Apparatus and method for controlling on-track operation of an actuator in a hard disk drive

Abstract

Apparatus and method of controlling the on-track position of an actuator in a hard disk drive to be held on a predetermined position of a track. The apparatus includes a voice coil motor (VCM) driving unit, a position detecting unit, and a controller. The voice coil motor (VCM) driving unit applies a predetermined current to drive a voice coil motor (VCM). The position detecting unit reads data read by a head to detect a position of the actuator. The controller disables the voice coil motor (VCM) driving unit after unlatching the actuator, and enables the voice coil motor (VCM) driving unit if the position detecting unit detects that the actuator is positioned on a predetermined track and bringing the actuator on-track depending on the output of the position detecting unit. The method includes the steps of unlatching the actuator, disabling a voice coil motor (VCM) driving unit, determining whether the actuator stops on a predetermined track, and enabling the voice coil motor (VCM) driving unit if the actuator stops on a predetermined track, to bring the actuator on-track. Thus, the voice coil motor (VCM) driving unit is disabled after unlatch, minimizing external disturbance due to offset of circuits or devices, such as the voice coil motor (VCM) driving unit, an operational amplifier (OP-AMP) and one or more passive elements of the apparatus.