# 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. - **Patent:** US 8130043 - **Original title:** Multi-stage power amplifier with enhanced efficiency - **Owner:** Anadigics - **Granted:** 2012 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 13 - **Field:** telecommunications, consumer_electronics, semiconductors ## 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. ## 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. ## Real-world examples 1. Cellular telephone power amplifiers (Claim 11) 2. Wi-Fi routers and access points 3. Bluetooth modules 4. Satellite communication transceivers 5. Radio frequency identification (RFID) readers ## Why it matters 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. ## 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). **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8130043/multi-stage-power-amplifier-with-enhanced-efficiency **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US8130043 --- _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 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. - [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. - [Designing Electronic Networks for Efficient Power Amplification](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/6552634/wideband-minimum-rating-filters-and-multicouplers-for-power-amplifiers) — This patent describes how to design electronic networks that allow power amplifiers to work efficiently over a wide range of frequencies without overheating or failing. - [Making Radio Amplifiers More Efficient and Clear with Two Tricks](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10148229/pre-distortion-in-rf-path-in-combination-with-shaping-table-in-envelope-path-for) — 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.