Tracking gain control method and tracking control circuit

A tracking gain control method in an optical pickup for performing tracking servo control in accordance with a tracking error signal generated from a first signal that is input from a first photodetector and a second signal that is input from a second photodetector, the method comprising:

• a balance adjustment step for adjusting the balance between said first signal and said second signal in a state where said tracking servo control is not performed;
• and a gain setting step for setting said tracking gain on the basis of an amplitude of said tracking error signal during said balance adjustment step
• wherein said gain setting step comprises:
• a peak hold step for performing a peak hold operation on the amplitude of said tracking error signal;
• and an amplitude comparison step for comparing the amplitude that was held in said peak hold step with a predetermined reference amplitude;
• said tracking gain is set in accordance with an amplitude comparison result in said amplitude comparison step.

A tracking control circuit in an optical pickup for performing tracking servo control in accordance with a tracking error signal generated from a first signal that is input from a first photodetector and a second signal that is input from a second photodetector, comprising:

• a gain control circuit for adjusting a tracking servo loop gain;
• wherein said gain control circuit has a peak hold circuit for performing a peak hold operation on an amplitude of said tracking error signal in a state where said tracking servo control is not performed;
• an amplitude comparator circuit for comparing the amplitude that was held by said peak hold operation with a predetermined reference amplitude;
• and controls said gain in accordance with an amplitude comparison result in said amplitude comparator circuit.