Optical linear encoders have a number of drawbacks in challenging environments. For engineers seeking alternatives to linear optical position sensors CambridgeIC’s inductive non contact solutions provide precise, robust measurements and are a good replacement for optical encoders in challenging applications and complex product designs.
Where optical encoders can't go
What causes these drawbacks? Linear optical encoders need protection from dirt, dust and moisture, along with careful alignment. This protection adds cost and complexity to design and manufacture, particularly where there is limited room or the system needs to sense position on many axes.
The alternative: robust and precise position sensing
Based on innovative resonant inductive position sensing technology, CambridgeIC’s position sensors use designs integrated into conventional PCBs to measure linear position. This gives an accurate sensor which has low integration costs, is stable over time and extremely robust. Designers can provide absolute linear, rotary and arc position measurement with high reliability in the most challenging applications, including linear actuators and float level sensors.
Not just linear measurement
Designs are available for a huge range of geometries - arc position measurement, rotary position measurement and linear position sensing and support is available to design custom sensors.
Working with CambridgeIC position sensors is straightforward - sensor blueprints are available in Gerber format to integrate with customers PCB. These designs work with CambridgeIC’s central tracking unit chips (CTUs) to provide continuous calculation of target position. For evaluation or low volume production assembled sensor units are also available.
Interested? To find out more, download a data sheet, or