Reduced power transmitter during standby mode

A transmitter, comprising:

• a data stream encoder layer having an output;
• a pattern generator having a bit pattern output, the pattern generator including a random number generator, and the pattern generator is configured to provide bit patterns on its bit pattern output based, at least in part, on a random number produced by the random number generator;
• and
• a first multiplexer having first and second inputs and a first multiplexer output, the first input coupled to the output of the data stream encoder layer, and the second input coupled to the bit pattern output of the pattern generator;
• wherein, while at least a portion of the data stream encoder layer is powered down, the pattern generator is configured to provide bit patterns on its bit pattern output, a control signal to the first multiplexer is configured to select the second input of the first multiplexer, and the first multiplexer is configured to output the bit patterns on the output of the first multiplexer.

A method, comprising:

• activating a pattern generator;
• providing a control parameter from a data stream encoder layer of a transmitter to the pattern generator;
• powering down the transmitter's data stream encoder layer;
• generating, by the pattern generator, a first bit pattern based, at least in part, on the control parameter provided from the data stream encoder layer;
• and
• providing the first bit patterns from the pattern generator through a serializer of the transmitter while the transmitter's data stream encoder layer is in a standby mode.