Question

In a superheterodyne receiver with automatic gain control (AGC), as the strength of the signal increases, the AGC:

a) Increases gain
b) Decreases gain
c) Maintains constant gain
d) Switches off

Answer 1

In a super heterodyne receiver, AGC decreases gain as signal strength increases to maintain a constant output level and prevent signal overload and distortion.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a super heterodyne receiver with automatic gain control (AGC), as the strength of the signal increases, the AGC decreases gain. This is because AGC is designed to maintain a constant output level by adjusting the gain inversely proportional to the signal strength. When the signal is strong, less amplification is needed, so the gain is reduced to prevent overloading and distortion of the signal. Conversely, if the signal is weak, the AGC will increase the gain to ensure the signal is adequately amplified for processing.