Linear gain code interleaved automatic gain control circuit

A receiver, comprising:

• an automatic gain control (AGC) circuit having a first input coupled to receive an analog signal;
• a front-end circuit coupled to an output of the AGC circuit;
• and
• an AGC control circuit coupled between a second input of the AGC circuit and an output of the front-end circuit;
• wherein the AGC circuit includes:
• a base current-gain circuit coupled between the first input and the output of the AGC circuit, the base current-gain circuit having a programmable source degeneration resistance responsive to first bits of an AGC code word;
• a programmable current-gain circuit, coupled between the first input and the output of the AGC circuit, having a programmable current source responsive to second bits of the AGC code word;
• a bleeder circuit, coupled to the output of the AGC circuit, having a programmable current source responsive to logical complements of the second bits of the AGC code word;
• and
• a load circuit coupled to the output of the AGC circuit.

A method of automatic gain control (AGC), comprising:

• generating an AGC code word for controlling an AGC circuit having a base current-gain circuit, a programmable current-gain circuit, a bleeder circuit, and a load circuit;
• setting first bits of the AGC code word to control a value of a programmable source degeneration resistance of the base current-gain circuit;
• setting second bits of the AGC code word to control a current supply by a programmable current source of the programmable current-gain circuit;
• and
• logically complementing the second bits of the AGC code word to control a programmable current source of the bleeder circuit.