Resource pooling amplifier

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A circuit device having a load with a first load terminal and a second load terminal, the circuit comprising:
 at least onean inductor having a first inductor terminal and a second inductor terminal; 
 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 arranged to be controlled in a plurality of different modes to produce an output signal, wherein the plurality of different modes include (i) different modes for charging the inductor and (ii) different modes for discharging the inductor; 
 a modulator element; 
 a first feedback path from the first load terminal to the modulator element; 
 a second feedback path from a the 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. 
 
     
     
       2. The amplifier circuit device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of switches comprises:
 a second switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and a D.C. DC power source; 
 a third switch coupled between the second load terminal and ground; 
 a fourth switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and ground; 
 a fifth switch coupled between the first load terminal and ground; 
 a seventh switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and the second load terminal; 
 an eighth switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and ground; 
 a ninth switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and the DC power source; 
 a tenth switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and the second load terminal; 
 an eleventh switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and the first load terminal; 
 a twelfth switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and the first load terminal; 
 a first capacitor coupled between the first load terminal and ground; and 
 a second capacitor coupled between the second load terminal and ground; 
 the circuit forming a reconfigurable resource around the inductor. 
 
     
     
       3. The circuit device of  claim 1  wherein the inductor is used in signal amplification and is alternately coupled among multiple load terminals using the switches. 
     
     
       4. The circuit device of  claim 1  wherein the inductor is used in signal amplification and is alternately coupled among multiple loads using the switches. 
     
     
       5. A circuit device having a load with a first load terminal and a second load terminal, the circuit comprising:
 at least onean 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 arranged to be controlled in a plurality of different modes to produce an output signal, wherein the plurality of different modes include (i) different modes for charging the inductor and (ii) different modes for discharging the inductor; 
 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 circuit device is a signal amplifier and wherein levels of output signals exceed supply voltage during charge and discharge cycles. 
 
     
     
       6. The circuit device of  claim 1 , wherein the circuit device is a rectifying bridged amplifier having two load terminals, the inductor being switchable to drive each of the two load terminals without distortion. 
     
     
       7. A circuit device having a load with a first load terminal and a second load terminal, the circuit comprising:
 at least onean 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 arranged to be controlled in a plurality of different modes to produce an output signal, wherein the plurality of different modes include (i) different modes for charging the inductor and (ii) different modes for discharging the inductor; 
 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; 
 wherein the circuit device is a rectifying bridged amplifier having two load terminals, the inductor being switchable to drive each of the two load terminals without distortion; and 
 wherein the circuit device receives a portion of a signal from an the inductor on the first load terminal while the second load terminal is coupled to ground and receives a separate portion of a signal from an the inductor on the second load terminal while the first load terminal is connected to ground. 
 
     
     
       8. A circuit device having a load with a first load terminal and a second load terminal, the circuit comprising:
 at least onean inductor having a first inductor terminal and a second inductor terminal; 
 a modulator; 
 a first feedback path from the first load terminal to the modulator; 
 a second feedback path from the second load terminal to the modulator; 
 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 arranged to be controlled in a plurality of different modes to produce an output signal, wherein the plurality of different modes include (i) different modes for charging the inductor and (ii) different modes for discharging the inductor; 
 wherein the modulator 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 is responsive to an input signal to the modulator; 
 wherein the plurality of switches comprise 
 a third switch coupled between the second load terminal and ground; 
 a fourth switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and ground; 
 a fifth switch coupled between the first load terminal and ground; 
 a seventh switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and the second load terminal; 
 an eighth switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and ground; 
 a ninth switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and a D.C. power source; 
 a twelfth switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and the first load terminal; 
 a first capacitor coupled between the first load terminal and ground; and 
 a second capacitor coupled between the second load terminal and ground; the circuit forming a reconfigurable resource around the inductor. 
 
     
     
       9. A circuit device having a load with a first load terminal and a second load terminal, the circuit comprising:
 at least onean inductor having a first inductor terminal and a second inductor terminal; 
 a modulator; 
 a first feedback path from the first load terminal to the modulator; 
 a second feedback path from the second load terminal to the modulator; 
 a plurality of controllable switches coupled to the inductor and to 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 arranged to be controlled in a plurality of different modes to produce an output signal, wherein the plurality of different modes include (i) different modes for charging the inductor and (ii) different modes for discharging the inductor; 
 wherein the modulator 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 is responsive to an input signal to the modulator; 
 wherein the plurality of switches comprise 
 a fourth switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and ground; 
 a seventh switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and the second load terminal; 
 an eighth switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and ground; 
 a ninth switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and a D.C. power source; 
 a tenth switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and the second load terminal; 
 an eleventh switch coupled between the first inductor terminal and the first load terminal; 
 a twelfth switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and the first load terminal; 
 a first capacitor coupled between the first load terminal and ground; and 
 a second capacitor coupled between the second load terminal and ground; 
 the circuit forming a reconfigurable resource around the inductor. 
 
     
     
       10. The circuit device of  claim 8  further including a second switch coupled between the second inductor terminal and a D.C. DC power source. 
     
     
       11. A circuit device having a load with a first load terminal and a second load terminal, the circuit comprising:
 at least onean 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 arranged to be controlled in a plurality of different modes to produce an output signal, wherein the plurality of different modes include (i) different modes for charging the inductor and (ii) different modes for discharging the inductor; 
 a modulator element; 
 a first feedback path from the first 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, and 
 wherein the inductor is used in signal amplification and is alternately coupled among multiple load terminals using the switches. 
 
     
     
       12. The circuit device of  claim 11  wherein the inductor is used in signal amplification and is alternately coupled among multiple load terminals using the switches. 
     
     
       13. The circuit device of  claim 11  wherein the inductor is used in signal amplification and is alternately coupled among multiple loads using the switches. 
     
     
       14. An amplifier, comprising:
 an inductor having a first inductor terminal and a second inductor terminal;   a plurality of switches arranged to generate a switching waveform in response to (i) a control signal and (ii) a current provided by the inductor;   a load having a first load terminal and a second load terminal, wherein the load outputs an amplified signal based on (i) an input signal to be amplified by the amplifier and (ii) the switching waveform,   wherein, to generate the switching waveform, the plurality of switches are selectively controlled by the control signal to
 provide a first path from at least one of the inductor and a power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load, and 
 provide a second path from at least one of the inductor and the power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load; and 
   a modulator that receives the input signal and generates the control signal based on the input signal,   wherein the modulator receives feedback from the load and generates the control signal further based on the feedback.    
     
     
       15. The amplifier of claim 14, wherein the switching waveform is a class D switching waveform.  
     
     
       16. The amplifier of claim 14, wherein the modulator receives the feedback via a first feedback path from the first load terminal and a second feedback path from the second load terminal.  
     
     
       17. An amplifier, comprising:
 an inductor having a first inductor terminal and a second inductor terminal;   a plurality of switches arranged to generate a switching waveform in response to (i) a control signal and (ii) a current provided by the inductor; and   a load having a first load terminal and a second load terminal, wherein the load outputs an amplified signal based on (i) an input signal to be amplified by the amplifier and (ii) the switching waveform,   wherein, to generate the switching waveform, the plurality of switches are selectively controlled by the control signal to
 provide a first path from at least one of the inductor and a power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load, and 
 provide a second path from at least one of the inductor and the power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load, and 
   wherein the plurality of switches includes:
 a first switch connected between the power source and the first inductor terminal; 
 a second switch connected between ground and the first inductor terminal; 
 a third switch connected between the second inductor terminal and the second load terminal; and 
 a fourth switch connected between the second inductor terminal and the first load terminal.  
   
     
     
       18. The amplifier of claim 17, further comprising:
 a first capacitor connected between ground and the first load terminal; and   a second capacitor connected between ground and the second load terminal.    
     
     
       19. The amplifier of claim 17, wherein the plurality of switches further includes:
 a fifth switch connected between ground and the first load terminal; and   a sixth switch connected between ground and the second load terminal.    
     
     
       20. The amplifier of claim 19, wherein the plurality of switches further includes:
 a seventh switch connected between ground and the second inductor terminal.    
     
     
       21. An amplifier, comprising:
 an inductor having a first inductor terminal and a second inductor terminal;   a plurality of switches arranged to generate a switching waveform in response to (i) a control signal and (ii) a current provided by the inductor;   a load having a first load terminal and a second load terminal, wherein the load outputs an amplified signal based on (i) an input signal to be amplified by the amplifier and (ii) the switching waveform,   wherein, to generate the switching waveform, the plurality of switches are selectively controlled by the control signal to
 provide a first path from at least one of the inductor and a power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load, and 
 provide a second path from at least one of the inductor and the power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load; and 
   a second load, wherein the second load outputs a second amplified signal based on the input signal and the switching waveform.    
     
     
       22. An amplifier, comprising:
 an inductor having a first inductor terminal and a second inductor terminal;   a plurality of switches arranged to generate a switching waveform in response to (i) a control signal and (ii) a current provided by the inductor; and   a load having a first load terminal and a second load terminal, wherein the load outputs an amplified signal based on (i) an input signal to be amplified by the amplifier and (ii) the switching waveform,   wherein, to generate the switching waveform, the plurality of switches are selectively controlled by the control signal to
 provide a first path from at least one of the inductor and a power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load, and 
 provide a second path from at least one of the inductor and the power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load, and 
   wherein a voltage of the amplified signal is greater than a voltage of the power source.    
     
     
       23. An amplifier, comprising:
 an inductor having a first inductor terminal and a second inductor terminal;   a plurality of switches arranged to generate a switching waveform in response to (i) a control signal and (ii) a current provided by the inductor; and   a load having a first load terminal and a second load terminal, wherein the load outputs an amplified signal based on (i) an input signal to be amplified by the amplifier and (ii) the switching waveform,   wherein, to generate the switching waveform, the plurality of switches are selectively controlled by the control signal to
 provide a first path from at least one of the inductor and a power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load, and 
 provide a second path from at least one of the inductor and the power source to at least one of the first load terminal and the second load terminal of the load, and 
   wherein the amplifier is configured as a single inductor, multiple output (SIMO) amplifier.