Patent attributes
A pulse step modulator employs a plurality of series connected unit step power amplifier modules. Each module is turned on by a turn-on signal to provide a unit step voltage of a given value. An output circuit is connected to the modules for providing an output voltage to a load and wherein the output voltage is a multiple of the unit step voltages in dependence upon the number of modules that are turned on. The modules are sequentially turned on in a given order and are turned off in the reverse order. An encoder provides turn-on signals with each turn-on signal being applied to a selected one of the modules. The number of turn-on signals provided varies as a function of the magnitude of a time varying input signal. A controller alternately turns enables or disables (in a swapping manner) one of a pair of associated modules as the magnitude of the input signal increases and decreases.
