Methods and apparatus for automatic gain control in broadband tuners

In one aspect, an automatic gain control (AGC) for applying a variable gain to a broadband signal is provided. The AGC comprises a variable gain amplifier adapted to receive the broadband signal as an input, the variable gain amplifier configured to apply a variable gain to the broadband signal based on a value of a gain signal to provide an amplified broadband signal, and a controller to provide the gain signal to the variable gain amplifier, the controller adapted to determine the value of the gain signal based on at least one characteristic of the amplified broadband signal. In a further aspect, the one or more characteristic is a power characteristic of the broadband signal that facilitates control of the broadband signal within a desired power range.