STMicroelectronics Introduces Highly-Integrated Control Chip for Computer and Consumer Electronic Hard Disk Drives

STMicroelectronics Introduces Highly-Integrated Control Chip for Computer and Consumer Electronic Hard Disk Drives

STMicroelectronics has announced a new hard disk drive (HDD) motor-control chip that integrates all of the circuits required to drive both the spindle motor and the voice-coil of the drives used in personal computers.

Versatile HDD motor controller roadmap enables the same chip to be used across 12V and 5V drive applications and addresses CE products

The L7207 HDD Motor Controller suits both the 5V drives made for mobile applications, and 12V desktop computer drives, thereby reducing inventory and manufacturing costs for manufacturers producing both types of drive while reducing component costs for others.

Digital circuits are combined with high-efficiency power FETs and precision bipolar analog circuits on the same piece of silicon, using ST’s proprietary BCD (BiPolar, CMOS, and DMOS) smart-power production technology. In addition to the Smooth Drive feature, the L7207 contains circuits to limit spindle current, sense start-up position and slow the spindle during power down.