Broadcom Motion Control Encoders

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Broadcom Motion Control Encoders feature a broad portfolio of optical and magnetic encoders, including incremental and absolute encoders for motion feedback and positioning systems. The incremental encoders and absolute encoders meet the stringent conditions of precise positioning and velocity sensing in a wide range of applications, including industrial machines, robotic arms, lifts, elevators, light detection and ranging (LiDAR), automated guided vehicles (AGV), solar panel tracking, medical devices, factory automation, and semiconductor equipment.

Absolute Encoders

Broadcom absolute encoders are position feedback devices that report absolute positional information. An absolute encoder generates a unique code for each position. When powered up, these absolute encoders do not require a home cycle, even if the shaft was rotated while the power was switched off. Broadcom absolute encoders in this category use optical or Hall effect sensing technology to sense positional information. Broadcom has revolutionized multi-turn counting with its patented Energy Harvesting Multi-Turn (EHMT) Counter utilizing the self-energy generating effect from the Wiegand wire. The EHMT technologies offer high resolution, compact size, and battery-less solutions to cater to the broad market requirement and demand.

Incremental Encoders

Incremental encoders are position feedback devices that provide incremental counts. Thus, an incremental encoder provides a relative position, where the feedback signal is always referenced to a start or home position. The current position sensed is only incremental compared to the last.

Line Driver and Monitor IC

Broadcom is an industry-leading supplier of motion control encoders for industrial automation. The high voltage line driver series complements the industrial automation application solutions. These line driver products are designed to meet industrial standards for encoder applications, including industrial standard line driver packaging (SOIC package), high temp operating range (-40°C to +125°C), and support up to 30V operating voltage. This product comes with the current limiting and thermal shutdown features and assures highly reliable operation in harsh environments.

Rotary Switches

A rotary switch, also known as a Rotary Pulse Generator (RPG) or digital potentiometer, is a type of switch operated by rotation that converts an angular position into valid digital data. It is designed to replace conventional resistive potentiometers. Broadcom provides an extensive selection of housed rotary switches that can be used as human-machine interfaces (HMI) for front-panel rotary control and data entry. Rotary resolution options range from 50 to 3,600 counts per resolution (CPR) for incremental and 17-bit single absolute. The Broadcom HRPG product series has many configuration options available, making it flexible for numerous applications, including front panel instruments, audio/visual boards, and any devices requiring rotary control knob. These options include detent or smooth turning, multiple terminations, versatile mounting capabilities, and different shaft configurations.

Encoder Code Wheels

Broadcom offers a variety of mylar film, glass, or metal encoder code wheels, which are glass, patterned discs, or strips that translate a mechanical position into a representative electrical signal when used with incremental or absolute encoders. Encoder code wheels contain data tracks that are a series of alternating clear and opaque areas. When light is projected onto the moving encoder code wheels’ data tracks, the tracks act as a gate that enables and prevents light penetration at intervals. These sequential actions from the encoder code wheels create moving shadows (pulse) that fall on the photodiodes located on the detector. The photodiodes then generate output or signal. Encoder code wheels are used for rotary motion. Each of the three encoder code wheel materials offers certain advantages. Metal code wheels are the most versatile, with a temperature rating of up to 100°C, 512 CPR (28mm diameter) resolution, and two and three-channel outputs. Film encoder code wheels deliver higher resolution (up to 1024 CPR on a 28mm diameter) with an operating temperature of 70°C. Glass encoder code wheels combine the best of film and metal, offering a temperature rating of 100°C and resolutions to 1024 CPR on a 28mm diameter. In addition, each material offers a specific reliability rating. When choosing a code wheel material, it is essential to consider the specific application operating environment, long-term operating conditions, and temperature ranges.