A method of optical sensing is disclosed. The method comprises coupling an excitation optical signal into a first optical fiber to induce Rayleigh backscattering, thereby providing a backscattered signal; coupling the backscattered signal into a second optical fiber, spatially separated from the first optical fiber; and optically amplifying the backscattered signal in the second optical fiber, thereby generating a sensing signal.

A method of optical sensing is disclosed. The method comprises coupling an excitation optical signal into a first optical fiber to induce Rayleigh backscattering, thereby providing a backscattered signal; coupling the backscattered signal into a second optical fiber, spatially separated from the first optical fiber; and optically amplifying the backscattered signal in the second optical fiber, thereby generating a sensing signal.

A process for the acquisition of data of a counting device measuring pulses delivered by a sensor can include reading a first datum value of the counting device. The first datum value corresponds to the pulse emitted by the sensor. The process can also include storing in memory the first datum value as a source value. The process can also include measuring a time-interval between said reading and an incremental change of the first datum value of the counting device to a second datum value. The process can also include obtaining a first adjustment value Vx in response to the measured time interval.

A process for the acquisition of data of a counting device measuring pulses delivered by a sensor can include reading a first datum value of the counting device. The first datum value corresponds to the pulse emitted by the sensor. The process can also include storing in memory the first datum value as a source value. The process can also include measuring a time-interval between said reading and an incremental change of the first datum value of the counting device to a second datum value. The process can also include obtaining a first adjustment value Vx in response to the measured time interval.

A method of determining a direction of rotation of a shaft is disclosed, as well as an integrated circuit chip that uses the disclosed method. The method includes receiving a first binary signal and a second binary signal from a transducer attached to the shaft, with the first and second binary signals being in quadrature. A present quadrant identification number, QID.sub.PRESENT, is determined as a two-digit binary number by left-shifting a value of the first signal and adding a value of the second signal. After a sampling interval has elapsed, the method sets a past quadrant identification number, QID.sub.PAST, to the value of said QID.sub.PRESENT, determines a new value of QID.sub.PRESENT and calculates a value of a transition code using an equation that operates on QID.sub.PRESENT and QID.sub.PAST. The method uses the transition code to determine a direction of rotation of the shaft.

A method of optical sensing is disclosed. The method comprises coupling an excitation optical signal into a first optical fiber to induce Rayleigh backscattering, thereby providing a backscattered signal; coupling the backscattered signal into a second optical fiber, spatially separated from the first optical fiber; and optically amplifying the backscattered signal in the second optical fiber, thereby generating a sensing signal.

A method of optical sensing is disclosed. The method comprises coupling an excitation optical signal into a first optical fiber to induce Rayleigh backscattering, thereby providing a backscattered signal; coupling the backscattered signal into a second optical fiber, spatially separated from the first optical fiber; and optically amplifying the backscattered signal in the second optical fiber, thereby generating a sensing signal.

In implementations of a linear encoder force transducer, an encoder component generates light that enters a light input window of an encoder strip, and reflective surfaces disperse the light internally within the encoder strip. The encoder strip has etched lines formed cross-width of the encoder strip for emitted light that exits the encoder strip. The encoder component has gradated slots through which the emitted light from the encoder strip is detected by an array of photo transistors, each of the gradated slots corresponding to one of the photo transistors in the array of photo transistors. An encoder module can determine a linear displacement, such as representative of a force applied to a pen tip of a computer input pen, based on one or more of the photo transistors detecting the emitted light as the etched lines of the encoder strip move relative to the gradated slots of the encoder component.

In implementations of a linear encoder force transducer, an encoder component generates light that enters a light input window of an encoder strip, and reflective surfaces disperse the light internally within the encoder strip. The encoder strip has etched lines formed cross-width of the encoder strip for emitted light that exits the encoder strip. The encoder component has gradated slots through which the emitted light from the encoder strip is detected by an array of photo transistors, each of the gradated slots corresponding to one of the photo transistors in the array of photo transistors. An encoder module can determine a linear displacement, such as representative of a force applied to a pen tip of a computer input pen, based on one or more of the photo transistors detecting the emitted light as the etched lines of the encoder strip move relative to the gradated slots of the encoder component.

An angle sensor is provided for determining an absolute angle signal of a first part rotated with respect to a second part. The angle sensor comprises a first grating ring for generating a first signal representative of a relative position of a first sensor along a corresponding ring segment of the first grating ring. The angle sensor further comprises a second grating ring for generating a second signal representative of a relative position of a second sensor along the corresponding ring segment of the second grating ring. The first plurality and the second plurality are co-prime numbers and a difference between the first plurality and the second plurality being larger than 1. The angle sensor also comprises a calculator configured for calculating the absolute angle signal using a first linear combination of the first signal and the second signal.