Functional Description of Absolute Position Transducers

Absolute position transducers sense rotary and angular movements and convert them into electrical signals. Unlike incremental measuring systems, the absolute position transducer provides the current position value instantaneously. If this measuring system is moved mechanically in the deactivated state, the current position can be read out directly as soon as the voltage supply is switched on again.

Single Turn Position Transducer: This position transducer resolves a single revolution or turn of the drive shaft into measuring increments. The number of measuring increments per revolution is recorded and balanced via a code disk or optical detection unit. This measured value is output via different interface modules depending on the type of interface used, and is repeated after each revolution.

Multiturn position transducer: Besides the angular positions per revolution, multi-turn position transducers also record multiple rotations or turns. The drive shaft is connected to an internal reduction gear via which the number of revolutions is recorded. In the case of the multi-turn position transducer, the measured value is thus composed of the angular position and the number of revolutions. The measured value is also balanced and output via different interface modules depending on the type of interface used.