A system of an embodiment of the invention is disclosed that includes an interconnect, an electronic device, and a power supply. The interconnect is to carry direct current (DC). The electronic device is connectable to the interconnect to receive DC, and has a communication circuit to transmit signals over the interconnect. The power supply is connectable to the interconnect to provide the DC to the electronic device, and has a decoder circuit to decode the signals received over the interconnect from the electronic device.