Abstract: A data detection system includes, in part, a CID detector, a DC balance monitor and a transition density detector. The CID detector is configured to detect whether the received data stream includes a CID exceeding a predetermined threshold count. The DC balance monitor is configured to detect DC imbalances in the incoming data and that may be indicative of errors in the data. The transition density detector is configured to detect whether a minimum transition density exists during a given time period. If a violation is detected by any one of these three detectors, an out-of-frame signal is asserted. The incoming data stream may be a scrambled SONET or SDH data stream.