various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for synchronizing data processing . as one example , a method for synchronizing data processing is disclosed that includes receiving a data input , and sampling the data input at a sample period to generate a sample set . a first pattern is received and a first periodic boundary associated with the first pattern is identified . in one particular case , the first pattern is a preamble pattern included as sector data on a storage medium , and the first periodic boundary is a 4t boundary . further , a second pattern is detected in the sample that is used to establish a second periodic boundary . in one particular case , the second pattern is a sam pattern included as sector data on a storage medium , and the second periodic boundary is a 1t boundary . based at least in part on the first periodic boundary and the second periodic boundary , a time to transmit or assert a data - found signal is determined .