Abstract: A gain control system in a Direct Conversion Receiver or similar receiver, includes an automatic gain control circuit which determines whether a low noise amplifier, which amplifies signals from an antenna prior to mixing with signals from a local oscillator, should be set to a high gain or a low gain. The output of the mixer is analyzed by a blocker detect circuit to determine whether a blocker signal is present. Based on the presence of a blocker signal and the power level of the useful signal, the gain of the low noise amplifier may be reduced from the high gain to an intermediate gain in order to reduce self mixing between the radio frequency and local oscillator ports of the mixer, which may lead to dynamic DC offsets.

Abstract: A low noise amplifier circuit (10) includes an attenuator (12) for receiving a calibration signal and generating an attenuated calibration signal. A low noise amplifier (14) amplifies the attenuated calibration signal in calibration mode or amplifies a functional signal in functional mode. In calibration mode, a envelope detector/comparator (16) compares the calibration signal with the output of the low noise amplifier and generates a compensation signal indicating a deviation between the two signals. The gain of the low noise amplifier is adjusted responsive to the compensation signal.