Optical Sensors for Measuring Position & Motion
The key to understanding optical position sensing systems is to understand the sensors which form the heart of such systems. These fall into two basic categories: Segmented and continuous.
Segmented sensors consist of two or more distinct photosensitive elements separated by a small gap. These highly-sensitive devices are best used as nulling and centering devices. Their useful range is limited by the illumination spot size. This category includes Quadrant and BiCell type sensors.
Continuous sensors consist of a single photodiode, without any gaps. These devices are best for measuring a light spot's movement over a wide range (greater than the spot size). This category includes duo-lateral, tetra-lateral, and superlinear types.
Further explanation is offered in the UDTi Position-Sensing Tutorial. Sensor specifications are given in the Position-Sensing System Configuration Guide.
| POSITION SENSOR/INSTRUMENT COMPATIBILITY TABLE
|
| SENSOR
| SENSOR TYPE
| Compatible Amplifier/Indicators
|
| 301DIV
| 501
| 431
| 531 |
|
1232
|
Tetra-lateral
|
|
| 
|
|
|
1233
|
Tetra-lateral
|
|
|
|
|
|
1237
|
Tetra-lateral
|
|
|
|
|
|
1238
|
Lateral
|
|
|
|
|
|
1239
|
Lateral
|
|
|
|
|
|
1240
|
Quadrant
|
|
|
|
|
|
1241
|
Tetra-lateral
|
|
|
|
|
|
1242
|
Quadrant
|
|
|
|
|
|
1243
|
BiCell
|
|
|
|
|
|
1245
|
Quadrant
|
|
|
|
|
|
1248
|
Duo-lateral
|
|
|
|
|
|
1250
|
Duo-lateral
|
|
|
|
|
|
1252
|
Superlinear
|
|
|
|
|
|
1262
|
Quadrant
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Continuous Sensors:
Continuous sensors are distinguished by the number of axes (one, two, or four), sensor shape (circular or rectangular) and sensor size.
Model 1232 Tetralateral Sensor, (20 mm)2
Model 1233 Tetralateral Sensor, (1 cm)2
Model 1237 Tetralateral Sensor, 44 mm diameter
Model 1241 Tetralateral Sensor, (2.5 cm)2
Model 1238 Single-axis Lateral sensor (11.5 mm); 35mm Lens Adapter
Model 1239 Single-axis Lateral sensor (300 mm); 35mm Lens Adapter
Model 1248 Duo-Lateral Sensor, (1 cm)2
Model 1250 Duo-Lateral Sensor, (20 mm)2
Model 1252 Superlinear Sensor, 76 mm
|
| |
Segmented Sensors:
Segmented sensors are distinguished by the number of axes (two or four), sensor shape (circular or rectangular), sensor size, and the size of the gap between segments.
Model 1240 Quadrant Sensor, 10 mm diameter, 0.127 mm gap
Model 1242 Quadrant Sensor, (1.3 mm)2, 0.127 mm gap
Model 1245 Quadrant Sensor, (10 mm)2, 0.127 mm gap
Model 1262/9DMI Quadrant Sensor, 10 mm diameter, 0.013 mm gap
Model 1243 BiCell Sensor, 1.3 mm x 2.5 mm, 0.127 mm gap |
| |
