A2 Product Description
The A2 optical encoder is a 12-bit absolute rotary encoder which reports a shaft angle within a single 360-degree rotation of a shaft. Unlike incremental, sometimes called relative, style encoders, the A2 provides true (absolute) shaft position eliminating the need for a home or zero cycle after a supply voltage power cycle. The A2 communicates over a RS 485 style serial bus utilizing US Digital's SEI (Serial Encoder Interface), which allows for simple, quick and convenient networking of multiple SEI devices on a single network. PLCs, motion controllers, and computers can also reside on the SEI bus by using US Digital's SEI to USB interface device. For complete information about the SEI bus, please refer to the SEI Absolute Encoder Communications Protocol webpage.
The A2 is also available with an optional analog output. The analog output option provides a maximum voltage range of 0 to 4.095 volts with 12-bit resolution. The output voltage can be scaled by simple SEI commands to provide user-defined voltage ranges. From the factory, the analog output voltage is set to 0 to 3.599 VDC range. Please note that with the A2 analog output option, only one device may reside on an SEI bus.
Product Specifications
View here or download the specifications
ENVIRONMENTAL
PARAMETER |
VALUE |
UNITS |
Operating Temperature |
-25 to 70 |
C |
Vibration (5Hz to 2kHz) |
20 |
G |
Electrostatic Discharge, IEC 61000-4-2 |
± 4 |
kV |
MECHANICAL
PARAMETER |
SLEEVE BUSHING |
BALL BEARING |
Max. Acceleration |
100000 rad/sec² |
100000 rad/sec² |
Max. Shaft Speed (mechanical) |
100 RPM |
10000 RPM |
Typical Shaft Torque |
0.5 in-oz (S-option) 0.3 in-oz (N-option) |
0.05 in-oz |
Max. Shaft Loading |
2 lb. dynamic |
2 lb. |
Bearing Life |
> 1000000 revolutions |
L10 = (90/Fr)³ * Where L10 = bearing life in millions of revs, and Fr = radial shaft loading in pounds |
Weight |
2.9 oz. |
2.9 oz. |
Max. Shaft Runout |
0.0015 in, T.I.R. |
0.0015 in, T.I.R. |
Mounting Plate Screw Torque |
4-6 in-lbs |
4-6 in-lbs |
Max. Panel Nut Tightening Torque |
20 in-lbs |
n/a |
Technical Bulletin TB1001 - Shaft and Bore Tolerances |
Download |
* only valid with negligible axial shaft loading.
ELECTRICAL
- Specifications apply over entire operating temperature range.
- Typical values are specified at Vcc = 12V and 25C.
Parameter |
Min. |
Typ. |
Max. |
Units |
Supply Voltage |
7.5 |
12 |
16 |
V |
Supply Current @ 12V supply Active Sleep |
|
14 2.5 |
18.5 |
mA |
Analog Output Impedance |
|
51 |
|
Ohms |
Zero Scale Analog Voltage |
0 |
2 |
12 |
mV |
Full Scale Analog Voltage |
4.066 |
4.095 |
4.124 |
V |
Output Noise (Analog version) |
|
10 |
|
mV rms |
Differential Nonlinearity (Analog version) |
-1.0 |
|
1.0 |
LSB |
Integral Nonlinearity (Analog version) |
-1.0 |
|
1.0 |
LSB |
Absolute Accuracy (SEI interface version) |
|
0.18 |
0.25 |
Degrees |
Angle tracking speed Single-turn mode Multi-turn mode |
|
|
3600 1800 |
RPM |
Position Update Rate (1) |
|
|
7 |
msec. |
(1) The internal microcontroller takes a snapshot of the disk every 7 msec. and stores the position in memory. It responds immediately to a "report position request" by sending the most recently computed position.
DEFAULT SETTINGS
Parameter |
Default value |
Volatile? |
SEI address |
0 |
Non-volatile |
Resolution |
3600 |
Non-volatile |
Origin offset |
0 |
Non-volatile |
Baud rate |
9600 |
Volatile |
Mode |
0 |
(1) |
(1) Mode is always restored from non-volatile EEPROM on power-up; however, there are separate SEI commands for setting the RAM copy only, or both the RAM copy and the non-volatile EEPROM copy. For an explanation of the Mode bits see SEI Absolute Encoder Communications Protocol.
ANALOG OUTPUT
The analog version of the A2 has a 12-bit DAC on the output which feeds to 2 lines that are otherwise used for the BUSY handshaking pair. This DAC has a full range of 0 to 4.095 Volts which is 1 mV per count. The absolute position value which the internal microcontroller sends to that DAC is the same as the digital value that it sends to the host over SEI. Since the resolution (which represents the number of codes per revolution) is field programmable, the range of the DAC will also follow that setup. The default resolution is 3600 codes per revolution which yields 1 count per a tenth of a degree. This makes the DAC output equal to 1 mV per tenth of a degree or 0 to 3.599 Volts. When the DAC needs to have the full range to 4.095 Volts, the single turn resolution should be set to 4096. This is easily done with the available software which runs on a PC. Cable CA-MD6A-SS-MD6-6FT and the SEI-USB adapter are needed to interface the A2 analog version to a USB port or RS-232 serial COM port.
Please Note: The BUSY handshaking lines are replaced by the analog output option. This means that only one device will be able to be connected to the SEI bus when using the analog output option.
PIN-OUTS
PIN |
DESCRIPTION |
1 |
Ground |
2 |
Busy+ Analog+ |
3 |
Busy- Analog- |
4 |
Power |
5 |
Data L |
6 |
Data H |
PRODUCT CHANGE NOTIFICATIONS
Title |
Date |
Description |
Download |
EOL Sealed Housing Option - PCN 1021 |
4/11/2013 |
This PCN is a formal notification that US Digital is discontinuing the Sealed Housing option for the following products:
- A2 Absolute Optical Encoder
- A2T Absolute Optical Inclinometer
- H1 Ball Bearing Optical Shaft Encoder
- H3 Ball Bearing Optical Shaft Encoder
- S1 Optical Shaft Encoder
- S2 Optical Kit Encoder
The Sealed Housing option provides the encoder with low level capability of surviving in moisture environments, however the encoder is NOT water proof or intended to be used in applications where this is required. |
Download |
A2/HD25A Product Lines Detector Upgrade |
8/18/2014 |
As part of our ongoing continuous improvement efforts, US Digital is updating our A2 and HD25A product lines design by utilizing surface mount devices for the detector and LED. Previously these were through hole devices. This change is transparent with the exception of minor cosmetic differences for the A2 kit style encoder, and Spacer Tool used in kit assembly process. |
Download |
Additional Information
Product Notes
-
Cables and connectors are not included and must be ordered separately.
-
US Digital® warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship for two years. See complete warranty for details.
Datasheets
Guides and Additional Documentation
Software
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