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pp. 27-54
S&M4282 Research paper https://doi.org/10.18494/SAM5920 Published: January 8, 2026 High-precision Adaptive Photoelectric Encoder Using Triple Image Sensors in 120° Symmetric Layout [PDF] Yimang Li, Yijie Chen, Tao Liu, and Wenxiu Zhang (Received September 5, 2025; Accepted November 17, 2025) Keywords: angular measurement precision, EKF, triple-sensor system, self-adaptive
The escalating demand for angular measurement precision in industrial automation and precision manufacturing has driven significant research into image-based photoelectric encoders, valued for their noncontact operation and high-resolution capabilities. In this study, we present a self-adaptive angular displacement measurement model utilizing triple image sensors to mitigate pronounced even-order harmonic errors and inadequate environmental susceptibility in conventional single/dual-sensor systems. The proposed design integrates a 120° symmetric configuration with a hybrid “mechanical calibration-algorithmic compensation-environmental adaptation” strategy, enhanced by extended Kalman filter (EKF) bias estimation and gradient descent weight optimization. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the triple-sensor system reduces the second harmonic component ratio from 2.1% (dual-sensor baseline) to 0.6%, achieving 71% harmonic suppression. Static repeatability improves by 65% (±1.2″ vs ±3.5″), while dynamic interpolation error decreases by 66% (±1.2″ vs ±3.5″). Environmental robustness tests reveal an 80% reduction in temperature drift coefficient (±0.5″/°C vs ±2.5″/°C) and an 8 dB enhancement in vibration noise rejection (50 dB vs 42 dB). The system maintains ±1.8″ accuracy under single-point failure. Through nanoimprinted gratings and 3D stacked packaging, a 40% reduction in system volume and a 30% lower power consumption are achieved, compared with conventional implementations. This work provides both theoretical and practical foundations for high-precision photoelectric encoder engineering.
Corresponding author: Yijie Chen![]() ![]() This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Cite this article Yimang Li, Yijie Chen, Tao Liu, and Wenxiu Zhang, High-precision Adaptive Photoelectric Encoder Using Triple Image Sensors in 120° Symmetric Layout, Sens. Mater., Vol. 38, No. 1, 2026, p. 27-54. |