Abstract: A method for controlling a transmitter for a serial data port is provided. The method includes receiving a set of data at the serial data port. The data in the set of data is compared with a selected pattern of bits. When data in the set of data matches the selected pattern of bits, a bit in a register is set. When the bit in the register is set, transmissions stop. The method further includes processing the set of data to determine a flow control state. When processing the set of data determines that the flow control state is a first state, transmissions re-start.

Abstract: A method is described for controlling commands and data in a serial data stream received by a serial controller in a serial interface. A character count register is programed with a maximum number of characters that a serial controller will send to a direct memory access controller (DMAC) before sending an end of frame (EOF) indication. Characters in an incoming data stream are counted using the character count register. An EOF signal is passed to the DMAC after the maximum number of characters programmed in the character count register have been written to a direct memory access (DMA) buffer. The character count register is reset any time the serial controller passes an EOF to the DMAC. In one embodiment, a character is programmed into a match register. Data in an incoming data stream is compared with the character in the match register. When a character in the incoming data stream matches the character programmed in the match register, a match bit is set corresponding to the match register.