Abstract: An error amplifier for use in a disk drive actuator system having an actuator motor for radially positioning a transducing head with respect to a rotatable disk is newly designed to enable full implementation as an integrated circuit. The error amplifier includes a switched-capacitor proportional-integral controller for comparing first and second differential input signals representing a respective actual current and commanded current for driving the actuator motor, and providing a differential output signal. A transconductor-capacitor filter is connected to filter the differential output signal of the switched-capacitor integrator, and provides a motor control signal to control the actuator motor.

Abstract: A motor drive circuit for a three-phase motor includes a commutator that provides a driving voltage to the motor from a DC voltage source. A sequencer operates the commutator to pulse width modulate the source voltage so that the driving current has a continuously variable waveform, such as a sinusoidal waveform. The sequencer is responsive to an error signal from a phase detector to align the driving voltage waveform with a motor current waveform. The phase detector includes a sensor that senses the motor current and provides a voltage input to first and second sample circuits. The first sample circuit provides a plurality of samples of respective instantaneous values of the sensed voltage, and the second sample circuit provides a sample of a selected instantaneous value of the sensed voltage. An error generation circuit provides an error signal based on a difference between the second sample and each of the plurality of first samples.

Abstract: A three-phase generator boost circuit for augmenting the back electromotive force produced by a spindle motor of a disk drive is disclosed. First and second nodes provide normal connection to a source of DC voltage for the spindle motor and a second motor connected between the first and second nodes. A commutator is connected to a sequencer to operate the spindle motor. In the event of catastrophic shutdown, two of the lower commutator switches are operated to short circuit the two stator coils having the highest and lowest voltages to store energy in the coils. The commutator switches are then operated to discharge current through the nodes to a storage capacitor for the second motor.