Absolute industrial encoders
These output positional information in the form of a numerical value (code). This numerical value is unique across the entire resolution range of the absolute encoder. For this reason no initial reference run is required, as is the case with incremental encoders.
With shaft encoders, a distinction is made between single-turn encoders, which provide a resolution on just a single rotation and then revert to 0, and multi-turn encoders that provide a resolution over several rotations. A further distinction is made between optical and magnetic encoders.
