The present application discloses systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for transferring data and/or data over a communication link. A medical device in one example includes receiver(s) configured to receive first signals, which include power signals and first stimulation data, and second signals, which include second stimulation data. Each of the first stimulation data and the second stimulation data includes data encoded according to a same data encoding protocol. The device also includes control circuitry coupled to the one or more receivers and configured to operate in a first mode and in a second mode. The control circuitry is configured in the first mode to apply the power signals to provide power to the medical device and to apply the first stimulation data to a medical device recipient. Further, the control circuitry is configured in the second mode to apply the second stimulation data to the medical device recipient.