VARIABLE INDUCTOR
The present invention is directed at an inductor which is capable of providing a variable inductance. The variable inductor is typically mounted/stored on an integrated circuit chip to provide continuous or multiple variable inductor values for wireless applications and the like.
1 . Apparatus for providing a variable inductance comprising:
a primary conductor;
a secondary conductor; and
a set of switches operatively connecting said primary conductor and said secondary conductor;
wherein said variable inductance is provided by an opening or closing of said set of switches.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a set of taps surrounding said primary and secondary conductors.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said taps are connected by switches to the secondary conductor.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a set of taps located at any position outside said secondary conductor.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said taps are connected by switches to the secondary conductor.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said primary conductor is spiral in shape.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondary conductor is spiral in shape.
8 . The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said secondary conductor is in close proximity to said primary conductor.
9 . The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said secondary conductor is surrounding said primary conductor.