Code Wheels

Code wheels are glass, patterned disc or scale that translates a mechanical position into a representative electrical signal, when used with incremental or absolute encoders. Code wheels contain data tracks, which are a series of alternating clear and opaque areas. When light is projected onto the moving code wheels’ data tracks, the tracks act as a gate that enables, then prevents light penetration at intervals. These series of sequential actions from the code wheels creates moving shadows (pulse) that fall on the photodiodes located on the detector. The photodiodes then generates output or signal. Code wheels are used for rotary motion.

Avago Technologies offers a variety of code wheels to meet the needs of various applications. These code wheels are available in options of mylar film, glass or metal.