Patent ID: 7734267

Claim:
An amplifier assembly for data transmission organized in time slots, comprising: a programmable amplifier comprising a signal input, a signal output, and a programming input configured to set the gain associated therewith; a comparator connected to the signal output of the programmable amplifier, and configured to output a control signal at an output thereof if a signal level at the signal output of the programmable amplifier is greater than a predetermined reference level at the beginning of a time slot; and a counter comprising an incrementing input configured to increment the count connected to the output of the comparator, and comprising a count output coupled to the programming input of the programmable amplifier, and configured to program the amplifier at the beginning of the time slot, wherein the programmable amplifier comprises a multistage amplifier comprising a plurality of series-coupled amplifier stages, each with a respective control input for setting the gain thereof, wherein the control inputs are coupled together and jointly form the programming input of the programmable amplifier for setting the gain thereof.