Method for generating a reference signal for use in an imaging apparatus

A method for providing a reference signal to printhead fire logic for controlling generation of fire pulses that are supplied to a printhead in an imaging apparatus, comprising:

• generating an original encoder signal;
• selecting one of a plurality of encoder signal conditioning algorithms, said plurality of encoder signal conditioning algorithms corresponding to a plurality of desired functions, each encoder signal conditioning algorithm of said plurality of encoder signal conditioning algorithms being directed to facilitating a specific predefined function of said plurality of desired functions relating to a modification of said original encoder signal;
• reading values associated with said original encoder signal into the selected encoder signal conditioning algorithm to generate at least one programming parameter;
• programming a hardware reference unit using said at least one programming parameter to generate a synthesized encoder signal representing said modification of said original encoder signal;
• selecting one of said original encoder signal and said synthesized encoder signal as said reference signal;
• and
• supplying said reference signal to said printhead fire logic.