An apparatus includes an encoding circuit, and a communication bus having conductive traces configured to transfer a data payload, including a control signal and up to a maximum number of data words. The encoding circuit is configured to receive an uncompressed data payload and a mask value, and to create, using the mask value, the control signal, the control signal indicative of whether the uncompressed data payload includes one or more non-enabled data words. In response to a determination that the control signal indicates that the uncompressed data payload includes one or more non-enabled data words, the encoding circuit is configured to create a compressed data payload from the uncompressed data payload, and to send, to a decoding circuit, the compressed data payload and the control signal via the plurality of conductive traces of the communication bus. The compressed data payload includes the mask value.