the invention provides a system and method of generating a number of inputs to the mixer elements in a direct conversion receiver configuration using virtual local oscillator techniques . these generated inputs meet the requirement that they must have a fixed and stable phase - relationship , as well as being correctly related in terms of their power spectra relative to the operating radio , intermediate , and baseband frequencies of the system , and that when applied to the mixer elements they permit the mixer elements to create internally the effect of applying the local oscillator signal at a suitable frequency .