Systems and methods for detecting a synchronization code word embedded in a plurality of frames of a signal are described. In one example embodiment, the synchronization code word contains “s” bits, embedded one bit per frame in “s” frames of an input signal. The method of detecting this synchronization code word includes: initiating a first segmentation procedure wherein “n” segments are defined in each signal frame of the input signal. A first correlation threshold value, which is based on the synchronization code word, is used to identify in the “n” segments, a first segment having the highest likelihood of containing at least a portion of the synchronization code word. The first segment is used to initiate a recursive detection procedure incorporating one or more additional segmentation procedures and one or more additional correlation threshold values, to detect the synchronization code word in a sub-divided portion of the first segment.