Analysis and implementation of digital automatic gain control for DAB baseband decoder

Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) receiver requires fast Automatic Gain Control (AGC) to compensate the strength loss due to the multipath propagation in mobile receiving condition. But fast AGC could also incorrectly amplify DAB´s null symbol and the following phase reference symbol to cause the synchronization problem. In this paper, we mathematically analyze the AGC circuit under a Rayleigh fading channel and give the basic rule to generate the AGC feedback voltage. Then a fast and high accuracy AGC algorithm with least affection on the DAB null symbol is proposed. The algorithm is simplified to have only add, shift and compare operations, making it easy for hardware and software implementation. Finally the algorithm is simulated and verified on Field Program Gate Array (FPGA) device. The test results show that the proposed AGC algorithm can be settled within 0.5 ms, and keep the received signal stable at a moving speed from stationary to over 120 km/h, both in city and suburban area. The algorithm and the analysis method can also be used for AGC design in other wireless systems.