A variable attenuator (200, 618, 620) comprising: a first variable resistance circuit coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal of the variable attenuator (200, 618, 620), wherein the first variable resistance circuit includes: a first current path that includes two first resistors (222, 223) and a first switch, wherein the two first resistors (222, 223) are coupled in series with each other between the input terminal and the output terminal, and the first switch has a first channel coupled across one of the two first resistors; a second current path that includes a second switch having a second channel, a first current conducting terminal coupled to the input terminal, and a second current conducting terminal coupled to the output terminal, and a third current path that includes a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the input terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal; a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the input terminal, and a second terminal coupled to an intermediate node; a fourth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the output terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the intermediate node; a second variable resistance circuit coupled between the intermediate node and a voltage reference terminal; and a switch control circuit for providing a first control signal to a control terminal of the first switch, and for providing a second control signal to a control terminal of the second switch, wherein the first and second control signals affect conductivities of the first and second channels, an effective resistance of the first variable resistance circuit, and an attenuation level provided by the variable attenuator (200, 618, 620). a first variable resistance circuit coupled between an input terminal and an output terminal of the variable attenuator (200, 618, 620), wherein the first variable resistance circuit includes: a first current path that includes two first resistors (222, 223) and a first switch, wherein the two first resistors (222, 223) are coupled in series with each other between the input terminal and the output terminal, and the first switch has a first channel coupled across one of the two first resistors; a second current path that includes a second switch having a second channel, a first current conducting terminal coupled to the input terminal, and a second current conducting terminal coupled to the output terminal, and a third current path that includes a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the input terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal; a first current path that includes two first resistors (222, 223) and a first switch, wherein the two first resistors (222, 223) are coupled in series with each other between the input terminal and the output terminal, and the first switch has a first channel coupled across one of the two first resistors; a second current path that includes a second switch having a second channel, a first current conducting terminal coupled to the input terminal, and a second current conducting terminal coupled to the output terminal, and a third current path that includes a second resistor having a first terminal coupled to the input terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the output terminal; a third resistor having a first terminal coupled to the input terminal, and a second terminal coupled to an intermediate node; a fourth resistor having a first terminal coupled to the output terminal, and a second terminal coupled to the intermediate node; a second variable resistance circuit coupled between the intermediate node and a voltage reference terminal; and a switch control circuit for providing a first control signal to a control terminal of the first switch, and for providing a second control signal to a control terminal of the second switch, wherein the first and second control signals affect conductivities of the first and second channels, an effective resistance of the first variable resistance circuit, and an attenuation level provided by the variable attenuator (200, 618, 620).