Absolute position transducer having a non-binary code-track-type scale

An absolute position transducer, comprising:

• a scale member;
• a read head member, the read head member and the scale member movable relative to each other along a measuring axis;
• a code track position transducer comprising:
• at least one set of code track sensors formed on the read head member, each set of code track sensors including N sensors, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, and
• a code track formed on the scale member, the code track having a plurality of zones distributed along the measuring axis, at least one sensible element formed in at least some of the plurality of zones;
• and
• a signal generating and processing circuit electrically connected to each set of code track sensors;
• wherein:
• the sensible elements modulate an output of the N sensors of each set of code track sensors based on a relative position between the read head member and the scale member,
• the sensible elements are distributed on the scale member such that each zone is capable of producing one of a set of M output states in an overlying sensor where M is greater than 2, the zones forming a series of code elements extending along the measuring axis, each consecutive set of n code elements forming a non-binary code word, and
• each non-binary code word defines an absolute position of the read head member relative to the scale member to a first resolution.