Methods and systems are provided for gain control in circuits. Gain applied in a circuit may be set to a baseline set gain. A first baseline parameter, associated with a first feature of a particular pattern of a signal at said baseline set gain, and a second baseline parameter, associated with a second feature of said particular pattern of the signal at said baseline set gain, may be determined. The gain is then set a current set gain, and a gain compression ratio may be determined based on one or more of said first baseline parameter, said second baseline parameter, a first current parameter associated with said first feature of at said current set gain, and a second current parameter associated with said second feature at said current set gain. Said current set gain may then be adjusted until said gain compression ratio reaches a predefined limit.

Methods and systems are provided for gain control in circuits. Gain applied in a circuit may be set to a baseline set gain. A first baseline parameter, associated with a first feature of a particular pattern of a signal at said baseline set gain, and a second baseline parameter, associated with a second feature of said particular pattern of the signal at said baseline set gain, may be determined. The gain is then set a current set gain, and a gain compression ratio may be determined based on one or more of said first baseline parameter, said second baseline parameter, a first current parameter associated with said first feature of at said current set gain, and a second current parameter associated with said second feature at said current set gain. Said current set gain may then be adjusted until said gain compression ratio reaches a predefined limit.

Hybrid variable gain amplifiers and methods of controlling hybrid VGAs are disclosed. The hybrid VGA includes a first portion that provides a current path between a positive input and a positive output, and a current path either between the positive input and a negative output, in a first mode of operation, or between the positive input and a voltage source, in a second mode of operation. A second portion of the VGA provides a current path between a negative input and the negative output, and a current path either between the negative input and the positive output, in the first mode of operation, or between the negative input and the voltage source, in the second mode of operation. Control voltages selectively enable the paths in the first or second mode of operation. The control voltages further control amount of current flow in the enabled paths.

Hybrid variable gain amplifiers and methods of controlling hybrid VGAs are disclosed. The hybrid VGA includes a first portion that provides a current path between a positive input and a positive output, and a current path either between the positive input and a negative output, in a first mode of operation, or between the positive input and a voltage source, in a second mode of operation. A second portion of the VGA provides a current path between a negative input and the negative output, and a current path either between the negative input and the positive output, in the first mode of operation, or between the negative input and the voltage source, in the second mode of operation. Control voltages selectively enable the paths in the first or second mode of operation. The control voltages further control amount of current flow in the enabled paths.

The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a variable gain amplifier architecture that includes a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) section and a variable gain amplifier (VGA) section. The CTLE section provides both a pair of equalized data signals and a common mode voltage. A DAC generates a control signal based on a control code. The VGA section amplifies the pair of equalized data signals by an amplification factor using a transistor whose resistance value is based on both the common mode voltage and the control signal. There are other embodiments as well.

The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a variable gain amplifier architecture that includes a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) section and a variable gain amplifier (VGA) section. The CTLE section provides both a pair of equalized data signals and a common mode voltage. A DAC generates a control signal based on a control code. The VGA section amplifies the pair of equalized data signals by an amplification factor using a transistor whose resistance value is based on both the common mode voltage and the control signal. There are other embodiments as well.

Hybrid variable gain amplifiers and methods of controlling hybrid VGAs are disclosed. The hybrid VGA includes a first portion that provides a current path between a positive input and a positive output, and a current path either between the positive input and a negative output, in a first mode of operation, or between the positive input and a voltage source, in a second mode of operation. A second portion of the VGA provides a current path between a negative input and the negative output, and a current path either between the negative input and the positive output, in the first mode of operation, or between the negative input and the voltage source, in the second mode of operation. Control voltages selectively enable the paths in the first or second mode of operation. The control voltages further control amount of current flow in the enabled paths.

Hybrid variable gain amplifiers and methods of controlling hybrid VGAs are disclosed. The hybrid VGA includes a first portion that provides a current path between a positive input and a positive output, and a current path either between the positive input and a negative output, in a first mode of operation, or between the positive input and a voltage source, in a second mode of operation. A second portion of the VGA provides a current path between a negative input and the negative output, and a current path either between the negative input and the positive output, in the first mode of operation, or between the negative input and the voltage source, in the second mode of operation. Control voltages selectively enable the paths in the first or second mode of operation. The control voltages further control amount of current flow in the enabled paths.

The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a variable gain amplifier architecture that includes a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) section and a variable gain amplifier (VGA) section. The CTLE section provides both a pair of equalized data signals and a common mode voltage. A DAC generates a control signal based on a control code. The VGA section amplifies the pair of equalized data signals by an amplification factor using a transistor whose resistance value is based on both the common mode voltage and the control signal. There are other embodiments as well.

The present invention is directed to electrical circuits and techniques thereof. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a variable gain amplifier architecture that includes a continuous-time linear equalizer (CTLE) section and a variable gain amplifier (VGA) section. The CTLE section provides both a pair of equalized data signals and a common mode voltage. A DAC generates a control signal based on a control code. The VGA section amplifies the pair of equalized data signals by an amplification factor using a transistor whose resistance value is based on both the common mode voltage and the control signal. There are other embodiments as well.