Patent ID: 7639048

Claim:
A method of detecting a difference in phase, frequency and arrival-time between signals, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first signal ( 118 ) and a second signal ( 120 ) to input terminals of a first phase frequency detection circuit ( 280 ) and a second complementary phase frequency detection circuit ( 282 ); selecting a polarity signal ( 307 ) as an input to a single-ended charge pump ( 188 ), said polarity signal ( 307 ) being an output signal of said first phase frequency detection circuit ( 280 ) when said first signal ( 118 ) leads said second signal ( 120 ), and an output signal of said second, complementary phase frequency detection circuit ( 282 ) when said first signal ( 118 ) lags said second signal ( 120 ): and, generating an enabling signal ( 305 ) to enable said single-ended charge pump, said enabling signal ( 305 ) being a second output signal of said first phase frequency detection circuit ( 280 ) when said first signal ( 118 ) leads said second signal ( 120 ), and a second output of said second, complementary phase frequency detection circuit ( 282 ) when said first signal ( 118 ) lags said second signal ( 120 ).