Position encoder apparatus

An encoder readhead for reading an encoder scale, the encoder readhead comprising;

• a detector array having a plurality of sensor elements that generate a plurality of analogue sensor signals,
• processing circuitry for converting the plurality of analogue sensor signals into a plurality of digitised sensor values and generating an incremental position output from the plurality of digitised sensor values,
• wherein the detector array and processing circuitry are formed on a single microchip.

An encoder readhead for reading an encoder scale, the encoder readhead comprising;

• a detector array having a plurality of sensor elements, each of the plurality of sensor elements generating an analogue sensor signal, and
• a plurality of analogue-to-digital convertors, each of the plurality of analogue-to-digital convertors being configured to convert an analogue sensor signal into a digitised sensor value,
• wherein each sensor element outputs its analogue signal to a different one of the plurality of analogue-to-digital converters such that the plurality of analogue signals are converted into a plurality of digitised sensor values in parallel.