Patent ID: 8086209

Claim:
A method for mixing a radio-frequency signal and an M-phase control signal, the method comprising: switching an RF signal to one of M outputs of a demultiplexer, where each output is selected in response to an M-phase control signal, wherein the switching step further comprises: providing, responsive to the control signal being active for a portion of each one-half cycle of a first phase of the radio-frequency signal, a first output signal that is proportional to (i) the first phase of the radio-frequency signal over the portion of the first one-half cycle of the first phase, and (ii) a complement of the first phase of the radio-frequency signal over the portion of the second one-half cycle of the first phase; and providing, responsive to the control signal being active for a portion of each one-half cycle of a second phase of the radio-frequency signal, a second output signal that is proportional to (i) the second phase of the radio-frequency signal over the portion of the first one-half cycle of the second phase, and (ii) a complement of the second phase of the radio-frequency signal over the portion of the second one-half cycle of the second phase.