Combining Radio Signals Efficiently with Special Wires
MIT's 2015 patent describes a clever way to combine multiple radio signals using specific lengths of transmission lines to boost power efficiently and linearly.
Original patent title: “Multiway lossless power combining and outphasing incorporating transmission lines”
MIT's 2015 patent describes a clever way to combine multiple radio signals using specific lengths of transmission lines to boost power efficiently and linearly. Granted to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2015 with 12 claims and 11 forward citations, and it is expected to expire in 2033.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This patent details a system for combining radio frequency (RF) signals from multiple input ports into a single output port. It uses specially designed transmission lines, which are like wires that carry electrical signals. The key is that these transmission lines have precise lengths, specifically a quarter wavelength plus or minus a small, non-zero length (ΔL), or a half wavelength plus or minus a delta length. These lengths are arranged in a specific configuration, often a binary tree, to combine the signals. This method aims to amplify the combined signal linearly (without distortion) over a wide range of power levels and frequencies, while maintaining high efficiency. For example, ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 7 describes a four-way combiner with two stages, where each signal path uses transmission lines with lengths of one-half wavelength plus or minus a specific delta length.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Combining systems that use transmission lines with lengths that are exact multiples of a quarter or half wavelength without any delta length.
- Power combining systems that are not designed for radio frequencies.
- Systems that do not use a binary tree configuration for combining signals (as specified in ClaimclaimA numbered sentence at the end of a patent that legally defines what the inventor owns. The most important section.Read more → 2).
- Combiners where the transmission line segments are not coupled to at least one other transmission line segment.
- Methods that do not achieve both wide-bandwidth linear amplification and high average efficiency simultaneously.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The innovation lies in using transmission lines with precisely controlled, non-integer lengths (quarter or half wavelength plus/minus a delta) in a specific network structure. This precise tuning allows for efficient power combination while maintaining signal linearity and high efficiency across varying power outputs, something difficult to achieve with simpler combining methods.
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
High-power radio transmitters
Radar systems
Advanced wireless communication base stations
RF power amplifier modules
Why it matters
The bigger picture
Efficiently combining radio signals is crucial for many modern communication systems, especially those requiring high power and wide bandwidth, like radar and advanced wireless transmitters. This patent offers a specific architectural approach to achieve this, aiming to improve both performance and energy usage in RF power amplifiers.
Filed
March 15, 2013
Granted
September 22, 2015
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Companies involved in high-frequency electronics and telecommunications equipment, such as those designing RF power amplifiers for base stations or radar systems, would be interested in this technology. Key players in the semiconductor and component manufacturing space that produce RF integrated circuits and modules are likely to implement or licenselicensePermission from the patent owner to make, use, or sell the invention — usually in exchange for payment. Doesn't transfer ownership.Read more → such techniques.
Market impact
This patent provides a specific technical solution for improving the efficiency and linearity of RF power combiners. Its impact is likely seen in the design of more power-efficient and higher-performing transmitters used in telecommunications and radar, potentially leading to smaller, less power-hungry devices or systems capable of greater signal strength and clarity.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This patent details a system for combining radio frequency (RF) signals from multiple input ports into a single output port. It uses specially designed transmission lines, which are like wires that carry electrical signals. The key is that these transmission lines have precise lengths, specifically a quarter wavelength plus or minus a small, non-zero length (ΔL), or a half wavelength plus or minus a delta length. These lengths are arranged in a specific configuration, often a binary tree, to combine the signals. This method aims to amplify the combined signal linearly (without distortion) over a wide range of power levels and frequencies, while maintaining high efficiency. For example, Claim 7 describes a four-way combiner with two stages, where each signal path uses transmission lines with lengths of one-half wavelength plus or minus a specific delta length.
The clever bit
The innovation lies in using transmission lines with precisely controlled, non-integer lengths (quarter or half wavelength plus/minus a delta) in a specific network structure. This precise tuning allows for efficient power combination while maintaining signal linearity and high efficiency across varying power outputs, something difficult to achieve with simpler combining methods.
What it does not cover
- Combining systems that use transmission lines with lengths that are exact multiples of a quarter or half wavelength without any delta length.
- Power combining systems that are not designed for radio frequencies.
- Systems that do not use a binary tree configuration for combining signals (as specified in Claim 2).
- Combiners where the transmission line segments are not coupled to at least one other transmission line segment.
- Methods that do not achieve both wide-bandwidth linear amplification and high average efficiency simultaneously.
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
22/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
8/20
Moderate scope
Recency
5/20
Granted 10–20 years ago
Assignee scale
20/20
Major company or institution
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
$59K – $188K
Midpoint $118K · 6.6 yr remaining · 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
12 claims as filed with the patent office.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Perreault, D. J., Barton, T. W., & Jurkov, A. S. (2015). Combining Radio Signals Efficiently with Special Wires (U.S. Patent No. 9,141,832). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/9141832/multiway-lossless-power-combining-and-outphasing-incorporating-transmission-line
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 Combining Radio Signals Efficiently with Special Wires cover?
MIT's 2015 patent describes a clever way to combine multiple radio signals using specific lengths of transmission lines to boost power efficiently and linearly.
Who owns patent US 9141832?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology owns this patent, granted in 2015.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on March 15, 2033, when the invention enters the public domain.
What is patent US 9141832 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 11 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
Efficiently combining radio signals is crucial for many modern communication systems, especially those requiring high power and wide bandwidth, like radar and advanced wireless transmitters. This patent offers a specific architectural approach to achieve this, aiming to improve both performance and energy usage in RF power amplifiers.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Combining systems that use transmission lines with lengths that are exact multiples of a quarter or half wavelength without any delta length.
Same assignee
More from Massachusetts Institute of Technology
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