Method and apparatus for configurable photodetector array patterning for optical encoders

A method of operating an optical encoder system, comprising:

• retrieving a partition map from a memory, wherein the partition map is computed based on geometry information of a motion object;
• configuring a configurable photodetector array based on the partition map, wherein each photodetector in the configurable photodetector array is assigned a state by the partition map, including multiplexing respective outputs from individual photodetectors according to respective assigned states of the individual photodetectors;
• performing an optical detection by measuring current outputs from the photodetectors, wherein the current outputs correspond to light modulated by the motion object;
• and
• generating optical encoder outputs based on the optical detection.

An optical encoder system, comprising:

• a light emitter emitting a light flux;
• a plurality of photodetectors in an array, wherein each photodetector is operable to generate a current in response to the light flux, and wherein each photodetector has a changeable quadrature state assignment;
• a first means for modulating the light flux;
• a second means for multiplexing outputs of the individual photodetectors according to state assignment;
• and
• a third means for grouping currents generated by the plurality of photodetectors having a same state assignment.