Automatic Gain Control: A Practical Approach to its Analysis and Design

Automatic gain control AGC provides the capability to normalize wide input signal variations into predictable small output variations. AGC has application to radio, television, and radar systems. The AGC loop will normalize the received signal in a radio to keep the sound level constant and independent of input signal level in a radar receiver the AGC loop will normalize the input signal prior to direction-of-arrival-signal processing. It is not uncommon for an AGC loop to compress a 60-dBm input dynamic range into a 1-dBm output variation. This book covers all aspects of AGC design from static regulation to dynamic regulation modulation reduction to loop bandwidth and rise time. The theory presented is practical and is aimed at the working level engineer or technician. All equations are verified with practical design examples, and although the material addresses radar applications, the theory and techniques are valid for any AGC system.