A variable integrated inductor is described herein which has an inductance
value that can be switched between two or more values. In the preferred
embodiment, the variable integrated inductor includes a multi-loop
primary inductor which is electromagnetically coupled to a pair of
secondary inductors. The secondary inductors are connected to one another
to form a closed circuit within which the secondary inductors have a
changeable topology that can be switched between a series connection and
a parallel connection in order to change an inductance value which is
output by the multi-loop primary inductor. In one application, the
variable integrated inductor is used in a voltage controlled oscillator
(VCO) which is of the type that can be used in a multi-band RF radio
transceiver (e.g., wireless communication device). In other applications,
the variable integrated inductor can be used in a tuned amplifier load,
an impedance matching network, a digitally controlled oscillator or any
other type of frequency selective LC-network.