In theory, it shouldn't matter, as long as the transmitting unit transmits valid DMX512 data.
In designing your receiver, you should note that the specification encompasses data rate updates from about 44 updates a second with a 512 channel payload, but with a one channel payload you can validly be sent nearly 900 updates a second...!
The other issue is that if this is a commercial design and it's more complex than simple intensity control, you will probably need to develop fixture personalities for at least some of the popular control consoles...