Frame synchronization
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Frame synchronization is the process of synchronizing display pixel scanning to a synchronization source. When several systems are connected, a sync signal is fed from a master system to the other systems in the network, and the displays are synchronized with each other.
While receiving a stream of framed data, frame synchronization or framing is the process by which incoming frame alignment signals (i.e., a distinctive bit sequences or syncwords), are identified (that is, distinguished from data bits), permitting the data bits within the frame to be extracted for decoding or retransmission.
Framing
If the transmission is temporarily interrupted, or a bit slip event occurs, the receiver must re-synchronize.
The transmitter and the receiver must agree ahead of time on which frame synchronization scheme they will use.
Common frame synchronization schemes are:
- Framing bit
- A common practice in telecommunications, for example in T-carrier, is to insert, in a dedicated time slot within the frame, a noninformation bit or framing bit that is used for synchronization of the incoming data with the receiver. In a bit stream, framing bits indicate the beginning or end of a frame. They occur at specified positions in the frame, do not carry information, and are usually repetitive.
- Syncword framing
- Some systems use a special syncword at the beginning of every frame.
- CRC-based framing
- Some telecommunications hardware uses CRC-based framing.
Frame synchronizer
Television
A frame synchronizer is a device used in live television production to match the timing of an incoming video source to the timing of an existing video system. They are often used to "time in" consumer video equipment to a professional system but can be used to stabilize any video. The frame synchronizer essentially takes a picture of each frame of incoming video and then immediately outputs it with the correct synchronization signals to match an existing video system. A genlock signal is required to provide a means for video synchronizing with the house reference.
Telemetry
In telemetry applications, a frame synchronizer is used to frame align a serial pulse code modulated (PCM) binary stream.
The frame synchronizer immediately follows the bit synchronizer in most telemetry applications. Without frame synchronization decommutation is impossible.
The frame syncronisation pattern is a known binary pattern which repeats at a regular interval within the PCM stream. The frame synchronizer recognizes this pattern and aligns the data into minor frames or sub-frames. Typically the frame sync pattern is followed by a counter (Sub-Frame ID) which dictates which minor or sub frame in the series is being transmitted. This becomes increasingly important in the decommutation stage where all data is deciphered as to what attribute was sampled. Different commutations require a constant awareness of which section of the major frame is being decoded.
See also
References
This article incorporates public domain material from Federal Standard 1037C. General Services Administration. Archived from the original on 2022-01-22. (in support of MIL-STD-188).
Scientific articles
- J. L. Massey. "Optimum frame synchronization ". IEEE trans. comm., com-20(2):115-119, April 1972.
- R Scholtz. "Frame synchronization techniques", IEEE Transactions on Communications, 1980.
- P. Robertson. "Optimal Frame Synchronization for Continuous and Packet Data Transmission", PhD Dissertation,
1995, Fortschrittberichte VDI Reihe 10, Nr. 376 PDF