Flexible interpolation IC debuts at SPS in Nuremberg

Just a push of a button is enough to set the required signal amplification and to correct signal errors, e.g. for the assembly of MR sensors or optical sine encoders. Then, a permanent auto-correction minimises the angular error, so that the integrated RS422 output drivers provide optimal quadrature signals - with up to 262,144 pulses at processing times of either only 2.4µs or 5µs.

An innovation is the position correction integrated for the first time for the mechanical eccentricity error, an annoying problem caused by off-center optical graduations or magnetic pole wheels. The measuring accuracy can now be considerably improved, especially for the smallest incremental encoders – such as the reflective iC-PR2656 – but also for absolute encoders that use an additional data interface for multiturn information.

At the same time, the FlexCount interpolator core provides full flexibility of use: any input resolution, whether binary or decimal, can be converted into any output resolution, independently for ABZ, UVW, BiSS, or SPI.

iC-TW29 can also resolve magnetic sensors at the shaft end of servo motors very finely, up to 17 bits and more. A battery-buffered Hall multiturn encoder can optionally be added and this will be demonstrated on the iC-Haus stand (H4A-136) at SPS.

Designed for a single-sided supply of 3.3 V, the iC-TW29 operates over an industrial operating temperature range of -40 to +125 °C. As for external circuitry, only a few components are required.

For example, when used as an incremental encoder, a voltage regulator and a protective diode against reverse polarity are enough.

iC-TW29 is housed in a space-saving 32-pin QFN package which requires only 5x5 mm on the PCB. For sampling purposes, a PC operating program (GUI) and ready-to-use demo boards (which can also serve as programming adapters) are available.