Signal processing system for absolute-value sensors having periodic structures, particularly for position and angle sensors

A signal processing system for a plurality of absolute-value sensors constituting a periodic sensor structure, the system including at least one probe;

• wherein
• within the periodic sensor structure, there is a measurement surface which is divided into several measurement sections, the measurement surface lies opposite said at least one probe, and each of said measurement sections represents a position marking;
• said periodic sensor structure has inputs and outputs, and said system includes a first switch group and a second switch group, a switch driving means connected to each of said switch groups, a signal source, and an evaluation circuit;
• the inputs of the periodic sensor structure are cyclically connected via said first switch group to said signal source, and the outputs of the periodic sensor structure are cyclically connected via said second switch group to said evaluation circuit, said switch driving means operating individual switches of said first switch group to provide cyclical connection between individual ones of the sensor structure inputs to said signal source, said switch driving means operating individual switches of said second switch group to provide cyclical connection between individual ones of the sensor structure outputs and said evaluation circuit;
• said at least one probe, in combination with a plurality of said measurement sections, constitute at least one switch unit for each of said measurement positions;
• switch units of the periodic sensor structure which represents a common position are connected to each other on at least one side which is an input side or an output side;
• said switch driving means comprises a first ring counter for operating switches of said first switch group, and a second ring counter for operating switches of said second switch group;
• and
• the system further comprises a clock generator which drives said first ring counter, an output signal of said first ring counter serving to drive said second ring counter.