The units contain an L.E.D. light source and a photo sensor that scans a shaftmounted, slotted disc. An internal pulse-shaping amplifier circuit delivers a rectangular pulse signal from the current sinking output in response to the passing slots as it rotates. They can be direct-coupled to a machine shaft by means of a flexible-bellows, spring, or rubber sleeve type coupling that allows for axial and radial misalignment. They can also be coupled with light instrument timing-belts. Timing-belt drives also allow convenient gear-up or gear-down speed ratio changes that can be useful for obtaining non-standard PPR rates.