A　direct　conversion　CMOS　DVB-S　front-end　employs　a　T-configuration　variable　attenuator,　a　single-to-differential　low　noise　amplifier,　and　a　low　noise　mixer.　By　innovative　use　of　the　attenuator,　the　linearity　handling　ability　of　the　system　is　dramatically　improved.　The　system　is　designed　and　fabricated　in　SMIC　0.18　μm　RF　CMOS　technology.　The　measurement　data　show　that　the　front-end　provides　a　total　of　more　than　30　dB　dynamic　range　and　a　noise　figure　of　5　dB　in　the　wide　frequency　signal　band.　The　prototype　front-end　consumes　only　10　mA　and　achieves　an　IIP3　of　+20　dBm.