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Method and apparatus for controlling a brushless dc motor, such as the type used in a data storage device to rotate data storage media. A sequence of drive pulses is applied to rotate the motor. The sequence is switched from first to second motor commutation states at a time determined in relation t

Method and apparatus for controlling a brushless dc motor, such as the type used in a data storage device to rotate data storage media. A sequence of drive pulses is applied to rotate the motor. The sequence is switched from first to second motor commutation states at a time determined in relation to changes in elapsed time between successive pulses in the sequence. Each drive pulse has a duration established in relation to an inductance of the motor, and is separated from adjacent pulses by an intermediate delay of predetermined value. A peak elapsed time interval between successive pulses is identified, and the next commutation state is switched in at a selected time after the peak time interval. The sequence preferably accelerates the motor from rest to an intermediate velocity, after which back electromotive force (bemf) commutation is used to accelerate the motor to a final operational velocity.

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What is claimed is: 1. A method comprising applying a sequence of drive pulses to rotate a brushless dc motor, wherein the sequence of drive pulses is switched from a first commutation state to a second commutation state of the motor at a time determined in relation to changes in elapsed time betwe

What is claimed is: 1. A method comprising applying a sequence of drive pulses to rotate a brushless dc motor, wherein the sequence of drive pulses is switched from a first commutation state to a second commutation state of the motor at a time determined in relation to changes in elapsed time between successive pulses in said sequence. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step comprises using the sequence of drive pulses to accelerate the motor from rest to an intermediate velocity. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the drive pulses are applied during the applying step to respective phase windings of the motor in a selected commutation sequence using an array of switching devices. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the drive pulses in the sequence of drive pulses of the applying step has a duration established in relation to an inductance of the motor. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein each of the drive pulses in the sequence of drive pulses of the applying step are further separated by an intermediate delay of predetermined value. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step further comprises monitoring a magnitude of current flowing through the motor, comparing said magnitude to a current limit threshold value, and truncating each said drive pulse in relation to said comparing step. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the applying step further comprises determining each of a plurality of successive elapsed times for a corresponding plurality of the drive pulses, and identifying a peak elapsed time in said plurality of successive elapsed times. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the applying step further comprises timing the switching from the first commutation state to the second commutation state in relation to said peak elapsed time. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the applying step further comprises filtering the successive elapsed times. 10. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of subsequently using back electromotive force (bemf) control to rotate the motor. 11. An apparatus comprising a motor control block configured to apply a sequence of drive pulses to rotate a brushless dc motor, wherein the motor control block switches application of the sequence of drive pulses from a first commutation state to a second commutation state of the motor at a time determined in relation to changes in elapsed time between successive pulses in said sequence. 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motor control block applies the sequence of drive pulses to accelerate the motor from rest to an intermediate velocity. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the motor control block is further configured to accelerate the motor from the intermediate velocity to a final operational velocity using back electromotive force (bemf) commutation. 14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motor control block comprises a plurality of switching devices through which the continuous sequence of drive pulses is applied to respective phase windings of the motor. 15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein each of the drive pules in the sequence of drive pulses has a duration established in relation to an inductance of the motor, and wherein said drive pulses are separated by an intermediate delay of predetermined value. 16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motor control block is further configured to monitor a magnitude of current flowing through the motor, compare said magnitude to a current limit threshold value, and truncate each said drive pulse in relation thereto. 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the motor control block is further configured to measure each of a plurality of successive elapsed times for a corresponding plurality of the drive pulses, and to identify a peak elapsed time in said plurality of successive elapsed times. 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the motor control block is further configured to time the switching from the first commutation state to the second commutation state in relation to said peak elapsed time. 19. An apparatus comprising a brushless dc motor and first means for rotating the motor by applying a sequence of drive pulses and by switching application of said sequence from a first commutation state to a second commutation state at a time determined in relation to changes in elapsed time between successive pulses in said sequence.