How Multi-Stage Power Amplifiers Save Battery Life in Wireless Devices
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.
Original patent title: “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. Granted to Anadigics in 2012 with 19 claims and 13 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2027.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent describes a power amplifier circuit designed to operate efficiently at different power levels. It uses at least two amplifying stages: a first amplifier stage and a second amplifier stage (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1). When the device needs to send a strong signal (high power mode), the first stage is active, and an output impedance matching network helps it send power efficiently. When a weaker signal is needed (low power mode), the second stage is active, and a combination of the output and a first interstage impedance matching network ensures efficient power transfer for that stage (AbstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →, Claim 1). For example, a smartphone sending a strong signal to a distant cell tower would use the high power stage, while sending a weaker signal to a closer tower would use the low power stage, conserving battery.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover single-stage power amplifiers, as the claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more → specify at least a 'first amplifier stage' and a 'second amplifier stage' (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover power amplifiers that operate efficiently at only one fixed power level, as it focuses on switching for 'multiple output power levels' (AbstractabstractA short summary at the front of the patent describing the invention. Not legally binding.Read more →).
- Does not cover amplifiers that do not use reconfigurable impedance matching networks to optimize power transfer for the active stage (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 1).
- Does not cover power amplifiers designed for non-radio frequency (RF) or microwave frequencies (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 10).
- Does not cover amplifiers that switch between stages but do not also reconfigure the impedance matching networks to improve efficiency for the active stage.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The clever part is dynamically reconfiguring the amplifier's internal connections, specifically its impedance matching networks, when switching between different power-amplifying stages. This ensures that each stage operates at its peak efficiency for its intended power level, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach that wastes energy.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Cellular telephone power amplifiers (ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 11)
Wi-Fi routers and access points
Bluetooth modules
Satellite communication transceivers
Radio frequency identification (RFID) readers
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Efficient power amplifiers are crucial for any device that sends wireless signals, especially mobile phones. By allowing devices to use less power when they don't need to transmit at full strength, this technology helps extend battery life. This is vital for consumer electronics where users expect long usage times between charges and reliable communication.
Filed
February 13, 2007
Granted
March 6, 2012
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Anadigics, the original assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →, was acquired by II-VI Incorporated (now Coherent Corp.), which continues to operate in the optical and semiconductor industries. Major companies like Qorvo, Skyworks Solutions, and Broadcom (Avago Technologies) are leading developers and manufacturers of multi-stage power amplifiers for mobile and wireless communication, building on similar principles to enhance efficiency and performance.
Market impact
This type of multi-stage, efficiency-optimized power amplifier technology significantly improved battery life in early smartphones and other wireless devices. It enabled more compact device designs by reducing heat generation and the need for larger batteries. This approach became a foundational element in the evolution of cellular technology, allowing devices to maintain strong connections while minimizing power consumption, which was critical for widespread adoption of mobile internet.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent describes a power amplifier circuit designed to operate efficiently at different power levels. It uses at least two amplifying stages: a first amplifier stage and a second amplifier stage (Claim 1). When the device needs to send a strong signal (high power mode), the first stage is active, and an output impedance matching network helps it send power efficiently. When a weaker signal is needed (low power mode), the second stage is active, and a combination of the output and a first interstage impedance matching network ensures efficient power transfer for that stage (Abstract, Claim 1). For example, a smartphone sending a strong signal to a distant cell tower would use the high power stage, while sending a weaker signal to a closer tower would use the low power stage, conserving battery.
The clever bit
The clever part is dynamically reconfiguring the amplifier's internal connections, specifically its impedance matching networks, when switching between different power-amplifying stages. This ensures that each stage operates at its peak efficiency for its intended power level, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach that wastes energy.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover single-stage power amplifiers, as the claims specify at least a 'first amplifier stage' and a 'second amplifier stage' (Claim 1).
- Does not cover power amplifiers that operate efficiently at only one fixed power level, as it focuses on switching for 'multiple output power levels' (Abstract).
- Does not cover amplifiers that do not use reconfigurable impedance matching networks to optimize power transfer for the active stage (Claim 1).
- Does not cover power amplifiers designed for non-radio frequency (RF) or microwave frequencies (Claim 10).
- Does not cover amplifiers that switch between stages but do not also reconfigure the impedance matching networks to improve efficiency for the active stage.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Application published, typically 18 months after filing
Patent officially issued
Patent enters public domain
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Moderate
Citation count
23/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
13/20
Broad claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$11K – $35K
Midpoint $22K · expired or expiring · industry ×1.4
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
The original legal language
Original claims
19 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Arell, T. W. (2012). How Multi-Stage Power Amplifiers Save Battery Life in Wireless Devices (U.S. Patent No. 8,130,043). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8130043/multi-stage-power-amplifier-with-enhanced-efficiency
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How Multi-Stage Power Amplifiers Save Battery Life in Wireless Devices cover?
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.
Who owns patent US 8130043?
Anadigics owns this patent, granted in 2012.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on February 13, 2027, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 8130043 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 13 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Efficient power amplifiers are crucial for any device that sends wireless signals, especially mobile phones. By allowing devices to use less power when they don't need to transmit at full strength, this technology helps extend battery life. This is vital for consumer electronics where users expect long usage times between charges and reliable communication.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover single-stage power amplifiers, as the claims specify at least a 'first amplifier stage' and a 'second amplifier stage' (Claim 1).
Patent monitoring