It is amazing how many Arduino programmes for decoding rotary encoders start with something like: "I looked at all the available rotary encoder sketches ...

Hi, I'm Bill. I'm a software developer with a passion for making and electronics. I do a lot of things and here is where I document my learning in order to be able to inspire other people to make ...

He ended up exploring hard drive motors as encoders, and while the results aren’t exactly high resolution, he may be onto something. Starting with a teardown of some old HDDs — save those magnets!

Absolute encoders contain multiple detectors and up to 20 tracks of segment patterns. For each encoder position, there is a different binary output -- shaft position is absolutely determined.

Encoder output data is sent to the controller via parallel binary, analog voltage or current, Profinet, Ethernet Powerlink, EtherNet/IP, Modbus, DeviceNet, Profibus, CANopen, or other networks.