The detector is a monolithic IC which consists of two narrow adjacent photodiodes, amplifiers stages and quadrature logic circuitry which provides two outputs; (1) a fixed-duration, low level active tachometer (counting) pulse which is generated whenever the illumination level passes through the sensing threshold, and (2) a direction output which is set to a logic high or low level dependent on which of the two channels is illuminated first. The tachometer output is an NPN collector which is internally connected to Vcc through a 10 kOhm (nominal) resistor; the direction output is a totem-pole configuration. Both outputs are capable of directly driving TTL loads. The IC design incorporates circuitry to compensate the sensitivity for the output power vs. temperature characteristic of the IRED.

The tachometer pulse is generated at both the increasing and decreasing illumination thresholds of the sensing channel, resulting in two tach pulses for each mechanical period of the interrupter. For additional component information see SEP8506 and HCL2705.

Housing material is polycarbonate. Housings are soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons and ketones. Recommended cleaning agents are methanol and isopropanol.