A bidirectional transceiver integrated circuit (IC) includes a transmit circuit configured to transmit during a data transfer mode of operation first data over a first bidirectional communication channel to a link partner. The transmit circuit is configured, during a low power mode of operation, to transmit an encoded refresh signal over the first bidirectional communication channel to the link partner. A receiver circuit is configured to receive during the data transfer mode of operation second data independent of the first data over the first bidirectional communication channel. An encoder is configured, during the low power mode of operation, to encode third data into a refresh signal to generate the encoded refresh signal.