Methods and systems for down-converting electromagnetic signals, and applications thereof

A circuit for frequency down-converting an in-phase/quadrature-phase (I/Q) signal, comprising:

• a first universal frequency translation module accepting the I/Q signal;
• a second universal frequency translation module accepting the I/Q signal;
• and
• a splitter circuit accepting a local oscillating signal, wherein said splitter circuit comprises:
• a first inverter circuit comprising one or more inverters;
• a second inverter circuit comprising two or more inverters;
• a first flip-flop electrically coupled to said first inverter circuit;
• and
• a second flip-flop electrically coupled to said second inverter circuit, wherein
• said first inverter circuit receives said local oscillating signal and said first flip-flop outputs an “I-channel” oscillating signal,
• said second inverter circuit receives said local oscillating signal and said second flip-flop outputs a “Q-channel” oscillating signal, wherein
• said “I-channel” oscillating signal is electrically coupled to said first universal frequency translation module, and
• said “Q-channel” oscillating signal is electrically coupled to said second universal frequency translation module,
• thereby causing said first universal frequency translation module to output the down-converted “I” signal, and said second universal frequency translation module to output the down-converted “Q” signal.