In one embodiment, the invention can be a variable capacitor that includes a plurality of capacitors operably coupled in parallel, and a plurality of switches coupled in series with corresponding capacitors. The plurality of capacitors can include first capacitors increasing in capacitance, and second capacitors having a substantially similar capacitance. Further, for each first capacitor increasing in capacitance, the change to the total capacitance that is provided by the first capacitor when its corresponding switch is closed can increase by a factor of about two.