A system uses an event based equivalent time sampling method for ascertaining a value of each bit of a data frame repeated in a digital signal of indeterminate phase. The system measures time intervals between rising edges of the digital signal and a reference time and between falling edges of the digital and that reference time in response to pulses of a periodic arming signal. The measured time intervals are then normalized to equivalent time intervals and those intervals analyzed to determine values of each bit of the data frame.