CiA Draft Standard 406 
  CANopen 
Device profile for encoders 
 
 
 
 
Version: 3.2 
18 December 2006 
 CAN in Automation (CiA) e. V. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
HISTORY 
Date 
1997-05-05 
1998-05-11 
2002-05-17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2003-12-20 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2006-12-18 
 
 
 
 
2 
Device profile for encoders 
Changes 
Publication of Version 1.0 
Publication of Version 2.0 
Publication of version 3.0 
The version 3.0 of this specification has been re-chaptered. In addition, all object 
descriptions and entry descriptions have been reviewed and edited in accordance to 
CiA DS-301 version 4.01. In particular, all Array objects have been reviewed. Type 
error corrections and other editorial changes (mostly clarifications and rewordings) are 
not listed in detail, only changes with technical content are recorded in the following 
table: 
Error behavior 
TPDO 
Object 1029h definitions have been added. 
The event timer of the TPDO 1 shall be hard-wired with the cyclic 
timer (object 6200h). They may be used alternatively. 
The TPDO 2 is now compliant to CiA DS-301 version 4.01 
meaning that this PDO shall use 1801h PDO communication 
parameter set object and 1A01h PDO mapping parameter set. 
This TPDO shall be transmitted when the device enters the 
Operational state. 
Additional parameter definition 
Additional parameter definition 
New object: offset values for multi-sensor device 
TPDO 1 
Object 6000h 
Object 6500h 
Object 65C0h 
Publication of version 3.1 
The version 3.1 of this specification includes besides some minor editorial 
clarifications the following changes: 
Object 6000h 
Object 6005h 
Object 6008h 
Object 6009h 
Object 6010h 
Object 6020h 
Object 6040h 
Object 6050h 
Object 6502h 
Object 6510h 
Publication of version 3.2 
Measuring direction definition included 
Sub-objects for acceleration and jerk step settings added 
High precision position value object added 
High precision preset value added 
Data type changed to Integer32 
Data type changed to Integer32 
Acceleration value object added 
Jerk value object added 
Value definition for 0 included 
Number of high precision revolutions object added 
- 
- 
Detailed PDO specification 
Editorial changes 
 
 CiA 2008 – All rights reserved 
Device profile for encoders 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
General information on licensing and patents 
CAN in AUTOMATION (CiA) calls attention to the possibility that some of the elements of this 
CiA specification may be subject of patent rights. CiA shall not be responsible for identifying 
any or all such patent rights. 
Because  this  specification  is  licensed  free  of  charge,  there  is  no  warranty  for  this 
specification,  to  the  extent  permitted  by  applicable  law.  Except  when  otherwise  stated  in 
writing  the  copyright  holder  and/or  other  parties  provide  this  specification  “as  is”  without 
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correctness and completeness of the specification is with you. Should this specification prove 
failures, you assume the cost of all necessary servicing, repair or correction. 
© CiA 2008 
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or 
utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, 
without permission in writing from CiA at the address below. 
CAN in Automation e. V. 
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DE - 90429 Nuremberg, Germany 
Tel.: +49-911-928819-0 
Fax: +49-911-928819-79 
Url: www.can-cia.org 
Email: headquarters@can-cia.org 
 CiA 2008 – All rights reserved 
 
3 
Device profile for encoders 
 
 
CONTENTS 
1  Scope ............................................................................................................................... 6 
2  Normative references........................................................................................................ 6 
3  Abbreviations and definitions ............................................................................................ 6 
4  Operating principle............................................................................................................ 6 
4.1  General ................................................................................................................... 6 
4.2  C1 encoders ............................................................................................................ 6 
4.3  C2 encoders ............................................................................................................ 7 
4.4  Diagnostic area ....................................................................................................... 7 
4.5  Functional overview................................................................................................. 7 
5  Error handling ................................................................................................................... 7 
5.1  General ................................................................................................................... 7 
5.2  Error behavior.......................................................................................................... 7 
5.3  Additional error code meanings ............................................................................... 7 
6  Pre-defined communication objects................................................................................... 8 
6.1  General ................................................................................................................... 8 
6.2  Object 1000h: Device type ....................................................................................... 8 
6.3  Object 1001h: Error register ..................................................................................... 8 
6.4  Object 1029h: Error behaviour.................................................................................. 9 
6.5  Process data objects ............................................................................................... 9 
6.5.1  General ....................................................................................................... 9 
6.5.2  TPDO 1 ....................................................................................................... 9 
6.5.3  TPDO 2 ..................................................................................................... 11 
6.5.4  TPDO 3 ..................................................................................................... 13 
7  Application object definitions........................................................................................... 15 
7.1  General ................................................................................................................. 15 
7.2  Overview on encoder application objects ............................................................... 15 
7.3  Encoder parameters .............................................................................................. 17 
7.3.1  General ..................................................................................................... 17 
7.3.2  Object 6000h: Operating parameters .......................................................... 17 
7.3.3  Object 6001h: Measuring units per revolution............................................. 18 
7.3.4  Object 6002h: Total measuring range in measuring units............................ 19 
7.3.5  Object 6003h: Preset value ........................................................................ 19 
7.3.6  Object 6004h: Position value...................................................................... 20 
7.3.7  Object 6005h: Linear encoder measuring step settings............................... 20 
7.3.8  Object 6008h: High precision position value ............................................... 22 
7.3.9  Object 6009h: High precision preset value ................................................. 22 
7.3.10  Object 6010h: Preset values for multi-sensor devices ................................ 22 
7.3.11  Object 6020h: Position values for multi-sensor devices .............................. 24 
7.3.12  Object 6030h: Speed value ........................................................................ 25 
7.3.13  Object 6040h: Acceleration value ............................................................... 26 
7.3.14  Object 6050h: Jerk value............................................................................ 27 
7.3.15  Object 6200h: Cyclic timer ......................................................................... 28 
7.4  Encoder Cams ....................................................................................................... 29 
7.4.1  General ..................................................................................................... 29 
7.4.2  Object 6300h: Cam state register ............................................................... 30 
7.4.3  Object 6301h: Cam enable register ............................................................ 32 
 CiA 2008 – All rights reserved 
4 
 
Device profile for encoders 
7.4.4  Object 6302h: Cam polarity register ........................................................... 33 
7.4.5  Object 6310h: Cam 1 low limit .................................................................... 34 
7.4.6  Object 6311h: Cam 2 low limit .................................................................... 35 
7.4.7  Object 6312h: Cam 3 low limit .................................................................... 36 
7.4.8  Object 6313h: Cam 4 low limit .................................................................... 37 
7.4.9  Object 6314h: Cam 5 low limit .................................................................... 38 
7.4.10  Object 6315h: Cam 6 low limit.................................................................... 39 
7.4.11  Object 6316h: Cam 7 low limit.................................................................... 40 
7.4.12  Object 6317h: Cam 8 low limit.................................................................... 41 
7.4.13  Object 6320h: Cam 1 high limit .................................................................. 42 
7.4.14  Object 6321h: Cam 2 high limit .................................................................. 43 
7.4.15  Object 6322h: Cam 3 high limit .................................................................. 44 
7.4.16  Object 6323h: Cam 4 high limit .................................................................. 45 
7.4.17  Object 6324h: Cam 5 high limit .................................................................. 46 
7.4.18  Object 6325h: Cam 6 high limit .................................................................. 47 
7.4.19  Object 6326h: Cam 7 high limit .................................................................. 48 
7.4.20  Object 6327h: Cam 8 high limit .................................................................. 49 
7.4.21  Object 6330h: Cam 1 hysteresis................................................................. 50 
7.4.22  Object 6331h: Cam 2 hysteresis................................................................. 51 
7.4.23  Object 6332h: Cam 3 hysteresis................................................................. 52 
7.4.24  Object 6333h: Cam 4 hysteresis................................................................. 54 
7.4.25  Object 6334h: Cam 5 hysteresis................................................................. 55 
7.4.26  Object 6335h: Cam 6 hysteresis................................................................. 56 
7.4.27  Object 6336h: Cam 7 hysteresis................................................................. 57 
7.4.28  Object 6337h: Cam 8 hysteresis................................................................. 58 
7.5  Work area supervision ........................................................................................... 59 
7.5.1  General ..................................................................................................... 59 
7.5.2  Object 6400h: Area state register ............................................................... 59 
7.5.3  Object 6401h: Work area low limit .............................................................. 61 
7.5.4  Object 6402h: Work area high limit............................................................. 62 
7.6  Encoder diagnostics .............................................................................................. 63 
7.6.1  General ..................................................................................................... 63 
7.6.2  Object 6500h: Operating status .................................................................. 63 
7.6.3  Object 6501h: Single-turn resolution and Measuring step ........................... 64 
7.6.4  Object 6502h: Number of distinguishable revolutions ................................. 65 
7.6.5  Object 6503h: Alarms ................................................................................. 65 
7.6.6  Object 6504h: Supported alarms ................................................................ 66 
7.6.7  Object 6505h: Warnings ............................................................................. 67 
7.6.8  Object 6506h: Supported warnings............................................................. 68 
7.6.9  Object 6507h: Profile and software version ................................................ 69 
7.6.10  Object 6508h: Operating time..................................................................... 70 
7.6.11  Object 6509h: Offset value......................................................................... 70 
7.6.12  Object 650Ah: Module identification ........................................................... 71 
7.6.13  Object 650Bh: Serial number ..................................................................... 72 
7.6.14  Object 650Ch: Offset values for multi-sensor devices................................. 73 
7.7  Object 6510h: Number of high precision revolutions ............................................... 74 
7.7.1  Object 67FFh: Device type ......................................................................... 75 
 
 
 
 CiA 2008 – All rights reserved 
 
5 
 
 
1  Scope 
Device profile for encoders 
This  document  represents  the  CANopen  device  profile  for  incremental  and  absolute,  linear 
and  rotary  encoders.  Besides  position,  velocity,  acceleration,  and  jerk  output  possibility 
complete  cam  functionality  is  covered.  In  addition,  it  is  possible  to  handle  multi-sensors 
through one CANopen device. 
All  the  above  mentioned  devices  use  communication  techniques,  which  conform  to  those 
described in the CANopen application layer and communication profile specification /CiA301/. 
This document should be consulted in parallel to this profile. 
2  Normative references 
/CiA301/ 
CiA 301, CANopen application layer and communication profile 
3  Abbreviations and definitions 
Class 1 
Class 2 
Clock wise 
C1  
C2  
CW 
CCW  Counter Clock wise 
 
Abbreviations and definitions defined in /CiA301/ apply for this document too. 
4  Operating principle 
4.1  General 
The purpose of encoders is to detect positions of any kind of machine tools. Encoders detect 
positions  and  transmit  the  position  values  across  the  CANopen  network.  Optionally  the 
encoder  may  provide  speed,  acceleration,  and  jerk  values.  The  encoder  may  receive 
configuration  information  via  SDO,  e.g.  conversion  parameters  for  calculating  an  -  to  the 
application adapted - position value. In the NMT state operational, the position value may be 
transmitted  by  synchronous  PDO.  Additionally,  the  encoders  may  transmit  asynchronously  a 
PDO scheduled by the elapsing of the event timer. 
The CANopen device profile defines two encoder classes, a standard device class 1 (C1) and 
an extended device class 2 (C2). The standard device C1 specifies basic functionality, which 
shall be provided by each device. The C2 extended device provides a variety of features with 
mandatory  and  optional  functions.  The  mandatory  functions  of  both,  C1  and  C2,  are 
necessary to ensure non-manufacturer specific operations of a device. 
By  defining  mandatory  device  characteristics  in  C1,  basic  network  and  encoder  operation  is 
guaranteed.  By  defining  extended  C2,  a  degree  of  defined  flexibility  may  be  built  in.  By 
leaving  ‘hooks’  for  optional  and  manufacturer-specific  functionality,  the  device  developer  will 
not be constrained to an out-of-date standard. 
4.2  C1 encoders 
C1 is the mandatory class with a basic range of functions that all encoders shall support. The 
C1  encoders  may  optionally  support  C2  functions,  however  these  functions  shall  be 
implemented according to the profile. 
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 CiA 2008 – All rights reserved 
 
 
4.3  C2 encoders 
Device profile for encoders 
C2 encoders support all C1 functions and extended functions defined in C2. 
4.4  Diagnostic area 
In  addition  to  the  classes  C1  and  C2,  there  are  pre-defined  areas  and  reserved  parameters 
for manufacturer-specific functions in this device profile. 
4.5  Functional overview 
The functional overview is shown in Figure 1. 
 
 
Class C1 
 
 
 
Class C2 
 
Class C2 
 
 
Physical position 
Basic function 
 
 
Absolute position 
 
Scaling function 
 
Preset function 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Output position value 
Figure 1 – Class C1 and class C2 functions 
5  Error handling 
5.1  General 
Emergency messages are triggered by internal errors in the device and they are assigned the 
highest possible priority to ensure that they get access to the bus without latency. By default, 
the emergency messages contain the error field with pre-defined error numbers and additional 
information. 
5.2  Error behavior 
If a serious device failure is detected the module shall enter by default autonomously the pre-
operational  state.  If  object  1029h  is  implemented,  the  device  may  be  configured  to  enter 
alternatively  the  NMT  stopped  state  or  remain  in  the  current  NMT  state  in  case  of  a  device 
failure. Device failures include the following communication errors: 
•  Bus-off conditions of the CAN interface 
•  Life guarding event with the state ‘occurred’ 
•  Heartbeat event with state ‘occurred’ 
Severe device errors also may be caused by device internal failures. 
The value definition as well as the object description and the entry description are specified in 
/CiA301/. 
5.3  Additional error code meanings 
Additional error codes are defined in Table 1. 
 CiA 2008 – All rights reserved 
 
7 
 
 
Device profile for encoders 
Table 1 – Additional error codes 
Error Code 
2110h 
3110h 
5100h 
Meaning 
Input current too high 
Input voltage out of range 
Hardware memory error 
6  Pre-defined communication objects 
6.1  General 
This chapter defines the content of pre-defined communication objects. 
6.2  Object 1000h: Device type 
The object at index 1000h describes the type of device and its functionality. It is composed of 
a 16-bit field, which describes the device profile that is used and a second 16-bit field, which 
gives information on the type of encoder. 
The  object structure  is  specified  in  Figure  2.  The value  definition  is specified  in  Table  2  and 
Table 3. Object description and entry description are specified in /CiA301/. 
31 
MSB 
Encoder type 
 
16  15 
 
Device type 
0 
LSB 
Figure 2 – Object structure 
Table 2 – Value definition for device type 
Value 
196h 
Device profile number 
Description  
Other values shall be reserved. 
Table 3 – Value definition for encoder type 
Definition 
Single-turn absolute rotary encoder 
Multi-turn absolute rotary encoder 
Single-turn absolute rotary encoder with electronic turn-count 
Incremental rotary encoder 
Incremental rotary encoder with electronic counting 
Incremental linear encoder 
Incremental linear encoder with electronic counting 
Absolute linear encoder 
Absolute linear encoder with cyclic coding 
Multi-sensor encoder interface 
Reserved 
Value 
0001h 
0002h 
0003h 
0004h 
0005h 
0006h 
0007h 
0008h 
0009h 
000Ah 
0000h;  
000Bh to FFFEh 
6.3  Object 1001h: Error register 
The device profile specific bit shall be reserved. 
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 CiA 2008 – All rights reserved