Automatic gain control circuit, corresponding receiver, transmitter and method

A circuit, comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) signal node;
• an RF power detector configured to detect power of an RF signal at said RF signal node;
• baseband processing circuitry;
• at least one signal propagation path between the RF signal node and the baseband processing circuitry;
• wherein said at least one signal propagation path includes variable gain circuitry configured to vary a gain applied to a signal propagating between the RF signal node and the baseband processing circuitry in response to the power of the RF signal detected by said RF power detector;
• and
• wherein the variable gain circuitry is configured to vary said gain via first, coarse steps as well as via second, fine steps;
• and
• wherein said at least one signal propagation path further comprises:
• a mixer circuit between said RF signal node and said baseband processing circuitry;
• and
• a variable gain stage between said mixer circuit and said RF signal node;
• wherein the variable gain circuitry is configured to apply said first, coarse steps having equal amplitude and opposite signs at the mixer circuit and the variable gain stage and is further configured to apply said second, fine steps at the mixer circuit but not at the variable gain stage.