[sdiy] Digital encoders missing codes in many devices - why?

[David Riley]

On Aug 21, 2021, at 09:24, cheater cheater via Synth-diy <synth-diy at synth-diy.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all,
> I've noticed a trend in consumer electronics where encoders sometimes
> miss codes. By this I mean I'll scroll to the next detent and the
> corresponding value does not change. Sometimes it's completely
> skipped. Sometimes, the phase of the code will flip: for example, if
> normally the next code is sent out when overcoming the separation
> between subsequent detents at the "peak" of the separator, instead it
> will be sent out when moving around inside a single detent, when
> moving past the middle of the "valley" of the detent. However, this
> only happens rarely. For example, with a Logitech mouse, it'll only
> happen once every few days. With the Eventide stomp box, I have to
> make several full turns with the encoder before something like this
> happens.
> 
> It comes in all places. My most recent problematic device is an
> Eventide H9, but this also happens on scroll wheels in Logitech mice,
> on microwave ovens, etc.
> 
> Why does this happen? Why is it so spread out? Is this a programming
> issue, or a mechanical issue related to the lifetime of the encoder?

Having made these before at various different scales, I’d guess that it’s probably mechanical quadrature encoders using brushes to contact. If so, intermittent brush contact would do exactly that; a lot of decoders also don’t handle things like simultaneous transitions well.

There’s a reason ball mice used optical encoders. They last practically forever. Most brushless DC motors and other servos also use optical encoders. For some military hardware I worked with (the carrier-side instrument landing system antenna motors), we used a magnetic encoder, which I’ve not seen elsewhere.

Anyway, degrading contacts would be my guess. Either bent or dirty brushes. Does a hit of De-Ox-It help?


- Dave