Variable inductor for integrated circuit and printed circuit board

An integrated circuit (IC) comprising:

• a primary conductor for an inductor, the primary conductor being formed with traces on a circuit board;
• a secondary conductor forming a loop with traces on the circuit board and in proximity to the primary conductor;
• a switch coupled in series with the secondary conductor and operable to open or close the loop, wherein inductance of the inductor is varied by closing and opening the loop with the switch;
• a current source coupled in series with the secondary conductor and the switch, the current source being operable to control a current in the secondary conductor to flow in a first direction in the secondary conductor to reduce the inductance of the inductor and in a second direction in the secondary conductor to increase the inductance;
• and
• a capacitor coupled to two ends of the primary conductor, wherein the capacitor and inductor form a resonator tank for a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), and wherein the VCO is operable at two frequencies corresponding to the loop being closed and opened.

An integrated circuit (IC) comprising:

• a primary conductor for an inductor;
• a secondary conductor forming a loop in proximity to the primary conductor;
• switching means, coupled in series with the secondary conductor, the switching means operable to open or close the loop, wherein inductance of the inductor is varied by closing and opening to loop;
• and
• current control means, coupled in series with the secondary conductor and the switching means, for controlling a current in the secondary conductor to flow in a first direction in the secondary conductor to reduce the inductance of the inductor and in a second direction in the secondary conductor to increase the inductance.