Real time transmission power control

Controlling the output power of a radio transmitter includes operating the transmitter at an initial power level setting and making an output power measurement. The measured value is adjusted by a desired incremental value and the adjusted value is then compared with the power of the original baseband signal to obtain a representation of what the gain should be if the radio transmitter power is properly adjusted to achieve the desired incremental value. The output power of the radio transmitter is than actually adjusted, and the actual gain is measured. The difference between the actual gain and the representation of what the gain should be if the radio transmitter power is properly adjusted is used to determine a further power adjustment of the radio transmitter that will reduce the difference.