Data frame format for a digital signal having multiple data constellations

摘要

A data frame structure for a digital information signal comprises a first fixed number of repetitive data segments each containing a second fixed number of M-level symbols representing a plurality of data bytes and a data segment sync character. The frame further includes a header segment including a frame sync code and a mode code defining the value of M for the data frame. The data frame incorporates error correction blocks and is configured to provide an integral number of data bytes and error correction blocks for each of a plurality of different values of M.