Method and system for undersampled symbol synchronization

A computer-implemented method for providing a synchronization pattern for use in a communications system, the method comprising:

• generating a plurality of synchronization patterns, wherein each of the plurality of synchronization patterns differ from the other synchronization patterns by a time shift that is a multiple of a fraction of a symbol time;
• encoding an information signal with a plurality of headers, each header comprising one of the plurality of synchronization patterns such that the multiple of the fraction of the symbol time is not a whole number;
• and
• transmitting the encoded information signal over a communications system.

A system for providing a synchronization pattern in digital communications, the system comprising:

• a transmitter configured to:
• generate a plurality of synchronization patterns, wherein each of the plurality of synchronization patterns differ from the other synchronization patterns by a time shift that is a multiple of a fraction of a symbol time;
• encode an information signal with a plurality of headers, each header comprising one of the plurality of synchronization patterns such that the multiple of the fraction of the symbol time is not a whole number;
• and
• transmit the encoded information signal over a communications system;
• and
• a transmit medium configured to provide the transmitted information signal to a receiver.

A computer-readable medium having computer instructions for symbol synchronization in a communication system, the instructions comprising:

• generating a synchronization pattern;
• encoding m portions of an information signal with m headers to provide an encoded information signal, m being a positive integer and each header comprising the synchronization pattern, wherein after the first synchronization pattern, each synchronization pattern is shifted by a fraction of a symbol-time from the other synchronization patterns, and wherein the fraction of a symbol-time is 1/n, n being any positive, non-zero integer such that m is not equal to n;
• and
• transmitting the encoded information signal over a communication medium.