{
  "patent_number": "US 10148229",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "Making Radio Amplifiers More Efficient and Clear with Two Tricks",
  "original_title": "Pre-distortion in RF path in combination with shaping table in envelope path for envelope tracking amplifier",
  "summary": "This patent describes a smart way to make radio amplifiers, like those in cell phones, more efficient and produce a clearer signal by adjusting both the power supply and the input signal based on how strong the signal is.",
  "what_it_does": "This patent describes a method for improving how radio signals are amplified, especially in devices like cell phones. It works by using two main techniques together: first, it 'shapes the envelope signal' for the amplifier's power supply (Claim 1). This means the power supply voltage is adjusted to closely follow the strength of the signal being amplified, but it always stays above a certain minimum voltage (Claim 1). This shaping is specifically designed to improve signal quality in the 'compressed region' of the amplifier, where the signal is very strong (Claim 1). Second, it 'pre-distorts the input signal' before it even reaches the amplifier (Claim 1). This pre-distortion is designed to improve signal quality in the 'linear region' of the amplifier, where the signal is weaker (Claim 1). By combining these two methods, the system ensures the amplified signal is a more accurate copy of the original, reducing distortion and saving power. For example, in a smartphone, this helps the cellular radio transmit a clear signal while using less battery.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover amplification systems that only pre-distort the input signal without also shaping the envelope signal for the power supply.",
    "Does not cover systems where the envelope signal shaping is not specifically applied to improve linearity in a compressed power region.",
    "Does not cover systems where the pre-distortion function is not specifically applied to improve linearity in a linear power region.",
    "Does not cover systems where the power supply voltage tracks the envelope signal even when the envelope signal voltage is below a minimum voltage setting."
  ],
  "filed": "2013-01-16",
  "granted": "2018-12-04",
  "expires": "2033-01-16",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "SnapTrack",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/snaptrack",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Gerard Wimpenny",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/gerard-wimpenny"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 1,
  "tags": [
    "telecommunications",
    "consumer_electronics",
    "semiconductors",
    "software"
  ],
  "abstract": "There is disclosed a method of controlling an envelope tracking amplification stage comprising an envelope modulated power supply, the method comprising: determining a shaping function to be applied to an envelope signal for controlling the envelope modulated power supply in dependence on a system linearity objective in a region of operation of the amplifier in which the output power of the amplifier is dependent upon the supply voltage; and determining a pre-distortion function to be applied to an input signal to be amplified in dependence on a further linearity objective of the system, in a region of operation of the amplifier in which the output of the amplifier is dependent upon the input power to the amplifier.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10148229/pre-distortion-in-rf-path-in-combination-with-shaping-table-in-envelope-path-for",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10148229/pre-distortion-in-rf-path-in-combination-with-shaping-table-in-envelope-path-for/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US10148229",
  "relatedPatents": [
    {
      "patentNumber": "5757229",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How a Radio Amplifier Saves Energy by Sharing Work",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5757229/bias-circuit-for-a-power-amplifier"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "8269555",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How to Make Radio Amplifiers More Efficient",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8269555/efficient-linear-linc-power-amplifier"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "8130043",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How Multi-Stage Power Amplifiers Save Battery Life in Wireless Devices",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8130043/multi-stage-power-amplifier-with-enhanced-efficiency"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "8847689",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How Diodes Make Wireless Amplifiers Clearer",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8847689/stacked-amplifier-with-diode-based-biasing"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "6700444",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "How an RF Amplifier Boosts Signal Power Efficiently",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6700444/n-way-rf-power-amplifier-with-increased-backoff-power-and-power-added-efficiency"
    }
  ]
}