Using OPTICAL MOUSE SENSORS instead of encoders for JOG WHEELS

[TexZK]

Hi all!

I've had an idea about getting rid of (almost) all those rotary encoders and their design "troubles" for big jog wheels: using optical mouse encoders.

I don't know if they're fast enough to handle such "hi-speed" data, but I think their design solution would be much easier than with encoders. Just place the sensor under the wheel, then sample data via, say, a SPI bus from the main MCU. With even 400 dpi, you would get MUCH more accurate measurements than with a, for example, 256-steps optical rotary encoder.

Interfacing such chips trough a high-speed MCU/DSP (PIC18K or dsPIC33, both available also as 28-pin DIP), it would be possible to get VERY high performance wheels.

Can anyone try this out? I'm not an experienced hardware designer/programmer, even if I'm not a "totally n00b", so if someone could support this idea the WHOLE community would be happy  ;)

I've found some interesting chips at Avago Tech laser/optical mouse sensors page such as:

http://www.avagotech.com/pages/en/navigation_interface_solutions/navigation_sensors/laserstream/adns-6010/

which already includes a SPI port for direct reading. The datasheet also looks very complete and with good design examples.

I hope there will be an official MIDIbox module using this technology!!!

[cimo]

Search for Rasteri s scratch wheel ND Sasha s Ableton controller

[TexZK]

Thanks mate! I've already seen them on YouTube, and their work is "TERRIFICALLY AWESOME"  :o :o :o 8)