Passive frequency translation with voltage conversion gain

A method of performing passive frequency translation, comprising:

• receiving an input signal;
• providing a plurality of switches operatively coupled to a plurality of capacitors;
• controlling the plurality of switches by a corresponding plurality of clock signals to capture charge of the input signal onto the plurality of capacitors and to develop the output signal with a net voltage gain relative to the input signal including performing frequency translation of the input signal by a mixing frequency;
• and
• wherein said controlling the plurality of switches includes capturing charge from the input signal onto each of at least three of the plurality of capacitors in which charge on each of the at least three of the plurality of capacitors add constructively to deliver charge to at least one other capacitor coupled to the output node.

A method of downconverting an input signal having a first frequency to an output signal having a lower second frequency, the method comprising:

• periodically charging a plurality of capacitors with respective charges derived from the input signal;
• periodically updating the respective charge held by each of the plurality of capacitors by combining with the respective charge held by at least one other one of the plurality of capacitors;
• periodically combining the updated charges held by one or more of the plurality of capacitors to provide an output signal having a net voltage gain relative to the input signal and having an energy which is derived predominantly from energy of the input signal;
• wherein said periodically combining includes capturing charge from the input signal onto at each of least three of the plurality of capacitors in which charge on each of the at least three of the plurality of capacitors add constructively to deliver charge to at least one other capacitor coupled to the output node;
• and
• wherein said periodically charging, updating and combining comprises performing frequency translation of the input signal by a mixing frequency.

An electronic device, comprising:

• a radio system, comprising:
• an input circuit configured to receive a radio signal and to convert said radio signal into an input signal;
• a passive frequency translator with positive conversion voltage gain, comprising:
• at least one input node for receiving said input signal and at least one output node for providing an output signal;
• a network coupled to said at least one input node and to said at least one output node, wherein said network comprises a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of switches operatively coupled to said plurality of capacitors;
• wherein said plurality of switches are controlled by a corresponding plurality of clock signals to capture charge of said input signal onto said plurality of capacitors and to develop said output signal by performing frequency translation of said input signal by a mixing frequency;
• wherein said output signal has a net voltage gain relative to said input signal in which energy of said output signal is predominantly derived from energy of said input signal;
• and
• wherein each of at least three of said plurality of capacitors are configured to capture charge from said input signal and to add constructively to deliver charge to at least one other capacitor coupled to said output node;
• and
• an output circuit for converting said output signal into a data signal;
• and
• a host system coupled to said radio system for receiving and processing said data signal.