Abstract: The power required by a voice coil motor (VCM) to maintain the head in the data region of a disk drive during an idle mode is further reduced. The current supplied to the VCM is switched on and off. This takes advantage of the inherent capacitance and inductance in the VCM, which maintains a current after the current supply is switched off. The current will slowly decay, with it being switched on again before it reaches a level where the average value won't offset the flex bias. In one embodiment, the current is maintained in a single direction, to offset the flex bias which pushes in one direction. Digital switches are used to reduce the power consumption of the control circuitry.

Abstract: A control system includes a position control module, a power control module, and a diagnostic module. The position control module applies a driving current for positioning a rotor of a motor at one of first and second positions. The power control module applies a first voltage to one of first and second phases of the motor to generate a first current after the position control module applies the driving current to position the rotor at the first position. The power control module applies a second voltage to one of the first and second phases to generate a second current after the position control module applies the driving current to position the rotor at the second position. The diagnostic module determines when the rotor is restricted from rotating based on the first and second currents.

Abstract: A fan system includes a motor control module external to a motor housing of a fan assembly. The motor control module includes a speed control module. The fan assembly includes a fan and the motor housing. One or more first conductors are configured to connect the motor control module to a motor in the motor housing. One or more second conductors are configured to connect the motor control module to a host device control module. The host device control module is separate from the motor control module and is configured to generate a control signal. The speed control module is configured to control speed of the fan based on the control signal.

Abstract: A system includes a target speed module and a pulse-width modulation (PWM) control module. The target speed module is configured to provide a first waveform based on a first speed setting for a motor. A start of a first cycle of the first waveform corresponds to at least one of a first current or a first voltage. The PWM control module is configured to shift a phase of the first waveform by a torque angle adjustment value to generate a second waveform. A start of a first cycle of the second waveform corresponds to at least one of a second voltage or a second current. The second voltage is greater than the first voltage, and the second current is greater than the first current. The PWM control module is configured to control the motor based on the second waveform.

Abstract: Output stage and related method applied to source driver/chip of LCD panel. While performing dot polarization inversion for even/odd channels of LCD panel, n-channel and p-channel MOS transistors of symmetric layout are respectively adopted for alternately transmitting a positive polarization signal of higher swing range and a negative polarization signal of lower swing range from corresponding drivers of asymmetric layout to the even/odd channels, such that a layout area for alternating polarizations can be reduced. Also, the invention directly ties inputs of the output drivers to VDD or VSS so as to turn off the drivers for providing high impedance at the even/odd channels when necessary.

Abstract: A speed control system for a rotating storage device including a mode selection module configured to select an operating mode or a standby mode to operate the rotating storage device based on use of the rotating storage device and to select the standby mode after a first predetermined period during which reading and writing to the rotating storage device is not performed. The first predetermined period is selected based on a type of device in which the rotating storage device is implemented. The speed control system includes a speed control module configured to select a predetermined operating speed to rotate a storage medium of the rotating storage device when the operating mode is selected and to select a predetermined standby speed to rotate the storage medium when the standby mode is selected. The predetermined standby speed is (i) less than the predetermined operating speed and (ii) greater than zero.

Abstract: The power required by a voice coil motor (VCM) to maintain the head in the data region of a disk drive during an idle mode is further reduced. The current supplied to the VCM is switched on and off. This takes advantage of the inherent inductance in the VCM, which maintains a current after the current supply is switched off. The current will slowly decay, with it being switched on again before it reaches a level where the average value won't offset the flex bias. In one embodiment, the current is maintained in a single direction, to offset the flex bias which pushes in one direction. Digital switches are used to reduce the power consumption of the control circuitry.

Abstract: A driver for a motor in a device includes a reference generator to generate a reference value. A clock management module receives a plurality of clock signals. Each clock signal has a corresponding frequency that is different relative to the corresponding frequency of another clock signal. A clock management module selects a different clock signal of the plurality of clock signals for output from the clock management module at different times during operation of the device. A ramp generating module generates a ramp signal in accordance with the corresponding frequency associated with the selected clock signal. A first pulse width modulation module receives the reference signal and the ramp signal. The first pulse width modulation module outputs a first pulse width modulation driver signal for driving the motor based on the reference signal and the ramp signal.

Abstract: A microfluidic filtration unit for trapping particles of a predetermined nominal size present in a fluid is provided. The unit comprises a fluid chamber connected to an inlet for introducing the fluid to be filtered and an outlet for discharging filtered fluid, a filtration barrier arranged within the fluid chamber, said filtration barrier comprising a plurality of pillars arranged substantially perpendicular to the path of fluid flow when fluid is introduced into the fluid chamber, said pillars being aligned to form at least one row extending across said path of fluid flow, wherein each of said at least one row of pillars in the filtration barrier comprises at least one fine filtration section comprising a group of pillars that are spaced apart to prevent particles to be filtered from the fluid from moving between adjacent pillars, and at least one coarse filtration section comprising a group of pillars that are spaced apart to permit the movement of particles between adjacent pillars.

Abstract: A control system for a fan includes a control housing that is external to a fan housing for the fan. At least one fan control module is within the control housing and communicates remotely with terminals within the fan housing via at least one wire. The at least one fan control module includes a detection module. The detection module detects induced voltages in at least one of a plurality of stator coils within the fan housing via the at least one wire without receiving signals from a sensor in the fan housing.

Abstract: A control system includes a position control module, a power control module, and a diagnostic module. The position control module applies a driving current for positioning a rotor of a motor at one of first and second positions. The power control module applies a first voltage to one of first and second phases of the motor to generate a first current after the position control module applies the driving current to position the rotor at the first position. The power control module applies a second voltage to one of the first and second phases to generate a second current after the position control module applies the driving current to position the rotor at the second position. The diagnostic module determines when the rotor is restricted from rotating based on the first and second currents.

Abstract: A spindle/voice coil motor (VCM) driver includes a clock management module that receives a system clock signal and a second clock signal, and that selects one of the system clock signal or the second clock signal as a selected clock signal. A reference generating module generates a reference signal. A ramp generating module receives the selected clock signal and generates a ramp signal. A pulse width modulation (PWM) module receives the reference signal and the ramp signal and outputs a first PWM driver signal based thereon.

Abstract: Output stage and related method applied to source driver/chip of LCD panel. While performing dot polarization inversion for even/odd channels of LCD panel, n-channel and p-channel MOS transistors of symmetric layout are respectively adopted for alternately transmitting a positive polarization signal of higher swing range and a negative polarization signal of lower swing range from corresponding drivers of asymmetric layout to the even/odd channels, such that a layout area for alternating polarizations can be reduced. Also, the invention directly ties inputs of the output drivers to VDD or VSS so as to turn off the drivers for providing high impedance at the even/odd channels when necessary.

Abstract: A disk drive system is set forth that comprises a rotatable storage medium adapted to store data, a spindle motor disposed to rotate the rotatable storage medium, and a spindle motor control system. The spindle motor control system brakes rotation of the spindle motor in response to inductive sensing of the rotation of the spindle motor.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the rotational speed of a motor, such as a three-phase disk drive motor, detects back electromotive force voltage generated during operation of the motor with an automatic pole calibration to minimize or eliminating variations in the wave of a freeze signal. A phase voltage at a winding is compared against a center tap (CT) voltage. Once the phase voltage falls to a specified voltage level, a detect signal is generated. A predetermined time after the detect signal is generated, a freeze signal is generated for freezing at least the circuit associated with the winding.

Abstract: A method provides an interconnect structure having enhanced structural support when underlying functional metal layers are insulated with a low modulus dielectric. A first metal layer having a plurality of openings overlies the substrate. A first electrically insulating layer overlies the first metal layer. A second metal layer overlies the first electrically insulating layer, the second metal layer having a plurality of openings. An interconnect pad that defines an interconnect pad area overlies the second metal layer. At least a certain amount of the openings in the two metal layers are aligned to improve structural strength of the interconnect structure. The amount of alignment may differ depending upon the application and materials used. A bond wire connection or conductive bump may be used with the interconnect structure.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the rotational speed of a motor, such as a three-phase disk drive motor, detects back electromotive force voltage generated during operation of the motor with an automatic pole calibration to minimize or eliminating variations in the wave of a freeze signal. A phase voltage at a winding is compared against a center tap (CT) voltage. Once the phase voltage falls to a specified voltage level, a detect signal is generated. A predetermined time after the detect signal is generated, a freeze signal is generated for freezing at least the circuit associated with the winding.

Abstract: In a method for measuring motor speed and position by detecting the back EMF generated during pole-pair interactions, a separate respective duration of a power phase suppression signal, that is set during back EMF detection, is stored in memory for each respective pole. The separate respective duration values are determined during a calibration phase by iteratively lengthening each respective duration one unit at a time (up to a maximum value) until no part of the respective back EMF signal occurs outside the suppression signal duration, and those values are stored. During operation, the approach of a pole-pair interaction may be determined from the electrical cycle of the power supply, and then the stored duration value is used to control the state of the suppression signal.

Abstract: A method of forming a substrateless semiconductor package (10) includes forming a carrier (16) on a base plate (12) and attaching an integrated circuit (IC) die (32) to the carrier (16). The IC die (32) then is electrically connected to the carrier (16). A molding operation is performed to encapsulate the IC die (32), the electrical connections (36) and the carrier (16). Thereafter, the base plate (12) is removed.

Abstract: In a method for measuring motor speed and position by detecting the back EMF generated during pole-pair interactions, a separate respective duration of a power phase suppression signal, that is set during back EMF detection, is stored in memory for each respective pole. The separate respective duration values are determined during a calibration phase by iteratively lengthening each respective duration one unit at a time (up to a maximum value) until no part of the respective back EMF signal occurs outside the suppression signal duration, and those values are stored. During operation, the approach of a pole-pair interaction may be determined from the electrical cycle of the power supply, and then the stored duration value is used to control the state of the suppression signal.