A serial interface or port is configured so that: a Read command and a Write command can be performed substantially simultaneously; a shortened Read command, followed by another Read command, can be performed in reduced time, due to the shortening of the first Read command; and a continuous stream of Read commands can be performed consecutively with no time delay By performing Read and Write commands simultaneously on associated channels at a serial interface, the time required for such performance is reduced by as much as 50 percent.