Patent ID: 7728625

Claim:
A programmable logic device (PLD) comprising: a plurality of programmable logic blocks adapted to be programmed to configure the PLD for its intended function; and a serial interface comprising: a transmit port for coupling the PLD to an external device through a serial data link; a first transmit register adapted to receive normal priority data from the programmable logic blocks as transmit data to be provided over the serial data link through the transmit port; a second transmit register adapted to receive high priority data from the programmable logic blocks as transmit data to be provided over the serial data link through the transmit port; and transmit logic coupled to the first and second transmit registers and adapted to prepare a serial signal comprising the transmit data for transmission from the transmit port over the serial data link, wherein the transmit logic is further adapted to insert the high priority data into the serial signal prior to the normal priority data.