INCREMENTAL POSITION, SPEED AND DIRECTION DETECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ROTATING TARGETS UTILIZING MAGNETORESISTIVE SENSOR

摘要

An apparatus and method that determines the incremental speed, position and direction of rotating targets using magnetoresistive sensors. A magnet is mounted on a rotating target on the same axis of rotation such that the magnet spins with the target. A magnetoresistive sensor is positioned proximate to the magnet such that the changes in magnetic field are detected by the sensors. An interpolating integrated circuit divides signals into small angular increments and converts data to digital form. These signals can be used to determine the angular speed, position, and direction of the rotating target. This results in a much more accurate determination of angular speed, position and direction of a rotating target regardless of the composition of the target or the environment in which it operates.