A lock-in style gate is exact multiply-and-sum arithmetic. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

A matching reference makes positive products

Signal and reference are both 1, -1, 1, -1, so products are all 1.

(1,1,1,1)(1,1,1,1)=(1,1,1,1)(1,-1,1,-1)\cdot(1,-1,1,-1)=(1,1,1,1)
Matching lock-in referenceProducts are checked sample by sample.signal=1,-1,1,-1reference=1,-1,1,-1products=1,1,1,1correlation=4acceptedBit=1 bit

The correlation sum accepts the signal

The products add to correlation 4, so accepted bit is 1.

1+1+1+1=41+1+1+1=4
Accepted correlationThis is finite correlation, not a hidden phase fit.signal=1,-1,1,-1reference=1,-1,1,-1products=1,1,1,1correlation=4acceptedBit=1 bit