Inductive position-sensing

Abstract

One example includes a position sensing system. The system includes an inductive position element that is moveable and comprises a position inductor. The system also includes a plurality of inductive load elements. Each of the inductive load elements includes a load inductor. Each of the plurality of inductive load elements can be selectively controlled in response to a modulation signal to provide a corresponding mutual inductance between the position inductor and the respective load inductor, the corresponding mutual inductance depending on a position of the inductive position element relative to the respective load inductor. The system further includes a position controller configured to generate the position and modulation signals and to calculate the position of the inductive position element relative to the plurality of inductive load elements based on a difference of the position signal with respect to the mutual inductance between the position inductor and each respective load inductor.