Absolute encoder and electric motor

Abstract

An absolute encoder includes: a scale including an optical pattern that includes code patterns for a plurality of cycles; an illumination unit that outputs light for illuminating the scale; a light detection unit that detects light from the scale; a section determination unit that determines, for a region of the optical pattern divided into a plurality of sections, the section to which a code string belongs; and an absolute position calculation unit that obtains an absolute position of the scale on the basis of the section determined and the code string. When N is the number of the cycles of the code patterns on the scale, in a case where N is equal to two, the number of the sections is three or more, and in a case where N is equal to three or more, the number of the sections is N or more.