Method for synchronizing exporter and exciter clocks

1. A method for synchronizing an exciter clock with a modem frame clock in a broadcasting system, the method comprising the steps of:

using a first input to receive a plurality of modem frame pulses that are representative of the start of modem frames, wherein timing of the modem frame pulses is controlled by a modem frame clock;

using a clock to produce an exciter clock signal;

using a counter to count pulses representative of the exciter clock signal to produce a count representative of timing error of each incoming modem frame pulse;

using a loop filter to control the exciter clock signal in response to the count; and

using a second input to reset the count in response to a combination of a sync signal and the modem frame pulses.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

using a latch to latch the count in response to the modem frame pulses.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of:

using a processor to take the 2's complement of the count.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein pulses representative of the exciter clock signal are produced using a variable-modulus divider.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frequency of the modem frame pulses is about 0.673 Hz, and the frequency of the exciter clock is about 10 MHz.

6. An apparatus for synchronizing an exciter clock with a modem frame clock in a broadcasting system, the apparatus comprising:

an input for receiving a plurality of modem frame pulses that are representative of the start of modem frames, wherein timing of the modem frame pulses is controlled by a modem frame clock;

a voltage controlled oscillator for producing an exciter clock signal;

a counter for counting pulses representative of the exciter clock signal to produce a count representative of timing error of each incoming modem frame pulse;

a loop filer for controlling the exciter clock signal in response to the count; and

an input for resetting the count in response to a combination of a sync signal and the modem frame pulses.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:

a latch for latching the count in response to the modem frame pulses.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:

a circuit for taking the 2's complement of the count.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising:

a variable-modulus divider for producing pulses representative of the exciter clock signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the frequency of the modem frame pulses is about 0.673 Hz, and the frequency of the exciter clock is about 10 MHz.

11. An apparatus for synchronizing an exciter clock with a modem frame clock in a broadcasting system, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a plurality of modem frame pulses that are representative of the start of modem frames, wherein timing of the modem frame pulses is controlled by a modem frame clock;

means for producing an exciter clock signal;

means for counting pulses representative of the exciter clock signal to produce a count representative of timing error of each incoming modem frame pulse;

means for controlling the exciter clock signal in response to the count; and

means for resetting the count in response to a combination of a sync signal and the modem frame pulses.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:

means for latching the count in response to the modem frame pulses.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:

means for taking the 2's complement of the count.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:

means for producing pulses representative of the exciter clock signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the frequency of the modem frame pulses is about 0.673 Hz, and the frequency of the exciter clock is about 10 MHz.