Patent ID: 7564315

Claim:
A method for comparing phases of two signals comprising: placing a first output node in a floating state, the first output node included in a first input circuit also including: a first output node coupled to the first input node through a first input semiconductor switch; a current source coupled to the first output node through a first current source semiconductor switch; and a current sink coupled in series with the first input semiconductor switch through a first current sinking semiconductor switch; detecting a first edge of a first signal on the first input node after placing the first output node in the floating state, wherein the first signal charges the first output node to a corresponding charged state including activating a corresponding one of the current source coupled to the first output node or the current sink coupled to the first output node, wherein the current source is selectively coupled to the first output node by the first current source semiconductor switch and wherein the current sink includes at least one first current sinking semiconductor switch selectively coupling a ground potential to the first output node; coupling the first edge of the first signal to the first output node; and resetting the first output node to the floating state with a corresponding first reset circuit or a second reset circuit after coupling the first edge of the first signal to the first output node; the first reset circuit having a first input coupled to the first output node and an output coupled to the first current sinking semiconductor switch; and the second reset circuit having an input coupled to the first output node and the second reset circuit includes an output coupled to the first current source semiconductor switch, the first reset circuit and the second reset circuit capable of placing the first output node in a floating state.