Abstract: In a digital data link system which transmits and receives frequency-shift keyed digital data over mark/space frequency channels, the invention enhances system performance in the presence of noise. The method utilizes two synchronization channels, selecting the better one to synchronize the receiver to the transmitter. The method teaches the accumulation of the results of a plurality of data-state determining measurements and the utilization of the accumulated measurements made during a baud interval to resolve the received mark/space frequency signal into a corresponding mark/space data-state signal. Apparatus to practice the method is described. The apparatus includes a timing recovery circuit for synchronization-channel selection and a digital frequency detector capable of extracting information from a data signal in the presence of noise having the same frequency as the data signal and up to 86.6% of the amplitude of the data signal.