An amplifier having programmable operational characteristics and a serial communications interface is fabricated on an integrated circuit (IC). The serial communications interface controls the operational characteristics, e.g., gain, frequency response, etc., of the amplifier. A multiplexer (MUX) may also be included on the IC and may be controlled by the serial communications interface. Status of the amplifier may also be obtained through the serial communications interface. The pin count of the IC package may be kept to a minimum by using the serial communications interface.