Patent ID: 7558538

Claim:
A method for frequency up-converting a first data signal centered at a first frequency to a second data signal containing the same data as said first data signal and centered at a second frequency higher than said first frequency, said method comprising the steps of: (1) generating first and second oscillator signals having a third frequency that is about ⅓ of said second frequency, said first oscillator signal being 90° out of phase with said second oscillator signal; (2) receiving said first data signal; (3) mixing said first data signal with said first oscillator signal to produce a first component of a third data signal centered at a fourth frequency between said first and second frequencies; (4) mixing said first data signal with said second oscillator signal to produce a second component of said third data signal centered at said fourth frequency and 90° out of phase with said first component of said third data signal; (5) combining said first and second components of said third data signal to produce a combined third data signal; and (6) mixing said combined third data signal with at least one of said first and second oscillator signals in a sub-harmonic mixer to produce said second data signal having said second frequency, said second frequency being a harmonic frequency of said third and fourth frequencies.