An auto-configurable hexagonal pixel array design for an NDB based optical encoder

NICOLÁS CALARCO; FEDERICO ZACCHIGNA; FERNANDO PEREZ QUINTIÁN; ARIEL LUTENBERG

Pucón

Encuentro; IX Reunión Iberoamericana de Óptica y XII Reunión Iberoamericana de Óptica, Láseres y Aplicaciones (RIAO/OPTILAS); 2016

In previous works we introduced optical encoders based on non-diffractive beams (NDB) and showed that they extend the mechanical tolerance limits beyond the marks of the optical encoders technologies currently in use. The optical head of the encoder includes the necessary optics to produce the NDB and a light sensor with a specific detectivity pattern. However, in order to make them suitable for commercial fabrication, the alignment of the light sensor with the NDB should be automatized. In this work we present a new design for the sensor consisting of auto-configurable hexagonal pixels and an algorithm implemented in an FPGA that finds the more illuminated pixel. These two characteristics allows to auto-configure the optimal detectivity pattern on the sensor around the center of the NDB.