DATE AND TRACKING INFORMATION
16
POST OFFICE BOX 655303
DALLAS, TEXAS 75265
APPLICATION INFORMATION
automatic gain control
The TRF5001 device uses AGC to ensure that sampled data uses the maximum dynamic range of the ADC
to ensure optimum sensitivity. Since the composite signal received at the ADC input is dominated by thermal
noise, the probability distribution function (PDF) of sampled voltages follows a nearly gaussian distribution. The
AGC attempts to force the sampled root-mean-square (RMS) voltage at the input to the ADC to be equal to one
quarter (1/4) of the total input ADC range, 0.5 V, 0.125 V, by varying the AGC gain. At power up, this loop must
stabilize within 1 ms, although relatively slow short term AGC drift with temperature can occur and is to be
expected. In the event of a large, undesired input signal, the AGC loop can recover automatically within 500
μ
s.
In the event that a large jammer appears at the input, the AGC stops in 3-dB increments.
If baseband processing determines that more or less gain is desired for refinement of subsequent data samples,
the serial interface can be used to increment or decrement the targeted RMS voltage to the ADC input. Using
the SETP control bits (word 1), values from 2 to 8, it is possible to increase or decrease the RMS voltage to the
ADC input by 3 dB per step. For values from 0 to 2 there is a variation of 6 dB per step, while for values greater
than 8 there is a variation of about 6 dB per step. Use of values from 2 to 8 is recommended. Values over 8 may
cause the ADC to saturate. This function allows the baseband DSP or microcontroller to adjust the AGC gain
as part of adaptive processing for optimum receiver sensitivity.
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