Abstract: Disclosed is a positioning system having at least one axis of movement and a serial interface board and method for use therewith. The system includes at least one controller and at least one positioning stage. The at least one positioning stage is in communication with the at least one controller and includes a first positioning stage. The first positioning stage includes a first carriage and a first motor configured to displace the first carriage along a first positioning axis or rotate the first carriage about the first positioning axis. The first positioning stage also includes a first serial interface that is configured to connect to a source of power and receive first-stage sensor signals from one or more stage sensors associated with the first positioning stage. The first serial interface is also configured to communicate at least a portion of the first-stage sensor signals to the at least one controller.

Abstract: A device for receiving first and second analog signals consisting of two sinusoidal signals shifted in phase from an encoder and outputting digital pulses corresponding to the approximate number of equal steps the system of which the encoder is a part has advanced or retreated comprising flash memory storing a table relating total value counts to the precise value as previously determined by calibration and that adds or subtracts counts to or from a difference register so that the count in the difference register corresponds to the calibrated value moved by the system.

Abstract: A stage assembly includes a first element and a second element. A coarse and fine adjustment mechanism is attached to the first element and engages the second element. Turning either a coarse or fine range selector produces relative movement of the second element in relation to the first element. An encoder is attached to the first element and the second element. The encoder detects movement of the second element in relation to the first element and determines the position of the second element from a home position. A display electrically connected to the encoder displays the position of the second element. A multiplier may be electrically connected to the encoder to partition a digital signal from the encoder to improve the resolution of the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A device for receiving first and second analog signals consisting of two sinusoidal signals shifted in phase from an encoder and outputting digital pulses corresponding to the approximate number of equal steps the system of which the encoder is a part has advanced or retreated comprising flash memory storing a table relating total value counts to the precise value as previously determined by calibration and that adds or subtracts counts to or from a difference register so that the count in the difference register corresponds to the calibrated value moved by the system

Abstract: A device for receiving first and second analog signals consisting of two sinusoidal signals shifted in phase from an encoder and outputting digital pulses corresponding to the approximate number of equal steps the system of which the encoder is a part has advanced or retreated comprising flash memory storing a table relating total value counts to the precise value as previously determined by calibration and that adds or subtracts counts to or from a difference register so that the count in the difference register corresponds to the calibrated value moved by the system.