Kit Encoders Offer Open-Source Interfaces

Magnetic Kit Encoders now offer open-source BiSS Line communication protocol. This enables the practical implementation of single-cable technology. These easy-to-install motor feedback kits, which feature 17-bit electronic resolution, bridge the gap between simple resolvers and more complex and expensive optical encoders for servomotors, robot joints and other applications where absolute rotary position feedback is required.

Single-cable technology involves the transmission of power and encoder signal in a single cable. The one-cable approach offers significant benefits for smaller motors where the placement of two connectors has always been awkward because of the lack of space. Moreover, reduced cabling reduces costs, while reducing the number of connectors reduces susceptibility to connector failures.

A special feature of the BiSS Line interface is the implementation of the Forward Error Correction function (FEC), which improves availability of data communications, even with faulty cables and plug connections. A 4-wire solution (with separate conductors for communication and power supply) or a 2-wire variant (with combined communication and instrument power supply on a wire pair), are also available, based on the same communications protocols.