A modulated power supply comprises a power switching stage having at least
one power switching device for generating a power signal in response to
an input modulating signal. A current source is positioned in parallel
with the power switching stage and continuously generates an output
current. An output stage combines the power signal and the output current
to form an output power supply signal. The current source supplies some,
or all, of the required current at any given time. The switching device
in the power switching stage either supplies the remaining required
current or sinks any excess current. This has an advantage of reducing
the average and peak currents flowing through the switching device, and
hence the average power dissipation in the device. The output current can
be set at an average (e.g. RMS) value of the current in the output power
supply signal.