If your motion feedback system requires high accuracy and/or resolution, you may want to consider an interferometer. What comes to mind at the mention of "interferometer"? Do you ask, "What is it?" or say, "That's what we use to verify our machines' positioning accuracy; it's too expensive and delicate to be used for real-time feedback"?

Creep testers advance to the digital age. Engineers must reliably predict how components react in such critical applications. This is where highly sophisticated testing equipment comes into play.

To take full advantage of the resolver's potential, you have to compensate for error sources. Simulating resolver and cable functions go a long way toward helping you achieve this goal.

Traditional encoders, such as incremental or absolute, are effective enough for general industrial motion control applications.  However, heavy-duty encoders can withstand more severe conditions and can ensure long-term survival, even under challenging conditions. 

Sensors that most of the brunt in harsh-duty applications but have to perform correctly so that the rest of the motion control system functions efficiently.  Sensors must, therefore, be rugged and reliable.  Many of these sensors can benefit from silicon micromachining technology.