# Making Radio Amplifiers More Efficient and Clear with Two Tricks > 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. - **Patent:** US 10148229 - **Original title:** Pre-distortion in RF path in combination with shaping table in envelope path for envelope tracking amplifier - **Owner:** SnapTrack - **Granted:** 2018 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 1 - **Field:** telecommunications, consumer_electronics, semiconductors, software ## 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. ## The clever bit The clever part is combining two different signal correction techniques – pre-distortion and envelope shaping – and applying each one specifically to the amplifier's operating region where it's most effective for improving signal quality. This dual approach tackles distortion more comprehensively. ## Real-world examples 1. Smartphone cellular radios 2. 5G base station power amplifiers 3. Wi-Fi access points 4. Satellite communication transceivers ## Why it matters This technology is vital for modern wireless communication, especially in devices like smartphones and cellular base stations. It helps power amplifiers operate more efficiently, which extends battery life in mobile devices and reduces energy consumption in infrastructure. By improving signal linearity, it also ensures clearer, more reliable data transmission, which is critical for high-speed mobile networks like 4G and 5G. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Making Radio Amplifiers More Efficient and Clear with Two Tricks cover? 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. ### Who owns patent US 10148229? SnapTrack owns this patent, granted in 2018. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on January 16, 2033, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 10148229 cited by? This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? This technology is vital for modern wireless communication, especially in devices like smartphones and cellular base stations. It helps power amplifiers operate more efficiently, which extends battery life in mobile devices and reduces energy consumption in infrastructure. By improving signal linearity, it also ensures clearer, more reliable data transmission, which is critical for high-speed mobile networks like 4G and 5G. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover amplification systems that only pre-distort the input signal without also shaping the envelope signal for the power supply. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10148229/pre-distortion-in-rf-path-in-combination-with-shaping-table-in-envelope-path-for **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US10148229 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [How a Radio Amplifier Saves Energy by Sharing Work](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/5757229/bias-circuit-for-a-power-amplifier) — This patent describes a power amplifier design that dynamically adjusts the power supplied to two amplifier stages based on the strength of the incoming radio signal, making it more efficient. - [How to Make Radio Amplifiers More Efficient](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8269555/efficient-linear-linc-power-amplifier) — This patent describes a method for tuning radio frequency power amplifiers to boost their efficiency and maintain a stable signal phase, especially when handling signals with changing loudness and direction. - [How Multi-Stage Power Amplifiers Save Battery Life in Wireless Devices](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8130043/multi-stage-power-amplifier-with-enhanced-efficiency) — This patent describes a clever way for electronic devices, like cell phones, to save battery power by using different amplifier circuits for strong and weak signals, making them more efficient. - [How Diodes Make Wireless Amplifiers Clearer](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8847689/stacked-amplifier-with-diode-based-biasing) — Qualcomm's patent describes a way to make electronic amplifiers, especially for wireless signals, produce clearer sound by using special diodes to adjust how much power they get based on the signal strength. - [How an RF Amplifier Boosts Signal Power Efficiently](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6700444/n-way-rf-power-amplifier-with-increased-backoff-power-and-power-added-efficiency) — This patent describes an RF power amplifier design that uses a main amplifier and several auxiliary amplifiers to efficiently boost radio signals over a wide power range, especially useful in wireless communication basestations.