Provided is a low-power wireless communication apparatus and method. In the apparatus, a low-noise amplifier amplifies an RF signal in an on state, the low-noise amplifier be turned on/off according to a predetermined control signal. A wake-up signal detector detects a wake-up signal from the amplified RF signal. A controller provides the predetermined control signal such that the low-noise amplifier and the wake-up signal detector operate at a predetermined on-off duty ratio in a sleep mode corresponding to an Rx waiting state, and switching to an Rx mode to maintain the on state of the low-noise amplifier when the wake-up signal is detected.