Finding the Index Pulse of an Incremental Encoder

October 1, 2014

The index pulse, often also called “Z” or “Marker pulse”, of an optical incremental encoder is a once per revolution digital pulse that is used for homing or count verification of incremental signals. In the QD145 and QD200 series of encoders, the index pulse fires when the mark on the...

Brushless Motors vs Brush Motors, What’s the Difference?

August 27, 2014

What’s the difference between a brushless motor with a commutating encoder and a brush motor? Well, the brushes of course. And, without brushes – the need for a commutating encoder for current carrying. Yeah, but what does that mean? The principle behind the internal working of both a brushless DC...

Understanding Incremental Encoder Signals

June 29, 2014

Which Encoder Wires Should I Use to Begin Understanding Incremental Encoder Signals? Channels A & B (Incremental Channels) Use only A (or only B) for an RPM or counting applications where the rotation is either unidirectional, or where you don’t need to know direction. Use A and B together to...

How to Time Optical Encoder Commutation Channels to a BLDC Motor

March 17, 2014

Optical Encoder Brushless DC Motor Timing Using Back EMF The optical encoders we work with have a set of three Commutation tracks (U,V,W) which correspond to the three phases of the motor (R,S,T). Alignment of the optical encoder commutation signals to a BLDC motor could be thought of as being...

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