The vital role of encoders in drone and gimbal applications
Flight control - Drone encoders for stable UAV performance
➤ Encoders for smooth navigation
Navigation and positioning - Encoders for enhanced UAV accuracy
Integrating encoders with onboard inertial sensors enhances positional data, allowing drones to maintain precise navigation even in GNSS-denied environments—vital for autonomous flight and precision landing.
➤ Encoders for autonomous drone flight
Cargo control - Encoders for stabilisation in delivery drones
Camera stabilisation - Gimbal encoders for smooth aerial footage
Encoders measure angular displacement with high precision, enabling the control system to carry out corrective movements in real time. This ensures smooth footage and precise sensor alignment, even in dynamic or unstable environments.
Panoramic photography - Encoders for seamless aerial imaging
Target tracking - Encoders for object-focused gimbal control
The RESOLUTE™ absolute encoder delivers fast, accurate position updates, enabling responsive tracking performance in real-time applications such as surveillance, wildlife monitoring, and live broadcasting.
Remote operation - Encoders for responsive gimbal control
Why RESOLUTE™ is a strong fit for gimbal-based camera stabilisation?
Where can you find gimbals?
From agriculture and surveillance to photography, filmmaking, search and rescue, oceanographic research, environmental monitoring, to industrial inspection, unmanned vehicles benefit from the stability and precise control provided by gimbals.
Not sure which encoder suits you?
Where can you find radar?
What to consider when selecting encoder systems for drones and gimbals?
Performance
✔ Resolution
✔ Sub-divisional error
✔ Rotary range
✔ Controller input frequency
✔ Readhead mass
✔ Cable flex radius
Environment
✔ Temperature
✔ Humidity
✔ Vibration
✔ Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
✔ IP rating
Installation
✔ Size
✔ Ride height tolerance
✔ Yaw / pitch / roll
✔ Connectors
Others
✔ Protocol
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Pacific Antenna Systems (PAS) designs, fabricates and manufactures state-of-the-art antenna systems that use radio frequencies (RF) ranging from 1–110 GHz. Applications include high-resolution radar, high-rate data communications for line-of-sight and satellite (SATCOM) communications, and high-power microwave systems for drone (UAS) countermeasures.
We need repeatability within a thousandth of a degree. We must test all components on these assemblies due to the significant nature of the applications.
Pacific Antenna Systems (USA) 
Astronomical research - telescope precision in desert environments
The Wise Observatory is an astronomical research facility owned and operated by Tel Aviv University. Located in Israel's Negev desert, the observatory has been supporting cutting-edge astronomical research for over 40 years.
The temperature in the desert can change drastically. These varying temperatures can negatively impact metals, as they expand and contract with temperature changes.
Wise Observatory (Israel)
Virtual reality – the beauty of vision technology
Virtual reality (VR) technology relies heavily on camera positional data for perfect synchronisation between virtual and physical elements in real-time broadcasting. This is why camera support equipment manufactured by Hong Kong-based Power Plus depends on the accuracy and repeatability provided by Renishaw encoders.
Compared with the use of traditional enclosed encoders, the non-contact encoder has excellent repeatability and with zero backlash, which is critical for VR performance.
We are very satisfied with Renishaw's encoders which are built for precision.
Power Plus (Hong Kong)
Power Plus’s high-precision pan-tilt head and jib employ Renishaw's incremental rotary encoder system on both the pan and tilt axes, with a non-contact optical readhead offering repeatability to 0.004 arc seconds.
Recommended solution: QUANTiC™ incremental encoder with RESM scale.
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For electric vehicles (EVs)
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A non-contact high-performance off-axis absolute rotary encoder designed for applications with limited installation space. The compact, low-profile readhead detects and evaluates the magnetic field of a thin, axially magnetised ring.
✔ True absolute, single track
✔ Non contact, no hysteresis
✔ High speed
✔ Low profile
A non-contact high-performance off-axis absolute rotary encoder designed for applications with limited installation space. The compact, low-profile readhead detects and evaluates the magnetic field of a thin, axially magnetised ring.
✔ True absolute
✔ Improved repeatability
✔ Built-in self-monitoring
✔ Immunity to external magnetic fields
A through-hole rotary encoder suitable for applications where a typical encoder cannot be mounted at the end of the rotating shaft due to space constraints. The through-hole measuring principle allows customisation, with various board and magnet sizes to suit your application.
✔ True absolute encoder
✔ Fixable mounting along the shaft
✔ Optional self-calibration
✔ Wide installation tolerances
The true-absolute encoder with a high-speed fine-resolution position measurement system. Position is acquired immediately on start-up without requiring any motion, offering smooth velocity control and dependable positional stability. Available with linear and rotary scales with a variety of serial interfaces.
✔ High speed
✔ Excellent dirt immunity
✔ Low SDE
✔ Low jitter
AM8192B rotary magnetic encoder IC
Designed for motion.
✔ W
✔ D
✔ H
✔ R
OnAxis™ encoder modules
Designed for motion.
✔ W
✔ D
✔ H
✔ R
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Case Studies
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