How to Use Rotary Encoders to Quickly Convert Mechanical Rotation into Digital Signals

In the digital age, the measurement of rotation of a mechanical shaft on a motor or a rotating instrument knob needs to be done quickly and efficiently. Analog methods such as potentiometers and rotating switches are being replaced by rotary encoders that directly digitize rotary movement, but designers need to be able to appreciate the differences among various encoder types and accurately interpret their digital outputs.