Is Sin Cos Encoder Absolute?

Is sin cos encoder absolute?

No, a standard SinCos encoder is not absolute—it’s an incremental encoder. The difference between incremental and absolute encoders is whether they can tell the system the exact position when it starts up. Incremental encoders (including SinCos ones) only measure changes in position from a starting point; if the power goes out and the shaft moves, the encoder can’t remember where it was, so you have to re-zero the system when power comes back.

But wait, there’s a catch: some manufacturers (like Shanghai Hengxiang) make "absolute SinCos encoders" by adding extra absolute positioning technology. These special encoders still output sine and cosine signals for high-precision incremental measurement, but they also have a separate absolute track that stores the exact position. Hengxiang’s absolute SinCos encoders are useful in applications where you can’t afford to re-zero the system, like medical equipment or precision assembly lines. Their design combines the best of both worlds: the high accuracy of SinCos signals and the "position memory" of absolute encoders. One thing to clarify: don’t confuse "standard SinCos" with "absolute SinCos" when buying—Hengxiang’s sales team can help you tell them apart.