Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit relating to one aspect of the present invention includes a power transistor, at least one or more of first metal patterns functioning as a first electrode of the power transistor and at least one or more of second metal patterns functioning as a second electrode of the power transistor formed in an interlayer insulation film on the transistor, at least one or more of first busses electrically connected to a corresponding first metal pattern of the at least one or more of the first metal patterns, a single second bus electrically connected to the at least one or more of second metal patterns, and a contact pad provided to each of the at least one or more of first busses and the single second bus.

Abstract: Problems with accuracy reading position detection signal peaks and minute phase differences in the detection current make motor drive control easily susceptible to differences in motor characteristics. The rotor position is determined based on whether or not a terminal difference voltage, which is the difference voltage between the motor terminal voltage and the pseudo-neutral-point voltage when the motor phases are selectively energized, exceeds a specific threshold value. The phase energized to start the motor is determined based on this determination and the motor is energized accordingly to start. Instead of switching directly from the search step at the initial rotor position to the back-EMF voltage mode, a search and start mode that creates initial rotor speed sufficient to start the motor is executed before entering the back-EMF voltage mode.

Abstract: The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: an active element, an interlayer insulting film, first and second metal patterns made of a first metal layer formed right above the active element, first and second buses made of a second metal layer formed right above the first metal layer, and contact pads provided on the first and second buses. The contact pad has a probe testing region and a bonding region.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes a virtual difference voltage detecting unit operable to detect a difference voltage between a virtual neutral point of a resistor circuit connected in parallel to motor coils and a terminal of a motor coil in non-conduction state, a rotor position detecting unit operable to detect a position of the rotor based on the difference voltage, and a controller operable to control commutation of an inverter based on the rotor position. The motor driving apparatus has a searching start mode for detecting the rotor position and energizes the coils, and a back electromotive voltage feedback mode for controlling commutation based on the back electromotive voltage. In the searching start mode, a rotor position searching process and a rotation start torque applying process are alternately performed.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a power transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of first metal patterns and a plurality of second metal patterns which are formed right above the power transistor and function as a first electrode and as a second electrode of the power transistor, respectively, a plurality of first buses each electrically connected with, of a plurality of first metal patterns, a corresponding first metal pattern, a plurality of second buses each electrically connected with, of a plurality of second metal patterns, a corresponding second metal pattern, wherein one contact pad is provided to each of a plurality of first buses and a plurality of second buses.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes a neutral point difference voltage detecting unit operable to detect a difference voltage between a virtual neutral point of a resistor circuit connected in parallel to motor coils and an actual neutral point which is a common connection point of the motor coils, a rotor position detecting unit operable to detect a position of the rotor based on the difference voltage, and a controller operable to control commutation of an inverter. A rotation start torque applying process applies a rotation start pulse for providing rotation torque to the rotor based on a determined rotor position.

Abstract: Problems with accuracy reading position detection signal peaks and minute phase differences in the detection current make motor drive control easily susceptible to differences in motor characteristics. The rotor position is determined based on whether or not a neutral point difference voltage, which is the difference voltage between the neutral point voltage and the pseudo-neutral-point voltage when the motor phases are selectively energized, exceeds a specific threshold value. The phase energized to start the motor is determined based on this determination and the motor is energized accordingly to start. Instead of switching directly from the search step at the initial rotor position to the back-EMF voltage mode, a search and start mode that creates initial rotor speed sufficient to start the motor is executed before entering the back-EMF voltage mode.

Abstract: Optical disc drives designed for reduced power consumption switch the supply voltage in three stages between first, second, and third power supplies. The reduction in power consumption that is possible in the focusing and tracking drive circuits with three stage switching control is limited. This drive apparatus enables further reductions in power consumption. A drive output tracking signal is generated according to the drive conditions of the focusing or tracking drive circuit. The drive output tracking signal is applied to the drive circuit power supply, and the power supply is controlled according to the drive output tracking signal. A power supply change detector detects sudden changes in the drive output tracking signal, and inputs the detection signal to the DSP controlling the entire system. The DSP determines whether to improve the power supply response by comparison with predetermined conditions, and returns the result to the power supply.

Abstract: The semiconductor integrated circuit device includes: an active element, an interlayer insulting film, first and second metal patterns made of a first metal layer formed right above the active element, first and second buses made of a second metal layer formed right above the first metal layer, and contact pads provided on the first and second buses. The contact pad has a probe testing region and a bonding region.

Abstract: The semiconductor integrated circuit includes: a power transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of first metal patterns and a plurality of second metal patterns formed right above the power transistor for acting as first and second electrodes of the power transistor; a first bus electrically connected with the first metal patterns; a second bus electrically connected with the second metal patterns; and one contact pad provided for each of the first and second buses. Each of the first and second buses has at least one slit.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit relating to one aspect of the present invention includes a power transistor, at least one or more of first metal patterns functioning as a first electrode of the power transistor and at least one or more of second metal patterns functioning as a second electrode of the power transistor formed in an interlayer insulation film on the transistor, at least one or more of first busses electrically connected to a corresponding first metal pattern of the at least one or more of the first metal patterns, a single second bus electrically connected to the at least one or more of second metal patterns, and a contact pad provided to each of the at least one or more of first busses and the single second bus.

Abstract: A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a power transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate, a plurality of first metal patterns and a plurality of second metal patterns which are formed right above the power transistor and function as a first electrode and as a second electrode of the power transistor, respectively, a plurality of first buses each electrically connected with, of a plurality of first metal patterns, a corresponding first metal pattern, a plurality of second buses each electrically connected with, of a plurality of second metal patterns, a corresponding second metal pattern, wherein one contact pad is provided to each of a plurality of first buses and a plurality of second buses.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes a virtual difference voltage detecting unit operable to detect a difference voltage between a virtual neutral point of a resistor circuit connected in parallel to motor coils and a terminal of a motor coil in non-conduction state, a rotor position detecting unit operable to detect a position of the rotor based on the difference voltage, and a controller operable to control commutation of an inverter based on the rotor position. The motor driving apparatus has a searching start mode for detecting the rotor position and energizes the coils, and a back electromotive voltage feedback mode for controlling commutation based on the back electromotive voltage. In the searching start mode, a rotor position searching process and a rotation start torque applying process are alternately performed.

Abstract: A motor driving apparatus includes a neutral point difference voltage detecting unit operable to detect a difference voltage between a virtual neutral point of a resistor circuit connected in parallel to motor coils and an actual neutral point which is a common connection point of the motor coils, a rotor position detecting unit operable to detect a position of the rotor based on the difference voltage, and a controller operable to control commutation of an inverter. A rotation start torque applying process applies a rotation start pulse for providing rotation torque to the rotor based on a determined rotor position.

Abstract: Problems with accuracy reading position detection signal peaks and minute phase differences in the detection current make motor drive control easily susceptible to differences in motor characteristics. The rotor position is determined based on whether or not a terminal difference voltage, which is the difference voltage between the motor terminal voltage and the pseudo-neutral-point voltage when the motor phases are selectively energized, exceeds a specific threshold value. The phase energized to start the motor is determined based on this determination and the motor is energized accordingly to start. Instead of switching directly from the search step at the initial rotor position to the back-EMF voltage mode, a search and start mode that creates initial rotor speed sufficient to start the motor is executed before entering the back-EMF voltage mode.

Abstract: Problems with accuracy reading position detection signal peaks and minute phase differences in the detection current make motor drive control easily susceptible to differences in motor characteristics. The rotor position is determined based on whether or not a neutral point difference voltage, which is the difference voltage between the neutral point voltage and the pseudo-neutral-point voltage when the motor phases are selectively energized, exceeds a specific threshold value. The phase energized to start the motor is determined based on this determination and the motor is energized accordingly to start. Instead of switching directly from the search step at the initial rotor position to the back-EMF voltage mode, a search and start mode that creates initial rotor speed sufficient to start the motor is executed before entering the back-EMF voltage mode.

Abstract: Problems with accuracy reading position detection signal peaks and minute phase differences in the detection current make motor drive control easily susceptible to differences in motor characteristics. The rotor position is determined based on whether or not a neutral point difference voltage, which is the difference voltage between the neutral point voltage and the pseudo-neutral-point voltage when the motor phases are selectively energized, exceeds a specific threshold value. The phase energized to start the motor is determined based on this determination and the motor is energized accordingly to start. Instead of switching directly from the search step at the initial rotor position to the back-EMF voltage mode, a search and start mode that creates initial rotor speed sufficient to start the motor is executed before entering the back-EMF voltage mode.

Abstract: A reference signal generation unit 110a generates a reference signal VCA representing a limit indicator. Under the control of a PWM control unit 120a, a bridge rectification circuit 130a controls the current supplied to a coil 19a to the limit indicator, using a current chopper method. Therewith, the circuit 130a implements synchronous rectification where transistors 10 and 12 are brought into conduction when the current supply is stopped, forming a closed circuit with the coil 19a, and a regenerative current circulates in the closed circuit. During a time period when the reference signal is decreasing relatively rapidly, a SR prohibition unit 115a prohibits the transistor 10 or 12 from being brought into conduction when the current supply is stopped, and thereby the decay of regenerative current is accelerated.

Abstract: Optical disc drives designed for reduced power consumption switch the supply voltage in three stages between first, second, and third power supplies, but the reduction in power consumption that is possible in the drive circuits with three stage switching control is limited. A drive output tracking signal is generated according to the waveform of the drive output that drives the focus and tracking actuators, and this drive output tracking signal is applied to a step-up type focusing and tracking power supply. The step-up power supply controls the fixed output according to the drive output tracking signal, and when the drive output is greater than the fixed output, control output that is greater than or equal to the fixed output and slightly greater than the drive output is generated. This control output is supplied to the focus and tracking drive circuits to produce drive output.

Abstract: Optical disc drives designed for reduced power consumption switch the supply voltage in three stages between first, second, and third power supplies. The reduction in power consumption that is possible in the focusing and tracking drive circuits with three stage switching control is limited. This drive apparatus enables further reductions in power consumption. A drive output tracking signal is generated according to the drive conditions of the focusing or tracking drive circuit. The drive output tracking signal is applied to the drive circuit power supply, and the power supply is controlled according to the drive output tracking signal. A power supply change detector detects sudden changes in the drive output tracking signal, and inputs the detection signal to the DSP controlling the entire system. The DSP determines whether to improve the power supply response by comparison with predetermined conditions, and returns the result to the power supply.