Disclosed is a method for synchronizing a bitstream, the method comprising comparing an incoming data byte of the bitstream with a predetermined byte pattern; writing a result of the comparison to a current write address in a FIFO; calculating a difference between a current read address in the FIFO and the current write address; asserting a synchronization signal when the difference equals a predetermined value; the result of the comparison is asserted; and an output of the FIFO at the current read address is asserted.