POSITAL Announces 20 mm Rotary Encoders with Battery-Free Multiturn Rotation Counting Capability
May 11, 2026
Ultra-Compact Position Feedback for Motor Control and Robotic Applications
POSITAL is pleased to announce the general availability of its next-generation miniature multiturn IXARC absolute encoders — the smallest devices of their kind currently on the market. Measuring just 20 mm in outer diameter and 22 mm in length, these compact instruments are engineered for applications where space is at a premium, including humanoid robotics, medical equipment, and automated guided vehicles (AGVs).
Successors to POSITAL’s 22 mm models introduced in 2020, the new designs replace Hall effect sensors with Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) sensing technology. This advancement delivers single-turn resolution of up to 19-bit, improved signal stability, and significantly reduced energy consumption — making them a highly cost-effective solution for multiturn position feedback in small stepper and BLDC motors.
The encoders are available in both kit (modular) form — designed for direct installation on motors or drives — and as conventional “industrial” encoders with their own shafts, bearings, and sealed housings. A flexible connector system accommodates cabling in either radial or axial orientations, simplifying integration in tight spaces. Mechanical and electrical compatibility with the previous 22 mm series is maintained, with identical mounting screw patterns and connector pinouts. BiSS C and SSI communication interfaces are supported.
Kit versions feature a built-in self-calibration function that streamlines assembly and enhances measurement accuracy. After installation, a few brief shaft rotations allow the encoder to automatically detect and correct minor mounting misalignments — eliminating the need for ultra precise assembly tolerances.
Like all members of POSITAL’s IXARC family, the new 20 mm encoders feature battery-free multiturn rotation counting, based on Wiegand energy-harvesting technology. Each complete shaft rotation generates a pair of current pulses from the built-in Wiegand sensor that both triggers the counting event and energizes the counter electronics. The result is reliable rotation tracking — covering a 16-bit range (65,536 revolutions) — even when system power is unavailable, with no need for batteries or external power backup.
More Information
For more information, visit POSITAL
Related Product
POSITAL IXARC Rotary Encoders with Extended Support for SSI Interfaces
POSITAL has extended support for SSI communications interfaces across its large family of IXARC absolute rotary encoders. This includes POSITAL’s innovative kit (modular) encoders and its versatile industrial encoders. Both versions are now available in POSTIAL’s new miniature form factor; with a diameter of only 20 mm, these are the smallest multi-turn absolute encoders on the market! For POSITAL’s larger encoders, SSI interfaces are available for a wide range of mechanical configurations, including 36 mm diameter compact designs, rugged 58 mm variants and 78 mm diameter “Explosion proof” (ATEX certified) models. In the larger sizes, both magnetic and optical measurement technologies are available.
