A Technique for Determining the Accuracy of an Incremental Shaft Encoder,

The report presents a unique technique using a rate-integrating gyroscope, rate table, digital processing electronics, and statistical analysis to determine rapidly and precisely the accuracy of an incremental shaft encoder. The rate table is used to rotate both the gyroscope and the encoder input shaft as a function of the encoder output. Such encoders appear in many guidance and control applications requiring precise angular rotation measurement. These encoders typically produce a series of output pulses with each pulse representing an increment of rotation.