Patent ID: 7120208

Claim:
A network receiver configured for receiving a modulated carrier signal from another network transceiver via a network medium, the network receiver comprising: a) an input amplifier for amplifying a received modulated carrier signal according to one of a plurality of amplifier gain settings and outputting an amplified carrier signal; b) an envelope detector configured for outputting an envelope signal in response to the amplified carrier signal; c) a first gain control circuit configured to select a first gain setting in response to the envelope signal, the first gain setting being optimal for receiving a pulse position modulated carrier signal; d) a second gain control circuit configured to select a second gain control setting in response to the envelope signal, the second gain setting being optimal for receiving a quadrature amplitude modulated signal; and e) selection circuitry configured to determine whether the envelope signal represents a pulse position modulated carrier or an amplitude modulated carrier and sets the amplifier gain setting to the first gain setting or a second gain setting respectively.