The MA3 is a miniature rotary absolute shaft encoder that reports the shaft position over 360° with no stops or gaps. The MA3 is available with an analog or a pulse width modulated (PWM)...




The MA3 is a miniature rotary absolute shaft encoder that reports the shaft position over 360° with no stops or gaps. The MA3 is available with an analog or a pulse width modulated (PWM)...
Analog output is only available in 10-bit resolution. The analog output voltage is ratiometric to the power supply voltage and will typically swing within 15 millivolts of the power supply rails with no output load. This non-linearity near the rails increases with increasing output loads. For this reason, the output load impedance should be ≥ 4.7kΩ and less than 100pF. The graphs below show the typical output levels for various output loads when powered by a 5V supply.
| Parameter | Min. | Typ. | Max. | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position Sampling Rate | 2.35 | 2.61 | 2.87 | kHz |
| Propagation Delay | - | - | 384 | μS |
| Analog Output Voltage Maximum (1) | - | 4.987 | - | Volts |
| Analog Output Voltage Minimum (1) | - | 0.015 | - | Volts |
| Output Short Circuit Sink Current (2) | - | 32 | 50 | mA |
| Output Short Circuit Source Current (2) | - | 36 | 66 | mA |
| Output Noise (2) | 160 | 220 | 490 | µVrms |
| Output Transition Noise (3) | - | 0.03 | - | Deg. RMS |
(1) With no output load. See graphs below.
(2) Continuous short to +5V or ground will not damage the MA3.
(3) Transition noise is the jitter in the transition between two adjacent position steps.


The MA3 is a miniature rotary absolute shaft encoder that reports the shaft position over 360° with no stops or gaps. The MA3 is available with an analog or a pulse width modulated (PWM) digital output.
Analog output provides an analog voltage that is proportional to the absolute shaft position. Analog output is only available in 10-bit resolution.
PWM output provides a pulse width duty cycle that is proportional to the absolute shaft position. PWM output is available in 10-bit and 12-bit resolutions. While the accuracy is the same for both encoders, the 12-bit version provides higher resolution.
Three shaft torque versions are available. The standard torque version has a sleeve bushing lubricated with a viscous motion control gel to provide torque and feel that is ideal for front panel human interface applications.
The no torque added option has a sleeve bushing and a low viscosity lubricant (that does not intentionally add torque) for low RPM applications where a small amount of torque is acceptable.
The ball bearing version uses miniature precision ball bearings that are suitable for high speed and ultra low torque applications. The shaft diameter for ball bearing version option is 1/8" rather than 1/4".
Connecting to the MA3 is simple. The 3-pin high retention snap-in 1.25mm pitch polarized connector provides for +5V, output, and ground.