One embodiment of the present invention provides a device for interfacing between a baseband controller and an RF integrated circuit (IC) chip having a modulator and a demodulator. The device includes an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the demodulator located on the RF IC chip. The ADC is configured to receive demodulated analog signals from the demodulator. The device further includes a serializer configured to generate a serial data frame based on the ADC's output, a first serial data port configured to send the serial data frame to the baseband controller, and a control module coupled to the baseband controller.