One embodiment relates to a method of performing a latency measurement within an integrated circuit. Receipt of a word that contains a beginning of a frame is detected by a frame begin detect circuit in a decoding circuit block. A begin frame detected signal is fed back to the physical media attachment circuit, and an asynchronous signal from the physical media attachment circuit is transmitted at a beginning of a subsequent frame to a time measurement circuit in a core of the integrated circuit. A bitcount may be used to generate a synchronous signal that is also transmitted to the core. At the core of the integrated circuit, a first time is measured that corresponds to receipt of the asynchronous signal and a second time is measured that corresponds to receipt of the synchronous signal. A latency is determined at least by subtracting the first time subtracted from the second time. Other embodiments and features are also disclosed.