Patent ID: 7626457

Claim:
An Automatic Gain Control (AGC) module for controlling Noise Figure (NF) and intermodulation (IM) characteristics therein, the AGC module comprising: a first AGC stage comprising: a first differential amplifier circuit having differential inputs, an output and a common emitter point, the differential inputs configured to receive a first control signal; an first input signal transistor comprising an emitter, a base and a collector, the collector of the first input signal transistor connected to the common emitter point of the first differential amplifier circuit; and a first current-source circuit connected to the emitter of the first input signal transistor; a second AGC stage comprising: a second differential amplifier circuit having differential inputs, an output and a common emitter point, the differential inputs configured to receive a second control signal; a second input signal transistor comprising an emitter, a base and a collector, the collector of the second input signal transistor connected to the common emitter point of the second differential amplifier circuit; and a second current-source circuit connected to the emitter of the second input signal transistor; wherein a common input signal is received at bases of the first and second input signal transistors; wherein a common load is applied at outputs of the first and second differential amplifier circuits; and wherein the first control signal is configured to control a gain of said first AGC stage and said second control signal is configured to control a gain of said second AGC stage, and said first control signal is distinct, at least in part, from said second control signal and said first and second control signals have a predetermined relationship.