Inductive sensors operate on the basic principle of electromagnetic induction whereby an electromotive force is induced across a conductor (target) within a changing magnetic field generated by an antenna. Inductive rotary sensors differ from electrical transformers like resolvers in that their conductive elements are based on printed circuit board (PCB) traces rather than windings. This yields numerous benefits including greater design flexibility; lower cost, size, and weight; and a true absolute digital position output. Like resolvers, inductive rotary sensors are capable of high accuracy angle position measurement in challenging environments.
Before exploring the specific use cases of inductive sensors, it is worthwhile outlining a few different types of inductive sensors in more depth.