A method for maintaining a nominal decoder time phase alignment through a data drop-out period is provided. The method includes determining if a search window is open. A search-window width of the search window is an initial search-window width. The initial search-window width is larger than the width of the frame synchronization pattern. The method also includes determining if a bit clock rising edge is detected and searching for the frame synchronization pattern on a bit level when the search window is open and the bit clock rising edge is detected. If the frame synchronization pattern is not found responsive to the searching, the method also includes determining if a receipt time of the bit received when the bit clock rising edge was detected is coincident with an expected start time of the frame synchronization pattern.