Single-turn encoder

The absolute value information is generated using a code disk, e.g. with Gray code, which is generally scanned optically. Each angle position is assigned a unique code pattern in the process. In this way, it is possible to identify the motor shaft's absolute position. In contrast to binary code, the special feature of a single-step Gray code is that only 1 bit changes at a time, meaning that a faulty scanning process is detected immediately.

This encoder design is a so-called single-turn encoder, since the absolute position of the motor shaft can be determined only via a single revolution.