Optical encoder fault diagnosis based on characteristics of data and fuzzy logic

The fault diagnosis for a class of widely used digital parallel output optical encoder were focused. After definition of the optical encoder, the main features of the optical encoder's output data were analyzed. A fault diagnosis method which did not rely on the system model where optical encoder used was proposed. The changes of optical encoder's output data were analyzed. Then, the inherent characteristics were calculated. The fuzzy logic was utilized to determine the fault type and locate the fault location. Theoretical analysis and experimental results show that this method can diagnose and isolate optical encoder fault accurately without disassembly.