Device for generating position dependent signal

PURPOSE: To provide a device which generates a position dependent signal, i.e., increment signal, encoded signal or reference signal, with which the structure can be made simple and small and can work without being sensitive to a turbulence. CONSTITUTION: This signal generating device is equipped with a light source, graduation plate M, and at least one scanning board A to scan the graduation plate M, wherein the plate M has an amplitude lattice or phase lattice TM, and at least one of the scanning boards A has phase graduation TA. The graduation plate M has a mark GS of phase lattice TM, where the line stretching direction of the mark GS forms a certain angle other than 90deg. with respect to the measuring direction X, and a partial beam bundle separated laterally by at least one scanning board A is sensed by a sensor because it generates a signal dependent upon the position.