Patent ID: 7853224

Claim:
An automatic gain control (AGC) system in a radio receiver circuit for controlling the gain of a variable gain amplifier such that a voltage level of an output signal generated by the radio receiver circuit is adjusted to a predetermined target voltage level, wherein the AGC system comprises: means for decreasing a gain of the variable gain amplifier at a first, relatively fast rate when the voltage level of the output signal is greater than an intermediate voltage level, the intermediate voltage level being greater than the target voltage level, and means for decreasing the gain of the variable gain amplifier at a second, relatively slow rate when the voltage level of the output signal is between the intermediate voltage level and the target voltage level, wherein said means for decreasing the gain of the variable gain amplifier at the first, relatively fast rate comprises means for generating both a first gain control signal component and a second gain control signal component when the voltage level of the output signal is greater than the intermediate voltage level, and wherein said means for decreasing the gain of the variable gain amplifier at the second, relatively slow rate comprises means for generating only the first gain control signal component when the voltage level of the output signal is between the intermediate voltage level and the target voltage level.