A position sensor is a sensor that detects an object's position. A position sensor may indicate the absolute position of the object (its location) or its relative position (displacement) in terms of linear travel, rotational angle or three-dimensional space. Common types of position sensors include the following:

• Capacitive displacement sensor

• Eddy-current sensor

• Hall effect sensor

• Inductive sensor

• Laser Doppler vibrometer (optical)

• Linear variable differential transformer (LVDT)

• Photodiode array

• Piezo-electric transducer (piezo-electric)

Position encoders:

• Absolute encoder

• Incremental encoder

• Linear encoder

• Rotary encoder

• Potentiometer

• Proximity sensor (optical)

• String potentiometer (also known as a string potentiometer, string encoder or cable position transducer)

• Ultrasonic sensor

See also

• List of length, distance, or range measuring devices

• Positioning system

Literature

• David S. Nyce: Linear Position Sensors: Theory and Application, New Jersey, John Wiley & Sons Inc. (2004)