1. An active vector generator configured to generate a composite vector with controlled phase and amplitude, the active vector generator comprising: a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to set the phase of the composite vector, wherein the DAC sets the phase of the composite vector by setting the amplitudes of an in-phase (I) vector and a quadrature-phase (Q) vector of the composite vector: a current multiplying switch network configured to control the amplitude of the composite vector; a variable current multiplier configured to multiply both the I and Q vectors individually by a common factor in order to scale the amplitude of the composite vector; a differential adder configured to control the quadrant of the composite vector and generate the composite vector by combining the I and Q vectors; and a digital-to-analog controller having a set of phase bits distinct from a set of amplitude bits, wherein the set of phase bits are configured to control the DAC and the set of amplitude bits are configured to control the current multiplying switch network.