New-generation absolute angle sensors

Abstract

This paper describes new schemes for absolute angle sensors designed on the modern element base (megapixel CCD- and CMOS-matrices). In these schemes communication between a measured object and a receiving module is organized through an optical channel without sliding units and coupling joints. The operating principle of new sensors consists in receiving and analyzing the image of a signal bar related to a measured object (using CCD-matrices) and in evaluating the turning angle of the bar around the optical axis of the device. Moreover, we present schematic diagrams of the sensors, develop computational algorithms and analyze the accuracy of angle sensors, as well as demonstrate the results of laboratory measurement tests obtained for the prototypes of the devices. The random component of measurement error is estimated by the quantity (0.2–0.3″).