System and method for outputting a sample using a time stamp predicted at a receiving station coupled to an output station via a variable latency bus

A signal processing system for outputting a real-time signal, the system comprising:

• a receiving station for receiving a signal defining a sample and for determining a desired output time point for the sample in terms of a time-base defined by the signal, the receiving station using the desired output time-point to determine a time-stamp for the sample;
• a variable latency bus;
• an output timer coupled to the receiving station via the bus, the output timer being asynchronous to the time-base;
• an output station for outputting the sample when the output timer reaches a predetermined time value relative to the time stamp,
• a processor in the receiving station, programmed with a program for determining the time stamp from a future time value of the output timer, the future time value being predicted dependent on the output time point and at least one parameter, but otherwise independent of the time at which the program is executed for the sample, the program estimating the at least one parameter by averaging using timer values read from the output timer via the bus.