Chip-on-CAPS (cable-patterned suspension)

A write frequency has been increasing by improvement of a write driver and a write head for higher transfer rate in hard disk drives. A certain method for high write frequency operation is to put a write driver chip on the su spension. We designed a chip-on-cable-patterned suspension (C-CAPS) that is an integrated wireless suspension with a write driver chip on. This paper describes the first observation of the effect on the chip-on-suspension in the write frequency and what type of the C-CAPS is suitable, especially rel ating to the location of a chip, for high performance hard disk drives. Nex t, we clarify characteristics of the C-CAPS, such as write current transiti on time, interface between the chip and disk, shock resistance, frequency r esponse, thermal deformation due to temperature increase of the chip, and s tatic attitude change due to bonding the chip. We conclude the C-CAPS contr ibutes to increase a write frequency and the best location of a chip is on the tip of the Load beam for high performance hard disk drives.