Patent ID: 8009776

Claim:
A method of automatic gain control (AGC) comprising: attenuating a radio frequency (RF) signal using first and second attenuation elements; determining an initial overall attenuation of the RF signal; selectively setting attenuations of the first attenuation element and the second attenuation element, based on a size of the initial overall attenuation, to configure the initial overall attenuation during a calibration mode; and adjusting the initial overall attenuation of the RF signal using only the first attenuation element during a normal operation period; and wherein selectively setting the initial overall attenuation further comprises: setting the initial overall attenuation using only the first attenuation element when the initial overall attenuation is less than a first amount; when the initial overall attenuation is between the first amount and a second amount, providing a first incremental attenuation above the first amount using both the first attenuation element and the second attenuation element; and when the initial overall attenuation is greater than the second amount, providing a second incremental attenuation above the second amount using only the first attenuation element.