Will BiSS lead to encoder interface bliss?

Danaher Motion has adopted a high-speed digital interface known as BiSS for its drives and servomotors. The open, bidirectional interface was developed by the German chip specialist iC-Haus specifically to link smart rotary encoders to controls. Until now, most of its users have been small German manufacturers but, with Danaher`s backing, BiSS could be adopted more widely.

BiSS can carry data at 10Mbit/s when operating in a synchronous mode, and supports eight sensors from a single master. The interface can also be used in an asynchronous mode for configuring smart nodes.

Operating in a fully digital mode, the interface can support absolute encoders and allows the use of CRC codes for error checking.

BiSS uses a standard RS485 differential interface. Chips are available for master, sensor, and interpolator functions, and the code can be downloaded from the Internet.

Danaher is using the BiSS interface for its Kollmorgen servo drives and AKM, DBL and DBK servomotors. Other controls-makers using the interface include Control & Robotics Solutions, TR-Electronic, and Leonord, Bauer. Sensor and encoder suppliers supporting BiSS include Hengstler, Hübner, Kübler and Netzer.