Patent ID: 8320864

Claim:
An amplifier comprising: a first amplification module having a number of first input ports and first output ports, the first amplification module being configured to (i) provide first stage amplification to a received input signal and (ii) produce from the amplified input signal a number of output signals, each having characteristics substantially matching characteristics of the input signal; a first gain control device having a number of gain input ports respectively coupled to the first output ports and a gain output port coupled to at least one of the first input ports, the first gain control device being configured to control a gain of the first amplification module; and a number of second amplification modules, each having a number of second input ports respectively coupled to the first output ports; wherein each second amplification module is configured to (i) receive a control signal from a second gain control device, (ii) provide second stage amplification to a corresponding one of the number of output signals based upon the control signal and (iii) produce an amplified output signal.