Brushless reactance sensors for indicating angular position

Angular position detection sensors include a capacitive sensor embodiment and an inductive sensor embodiment. A non-rotating excitation element is electromagnetically coupled to a non-rotating receiver element. The electromagnetic coupling is varied by an electrically passive, rotating element disposed between the non-rotating excitation element and the non-rotating receiver element. Excitation signals applied to the non-rotating excitation element are electromagnetically coupled to the non-rotating receiver element, producing a single output signal directly indicative of the angular position of the rotating element.