Avago Technologies Introduces Industry's Smallest Optical Encoders Automotive Interior Applications

Avago Technologies today announced the industry's smallest reflective incremental optical encoder. It is offered in a surface-mount package with dimensions of 3.00 mm length by 3.28 mm width by 1.262 mm height. The Avago AEDR-8400 encoder combines extremely small size with 254 lines per inch (LPI) resolution, low power consumption and wide operating temperature range. These attributes make it an excellent choice for consumer, office, industrial and automotive interior applications ranging from scanners, printers, miniature cameras, and seat adjustment and rear view mirror controls in automobiles.

The AEDR-8400 is smaller than the Avago AEDR-83xx optical encoders, which, up to now, were the industry's smallest. It provides two-channel quadrature output, a count frequency up to 15 kHz and -20 to +85 C operating temperature range. The AEDR-8400 is also designed for low power consumption, operating from a single 2.8 V (nominal) supply, drawing 12 mA (including 6 mA LED current), typical. Its lead-free packaging complies with the European Union's directive for Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). Beginning July 1, based on legislation enacted by the EU, manufacturers are responsible for eliminating the products that contain any or all of six banned substances.

Compared with magnetic encoders, Avago's reflective optical encoders offer higher resolution (magnetic encoders are typically limited to approximately 150 LPI raw resolution). In motor control applications the magnetic encoder's lower resolution can cause torque ripple that increases motor vibration. Magnetic sensors also generate magnetic fields, which may call for magnetic shielding to prevent interference with nearby components.

The Avago AEDR-8400 series of reflective encoders consist of an LED light source, a special photodetector IC with integrated electronics, and integrated optics. They can be used with a reflective code wheel to sense rotary position and velocity, or with a linear code strip to sense linear position and velocity. The devices provide two-channel digital outputs in quadrature, which provides both count and direction information. They are insensitive to axial play and maintain performance and accuracy over a wide variation in the gap between sensor and code wheel or strip.

"The AEDR-8400, 254LPI is just the first resolution option in a series of miniature reflective optical encoders under development at Avago Technologies," said Chong Khin Mien, vice president and general manager of Avago Technologies' Motion Control Products Division. "Avago's continuous innovation in developing the industry's smallest form factor encoders with the widest range of resolutions helps us meet our customers' changing needs for various applications and shortens their time to market."

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The Avago AEDR-8400 reflective optical encoder is priced at $3.50 each in quantities of 50,000, and is immediately available through Avago Technologies' direct sales channel and worldwide distribution partners. More information is available at www.avagotech.com/motioncontrol.

About Avago Technologies

Avago Technologies is the world's largest privately held semiconductor company, with 6,500 employees and net revenue of $1.8 billion in fiscal 2005. Avago provides an extensive range of analog, mixed-signal and optoelectronic components and subsystems to more than 40,000 customers worldwide. The company serves three primary product categories comprising optoelectronics, RF/microwave components and enterprise ASICs, and is recognized for providing innovative, high-quality products along with strong customer service and the industry's best on-time delivery. Avago's heritage of technical innovation dates back 40 years to its Agilent/Hewlett-Packard roots. Information about Avago is available on the Web at www.avagotech.com.

Avago, Avago Technologies, and the A logo are trademarks of Avago Technologies Limited in the United States and other countries.