A timing circuit that includes a first serializer/deserializer (SERDES) configured to receive a parallel rate clock signal and a system clock start signal from an imaging system and generate a first output, a second SERDES configured to receive a stop signal that is based on an output from the medical imaging system and generate a second output, and a timestamp calculator configured to utilize the first and second outputs to generate a timestamp. A medical imaging system and a method of operating a timing circuit are also described.