Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic disk device including a spindle motor using a fluid dynamic bearing, which can send back READY within a period requested by a host system at the time of starting a magnetic disk device under low temperature and low supply voltage conditions without a particular heating approach. According to one embodiment, the magnetic disk device sets a waiting time in a period from when a spindle motor reaches a rated speed until when an HSA is loaded to a magnetic disk at the time of starting under low temperature and low supply voltage conditions within such a range that the timeout of the host does not occur, and the spindle motor itself is heated by rotation of the spindle motor in the waiting time to lower viscosity of the lubrication fluid to ensure sufficient voltage margin for an SPM driver.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a disk drive that ensures quieter rotational acceleration of a recording disk. Certain embodiments relate to a hard disk drive that detects the vibration of an enclosure by monitoring, via a driver, a counter electromotive voltage generated in a voice coil motor. If the hard disk drive detects a predetermined level of vibration or higher in the enclosure, it switches the status of a drive signal applied to a spindle motor so as to reduce the current level or smooth the waveform. This ensures reduced vibration of the enclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a magnetic disk device including a spindle motor using a fluid dynamic bearing, which can send back READY within a period requested by a host system at the time of starting a magnetic disk device under low temperature and low supply voltage conditions without particular heating means. According to one embodiment, the magnetic disk device sets a waiting time in a period from when a spindle motor reaches a rated speed until when an HSA is loaded to a magnetic disk at the time of starting under low temperature and low supply voltage conditions within such a range that the timeout of the host does not occur, and the spindle motor itself is heated by rotation of the spindle motor in the waiting time to lower viscosity of the lubrication fluid to ensure sufficient voltage margin for an SPM driver.

Abstract: Embodiments in accordance with the present invention provide a disk drive that ensures quieter rotational acceleration of a recording disk. Certain embodiments relate to a hard disk drive that detects the vibration of an enclosure by monitoring, via a driver, a counter electromotive voltage generated in a voice coil motor. If the hard disk drive detects a predetermined level of vibration or higher in the enclosure, it switches the status of a drive signal applied to a spindle motor so as to reduce the current level or smooth the waveform. This ensures reduced vibration of the enclosure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a way to accurately detect the position of a spindle motor. In a spindle motor startup process according to one embodiment, a parameter setup section acquires from a parameter table a sense time value corresponding to an input voltage that is acquired from an ADC. The parameter setup section sets the sense time value in a register. A position determination section, which is within an SPM driver, performs an induced voltage detection process for rotor position detection purposes during the time corresponding to the sense time value that is set in the register. Even when the input voltage is decreased, rotor position detection can be properly achieved by changing the sense time value in accordance with a change in the input voltage.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention avoid erroneous drive current control at the time of a change in the drive waveform for a spindle motor. In one embodiment, a drive current setup section acquires the actual rotational speed from a rotational speed determination section. If the drive waveform is not changed, the feedback system for a first gain determines a drive current. Drive current data corresponding to the drive current is set in a register. If the drive waveform data switches to a curved wave during the next timing cycle, the feedback system does not perform any process, but the same drive current data as for the immediately preceding timing cycle is set in the register. During the next timing cycle, the actual rotational speed is acquired from the rotational speed determination section, and the feedback system for a second gain determines the drive current. When the drive waveform data changes, the feedback system process is skipped once.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention avoid erroneous drive current control at the time of a change in the drive waveform for a spindle motor. In one embodiment, a drive current setup section acquires the actual rotational speed from a rotational speed determination section. If the drive waveform is not changed, the feedback system for a first gain determines a drive current. Drive current data corresponding to the drive current is set in a register. If the drive waveform data switches to a curved wave during the next timing cycle, the feedback system does not perform any process, but the same drive current data as for the immediately preceding timing cycle is set in the register. During the next timing cycle, the actual rotational speed is acquired from the rotational speed determination section, and the feedback system for a second gain determines the drive current. When the drive waveform data changes, the feedback system process is skipped once.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a way to accurately detect the position of a spindle motor. In a spindle motor startup process according to one embodiment, a parameter setup section acquires from a parameter table a sense time value corresponding to an input voltage that is acquired from an ADC. The parameter setup section sets the sense time value in a register. A position determination section, which is within an SPM driver, performs an induced voltage detection process for rotor position detection purposes during the time corresponding to the sense time value that is set in the register. Even when the input voltage is decreased, rotor position detection can be properly achieved by changing the sense time value in accordance with a change in the input voltage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide a retract circuit that can correspond to the tendency toward miniaturization and low supply voltage. When drive supply voltage Vcc is applied, a retract circuit charges a retract condenser Cr with boosted voltage Vup, equal to three times Vcc, generated by a booster circuit. Then, if the drive supply voltage Vcc is cut off and a VCM driver stops, the retract circuit detects power-off with a power OFF sense circuit, and provides retract delay time by a retract delay circuit. Furthermore, when the retract delay time elapses after the drive power supply is turned off, the retract driver switches the switching circuits on, discharges the retract condenser, charged at the boosted voltage, supplies discharge current to a voice coil, and retracts the head assembly.