Encoder alignment method and apparatus

Abstract

A test assembly is provided for decreasing the skill and time required for aligning the code detector unit with an optical encoder disc. The output signals from the encoder assembly are conditioned to remove DC offset and to balance the amplitudes of the signals. The conditioned signals are used to generate a staircase display on an oscilloscope by weighting the signals and summing them in parallel circuits to provide parallel multiphase signals. Those signals are converted to square waves which are summed to provide the staircase. The timing of the staircase is indicative of the phase relationships of the multiphase signals. The relationship of those signals is in turn dependent on the phase relationship of the output signals from the code detector.