Abstract: A digital interface (22) includes a self-test structure (56). The structure (56) includes a transmit section (52) and a receive section (36) having a correlator (68). A method (114) of testing the interface (22) entails coupling the receive section (36) with the transmit section (52) and communicating a test data structure (86) from the transmit section (52) to the receive section (36) at a high data rate. The test data structure (86) includes a pre-defined sync pattern (88), a header (90), and a payload (92). The receive section (36) detects the sync pattern (88) and performs time frame synchronization (148) at the correlator (68). When synchronization (148) is successful, the receive section (36) decodes (154, 162) the header (90) and the payload (92). If time frame synchronization (148) and decoding (154, 162) are successful, a validation indicator (100) is output for external observation at a low data rate.

Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises a number of sub-systems operably coupled to a data interface for routing data between the number of sub-systems. A clock generation function generates a clock signal substantially at a data transfer rate to be used over the data interface whereby the clock signal is generated at a rate that minimises harmonic content of the clock signal at operational frequencies of the wireless communication device. Thus, a suitable data rate is selected and supported by the data interface that accommodates the desired bandwidth, clock rate and/or chip rate of the functional elements that are coupled by the data interface within the wireless communication device, whilst minimising the effects of harmonic interference from the clock signal(s).