Method and apparatus to encode and synchronize a serial interface

An apparatus comprising a master device that is a semiconductor device, the master device comprising:

• an encoder to generate a first synchronization marker data pattern, wherein the first synchronization marker data pattern includes a first subset of a plurality of data segments, and wherein the first subset of the plurality of data segments includes a first data segment comprising:
• a first encoded data element;
• and
• one of:
• a first frame header comprising a first header and a copy of the first header;
• and
• a first transition header comprising the first header and an inverse of the first header;
• wherein each of the first subset of the plurality of data segments comprises:
• a corresponding encoded data element;
• and
• one of:
• a corresponding frame header comprising a corresponding header and a copy of the corresponding header;
• and
• a corresponding transition header comprising the corresponding header and an inverse of the corresponding header;
• wherein every Nth data segment of the first subset of the plurality of data segments includes the corresponding frame header, wherein N is a predetermined periodic selection number, and wherein each encoded data element is encoded using a data scrambler;
• a transmitting interface to transmit, via a first serial interface, the first synchronization marker data pattern at a first time;
• and
• a receiving interface to receive, via a second serial interface, a second synchronization marker data pattern at a second time from a slave device in response to the transmitted first synchronization marker data pattern;
• wherein the master device is configured to synchronize with the slave device based at least in part on the first time and the second time.

An apparatus comprising a first slave device that comprises a semiconductor device, the first slave device comprising:

• a receiving interface to receive, via a first serial interface, a first synchronization marker data pattern;
• an encoder to generate a second synchronization marker data pattern in response to receipt by the first slave device of the first synchronization marker data pattern;
• and
• a transmitting interface to transmit, via a second serial interface, the second synchronization marker data pattern;
• wherein the second synchronization marker data pattern includes a plurality of data segments including a first data segment comprising:
• a first encoded data element, wherein the first encoded data element is encoded using a data scrambler;
• and
• one of:
• a first frame header comprising a first header and a copy of the first header;
• and
• a first transition header comprising the first header and an inverse of the first header
• wherein each of the plurality of data segments comprises:
• a corresponding encoded byte;
• and
• one of:
• a corresponding frame header comprising a corresponding header and a copy of the corresponding header;
• and
• a corresponding transition header comprising the corresponding header and an inverse of the corresponding header, and
• wherein every Nth data segment of the plurality of data segments includes the corresponding frame header, wherein N is a predetermined periodic selection number.