the image you see above.
Opto Encoder click, the latest addition to our Sensor range of Click boards™, functions as an optical encoder.
Opto Encoder click
Opto Encoder click functions as a linear incremental optical sensor/encoder. It is used for movement or rotation encoding.
Opto Encoder click carries a tall dome dual channel transmissive optical sensor from Vishay. This sensor is equipped with one infrared LED with the wavelength of 950nm, and two phototransistors.
This Click board™ has the ability of both speed and direction encoding.
Opto Encoder applications
An optical encoder like the Opto Encoder click offers high precision. For example, Opto Encoder can successfully detect delicate movements that are necessary for medical equipment. Think of robotic arms designed for surgery or high-tech microscopes.
Since optical encoders translate mechanical motion into a digital one, they are also widely used in industrial equipment. In many filling machines in large factories, an optical encoder is used to determine the position of the bottle or object which is being filled.
For more information about Opto Encoder click, visit the product page.
Yours sincerely,
MikroElektronika