{"id":3803,"date":"2020-06-17T11:11:21","date_gmt":"2020-06-17T11:11:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanta.com\/robotics-automation\/resolvers\/"},"modified":"2026-02-04T13:17:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T13:17:39","slug":"resolvers","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/novanta.com\/robotics-automation\/resolvers\/","title":{"rendered":"How does a resolver work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What is a resolver?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A resolver is an electrical transformer used to measure the angle of rotation. Many resolvers look somewhat like an electric motor comprising of copper windings on the stator and a machined metal rotor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does a resolver work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A resolver uses the same basic physical principles as an electrical transformer. Resolvers typically use copper windings in its stator and a machined metal rotor. The inductive coupling between the windings varies according to the angular position of the rotor. The resolver is energized with an AC signal and the resulting output from the transformer windings is measured to provide an electrical signal which is proportional to angle.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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A typical resolver has three windings \u2013 a primary winding and two secondary windings. The windings are created using copper wire and are formed on the resolver\u2019s stationery element \u2013 the stator. The primary wire acts as the input for an AC drive signal and each of the secondary windings are used as pick up or receive windings. In the diagram above, the rotor is made from a material such as steel or iron and is arranged relative to the windings and therefore will couple varying amounts of energy into the secondaries depending on its angle of rotation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Types of Resolver<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a variety of types of resolver:<\/p>\n\n\n\n