STMicroelectronics Introduces Piezoelectric Actuator Driver IC Targeting Dual Servo Hard Disk Drives.Business Editors GENEVA, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--September 14, 2000 Produced in 90V BCD (Binary Coded Decimal) The storage of numbers in which each decimal digit is converted into binary and is stored in a single character or byte. For example, a 12-digit number would take 12 bytes. See binary numbers. technology, driver chip generates +/-35V from 5V supply, simplifying use of piezo "Piezo", derived from the Greek piezein, which means to squeeze or press, is a prefix used in:
STMicroelectronics (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :STM (Scanning Tunneling Microscope) A microscope that can image down to the atomic level. An STM uses a piezoelectric tube with a tiny sharp tip at the end that is moved within nanometers of the object being sampled. ) has introduced an innovative integrated circuit that drives piezoelectric The property of certain crystals that causes them to produce voltage when a mechanical pressure is applied to them such as sound vibrations. This technique is used to build crystal microphones, phonograph cartridges and strain gauges, all of which turn mechanical movement into voltage. actuators from a single 4.5V to 13.2V supply, generating internally a drive signal of up to +70V or +/-35V, eliminating completely the need for a discrete high-voltage supply, reducing the size and complexity of piezoelectric actuator applications. Called L6660, the new chip is aimed at dual servo hard disk drive head positioning systems where a fine positioning piezoelectric actuator is mounted between the conventional voice coil positioner arm and the head assembly. This approach makes it possible to increase the track density - and hence drive capacity. In addition, it can be used to improve the performance of the drive, maintaining tracking in the presence of shocks and vibrations. The L6660 is produced using a 90V version of ST's proprietary bipolar-CMOS-DMOS (BCD) technology, which makes it possible to integrate on the chip a full-wave resonant DC-DC DC-DC Direct Current to Direct Current (power conversion) converter that steps up the input voltage to generate the high-voltage drive supply. This converter features a current limiter lim·it·er n. 1. One that limits: a limiter of choices. 2. Electronics A circuit that prevents the amplitude of a waveform from exceeding a specified value. Also called clipper. and output slew rate control to minimize electromagnetic interference. Low power consumption and a power-saving sleep mode make the device particularly suitable for applications where power consumption is critical. Housed in a shrink SO-24 package, the chip also includes two high voltage operational amplifiers with 0.4nF to 24nF driving capability, plus a -2.5V analog shifter, which allows the chip to be driven from a digital-analog converter with an output range of 0 to 5V. This gives the L6660 a high degree of flexibility, allowing designers to choose between various driving configuration modes and output voltages. ST is a leading producer of semiconductor devices for the hard disk drive and offers a complete range of products covering all of the functions of the drive. The company is also able to provide customers a complete solution that includes all of the firmware in addition to the hardware. About STMicroelectronics STMicroelectronics (formerly SGS-THOMSON Microelectronics) is a global independent semiconductor company, whose shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. , on the ParisBourse and on the Milan Stock Exchange Milan Stock Exchange The largest regional stock exchange in Italy, facilitating more than 90% of the country's trading volume. . The Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of semiconductor integrated circuits (ICs) and discrete devices used in a wide variety of microelectronic applications, including telecommunications systems, computer systems, consumer products, automotive products and industrial automation and control systems. In 1999, the Company's net revenues were $5.056 billion and net earnings were $547 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com. |
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