User guide
16
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4.1: Quadrature Output
A new method of interfacing magnetostrictive 
transducers offers customers an interface as 
common as analog with the speed and accuracy of 
pulsed type signaling. The GEMCO 952 QD Linear 
Transducer provides quadrature output directly from 
the transducer to the controller (see drawing below). 
The output from the transducer can be wired directly 
to any incremental encoder input card, without 
the need for a special converter module or PLC 
interface card designed specically for use with a 
pulse output magnetostrictive transducer.
The quadrature output provides absolute position 
data in engineering units. This means that the 
need for the calibration constant (wire speed) 
programming has been removed, thereby 
eliminating the possibility of having an improperly 
calibrated system. The output signal wires are 
driven by differential RS-422 line drivers, similar 
to the drivers used in most magnetostrictive pulse 
type transducers, providing a high degree of noise 
immunity.
A unique feature of this transducer is a Burst mode 
of operation. An input on the transducer triggers 
a data transfer of all the incremental position data 
relative to the transducer’s absolute zero position. 
This can be used to achieve absolute position 
updates when power is restored to the system or 
anytime an update is needed to re-zero or home 
the machine. Additionally, another input to the 
transducer can be used to establish a Zero position 
for the transducer.
4.2: Signal Connection 
Application Note
Overview
This application note will attempt to clarify the type 
of signals coming out of and going into the 952QD 
quadrature probe.
Inputs
The quadrature probe has two inputs, the Zero and 
Burst inputs. These inputs are single ended. That 
is, the connection for each input consists of only 
one wire, the corresponding signal wire. For these 
(single ended) inputs, the signal is measured with 
reference to the power supply ground, which is also 
sometimes referred to as common.
The quadrature probe is available with either +24 
VDC level signal thresholds or TTL level thresholds. 
The signal voltage level required to activate the 
input for the +24 VDC level signals is proportional 
to the power supply voltage that the customer is 
supplying to the probe. This level is approximately 
41% of the power supply voltage. For example; if 
the power supply voltage powering the probe is 
exactly +24 VDC, the threshold voltage would be 
about 9.84 volts.
The TTL level threshold signals are activated when 
these inputs exceed the typical TTL level threshold, 
which is 2.0 VDC.
Additionally, for the +24 VDC level signals, the 
customer can specify either a sourcing or sinking 
type of input. A sourcing input type is pulled high 
internal to the probe. To activate a sourcing input, 
the customer must pull the signal lower than the 
threshold voltage to activate the input. A sourcing 
input is usually driven by a sinking output or a 
switch connected to ground. A sinking input type is 
pulled low internal to the probe. To activate a sinking 
input, the customer must pull the signal higher than 
the threshold voltage to activate the input. A sinking 
input is usually driven by a sourcing output or a 
switch connected to the power supply.
Chapter 4: 952 QD Overview










