Modification of bus protocol packet for serial data synchronization

An apparatus for enabling transmission of parallel data from a first parallel bus to a second parallel bus via a serial data channel includes a first logic element that generates a synchronization character used in a serial data transmission protocol upon detection of a parallel synchronization packet. A serializer converts data from the first logic element into a serial data stream. A de-serializer converts the serial data stream into a plurality of parallel data packets. A second logic element detects the synchronization character and converts the synchronization character into a parallel synchronization packet.