Physical interface module

The present invention relates to physical interfaces, especially those used on consumer electronics devices. A processor in which an embodiment of the disclosed invention is deployed comprises a physical interface for connecting to and communicating with a peripheral device, the peripheral device being configured to operate according to a standard communications protocol or to a different protocol which is adapted to have a more bandwidth-efficient performance. The processor comprises means for detecting which of the two protocols the attached peripheral device uses and means to configure the physical interface to operate according to the detected protocol. The invention allows for new, bandwidth-efficient communications protocols to be executed across existing standardised physical interface hardware, thereby allowing for easier acceptance of the new protocols within the consumer electronics industry. Bandwidth-efficient communications protocols advantageously allow for more convenient transfer of media content or for big-data applications to be more conveniently handled.