Abstract: Improved synchronization of OFDM signals is achieved. A controlled oscillator (8) provides clock pulses to derive complex samples of an input signal which are applied both to a fast Fourier transform (5) for data recovery and to a synchronization unit (9). The synchronization unit generates the complex product XY* of the input and the delayed input, which is applied to a high-pass filter (30) to suppress frequencies below the symbol frequency. The filter output is applied through a symbol comb filter (40) to an adaptive slicer (50) which determines the larger magnitude of the real and imaginary components of the signal. A pulse processor (60) generates a single pulse at the leading edge of the symbol pulse which is applied to a symbol counter (70). The symbol counter includes two count stages arranged to lock in quickly and yet be variable to accomodate different guard intervals in the OFDM signal.