Abstract: Phase information of a rotation system is obtained by a) reading the present output value Sk, (k=0, . . . , N?1) of the sensor at a sequence of N points of time during a first period of a periodic modulation function (PHA, PHB, PHC, PHD), b) storing read output values Sk or a value derived from this output value at least temporarily in a memory, c) extracting information on the phase of the rotating system, wherein said information is extracted based on evaluation of a function of the type, wherein=and, and d) sampling and storing sequentially further output values Sk, k=N, N+1, . . . of the sensor at corresponding points of time in the following periods of the periodic modulation function (PHA, PHB, PHC, PHD). Each reading information on the phase of the rotating system based on the function is extracted and a controller device (100) for application of this technique.

Abstract: A method for operating a capacitive position sensor includes providing excitation signals driving each conductive element. The excitation signals are periodic in 2?, with each set of conductive elements being provided with n different excitation signals. The different excitation signals differ in phase, wherein in a functionality check mode, the excitation signal that in a measurement mode is applied to one of the conductive elements in the functionality check mode is applied to a different one of the conductive elements. The different conductive element is the k-th conductive element counted from the one of the conductive elements, with k being an integer of 1 to n?1 and this shift of excitation signals is applied to all conductive elements. The capacitive position sensor includes a stator having a transmitter with N sets of conductive elements, each set having n conductive elements formed in a linear or circular arrangement thereon.

Abstract: An apparatus for position determination has an optical scanning unit which is to be moved relative to a surface and which includes an image sensor for detecting light intensity patterns of light which is reflected by the surface. The apparatus furthermore has an electronic processing unit which is associated with the image sensor and configured to determine a traveled movement path and/or a movement speed of the optical scanning unit relative to the surface from a difference between light intensity patterns detected after one another in time A further processing unit is configured to produce an intensity correlated signal which correlates with the intensity of the light reflected by the surface. An evaluation device is associated with the image sensor and is configured to recognize a graphical code pattern located on the surface with reference to the intensity correlated signal and to read out information from the code pattern.

Abstract: A method for checking the operability of a digital signal processing unit of a position sensor, wherein the digital signal processing unit executes an instruction queue of N instructions one after another in sequences, wherein an additional number of x instructions is executed by the digital signal processing unit during each sequence, wherein the additional instructions are provided in a unit different from the memory, and that the results of the additional instructions are stored. The results of the additional instructions are read by a microcomputer. The results of the additional instructions are compared by the microcomputer with the expected results achieved by execution of identical additional instructions by the microcomputer or with expected results stored in the microcomputer. This includes a position encoder comprising a digital signal processing unit for calculating position information.

Abstract: A method for supervising the correct function of a periodically modulated sensor controlling the position of a rotating system, includes the steps of a) determining a response {right arrow over (gi)}=(gci,gsi) of the periodically modulated sensor, b) determining the inverse K=W?1 of a 2×2 matrix W describing gains and rotations induced by a digital signal processing routine applied to the raw sensor data to extract the position data, c) determining the complex number m=mcos+imsin obtained by processing a raw sensor data value ai corresponding to a first position of the rotating system with the digital signal processing routine, d) calculating an estimate a?i for the next raw sensor data value ai+1 based on the formula a?i=giK{right arrow over (m)}, where m ? = ( m cos m sin ) , and e) comparing the estimate and the next raw sensor data and creating an alert if the result of this comparison exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for measuring the rotation angle of two objects rotating in relation to each other, with a transmitter assigned to one of the objects, and with an element which influences the direction of polarization, where the transmitter and the element rotate relative to each other, and where the luminous intensity passing through, or reflected by, the element is measured by a receiver and then evaluated as a signal dependent on the rotation angle, and where the receiver groups of receiver elements sensitive to polarization, and where the polarization planes of the receiver elements in each group are rotated in relation to each other, and where the reception signals of at least two of the receiver elements are evaluated independent of each other in a monitoring mode. The disclosure also relates to an apparatus for implementing the process.

Abstract: The disclosure conveys a device for measuring the rotating angle of two objects which rotate relative to each other around a rotating axis, with one transmitter, which is assigned to one of the objects and which emits light that is polarized, and with a polarization-sensitive polarizer, such that the transmitter and the polarizer rotate relative to each other, and such that the polarizer has a polarizing area and a non-polarizing area, where the non-polarizing area is positioned eccentric to the rotating axis, and such that the device has a first receptor and a second receptor which measure a portion of the luminosity passing through the polarizer producing signals that are dependent on the rotating angle, and where the first receptor has a first reception area, and the second receptor has a second reception area which is distinct from the first reception area.