Manufacturer of absolute encoders provide a distinctly coded numerical value for each shaft position. In positioning tasks in particular, the absolute professional encoders relieve the follow-up electronics of computation tasks so that complicated and expensive input components can be dispensed with.
Moreover, reference runs when the machine is switched on or after power failures are no longer required as the current position value is available immediately. Parallel absolute encoders transmit the position value to the analysing electronics parallel through several cables. In case of serial absolute encoders the output data can be transmitted by means of standardised interfaces and standardised protocols.
Whilst in the past frequently point-to-point connections were set up for serial data transmission, field bus systems are being used increasingly today.
