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Trim circuitry and method for accuracy improvement in current sensing for a voice coil driver of the type used to move read/write heads in a hard disk drive, or the like

Patent 6151186 Issued on November 21, 2000. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject September 22, 2017. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Patent References

Wide-band differential amplifier using gm-cancellation
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Issued on: 05/12/1992
Inventor: Klein

Transconductance amplifier having sensfets which drive a load with linearly proportional current
Patent #: 5191297
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Inventor: Penman, et al.

Data recording and reproducing apparatus having read/write circuit with programmable parameter means
Patent #: 5416646
Issued on: 05/16/1995
Inventor: Shirai

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Patent #: 5444579
Issued on: 08/22/1995
Inventor: Klein, et al.

MOS amplifier with gain control
Patent #: 5455816
Issued on: 10/03/1995
Inventor: Bitting

Soft switching scheme for driving three-phase brushless DC motor
Patent #: 5493189
Issued on: 02/20/1996
Inventor: Ling, et al.

Trim circuitry and method for accuracy in current sensing
Patent #: 5867001
Issued on: 02/02/1999
Inventor: Lagerquist, et al.

Amplifier output clamping scheme Patent #: 5877914
Issued on: 03/02/1999
Inventor: Gontowski, Jr.

Inventor

Assignee

Application

No. 935043 filed on 09/22/1997

US Classes:

360/78.04, For rotary carrier (e.g., disc)318/439, MOTOR COMMUTATION CONTROL SYSTEMS330/253, Having field effect transistor330/257Having current mirror amplifier

Examiners

Primary: Ometz, David L.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

  • 0 693 749 A1 EP. 07/11/1994
  • 08-163 885 JP. 02/11/1995

International Classes

G11B 005/55
G11B 021/12
H02P 005/00
H03F 003/16

Abstract

A circuit (10) and method for providing a drive current to a voice coil (20) to position a head (13) of a disk drive (14) includes driver circuitry (68, 70) for controlling currents flowing in the voice coil (20) and at least one sense current circuit (92), which may include FET devices (112, 114, 116, 118), for sensing and controlling the currents in a current path (26) of the driver circuit (10). Programmable circuitry (170) is connected to adjust at least one of the sense current circuits (112, 114 or 116, 118) to control a current flowing through the voice coil (20) to position the head (13) to a desired location. A trim capability is implemented by providing one or more trim FETs (145-148, 155-158) that are selectively connectable in parallel with current mirroring FETs (120, 126), which may be, for example, FETs connected to mirror a current in one of the current flow paths (26) of the drive circuit (10). By such selective connection, an effective channel width provided by the FET devices (120, 145-148 or 126, 155-158) can be selectively provided, thereby enabling the current in the voice coil (20), and therefore the position of the head (13) controlled by the voice coil (20) to be adjustable.

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