The specific duration it takes for receiving terminal equipment to lock back onto the correct frame boundaries after a valid frame alignment signal becomes available. This metric dictates how quickly a digital transmission system can recover from a loss of synchronization. Shorter recovery times mean fewer dropped packets and less audible clipping in voice circuits during minor line disturbances.
Heard on the job
The spec requires a frame-alignment recovery time of under 50 milliseconds to prevent the PBX from dropping the call entirely.