a demodulator operates in a multipath channel carrying transmitted symbols . the demodulator receives a signal representing a transmitted sequence , and develops an output sample at a select sampling phase corresponding to a synchronization point . plural hypothetical samples representing plural hypothetical sequences are generated . the output sample is compared to the plural hypothetical samples to determine plural metrics and develop an original estimate of each transmitted sequence based on the hypothetical sequence producing a best metric . the hypothetical samples are compared to the received sample taken at an early sampling phase in advance of the select sampling phase and to the received sample at a late sampling phase delayed from the select sampling phase to determine if a second estimate of the transmitted symbol produces a better metric than the original estimate , and in response to the second estimate producing a better metric adjusting the synchronization point .