A method and apparatus for an automatic gain control circuit (AGC) that utilizes freezing and unfreezing states. A freezing process moves the AGC into a TRANSITION state from a NORMAL state, based on net change of VGA gain control codes over a monitoring time window. The freezing process then moves the AGC into a FROZEN state from the TRANSITION state, based on net change of VGA gain control codes over the monitoring time window. An unfreezing process moves the AGC into the NORMAL state from the FROZEN state, based on signal amplitude changes at the output of the VGA or other parameters of the VGA.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/112,041, filed Apr. 22, 2005, entitled "AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL WITH THREE STATES OF OPERATION," now U.S. Pat. No. 7,205,841, issued on Apr. 17, 2007. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/112,041 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
