
iC-TW29 26-BIT ENCODER PROCESSOR
WITH INTERPOLATION AND BiSS INTERFACE
Rev C1, Page 2/28
DESCRIPTION
The iC-TW29 is a system-on-chip for encoder appli-
cations. The integration of a 14-bit interpolator with a
26-bit gearbox and a resolution-enhancing digital lter
provides a complete solution for arbitrary resolution
single and multiturn encoders. Independent I/O mod-
ules with individually programmed resolutions provide
BiSS C, standard encoder quadrature (ABZ), or com-
mutation (UVW) outputs separately or in combination.
The iC-TW29 accepts 20 mV to 2 V differential sin/-
cos input signals directly from magnetic or optical
sensors—no external signal conditioning is required
in most applications. The differential zero input ac-
cepts a wide range of digital and analog index gating
sources such as Hall or MR sensor bridges. Auto-
matic calibration and adaption (correction during op-
eration) of sensor offset, sin/cos amplitude match,
and phase quadrature provide and maintain minimum
angular error and jitter. Additionally, automatic calibra-
tion of gain, offset, and phase of the zero input allows
for rapid commissioning.
The gearbox tracks input cycles (up to 4096 per rev-
olution) and provides output resolutions of up to 26
bits per revolution. Auto-calibrated eccentricity com-
pensation increases achievable angular accuracy by
correcting for off-center optical discs or magnetic pole-
wheels. When combined with an external revolution
counting device (such as the iC-PVL) communicating
via its absolute data interface, the iC-TW29 provides
a complete BiSS multiturn absolute encoder solution.
The differential zero input can be used with a tra-
ditional index sensor to generate an incremental Z
output or to clear the gearbox counter in singleturn
absolute applications. It can also be used as a po-
sition capture input with a four-word FIFO to allow
decoding distance-coded reference marks in hosted
applications.
In addition to industry-standard incremental ABZ
quadrature output, the iC-TW29 also provides UVW
commutation output modes for 1 to 32 pole-pair mo-
tors as well as BiSS and SPI interfaces. The BiSS in-
terface provides BiSS encoder proles 3, 3S (safety),
or 4 as well as optional electronic data sheet EDS SE
functionality. BiSS passthrough mode allows a host
processor to implement any BiSS encoder prole or
EDS.
Extensive status/fault and signal quality monitoring
capabilities allow detection and notication of poor
operating conditions.
The iC-TW29 is congured via the bi-directional BiSS,
SPI, or Encoder Link interfaces. Encoder link uses
the incremental quadrature outputs to implement a
SPI-like serial interface for eld re-conguration or
diagnostics.
The iC-TW29 requires minimal external components
for operation. An EEPROM for storage of congu-
ration and calibration data, and RS422 line drivers
for the ABZ or UVW outputs are already integrated
on-chip. An external line driver/receiver is required for
BiSS applications. An integrated power-on reset cir-
cuit can be overridden by an external hardware reset
signal if necessary.
General notice on application-specic programming
Parameters dened in the datasheet represent supplier’s
attentive tests and validations, but - by principle - do not imply
any warranty or guarantee as to their accuracy, completeness or
correctness under all application conditions. In particular, setup
conditions, register settings and power-up have to be thoroughly
validated by the user within his specic application environment
and requirements (system responsibility).
For magnetic sensor systems: The chip’s performance in
application is impacted by system conditions like the quality of
the magnetic target, eld strength and stray elds, temperature
and mechanical stress, sensor alignment and initial calibration.
For optical sensor systems: The chip’s performance in
application is impacted by system conditions like the quality of
the optical target, the illumination, temperature and mechanical
stress, sensor alignment and initial calibration.