Adaptive terminal synchronization in packet data networks

A method for network independent synchronization of CBO (continuous bit stream) terminals connected by a packet network is developed. The technique develops maximum-likelihood estimates of the transmitter bit rate and continuously adapts the receiver clock to maintain frequency lock with the transmitter. The method is no more difficult to implement than existing techniques but offers substantial advantages, including faster convergence, absence of nonlinearities, no explicit timing information carried in the packets, and compatibility with variable-length packets. Design equations are provided for selection of the parameters of the method to achieve a desired level of receiver clock jitter. The method is shown to be robust to lost packets. Simulation studies are used to confirm the analysis