OCTOBER 2003 1

Inside a DVD Player:

Laser Lens Focus and Tracking
John Y. Hung, Senior Member, IEEE
Auburn University
Electrical & Computer Engineering Department
200 Broun Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849-5201, U.S.A.
E-mail: j.y.hung@ieee.org
URL: www.eng.auburn.edu/∼hungjoh

Abstract
The laser lens focus and tracking mechanism described here is from a Philips DVD/VideoCD/CD player (model
# DVD 711, manufactured December 2000). A brief overview of the overall mechanism is presented, followed by
a more detailed description of the focus and fine tracking system.

I. T HE OVERALL M ECHANISM
The laser system platform in a DVD/CD player is mounted two rails, which can be seen in Fig. 1. The
disk clamping mechanism and spindle drive motor can also be seen in the upper right hand corner of the
figure. During normal use, disks are clamped to the spindle mount between a permanent magnet and a
thin steel washer. The entire platform rests on a set of soft rubber mounts that serve two functions:
1) Isolate the laser system from external vibration, and
2) Allow the far end of the platform to pivot up and down. Tilting the platform downward sufficiently
far causes the thin steel washer to peel away from the spindle mount, thus releasing the disk for
removal.
On the left hand side of the picture, one can make out the rack and pinion gear mechanism use for
coarse positioning of the laser system. Another view of the coarse positioning system and the laser lens
actuator is shown in Fig. 2.

II. T HE L ENS ACTUATOR

A closer view of the laser lens actuator is shown in Fig. 3. The lens actuator in this DVD player
generates two degrees of motion: tracking and focus. Tracking is a fine motion control in the direction
parallel to the two main rails. Motion control error must be well below 0.5 micron, since the distance
between adjacent tracks is 0.74 microns on a DVD (1.6 microns on CD). Typical diameter of a pit on a
DVD track is about 0.28 micron [1]. Laser spot ocus is adjusted by moving the lens vertically. Note that
the round crystal-like object shrouded by the black cover is the lens; it is not the laser, which is actually
located roughly 0.5 cm below the lens.

A. Cover removed
Removing the black plastic cover of the focus and tracking actuator reveals the key elements of the
actuator, as seen in Fig. 4. The movable lens carrier at the center rides on a vertical pin, and two degrees
of motion are possible. Slight rotation of the carrier around the pin translates into fine linear motion
(tracking). Sliding the carrier up and down along the pin results in focus adjustment. The tops of four
magnets surround the lens carrier, and the outer case functions as the actuator stator.
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B. Actuator motion
The combination of tracking and focus motions is illustrated by the two image sequence shown in
Fig. 5. A regular wooden pencil is pointing at the lens at the start of the sequence (left hand image). In
the right hand image, the pencil tip has moved the lens to the left and downward. Evidence of downward
motion is revealed by increased exposure of the vertical pin tip.

III. T HE ACTUATOR D ISASSEMBLED

In this actuator, the lens carrier is suspended at the pin midpoint by permanent magnets, and motion
is achieved by adjusting electrical currents in tiny coils mounted on the carrier. Four conductors in a thin
flexible ribbon can be seen in the foregrounds of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. The coils are revealed by lifting the
carrier off the pin, as shown in Fig. 6. Two pairs of coils are mounted on the outer circumference of the
carrier. One pair is used for tracking adjustment, and the other pair for focus adjustment.
Changing coil currents induces motion in the same way that audio speakers produce motion: electric
charge moving in a magnetic field experience force (Lorentz force phenomenon). Actuators of the type
found in this mechanism are known as “moving coil” actuators. A moving coil actuator has the char-
acteristics of low mechanical inertia and low electrical time constant, both desirable properties in high
performance electromechanical motion control systems.

IV. D EEPER I NSIDE

Two pairs of magnets are revealed in Fig. 7, which shows the lens carrier completely off the vertical
pin, and flipped over to one side. The thin ribbon of four conductors is also visible. The magnets are the
rectangular shaped elements cemented to the inside of the actuator wall, which constitutes the actuator
stator. The laser and pickup head unit are clearly visible to the right of the pin (the glassy blue element).
In operation, the laser beam is actually reddish in color (650 nm wavelength).

V. F INAL C OMMENTS
The lens focus and tracking actuator system in a DVD/CD player is a beautiful example of “mechatron-
ics’, the engineering field that develops advanced electronically controlled mechanical systems. Control
electronics are tightly integrated and “embedded” within the mechanical structure. The lens focus and
tracking controllers, as well as laser power controller, are still implemented in analog electronics to
achieve high performance in an extremely small volume. The truly astounding fact is that a complete
DVD player can be purchased today for US$40!
In fall 2002, Philips Semiconductors announced the OPU66.20 optical pickup unit [2], featuring 3-D
lens motion control: focus, tracking, and tilt. Tilt control is used to reduce astigmatism in the laser beam
spot. The actuator is supported by wire springs, and entire pickup unit weighs a mere 45 g! Analog
electronics remain at the heart of the control system.

R EFERENCES
[1] Pioneer Corp, “DVD Technical Guide,” 2003. Available in electronic form at http://www.pioneer.co.jp/crdl/tech/dvd/1-e.html
[2] Philips Semiconductors, “OPU66.20 Optical Pickup Unit for DVD+R/RW and CD-R/RW,” document order # 9397 750 10613, October
2002.
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Fig. 1. A DVD/CD disk handling system - the laser system rides on two rails

Fig. 2. Coarse positioning system (rack and pinion gear, motor) in the foreground
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Fig. 3. Laser lens focus and fine motion tracking unit

Fig. 4. Focus and tracking unit with cover removed

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Fig. 5. Actuator motion: initial state (left picture), lens pushed to the side and down (right picture)

Fig. 6. “Moving coils” on the lens carrier

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Fig. 7. Actuator magnets exposed; laser and pickup unit is also visible