Abstract: An upstream programmable gain amplifier (PGA) (114, 214) for a cable modem (100) having a programmable bias current. PGA (114, 214) includes a bias current-setting circuit (140, 240) coupled to a power amplifier stage (136, 236), the bias current-setting circuit (140, 240) adapted to program the bias current Ibias of the power amplifier stage (136, 236). The bias current-setting circuit (140) includes a bandgap generator (130, 230) having an external bias resistor R1 at the input. The bias current-setting circuit (140) may include a variable gain amplifier (VGA) (134), a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) (132), and a bias code generator (138). The bias current-setting circuit (240) may alternatively include a plurality of programmable resistors R1a, R1b . . . R1x coupled to a bias code generator (238).