Absolute rotary encoders provide a unique output for every resolvable movement or shaft rotation. They do not lose their position after power-down, but instead provide absolute position upon power-up without requiring a home cycle or any shaft rotation. Traditional absolute rotary encoders have one track per encoder bit, and provide one fixed resolution. Consequently, a 1024-position encoder has 10 tracks with 1 bit per track. Multiple transmitter-receiver sets may be arranged to provide multiple counts per line. Lines or sections of varying angular width can be combined to determine absolute angular position rather than simply an incremental move referenced to zero at power-up.