{
  "patent_number": "US 8130043",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Multi-Stage Power Amplifiers Save Battery Life in Wireless Devices",
  "original_title": "Multi-stage power amplifier with enhanced efficiency",
  "summary": "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.",
  "what_it_does": "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.",
  "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."
  ],
  "filed": "2007-02-13",
  "granted": "2012-03-06",
  "expires": "2027-02-13",
  "status": "active",
  "holder": "Anadigics",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/anadigics",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Thomas W. Arell",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/thomas-w-arell"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 13,
  "tags": [
    "telecommunications",
    "consumer_electronics",
    "semiconductors"
  ],
  "abstract": "A multi-stage RF/Microwave power amplifier circuit is provided that is capable of operating efficiently at multiple output power levels. The amplifier comprises first and second amplifying stages, an output impedance matching network connected to the output of first amplifying stage and an interstage impedance matching network connected between the outputs of said first and second amplifying stages. In a high power mode, the first amplifying stage is enabled and the second amplifying stage is disabled and the output and interstage impedance matching networks present a first value of the output impedance that improves the efficiency of the first amplifying stage. In a low power mode, the first amplifying stage is disabled and the second amplifying stage is enabled, and output and interstage impedance matching networks present a second value of the output impedance that improves the efficiency of the second amplifying stage.",
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8130043/multi-stage-power-amplifier-with-enhanced-efficiency",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8130043/multi-stage-power-amplifier-with-enhanced-efficiency/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US8130043",
  "relatedPatents": []
}