Ultra-Compact Modular Encoders for Aerospace Applications

As from its collaboration in the ESA's historic Rosetta Mission almost two decades ago, over the years Lika Electronic has been involved in several space and aerospace projects around the world.

Today Lika has a broad expertise in the sector and can design and manufacture customized encoder solutions to suit individual requirements in the aerospace industry. Following the close cooperation with important Italian and European companies Lika has recently enriched its range of optical and magnetic modular encoders with new versions expressly developed and engineered for aerospace systems.

They combine the main characteristics of the modular encoders (small size, low profile, minimum weight...) with a series of solutions specific to aerospace applications. Mechanical and electronic components are scrupulously selected and tested and must meet stringent requirements for quality, strength, and resistance under adverse conditions. The spectrum of testing includes EMC (electromagnetic compatibility), ESD (electrostatic discharge), vibration, fatigue, life, and TVC (thermal vacuum chamber) testings. The adoption of individual mechanical solutions (for example, for fixing the disk to the drive shaft), the use of special materials, coatings and components, the absence of bearings, the reduction of the weight, the higher precision values of angular measurement further help to design custom solutions.

AMM is a PCB-based series of rotary absolute encoders. They are designed in a range of hollow shaft diameters ranging from 45 mm down to 6 mm (1.771” ÷ 0.236”). AMM80 is compact, slim, and frameless and has a large through hollow shaft that fits diameters up to 45 mm / 1.771”. AMM5A comes in a very compact and flat frameless package (thickness is less than 15 mm / 0.59”) and is ideally suited for installation in constricted spaces. The hollow shaft offers a large internal diameter (24 mm / 0.945" through hollow bore). AMM36 has a diameter of 35 mm / 1.378” and a thickness of 18 mm / 0.708”; the weight is reduced to a few dozens of grams. It can be installed on 6-mm / 0.236” diameter shafts.

AMM encoders can be both singleturn and multiturn. Singleturn resolution can be 17 bits (131,072 cpr) to 23 bits (8,388,608 cpr). In multiturn versions, the number of revolutions is 65,536. They provide position feedback via SSI, BiSS C-mode, and RS-485 interfaces. An additional incremental track offers Sine/Cosine 1Vpp signals for speed feedback and interpolation needs.

SMG is an incremental modular encoder specifically designed to sense a variety of toothed profiles in several modules (typically M0.3, M0.5, M1, …) in both rotary and linear applications such as spur gears, tooth wheels, and racks.

The sensor head has a rugged construction (IP68 protection rate) and encapsulates the magnetoresistive sensor for bearingless, contactless, and wear-free operation. In addition SMG is insensitive to dust, water, oil, vibrations, and interferences. SMG gear tooth encoder provides AB /AB channels via Push-Pull, Line Driver and Sine/Cosine 1Vpp output circuits and additionally a Reference channel (1Vpp level). Customized wheels and application solutions with individual diameters, modules, and toothed profiles are available on request to meet specific requirements.

Lika Electronic has a long-standing experience in the encoders and position measurement industry and can develop customer-specific solutions that meet individual size, shape, shaft diameter, resolution, interface, connection, and operational environment needs. For more information please contact our Sales team.