The MAX9257/MAX9258 programmable serializer/deserializer (SerDes) devices transfer both video data and control signals over the same twisted-pair cable. However, control data can only be transmitted during the vertical blank time, which is indicated by the control-channel-enabled output (CCEN) signal. The electronic control unit (ECU) firmware designer needs to know how quickly to respond to the CCEN signal before it times out and how to calculate this duration. This application note describes how to calculate the duration of the CCEN for the MAX9257/MAX9258 SerDes chipset. The calculation is based on STO timeout, clock frequency, and UART bit timing. The CCEN duration is programmable and can be closed if not in use.