Applications of Encoders

An encoder is an important combinational circuit that has applications in different fields like computers, electronics, machines, communication systems etc. The encoders take 2ⁿ inputs and generate n outputs. In this article, we will explore the different applications of encoders in detail.

What is an Encoder?

Encoder is a combinational circuit that generates n outputs with the help of enable when 2ⁿ inputs are provided to it. It is represented as the 2ⁿ: n encoder.

Diagram for Encoder

The below diagram represents the 2ⁿ: n encoder.

Applications of Encoders

Encoders have many applications in different fields. Some of the applications of encoders are listed below.

• Computer System
• Speed Synchronization of Motors
• CNC Machiner
• Industry
• Medical
• Data routing
• Signal Processing

Computer Systems

The encoders are used in microprocessors and control unit in computer systems. Microprocessors uses encoders for detecting the interrupts and in its control units. The encoder may help to manage the interrupts coming from other devices to the microprocessor. The priority encoders are used in the microprocessors to prioritize the interrupts. The vertical microprogrammed control unit uses encoders among the groups of control signals to minimize the number of bits in the control signals. The encoders are used in vertical microprogrammed control unit to encode group of control signals making the vertical microprogrammed control instructions shorter.

Speed Synchronization of Motors

The encoders are also used as the speed synchronizers for the multiple motors working together in an industry. The speed of different motors is different within the same point of time, so the encoders are used to get synchronization between these motors.

CNC Machiner

Encoders are used in CNC machineries as an essential part that works together for drills, bores and mills.

Electronics Industry

Encoders are used in the electronics industry to fabricate the semiconductors. The different types of encoders like rotatory encoders, angle encoders and linear encoders are used in the electronic industries.

Medical

Encoders are highly used in medical fields and machines like CT scan, MRI etc. The rotatory encoders are used in these types of machines to get the correct and safe treatments.

Data Routing

The encoders are used in communication systems for the data routing. The encoder helps the data to be passed through the link with small bandwidth and further the data can be decoded once reached to the desired destination. The below diagram represents the application of encoder in data routing.

Signal Processing

Encoders play an important role in the signal processing. Encoder encodes the quantized signals and generates digital signals. Encoders are used to count the specific events, provides flexibility to integrate components and used in measuring the angles, distance or positions. It is also used to convert analog signals to digital signals and helps in reducing dimensions. The below diagram represents the application of encoder in signal processing.

Address Encoding

The encoders are an essential component in address encoding. The encoders in the address encoding helps in the conversion of data from one to another format. In the communication systems, networking and data transfer the encoders convert data into such format that can be transferred easily using the communication channel and then can be further decoded at the receiver's end. In digital circuits encoders are used to encode inputs into some other required format like binary, BCD etc. The diagram below represents the application of encoders in address encoding.

Keyboard Encoders

The keyboard encoders scan the keyboard matrix in form of rows and columns and detects which key is pressed in the keyboard. It encodes the row and column information into BCD code. This BCD code is then transmitted to computer so that it can perform action based on the keys pressed.

Positional Encoders

The positional encoders are used to determine the position of the rotating shafts. Positional encoding is mainly used in the transformer architectures which helps to ensure the information about the order of elements connected within sequence.

Interrupt Requests

The encoders are used in interrupt requests to provide precision, speed sensing, priority handling and resource management. Encoders helps in effectively managing the interrupt signal when the required resource is free or when the task of the required resource is completed it can serve the interrupt request. It also helps in managing the speed of the occurrence of interrupt. Encoders also prioritize the interrupts based on their complexity and types so that the interrupt in the priority can be handled first.

Conclusion

From the above discussion we can conclude that the encoders are one of the useful combinational circuits that are used in different fields like medical, electronics, CNC machinery, motor speed synchronization, communication systems, signal processing. Also, encoders are used in our computer systems in microprocessors and control units.