An optical rotary encoder is easy to implement for automation system applications. In particular, the output of the encoder has a digital form pulse, which is also easy to be connected to a popular digital controller. By using an incremental encoder and a counting device, it is easy to measure angular displacement, as the number of the output pulses is proportional to the rotational displacement. This method can only detect the angular placement once a pulse signal comes out of the encoder. The angular displacement detection period is strongly subject to the change of the angular displacement in case of ultimate low velocity range. They have ultimate long detection period or cannot even detect angular displacement at near zero velocity. This paper proposes an algorithm for detecting angular displacement by using a dual encoder system with two encoders of normal resolution. The angular displacement detecting algorithm is able to keep detection period moderately at near zero velocity and even detect constant angular displacement within nominal period. It is useful for motion control applications in case of changing rotational direction at which there occurs zero velocity. In this paper, various experimental results are shown for the angular displacement detection algorithm.
