Difference Between Absolute and Incremental Encoders

Absolute encoders and incremental encoders both measure rotation angle or position. The key difference is their output format.

Absolute encoders output the current position code directly and retain position information after power loss. They provide high accuracy without reinitialization.

Incremental encoders output angle increments. They require initialization and accumulating increments to compute current position. Incremental encoders often provide faster signal processing suitable for high-speed applications.

In summary, absolute encoders offer simplicity and precision, while incremental encoders offer speed and are cost effective for many applications.