Title :
A BiCMOS preamplifier/write-driver IC for tape drive
Author :
Flynn, Michael P. ; Twohig, Michael ; Byrne, Raymond ; Reyhani, Hooman ; Ryan, John
Author_Institution :
Silicon Syst. Ltd., Cork, Ireland
Abstract :
A single-supply 5 V preamplifier IC for magneto-resistive (MR) read element tape drive is described. The IC incorporates six independent read amplifiers, and four independent write drivers. The read amplifier is a fully differential current sense circuit; MR bias current direction steering is incorporated without additional switches in the signal path. In addition the IC incorporates a voltage reference, head diagnostics, control registers, and a serial interface. The entire IC, built in a 1.2 μm BiCMOS process, occupies 36 mm2. With a 39 ohm read element the measured input referred noise is 1.0 V/√Hz
Keywords :
BiCMOS analogue integrated circuits; driver circuits; integrated circuit noise; magnetic tape equipment; preamplifiers; 1.2 micron; 39 ohm; 5 V; BiCMOS; bias current direction steering; control registers; fully differential current sense circuit; head diagnostics; input referred noise; magneto-resistive read element; preamplifier IC; read amplifiers; serial interface; tape drive; voltage reference; write drivers; BiCMOS integrated circuits; Differential amplifiers; Driver circuits; Magnetic heads; Noise measurement; Preamplifiers; Registers; Switches; Switching circuits; Voltage control;
Conference_Titel :
Custom Integrated Circuits, 1999. Proceedings of the IEEE 1999
Conference_Location :
San Diego, CA
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-5443-5
DOI :
10.1109/CICC.1999.777301
