A physical coding sublayer includes a first channel configured to receive a first encoded data stream from a physical media attachment layer and to provide a first decoded data stream to a media access layer. The first channel includes a first circuit configured to detect synchronization headers in the first encoded data stream received from the physical media attachment layer, a decoding circuit configured to decode the encoded data stream and to adjust a width of the received data from a first width to a second width based on a signal identifying the synchronization headers received from the first circuit, and a first single configured to compensate for clock differences between the physical media attachment layer and the media access layer to which the first buffer provides the first decoded data stream.