Data detection on serial communication links

A method, comprising:

• detecting, by a data rate detection circuit, that a communication link operates in a high-speed mode rather than in a low-speed mode, wherein the detecting includes determining that a number of samples sampled during a reference time period satisfy a threshold value, the samples generated based on a signal that encodes a serial data stream and received on the communication link;
• activating, by the data rate detection circuit, a data rate detection signal indicating that the communication link operates in the high-speed mode, wherein the data rate detection signal is activated in response to a determination that the number of samples satisfy the threshold value;
• and
• generating, by a receiver circuit that includes a plurality of subcircuits, the samples during the reference time period, the samples generated based on the signal;
• and
• activating, by the receiver circuit, one or more of the plurality of subcircuits in response to activation of the data rate detection signal.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first device configured to transmit at least one signal via a communication bus, wherein the at least one signal encodes a serial data stream that includes a plurality of data symbols;
• and
• a second device coupled to the communication bus, wherein the second device includes:
• a data rate detection circuit configured to:
• detect that the communication bus operates in a high-speed mode rather than in a low-speed mode, wherein, to detect that the communication bus operates in the high-speed mode, the data rate detection circuit is configured to determine that a number of samples sampled during a reference time period satisfy a threshold value, the samples generated based on the signal;
• and
• activate a data rate detection signal indicating that the communication bus operates in the high-speed mode, wherein the data rate detection signal is activated in response to a determination that the number of samples satisfy the threshold value;
• and
• a receiver circuit including a plurality of subcircuits, wherein the receiver circuit is configured to:
• generate the samples during the reference time period, the samples generated based on the signal;
• and
• activate one or more of the plurality of subcircuits in response to activation of the data rate detection signal.