Patent ID: 6023493
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: H04J,H04L

Abstract:
A synchronization method for use in a data communication system having a first device configured to communicate with a second device over a communication network, said communication network employing robbed bit signaling (RBS) such that symbols affected by RBS arrive at said second device in a periodic manner based on a period of N symbols, said method comprising the steps of:transmitting a plurality of signal segments from said first device to said second device, each of said signal segments being represented by an integer multiple of N symbols;receiving said signal segments at said second device;synchronizing said second device to symbols transmitted by said first device;initializing a modulo-N symbol counter at said second device in response to receipt of an initial signal segment by said second device, said modulo-N symbol counter being synchronous to a symbol count associated with said signal segments;detecting the effect of RBS in a received signal segment, said detecting step being performed by said second device;determining at least one symbol position, relative to said received signal segment, where RBS was employed by said communication network;identifying a reference-position symbol of one of said signal segments after loss of an initial symbol synchronization between said second device and said first device; andresetting said modulo-N symbol counter in response to said identifying step.