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Abstract

An analog multiplier or mixer that mixes a signal f.sub.c with a square wave local oscillator improves heterodyning operation of a circuit. In various square wave analog multiplier or mixer embodiments, heterodyning performance is improved in noise reduction, saturation performance, linearity, and other measures by adding a DC current path in parallel to a signal current path of the multiplier or mixer. The parasitic capacitances, noise, and nonlinearity problems in a heterodyning circuit are solved by adding a path to a square wave mixer for carrying the signal current and the DC current on different paths. An apparatus includes a circuit coupled between a first voltage reference and a second voltage reference. The circuit includes a first square wave oscillator branch and a second square wave oscillator branch. The first square wave oscillator branch is driven by a square wave oscillator signal and the second square wave oscillator branch is driven by an inverse of the square wave oscillator signal. The first and second square wave oscillator branches each include a DC current path and a signal current path. The signal current path is driven by the square wave oscillator signal and the inverse of the square wave oscillator signal, respectively.

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First Claim