Optical Sensor Array Layout for High-Resolution Encoder Interpolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-resolution optical encoders are difficult to implement due to the high manufacturing cost of high-order analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) required for achieving high interpolating resolution.
Innovation Solution
The use of CMOS optical sensors arranged in arrays with digital grayscale characteristics, integrated into a sensing circuit that allows for reduced ADC requirements by converting analog signals from each row or column of sensors into digital signals sequentially, thereby simplifying the quantity of ADCs needed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-order ADCs are used to achieve high interpolating resolution, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical detector is divided into multiple optical sensor arrays, each corresponding to a specific interpolation period. This segmentation allows the system to process optical signals in distributed groups, reducing the burden on individual ADCs and enabling the use of lower-order ADCs while maintaining high overall resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from temporal signal processing to spatial signal processing by arranging optical sensors in arrays across different interpolation periods. This spatial dimension allows parallel processing of multiple interpolation periods simultaneously, reducing the need for high-order sequential ADC conversion.
2Device complexity
If the width of optical sensor array is reduced to match interpolation period, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
Each optical sensor array is designed with a width specifically matched to its corresponding interpolation period, creating local optimization. This ensures that each array captures the appropriate spatial frequency information for its designated period while maintaining overall system precision through the collective arrangement of multiple arrays.
3Productivity
If multiple optical sensor arrays are used to cover multiple interpolation periods, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple optical sensor arrays are merged into a single integrated optical detector structure, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple interpolation periods. This combining approach improves productivity by parallel processing while managing complexity through unified detector architecture rather than separate independent systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables high-resolution optical encoders with reduced manufacturing costs and improved signal-to-noise ratio, making high-resolution encoders more competitive in the market while maintaining high precision.
Implementation Method 1
the optical detector receives different amounts of light due to the relative movement between the optical detector and the encoding disk, and linear displacement or the rotation angle is determined according to the change of amount of received light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical encoder includes an encoding disk and an optical detector disposed to correspond to the encoding disk. The optical detector includes a plurality of optical sensors arranged to form an optical sensor array. The optical detector is provided to receive light. The optical detector includes at least one optical sensor arranged to form at least one sensor array. The width of the sensor array corresponds to an interpolation period of the optical encoder.