A receiver for a differential signal transmitted over a serial interface includes a squelch detector, a differential amplifier, a start pattern detector, an end pattern detector, and a controller. The squelch detector is configured to output a squelch signal when determining that the differential signal is present on the serial interface. The differential amplifier is configured to extract binary data from the differential signal. The start pattern detector is configured to indicate a first state when detecting a given start pattern in the binary data. The end pattern detector is configured to indicate a second state when detecting a given end pattern in the binary data. The controller is configured to activate the start pattern detector in response to the squelch signal. The controller is configured to validate the differential signal in the first state. The controller is configured to end receiving the differential signal in the second state.