For identifying or localizing a serial data stream in a deserialized output provided at a plurality of n output ports (PORT1-PORT5), a pattern recognition is provided at each one of the plurality of n output ports (PORT1-PORT5) for recognizing a deserialized identifier pattern corresponding to an identifier pattern within the serial data stream and for detecting a phase of the deserialized identifier pattern in the deserialized output. The phase of the output of each respective port (PORT1-PORT5) is then shifted in correspondence with the detected phase of the deserialized identifier pattern.