Engineering English
Resolution
Mechatronics & Robotics · Quality, Testing & Inspection · Engineering Fundamentals · Last updated: July 30, 2026 · How this entry was written
Definition: Resolution is the smallest change in a measured quantity that a sensor or encoder can detect. It determines the granularity of the measurement system.
Example in context
“The encoder's resolution of 1024 pulses per revolution provides fine position feedback for the servo motor.”
“Enkoderin devir başına 1024 darbe çözünürlüğü, servo motor için hassas konum geri bildirimi sağlar.”
Where engineers use it
In mechatronic systems, resolution defines the smallest detectable increment of a sensor. Engineers select resolution to match control requirements; too low causes quantization error, too high multiplies cost without benefit.
Synonyms: resolving power, measurement resolution
Antonyms: coarseness
In Quality, Testing & Inspection
The smallest change in a measured quantity that produces a perceptible change in the indication of a measuring instrument. It sets the finest increment the device can display or discriminate, independent of its accuracy.
“Because the dial indicator has a resolution of only 0.01 millimetres, it cannot reliably detect the two-micrometre form deviation the drawing requires.”
In Engineering Fundamentals
The smallest change in a measured quantity that an instrument or display can detect and indicate.
“The digital caliper has a resolution of one hundredth of a millimeter, so very small dimensional changes can be detected.”
Practice: can you use “Resolution” at work?
You are tuning a robotic joint and notice position oscillations. The encoder resolution may be too low to dampen the control loop. Explain how resolution affects stability.
Show a model answer
“Check the sensor's resolution to ensure it meets the required measurement granularity.”
“Resolution” in 21 languages
| English | Resolution |
|---|---|
| Turkish | çözünürlük |
| French | résolution |
| German | Auflösung |
| Spanish | resolución |
| Chinese | 分辨率 |
| Arabic | الدقة |
| Portuguese | resolução |
| Russian | разрешение |
| Japanese | 分解能 |
| Italian | risoluzione |
| Vietnamese | độ phân giải |
| Hindi | विभेदन |
| Thai | ความละเอียด |
| Indonesian | resolusi |
| Korean | 분해능 |
| Bengali | রেজোলিউশন |
| Dutch | resolutie |
| Swedish | upplösning |
| Finnish | erottelukyky |
| Ukrainian | роздільна здатність |
Frequently asked questions
What does Resolution mean in engineering?
Resolution is the smallest change in a measured quantity that a sensor or encoder can detect. It determines the granularity of the measurement system. In Mechatronics & Robotics, the term carries a usage-frequency rating of 10/10 in the Engineering English library.
How do you pronounce Resolution?
Resolution is pronounced /ˌɹɛz.əˈluː.ʃən/ (IPA). The Engineering English app plays audio for the term and checks your pronunciation with speech recognition.
How is Resolution used in a sentence?
Example from an engineering context: “The encoder's resolution of 1024 pulses per revolution provides fine position feedback for the servo motor.”
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