Patent ID: 7103125

Claim:
A method for effecting synchronous pulse generation for use in serial communications, comprising the steps of: generating a difference signal representing a signal level difference between at least two data stream signals; providing a clock signal; providing a counter; defining a sample count value of said counter; incrementing said counter in relation to said clock signal; determining whether a current count value of said counter corresponds to said sample count value, and if said current count value corresponds to said sample count value then performing a step of generating a synchronous pulse, and if said current count value does not correspond to said sample count value then performing a step of determining whether a signal level of said difference signal has changed, and if said signal level of said difference signal has changed then performing a step of ignoring further changes in said signal level of said difference signal until said current count value of said counter corresponds to said sample count value at which time said step of generating said synchronous pulse is repeated, wherein said step of determining whether said signal level of said difference signal has changed comprises the steps of: checking said signal level of said difference signal each cycle of said clock signal; storing said signal level of said difference signal at a first clock cycle as a temporary difference signal; checking said signal level of said difference signal at a second clock cycle; and comparing said signal level of said temporary difference signal with said signal level of said difference signal at said second clock cycle.