a system and method have been provided for programming synchronization features of a multidimensional digital frame structure . such a frame structure acts as a digital wrapper and includes overhead , payload , and forward error correction sections . words in the overhead section are used to selectively synchronize the broadcast frame structure at a plurality of network nodes . the described invention permits the frame synchronization bytes to be made programmable , so that the system and method are flexible for changes in communication protocols , as well for the selective exclusion of nodes . this flexibility also impacts the number , the location , bandwidth , and the bit error rate of the located fsbs .