Abstract: A spread spectrum base station comprises an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit having an input configured to receive a received spread spectrum signal and gain control the received spread spectrum signal to produce a gain controlled signal. A correlation circuit has an input configured to receive the gain controlled signal and correlate the gain controlled signal with a code to produce a despread signal. A power measurement and comparator circuit is configured to receive the despread signal and a control level of the AGC circuit. The circuit processes at least the despread signal and the control level to produce a processed signal and compares the processed signal with a threshold to produce a comparison signal. The comparison signal is used to produce a power command. A multiplexer multiplexes the power command with a signal for transmission over an antenna.