Mechanism for controlling amplifier gain in a radio receiver

A method comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) amplifier having an adjustable gain output, receiving and amplifying an incoming RF signal;
• an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier having an adjustable gain output, receiving and amplifying an IF signal that corresponds to the RF signal;
• independently adjusting the gain of each of the RF amplifier and the IF amplifier, dependent upon a peak output level of both the RF amplifier and the IF amplifier.

A frequency modulation (FM) receiver comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) amplifier having an adjustable gain output, configured to receive and amplify an incoming RF signal;
• an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier having an adjustable gain output, coupled to receive an IF signal that corresponds to the RF signal, wherein the IF amplifier is configured to amplify the IF signal;
• a gain control unit coupled to the RF amplifier and the IF amplifier and configured to determine whether to adjust the gain of the RF amplifier, the IF amplifier, or both, dependent upon a peak output level of both the RF amplifier and the IF amplifier.