Integrated channel filter and method of operation

1. A filter comprising:

an inductor;

a first capacitor having a first lead and a second lead, wherein the first lead of the first capacitor is coupled to a lead of the inductor; and

a plurality of capacitors, each of the capacitors having a first lead coupled to the first lead of the first capacitor and a second lead switchably coupled to the second lead of the first capacitor,

wherein said filter is configured to receive an input signal comprising a first number of channels and to communicate an intermediate output signal comprising a second number of channels which is less than the first number of channels.

2. The filter of claim 1 , wherein the filter is formed on an integrated circuit.

3. The filter of claim 1 , wherein:

the first number of channels comprises a plurality of bands of channels; and the filter is switchable among a plurality of stages to communicate the intermediate output signal comprising a selected one of the plurality of bands of channels.

4. The filter of claim 1 , wherein:

the first number of channels comprises a plurality of bands of channels; and at least one stage of the filter is switchable among the plurality of capacitors to communicate the intermediate output signal comprising a selected one of the plurality of bands of channels.

5. The filter of claim 1 , wherein the input signal comprises a radio frequency signal ranging from 48 MHz to 852 MHz.

6. The filter of claim 1 , wherein the input signal comprises a differential signal, and the intermediate output signal comprises a differential signal.

7. A method for filtering an input signal, comprising:

receiving an input signal comprising a plurality of bands of channels;

switching among a plurality of stages of a filter to communicate an intermediate output signal comprising a selected one of the plurality of bands of channels, wherein the filter is formed on an integrated circuit;

receiving the intermediate output signal; and

communicating an output signal comprising a subset of the channels from the selected band of channels

wherein the input signal comprises a first number of channels, the intermediate output signal comprises a second number of channels less than the first number of channels, and the output signal comprises a third number of channels less than the second number of channels.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein switching further comprises:

switching among a plurality of capacitors associated with a particular one of the plurality of stages.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein receiving the intermediate output signal and communicating the output signal are performed at least in part by a tuner and at least a portion of the tuner is formed on the integrated circuit.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the filter comprises an input stage of the tuner.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein:

the first number of channels is greater than one-hundred;

the second number of channels is less than forty; and

the third number of channels is less than three.

12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the input signal comprises a radio frequency signal ranging from 48 MHz to 852 MHz.

13. A method for filtering an input signal, comprising:

receiving an input signal comprising a plurality of bands of channels;

switching among a plurality of stages of a filter to communicate an intermediate output signal comprising a selected one of the plurality of bands of channels, wherein the filter is formed on an integrated circuit;

receiving the intermediate output signal; and

communicating an output signal comprising a subset of the channels from the selected band of channels,

wherein the input signal comprises a differential signal, and the intermediate output signal comprises a differential signal.