Coherent detection of a received EM signal using universal frequency translation (UFT) is described herein. The received EM signal is sampled according to a sub-harmonic LO signal, where the LO signal is in frequency and phase coherence with the received EM signal. The coherent receiver includes a down-converter/demodulator and a synthesizer/loop filter that are both implemented using UFT technology. The down-converter/demodulator samples the EM input signal using a UFT module according to the coherent sub-harmonic LO signal that is generated by the synthesizer/loop filter. The synthesizer/loop filter generates the coherent LO signal using a phase detector, a loop filter, and an up-converter. The phase detector and up-converter are implemented using UFT modules.