Communication device with an internal data bus

A communication device and method is provided, comprising: a signal modulator/demodulator having a digital signal processor for effecting radio communications; and an application processor (AP) having a central processing unit and a master controller for controlling via a common bus a plurality of peripherals including an interface with the signal modulator/demodulator, wherein a memory shared by the modem and the AP is controlled via the interface. The plurality of peripherals include at least one of an image capture module, a display, and a flash memory. The master controller controls the plurality of peripherals by issuing a packetized command commonly receivable by the plurality of peripherals over the common bus, the packetized command includes a module device select signal used for selecting one of the peripherals.