Introduction
Today we will take a look at using a rotary encoder with Arduino and displaying rotation data on the Nokia 5110 LCD display.
A rotary encoder is an electro-mechanical device that converts angular position or the rotation of a shaft into analog or digital values. They are mainly of two types, absolute and incremental rotary encoders. The output of the absolute encoders indicates the current position of the shaft, making it more of an angle transducer. The output of incremental encoders provides information about the motion of the shaft, this can then be further processed to give information such as speed, distance and position among others.
By turning the shaft to the right or left, we either get an increase or decrease in value. One of the major advantage of rotary encoders is the fact that rotation is limitless. If the maximum position, (which is 20 for the particular rotary encoder used in this tutorial) is reached, the device starts the position counting all over again while the value attached to the position continues to increase/decrease with every turn of the knob in the same direction. This means we could still keep increasing the value associated with turning the rotary encoder so far we keep rotating in the same direction.
Rotary encoders are used in many applications that require precision and limitless rotation, like industrial controls, Robotics, computers and micro-controller based applications like the one we are working on today.
Another good thing about this rotary encoder is the fact that it comes with a button attached so you can click by pressing the nob as shown in the image below and the click/press will be recognized by the Arduino like a button input press, just as it will if it were any other button.
When the button is clicked and held down, Arduino will recognize that and when released the Arduino will also recognize it has been released.
Read more: Rotary Encoder with Arduino and Nokia 5110 LCD Tutorial
