2/20/2021 Single-Turn Encoders vs Multi-Turn Encoders | Dynapar

Single-Turn vs Multi-Turn
Encoders
Single-turn encoders measure displacement across 360° from a defined starting position with

the output repeated for every revolution of the encoder’s shaft. Multi-turn encoders measure

the degree of rotation within 360 and track the number of total revolutions of the encoder’s

shaft using a unique word for each position and number of revolutions.

A single-turn encoder is analogous to a watch with only a minute hand (left). After 60 minutes,

the watch resets and does not record the total number of turns, or in or this case, hours. A

multi-turn encoder is like a watch with a minute and hour hand. At any given moment, both the

position of the minute hand and the total number of turns of the minute hand (hours) can be

read.

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Single-Turn Encoder Applications

Single-turn encoders are ideal for applications measuring less than 360° of rotation such as

measuring the pivot point of an angle or measuring partial rotations of a shaft. For example, a

single-turn encoder can be used to measure the pivot point of a door or gate to determine the

angle of the opening. A single-turn encoder may also be used to measure the pivot point of a

rotating antenna to determine its angle.

Single-turn absolute encoders are also commonly used in permanent magnet servo motors to

provide the position of the motor stator in relationship to the rotor upon startup for improved

torque control. While a motor makes multiple turns, many applications do not require tracking

the total number of rotations, only the position within one rotation.

Multi-Turn Encoder Applications

Multi-turn encoders are ideal for application measuring both the degree of rotation and the

total number of rotations. They are also ideal for measuring longer lengths of linear motion

where it is not possible or economical to use a linear encoder or when the pivot point of

rotation is not accessible. For example, tracking the motion along the circumference of a large

satellite dish, measuring the rotation of a slip-ring or measuring travel of a well-depth logging

system.

Multi-turn encoders are also ideal for servo motor feedback when the application involves

coordinated axes that are offset. With a single-turn encoder, the offsets would be lost when

the system loses power and the system would need to be homed. While a battery backup can

help prevent this, the system would still lose position if it mechanically moves while the power

is off (e.g. if an operator manually moves the device). With a multi-turn encoder, the offset

position can be programmed into the logic of the machine.

For example, if a semiconductor manufacturing system loses power while processing a large

wafer, rehoming the device and returning to its prior position within the nanometer is near

impossible and could result in the entire wafer being scrapped. Therefore, applications like this

use multi-turn encoders that allow for the position to be mechanically saved on the encoder in

the event of a power loss.

Multi-Turn Encoder Technology

There are 3 main types of multi-turn encoder technology:

Incremental Multi-Turn Encoder

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Some incremental encoders include a special channel on their code

disc known as the index channel, or Z-channel. This is a separate

channel with a single opaque region. Each time the code disc

completes a full rotation, the Z-channel generates a single pulse.

The readout device can use this pulse to count the number of full

turns the load makes, and use up /down counting to track partial

turns.

The number of full rotations a multi-turn incremental encoder can monitor is limited only by the

processing and storage capability of the readout device which is normally a microprocessor.

The primary drawback of an incremental multi-turn encoder is that it loses all information at

power shutdown. To overcome this limitation, a battery backup can be used to allow the data

to be saved. However, if the system moves mechanically after the power is lost, the system

will need to be homed, unless the battery backup and a counter are present on the encoder

side.

Geared Absolute Multi-Turn Encoder

The simplest version of a multi-turn absolute encoder involves two

discs: one for monitoring ±360° and a secondary code disc for

monitoring full rotations of the primary code disc. The two are

connected by a complex gearing system that indexes the

secondary disc for every full rotation of the primary disc.

This can lead to a system capable of tracking a significant amount

of movement. For example, pairing a 10-bit primary disc and 10-bit secondary disc produces a

system capable of 1024 rotary positions and 1024 full turns. In theory, these designs can be

expanded to a high number of secondary discs, depending on the requirements of the

application

Wiegand-Sensor Absolute Multi-Turn

Encoder
A Wiegand-wire can be used to create a gearless multi-turn encoder that records turns by

inducing a change in a magnetic field causing a wire to generate a pulse once per encoder

revolution. The pulse powers a counter inside the encoder that then records the revolution.

With fewer mechanical components, Wiegand-sensor absolute multi-turn encoders are

generally more compact than other multi-turn encoders. Less friction is generated inside the

encoder thanks to fewer mechanical components.

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Other Resources You Might Be Interested In

Using Absolute Encoders with Your Application

Encoder Interface Protocols

Incremental vs. Absolute Encoders

Encoder Resolution, Accuracy & Repeatability

Is a Multi-Turn Encoder More

Accurate Than a Single-Turn
Encoder?
A multi-turn encoder technically increases the resolution of the device. However, the root

accuracy is still dictated by the single-turn bit count. In many applications, the encoder will not

limit the system accuracy because the accuracy of the single-turn device exceeds the

mechanical accuracy of the rest of the system. Learn more about encoder accuracy vs

encoder resolution here

Additional Absolute Encoder Resources

Learn more about absolute encoder technology here

Learn how to choose absolute encoder communication protocols here

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