Abstract: State machines are disclosed for establishing a communication channel between communication devices, such as for example, between two modems in a backplane environment. In accordance with one embodiment, a start-up state machine employs the full data rate signaling scheme of the communication device to initiate a communication channel between two communication devices. By sending predefined bit patterns using the existing signaling scheme, the communication devices can determine the state of each other, establish a communication link, and determine when the communication of data or other desired information can occur.