Abstract: A plurality of parity bits is generated for serial transmission of a word of data bits, and the plurality of parity bits is modified before transmission to encode a sideband signal. The word of data bits and the plurality of modified parity bits are serially transmitted. In another embodiment, a serially-transmitted code word comprising a word of data bits and a plurality of parity bits is received, wherein the parity bits have been generated by an encoder and transmitted with the data bits. It is determined whether the parity bits were modified by the encoder to encode a sideband signal, and at least one of error detection and error correction is performed using the parity bits.

Abstract: A word of data bits is received and a plurality of parity bits for serial transmission of the data bits is generated. The word of data bits and plurality of parity bits are transmitted, wherein the parity bits are generated and transmitted with the data bits, wherein the parity bits are generated in accordance with a parity scheme that ensures that at least one binary transition occurs within each set of n consecutively transmitted bits, wherein n is a specified number. In another embodiment, a serially-transmitted code word comprising a word of data bits and a plurality of parity bits is received, wherein the parity bits are generated by an encoder and transmitted with the data bits, wherein the parity bits are generated in accordance with a parity scheme that ensures that at least one binary transition occurs within each set of n consecutively transmitted bits, wherein n is a specified number.