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High Speed, Low Latency 2-bit HW Gray Code Adder-Subtractor – Eases Direct Axis Position Feedback for Differential Drive Kinematics
3D printing
CNC
Robotics

Encoder Adder–Subtractor (ABZ Quadrature mixer)

Sold by Rowdy NPC store

$42.13

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Original Design
This product was designed by Rowdy NPC store. By buying this product you support original hardware creators.

Your CoreXY diff. drive doesn't have to compromise on accuracy, nor speed!

Mount linear encoders on the physical X/Y axes, mix signals in pure hardware, and feed perfect motor-domain A/B feedback to your controller.
No firmware hacks, no CPU overhead, no more VFAs!

What It Does

This compact hardware module mixes two independent ABZ quadrature encoder signals (e.g., linear X and Y) in real time:

  • OUT1 = X + Y → pure Motor A equivalent
  • OUT2 = X - Y → pure Motor B equivalent
  • Z_out = Z_x XOR Z_y → for your convenience

Plug your axis encoders in → get the clean, low-latency ABZ signals your motion controller expects.

Key Benefits

  • Enables true closed-loop with linear encoders on Duet 1HCL and similar boards
  • Zero software latency, propagation delay as low as 73 ns @ 5.0 V
  • Up to 12.0 Mbps error-free output bandwidth (frees up to 35+ MIPS in your high-speed control loops)
  • Plug-and-play: no firmware mods, standard TTL quadrature compatible
  • Built-in ACTIVITY LEDs give instant visual feedback (1 blink = 1 step)
  • Wide voltage range: 3.3 ±0.3 V ~ 5.0 V ±0.5 V (<100 mA)

The Core Problem: Domain Mismatch in Differential Kinematics

Most motion controllers (Duet3 1HCL, Ouroboros, ODrive, many industrial servos) expect encoder feedback to match each motor's rotation. In CoreXY and differential-drive systems, this creates issues:

  • Motor-mounted rotary encoders give precise motor angles but can't correct downstream errors (belt stretch/slip, pulley eccentricity, backlash, torsion, stiction, bearing play). This leads to artifacts like ringing, Vertical Fine Artifacts (VFAs), and dimensional inaccuracies, even in closed-loop mode.
  • Linear encoders on the X/Y axes deliver true effector position (ideal for accuracy), but popular controllers usually have only one ABZ encoder input per motor, or require software to fuse X and Y into A/B (adding latency, CPU load, and needing dual ABZ inputs in hardware).

Result: You sacrifice true positional accuracy or fight hardware/firmware limitations and performance penalties.

The fix is hardware-level mixing, transforming linear X/Y feedback into motor-domain A = X+Y and B = X-Y signals, so your existing controller sees exactly what it wants, with zero software involved.

Killer Features

 1) Ultra-Simple Setup

Standard kit includes all crimp connectors.
Works out of the box with most quadrature encoders.

 2) No CPU Overhead, Minimal Latency

Hardware-only processing eliminates software sensor fusion delays.
Lab tested up to full spec ー see scope traces below.

 3) "Fake" Cartesian Mode (Controller Agnosticism)

Trick industrial servo drives and single-encoder-per-axis controllers into thinking they’re driving a standard Cartesian stage: perfect for retrofitting CoreXY mechanics!

Applications

  • CoreXY 3D printers with linear encoders (Voron, RatRig, etc.)
  • Differential drive robot wrists / joints (geared, timing belts, capstan, etc.)
  • Any coupled kinematic system needing sum / difference feedback

CoreXY 3D printer linear encoder implementation example

Specifications

Parameter Value
Absolute Min. / Max. Supply Voltage -0.5 ~ 7.0 V
Operating Voltage (Vdd) 3.3 V ±0.3 V ~ 5.0 V ±0.5 V (<100 mA)
Min. Propagation Delay 73 ns @ 5.0 V / 112 ns @ 3.3 V
Min. Output Edge Separation 67 ns (17.0 MS/s minimum recommended sampling rate)
Max. Error-free Bitrate* per input 6.0 Mbps (185ns minimum recommended input edge separation)
Output Type Single-ended TTL push-pull (<9 mA, 50~65 Ohm)
Inputs Single-ended TTL (10 kΩ internal pull-up to VDD)
Z Output XOR of Z_x and Z_y
Operating Temperature Range -20°C to 65°C
Included ・ 4 x CDR-05-TS header (soldered / unsoldered opt.)
・ 4 × CDH-05 plugs
・ 20 × CDH-C crimp contacts

*Error rate < 0.001 ppm

Important Warnings & Recommendations

  • Sold as-is for integration (sub-component), no warranty
  • Buyer of the kit version (headers unsoldered), ground pads do not have thermal relief
  • Do not exceed ratings
  • Inputs are unprotected / unterminated
  • All I/O share common GND / VDD net (beware unintentional ground loops & parallel PSUs)
  • Controller must support the Min Output Edge Separation time even if the mixer is fed slower than Max Input Bitrate input streams
  • For best performance:

    • Use 5.0V supply voltage
    • Ensure stable electrical supply
    • Keep the leads as short as possible, especially between the mixer and the controller

Performance assessment

Each sold unit is individually tested for error-free processing of at least 1 Gib of data simultaneously streamed to both ABZ inputs of the mixer at the combined inputs' Max. Error-free Bitate at 3.3V.

Propagation delay figure @3.3V

Propagation delay figure @5.0V

Minimum output edge separation @3.3V

Signal unit test result sample @3.3V

Signal unit test result sample @5.0V

Extras

  • Standalone mixer ICs (QFN package) + documentation available on request
  • Custom speed variants or engineering support: contact via message

Shipping worldwide from Japan*.
*For the relevant destinations, import tariff is not included in the listed price of the goods

Questions about:

  • Signals over differential pairs?
  • Higher/Lower speed variants?
  • I/O signals galvanic isolation?
  • Other?

➡️ Message me!
Happy to help with concerns regarding wiring, integration, or shipping.

THANK YOU! For supporting a small hardware maker! 🚀

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The seller

Rowdy NPC store

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Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
0 orders since Apr 30, 2026
Solving nerdy problems with dedicated hardware.