a system for providing automatic gain control comprises a signal path with an rf input , a plurality of power detectors in communication with the signal path , each of the power detectors operable to measure a total broadband power level of a signal in the signal path , each of the power detectors positioned to monitor a point in the signal path corresponding to a change in signal bandwidth , a control system operable to receive from each of the power detectors information associated with the power level and to adjust attenuation in the signal path in response to the information to achieve desired gain control .