STMicroelectronics L7208: Highly integrated motor-control chip has all necessary power FETs

Integrating all necessary power FETs, the L7208 hard-disk-drive motor-controller chip suits 1.8-in. and smaller consumer-equipment drives. The device uses Smooth Drive, the pseudo-sinusoidal digital-drive technique, minimizing acoustic noise from the spindle motor, suiting applications requiring quiet operation. The device also has a free-fall-sensor interface. Additional features include a Class AB output stage with zero deadband and minimal crossover distortion, power FETs delivering 0.5A pk current, and a voice-coil section including a 14-bit DAC. This register-controlled chip connects to the host system through a serial bus running at 50 MHz. Available in an LGA package, the L7208 motor controller costs $15.

STMicroelectronics, www.st.com