Frame-based, low power interfaces between devices with different i/o signals

A circuit comprising:

• a first receiver and a first transmitter;
• a second transmitter coupled to the first receiver;
• a second receiver coupled to the first transmitter and the second transmitter;
• a first detector coupled to the first receiver and the first transmitter;
• and
• a second detector coupled to the second receiver and the second transmitter;
• wherein the first receiver, the first transmitter and the second detector are configured to be in an inactive state for a second time period responsive to the first detector determining that a micro frame discludes a data packet during a first time period.

A method comprising:

• detecting by a first detector, during a first time period, a start of a micro frame;
• determining, during a second time period after the first time period, whether at least one data packet is contained in the micro frame;
• and
• inactivating, in response to determining that the micro frame discludes a data packet during the second time period, a first receiver, a first transmitter, a second receiver, a second transmitter and a second detector during a third time period after the second time period, the first receiver and the first transmitter are coupled to the first detector, and the second transmitter is coupled to the first receiver and the second detector, and the second receiver is coupled to the second transmitter and the second detector.