Multi-level symbol synchronizer

A method for synchronizing a received multi-level data signal within a communication receiver, said method comprising the steps of:

• generating a reference clock signal having a predetermined time period;
• detecting state changes occurring within the received multi-level data signals over the predetermined time period to enable determining time locations corresponding thereto, wherein the time locations are assigned predetermined numeric values corresponding to the time locations determined;
• accumulating a time location count in response to the reference clock signal and the numeric values determined;
• and
• adjusting the phase of the reference clock signal relative to the received multi-level data signal in response to the time location count accumulated.

A communication receiver for receiving multi-level data signals including address and message information, comprising:

• receiving means for receiving the multi-level data signals;
• reference clock generating means, for generating a reference clock signal having a predetermined time period;
• detecting means, for detecting state changes occurring within the received multi-level data signals over the predetermined time period to enable determining time locations corresponding thereto;
• accumulating means, coupled to said reference clock generating means, for accumulating a time location count corresponding to the time locations identified;
• phase adjusting means, coupled to said reference clock generating means, and responsive to the time location count accumulated, for adjusting the phase of the reference clock signal relative to the received multi-level data signal;
• decoding means, responsive to the reference clock signal, for decoding the received multi-level data signal address information, and for generating a control signal in response thereto;
• and
• alerting means, responsive to the control signal, for generating an alert signal in response thereto.