
Si9990ACS
Vishay Siliconix
Si9990A
FaxBack 408-970-5600, request 70655
www.siliconix.com
S-60752—Rev. C, 05-Apr-99
1
5-V VCM Driver/Spindle Motor Driver 
For 1.8- and 2.5-Hard Disk Drives
DESCRIPTION
The  Si9990ACS has a 3-phase brushless dc (spindle) motor
driver and a linear transconductance amplifier suitable for
driving a voice coil motor (head actuator).
Spindle Motor Driver
The spindle driver features three 1-A, 2.3-
 (total) all
n-channel MOSFET half-bridge output stages. The spindle
driver uses internal back EMF sensing circuitry that eliminates
the need for hall sensors.  An internal charge pump allows
rail-to-rail output voltage swing with a nominal 5-V supply. A
unique output structure eliminates the need for an external
Schottky diode to isolate the system 5-V supply if it fails
during operation. This makes the output half-bridge drive
capability equivalent to drivers with 1-A, 1.9-
 specifications
in series with the required Schottky diode.
VCM Driver
The VCM driver provides all necessary functions including a
motor current sense amplifier, a loop compensation amplifier
and a 300-mA power amplifier featuring four MOSFETs in an
H-bridge configuration. The output crossover protection
ensures no cross-conducting current and Class AB operation
during linear tracking. Externally programmable gain
switching at the input summing junction increases the
resolution and dynamic range for a given DAC. The head
retract circuitry can be activated by either an undervoltage
condition or an external command.  An external resistor is
required to set the VCM current during retract. The retract
voltage clamp is set at 0.44 V.
A reference generator and two uncommitted amplifiers are
also provided for analog interface.
In sleep mode, internal logic initiates a head retract operation
followed by spindle brake and shutdown of all analog circuitry
except the supply monitor. The standby power dissipation is
less than 6 mW. The VCM may also be disabled without
disabling spindle operation (idle mode).  All controls from the
microprocessor are communicated via the serial interface.
Additional housekeeping functions of the driver include
thermal shutdown and undervoltage lockout.
The Si9990ACS is manufactured using a self-isolated BiC/
DMOS process and is available in a 64-pin SQFP package for
operation over the commercial (0 to 70
°
C) temperature range.
FEATURES
 On-Board Half-Bridge Drivers
– Spindle = 2.3 
 Total at 1 A
– VCM = 3.3 
 Total at 0.3 A
 Spindle Driver Features:
– Back EMF Commutation
– Linear Current Control
– Internal Current Sense Resistor
– Start-Up Current Limit (10% 
Accurate)
BENEFITS
 Single 5-V Supply
 Rail-to-Rail Output Voltage Swing
 VCM Driver Features:
– Class AB Linear Operation
– Externally Programmable Gain and 
Bandwidth
– Programmable Retract Current and 
Fixed Voltage Clamp
APPLICATIONS
 Over-Temperature Protection
 System Voltage Monitor
 Undervoltage Head Retract
 Sleep Mode and Idle Mode
 Reference Generator
 Two Uncommitted Amplifiers