The AD9549 provides synchronization for many systems including synchronous optical networks (SONET/SDH). The AD9549 generates an output clock, synchronized to one of two external input references. The external references may contain significant time jitter, also specified as phase noise. Using a digitally controlled loop and holdover circuitry, the AD9549 continues to generate a clean (low jitter), valid output clock during a `loss of reference' condition, even when both references have failed.