Absolute encoders take centre stage at SPS 2019

Using on-chip FlexCount and FlexCode functions, the resolution and disk diameters are, to a large extent, freely selectable.

This means that the system-on-chip sensors with integrated blue LED are now even more versatile in the optical scanning of scales in rotary and linear position measuring systems.

The ultra-compact, lensless design of the iC-PZ enables further miniaturisation of motor feedback systems and is particularly suitable for implementation in robot drives.

As intelligent system-on-chip sensors, the EncoderBlue products of the iC-PZ Series offer all the functions required for high-resolution optical linear and angular encoders.

The blue LED is positioned between two integrated scanning fields on the iC-PZ device, which provides wide mechanical assembly tolerances and high precision and reliability.

Using a disk diameter of 26 mm, singleturn resolutions of up to 22 bits are possible using on-chip interpolation.

The iC-PZ Series is available in three variations and thus facilitates a wide range of disk diameters and motor diameters from 16 mm as well as high-precision linear encoders up to a maximum path length of 6.71 m. For miniature drives, the iC-PZ0974 is available with a code wheel of only 9 mm.

The configurable FlexCount and FlexCode function blocks provide highly flexible chips: ABZ resolutions and disk diameters are, to a large extent, freely selectable. This significantly reduces the development and testing effort required for encoder solutions within a device series.

The universal sensor platform can easily be reused without having to modify the electronics for different encoder variations, thus saving time and costs and representing a new approach in encoder technology.

The miniaturised design is realized in a 0.9mm flat oQFN32 package (5 mm x 5 mm). Therefore, the device is the ideal solution to meet the growing requirements of miniaturization in industrial automation, such as robotics, compact motor feedback systems, and electric micro drives.

The permissible mechanical assembly tolerances of the iC-PZ encoder chips is also improved.

For a code disk with a diameter of 26mm, the tolerances are ±0.5mm (tangential), ±0.4mm (radial) and ±2° (rotation). A working distance between sensor chip and code disk of 1 to 2mm is permissible.

These large tolerances reduce time and cost for installation and adjustment of the iC-PZ. In addition, the encoder solutions are extremely rugged, even against mechanical disturbances.

The highly integrated sine/digital converter with intelligent on-chip adjustment functions automatically compensates for build-up-related signal and eccentricity errors.

Due to the internal automatic adjustment of offset, amplitude, and phase difference of the sin/cos signals, high quality interpolated signals are achieved.

The available interfaces of the iC-PZ are designed for maximum flexibility in application. Three out of the five output interfaces can be freely selected simultaneously: ABZ quadrature signals, analogue sin/cos for processing with an external interpolation module, UVW, SPI, and BiSS/SSI.

The calibration and configuration data is stored in an external I²C EEPROM. The chip operates from a supply of 4.5 to 5.5V over an operating temperature range of –40 to +125°C and is thus suitable for a wide range of industrial applications.

Using the evaluation kit PZ1M, the PZ1D motherboard, and the flexible iC-Haus software, electronics developers can now quickly test the iC-PZ and integrate it into their applications.