Patent ID: 8466713

Claim:
A phase detection method comprising: sampling an input signal in order to obtain several samples at different points in time with respect to a clock, said different points in time comprising an earliest point and latest point; classifying a slope of a transition of the input signal into one out of two categories if a transition in the input signal between said earliest and latest point is detected, the two categories being a falling slope and a rising slope; generating, based on said several samples of the input signal, a phase control signal being zero, positive or negative, wherein generating the phase control signal comprises: performing a rising phase detection method and outputting a zero phase control signal if a falling slope is detected and otherwise outputting a non-zero phase control signal if a rising slope is detected and the rising slope is at least one of early or late with respect to said clock; or performing a falling phase detection method and outputting a zero phase control signal if a rising slope is detected and otherwise outputting a non-zero phase control signal if a rising slope is detected and the rising slope is at least one of early or late with respect to said clock; advancing the clock by a controllable phase angle thereby obtaining an advanced clock defining said different points in time for said rising phase detection method; and delaying the clock by said controllable phase angle thereby obtaining a delayed clock defining said different points in time for said falling phase detection method.