Disk-drive pre-amp handles faster datarates: News from STMicroelectronics

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STMicroelectronics has released the newest offering in its lineof very low power preamplifier integrated circuits for mobiledisk-drive applications. The device is also fast enough for thenext generation of 2.5in server drives. This new ST product (partnumber L6316) enables hard-disk drives (HDDs) with higherdatarates while offering a reduced demand on their powersupplies, resulting in longer operation while running onbatteries.

Designed to use ST's advanced silicon-germaniumfive-metal-layer process, the L6316 IC offers uncompromisedperformance while requiring very low power and achievingread/write speeds in excess of 1.2Gbit/s under laptop powerconstraints.

The IC achieves this performance by using a newwrite-driver architecture, which ST has termed "continuouslymatched" technology, assuring a true differential, fullymatched impedance driver operating at all times during the writeoperation.

The new driver architecture also achieves the highestwrite voltages available, which ensures better data integrity(bit error rate).

Disk drive manufacturers can develop thenext-generation of drive capacity and speed, in particular for2.5in desktop replacement and new server drives in the 2.5in formfactor, with such advanced features as: support for both GMR(giant magnetoresistive) and TMR (tunnelling junctionmagnetoresistive) heads, effectively covering the whole range ofheads available on the market; support for vertical recordingtechnology; both read and write operations in addition to flyheight control, making this preamplifier ready for verticalrecording at unprecedented densities; extensive self-testcapability included to provide next generation quality indefect-free manufacturing; and special attention given to reducedpower consumption and a host of advanced features to serveseveral generations of drives.

With superior flexibility andprogrammability, the new preamplifier allows developmentengineers to set write current, overshoot amplitude, and durationindependently of each other for optimisation of write performancewithout compromise.

Similarly, the IC's continuouslyadjustable input impedance allows a perfect match to theimpedance of the head interconnect during the read operation.

Thecombination of these two features adds up to a best-in-classlevel of data integrity.

"We have developed a part that ishigh performing and can bridge multiple segment needs of the diskdrive industry," said Gian Luca Bertino, General Manager ofthe Data Storage Division, STMicroelectronics.

"This productcan be used in mobile drives, which is the highest growthsegment, and 7200rev/min 2.5in desktop and server drives.

Itcovers a very large domain of applications, enabling asignificant economy of scale resulting in a cost-effectivesolution for the hard disk drive market."

Initial driveresults confirm the exceptional level of performance promised bythis new architecture.

Samples of the L6316 are available nowwith full production expected to begin in Q4 2004.

Pricing is$1.75 in quantities of 1000; however, the device is customisedbefore going into high volume production with any client.

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Disk-drive pre-amp handles faster datarates

STMicroelectronics has released the newest offering in its line of very low power preamplifier integrated circuits for mobile disk-drive applications.