Patent ID: 8634478

Claim:
A method for decoding a received incoming Linear Time Code (LTC) frame of the type used in connection with film and television and accompanying audio, comprising the steps of (a) detecting a valid synchronization sequence within the incoming LTC frame while measuring a predetermined symbol interval relative to a reference clock, including: triggering a half-symbol duration counter upon a first phase change in a bi-phase mark symbol of a synchronization word; upon a second change of the bi-phase mark symbol, stopping the half-symbol duration counter, storing a current count, and resetting the half-symbol duration counter; counting the half-symbol duration until a third change of the bi-phase mark symbol; and comparing the current count to a previously stored count to determine whether the synchronization sequence is valid; (b) determining a LTC frame direction; (c) decoding a payload information from the LTC frame following the determination of the LTC frame direction; and (d) transferring the payload information in an order determined by the LTC frame direction.