Method and apparatus for adjusting the sampling phase of a digitally encoded signal in a wireless communication system

An apparatus for adjusting the sampling phase of a digitally encoded signal transmitted between a first unit and a second unit in a digital wireless communication system, wherein said digitally encoded signal is transmitted in a plurality of non-contiguous time slots and within each time slot said digitally encoded signal has a synchronization signal portion followed by a data signal portion, said second unit comprising:

• antenna means for receiving said synchronization signal portion of said digitally encoded signal;
• clocking means for generating a clock signal at a first rate having a sampling phase;
• analog to digital converting means for receiving said clock signal and said synchronization signal and for sampling said synchronization signal at said first rate, to generate a first plurality of symbols;
• interpolating means for receiving said first plurality of symbols and for interpolating said first plurality of symbols to generate a second plurality of symbols at a second rate, wherein said second rate is a multiple of said first rate;
• match filter means for receiving said second plurality of symbols and for comparing said second plurality of symbols to a stored plurality of symbols to generate an error signal;
• and
• means for altering the sampling phase of said clock signal in response to said error signal.