Variable low intermediate frequency (VLIF) radio architecture

A method for processing communication signals, comprising:

• converting, at a millimeter wave integrated circuit (mmW-IC), a receive communication signal between a radio frequency (RF) and a first intermediate frequency (IF), the IF having a frequency lower than a frequency of the RE, and between the first IF and a first variable low IF (VLIF), the first variable low IF having a frequency that is lower than a frequency of the first IF;
• and
• converting, at the mmW-IC, a transmit communication signal between a second variable low IF (VLIF) and a second IF, the second IF having a frequency that is higher than a frequency of the second variable low IF, and between the second IF and RF, the RF having a frequency that is higher than a frequency of the second IF.

A device for processing communication signals, comprising:

• means for converting a receive communication signal between a radio frequency (RF) and a first intermediate frequency (IF)), the IF having a frequency lower than a frequency of the RF, and between the first IF and a first variable low IF (VLIF), the first variable low IF having a frequency that is lower than a frequency of the first IF;
• and
• means for converting a transmit communication signal between a second variable low IF (VLIF) and a second IF, the second IF having a frequency that is higher than a frequency of the second variable low IF, and between the second IF and RF, the RF having a frequency that is higher than a frequency of the second IF.