Question
Which of the following describes an optical shaft encoder?
Answer Options
- A) A device that detects rotation by interrupting a light source with a patterned wheel
- B) A device that measures the strength of a beam of light using analog-to-digital conversion
- C) An optical computing device in which light is coupled between devices by fiber optics
- D) A device for generating RTTY signals by means of a rotating light source
Correct Answer: A
Explanation
An optical shaft encoder is an electromechanical device used to convert the angular position or rotation of a shaft (e.g., a dial or tuning knob) into a digital code. This is a common requirement in computer-controlled radio equipment for precise tuning or motion control.
It is a device that detects rotation by interrupting a light source with a patterned wheel. The encoder consists of a light source, a light sensor (photodetector), and a rotating wheel (or disk) with transparent and opaque segments. As the shaft turns, the pattern on the wheel breaks the light beam, generating a digital pulse sequence that is interpreted by a microcontroller to determine the amount and direction of rotation.
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