What is a Optical encoder?

An encoder is a position sensor that detects physical quantities such as the amount of movement and rotation angle of a linear axis and outputs position information as an electrical signal. There are two types of encoders: linear encoders that detect the amount of linear movement and rotary encoders that measure the amount of rotation. Rotary encoders, which have a wide range of applications when combined with motors, are by far the most widely used. An optical encoder is a type of encoder that uses an optical sensor as a physical quantity detection method. In the case of an optical rotary encoder, a disk with a slit called a codewheel rotates, and light that passes through or is reflected by the slit is detected by an optical sensor.

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