------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  -- Serialize the stats vectors
  -- This is a single bit approach, retimed onto gtx_clk
  -- this code is only present to prevent code being stripped..
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  -- RX STATS
  -- first capture the stats on the appropriate clock
   capture_rx_stats : process (fifo_clk_i)
   begin
      if fifo_clk_i'event and fifo_clk_i = '1' then
         rx_statistics_valid_reg <= rx_statistics_valid;
         if rx_statistics_valid_reg = '0' and rx_statistics_valid = '1' then
            rx_stats        <= rx_statistics_vector;
            rx_stats_toggle <= not rx_stats_toggle;
         end if;
      end if;
   end process capture_rx_stats;