A method of and apparatus for synchronous data transfer are described. The method may include encoding a clock period and data into an encoded signal, transmitting the encoded signal from a master device to a slave device, and recovering the data at the slave device without using a local oscillator. The apparatus may comprise a first integrated circuit including a master device configured to transmit an encoded signal of a clock period and data on a first port, and a second integrated circuit including a slave device where the slave device is configured to receive the encoded signal on a second port coupled to the first port and to recover the data without using a local oscillator.