Method and apparatus for synchronizing electrical signals

A method of synchronizing a local generator signal with an input signal wherein said local generator signal consists of a plurality of nondistorted bits having one predetermined period, and wherein said input signal consists of a plurality of bits which nominally are of said one predetermined period but which actually are distorted therefrom, said method including the steps of;

• initially generating said local generator signal with a phase that is arbitrary with respect to said input signal;
• measuring the phase difference between any two successive bits in said local generator signal and said input signal;
• changing the phase of said local generator signal in a direction which decreases said measured difference by an amount proportional to said measured phase difference divided by the total number of phase measurements made to thereby produce a new local generator signal;
• and
• repeating said measuring step and said phase changing step multiple times, each time using the most recently produced new local generator signal as said local generator signal.