High speed serial interface

A protocol structure for high-speed, serial digital front end (DFE)-printer communications, comprising:

• a plurality of time frames comprising an idle message time frame for indicating a device is ready for communication, wherein each of the DFE and the printer transmits an idle frame when it is ready for communication;
• a printer control word frame for sending a page request and a line request from the printer;
• a DFE control word frame for indicating a transfer mode from the DFE;
• and
• a data frame, wherein in response to a page request from the printer, the DFE transmits a control word frame followed by the requested data;
• wherein the printer control word frame further comprises a verification bit, a mode bit, a page request bit, a line request bit, a buffer status bit and a reset status bit.

A method of transmitting data between an initiator device and a target device using a high speed, serial interface, comprising:

• transmitting, from the initiator device, an idle message frame indicating the initiator device is ready for transmission;
• transmitting, from the target device, an idle message frame indicating the target device is ready for communication;
• transmitting, from the target device, a target control word frame requesting transmission of data from the initiator device;
• transmitting, from the initiator device in response to a target control word frame containing the data request from the target device, an initiator control word frame indicating a data transfer mode and the requested data;
• wherein the initiator device comprises a digital front end (DFE) and the target device comprises a printer;
• and
• wherein the printer control word frame further comprises a verification bit, a mode bit, a page request bit, a line request bit, a buffer status bit and a reset status bit.