Patent ID: 8380146

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: an input port for receiving an RF input signal; a first RF amplification device having an input for being connected to the input port, having an output, and having a first gain, the first RF amplification device being configured to operate in a linear amplification mode in response to the RF input signal; a second RF amplification device having an input for being connected to the input port, having an output, and having a second gain, the second RF amplification device being configured to operate in a linear amplification mode in response to the RF input signal; a third RF amplification device having an input and having an output, the third RF amplification device being configured to operate in a saturated amplification mode in response to an amplified RF input signal received from one of the first and second RF amplification devices; and a signal distribution device having an input connected to the outputs of the first and second RF amplification devices for receiving the amplified RF input signal, and having a plurality of outputs including a first output connected to the input of the third RF amplification device and one or more second outputs that are not connected to the input of the third RF amplification device, the signal distribution device being configured to selectively connect its input to one its outputs in response to a control signal; wherein when the RF input signal is to be amplified in the saturated amplification mode by the apparatus, the control signal causes the signal distribution device to connect its input to its first output that is connected to the input of the third RF amplification device, and when the RF input signal is to be amplified in a linear mode by the apparatus, the control signal causes the signal distribution device to connect its input to one of its second outputs.