High-Resolution Angular Position Sensor With Pole-Jump Correction

The patent introduces an absolute position sensor as an intermediary element to mediate between the incremental sensor and the final measurement output. The absolute sensor provides a reference frame that prevents pole jump errors, while the incremental sensor maintains high resolution. The processor combines both sensor outputs, using the absolute sensor to correct incremental measurements and eliminate reliability issues without sacrificing precision.

The patent merges two different sensing approaches (incremental and absolute) into a unified measurement system. The incremental sensor provides high-resolution differential measurements, while the absolute sensor provides robust reference information. By combining these two sensors with a processor that integrates their outputs, the system achieves both high precision and high reliability, resolving the contradiction between the two features.

The patent segments the measurement function into two distinct parts: the incremental sensor handles high-resolution differential measurement, while the absolute sensor handles reference and correction. This segmentation allows each sensor to be optimized for its specific function, and the processor can independently process each signal before combining them, managing complexity through functional separation rather than requiring a single complex sensor.

The combined sensor system achieves multi-functionality by integrating both incremental and absolute sensing capabilities. The processor universally processes both sensor types, using the absolute sensor for both reference establishment and error correction, while the incremental sensor provides continuous high-resolution tracking. This universal approach manages complexity by using a common processing framework for multiple sensing functions.