Resource pooling amplifier

摘要

A new type of amplifier, herein designated a resource pooling amplifier, involves extended usage of one or more inductors that is implemented by sharing. The sharing is either by switching the inductor or inductors among more than one load terminal at the same time (e.g., a bridged configuration or two different loads terminals with different polarity requirements) or by using the inductor or inductors for more than one purpose at different times. The inductor or inductors may be time shared such as by allocating different phases of a clock. The inductor or inductors may also be shared by monitoring load requirements and using the inductor or inductors only when needed (leaving other inductor cycles for other loads). In addition, inductor sharing may be implemented during different application requirements such as if two or more loads are not needed at the same time in a system. These types of sharing may be combined.

主权项

1. A circuit device having a load with a first load terminal and a second load terminal comprising:
at least one inductor; a plurality of controllable switches coupled to the inductor and the load, said switches for routing paths through the load and the inductor, the switches being configured to allow the inductor to serve a plurality of circuit functions such that the inductor is a pooled resource while producing an output signal; a modulator element; a first feedback path from the first load terminal to the modulator element; a second feedback path from a second load terminal to the modulator element; wherein the modulator element is operationally coupled to control opening and closing of the plurality of switches directing power through the inductor and through the load; wherein the modulator element is responsive to an input signal to the modulator element; and wherein the modulator element includes a quantizer.