This Standard specifies the electrical characteristics of low-voltage differential signaling interface circuits that may be employed when specified for the interchange of binary signals between equipment sharing a common data interchange circuit. The electrical characteristics of the circuit are specified in terms of required voltage and current values obtained from direct measurements of the driver and receiver components at the multipoint line interface points.

The logic function of the driver and the receiver or the communication protocol is not defined by this Standard, as it is application dependent. Optional receiver input characteristics are specified to allow idle-line fail-safe or Wired-or signaling at slower signaling rates.

Minimum electrical characteristics of the transmission media and interconnection requirements are provided, where media refers to printed circuit board traces (backplane) or cables. Further guidelines for application of this Standard are provided in the annexes.

It is intended that this Standard will be referenced by other standards that specify the complete interface (i.e., connector, pin assignments, function) for applications where the electrical characteristics of a multipoint low-voltage differential interface circuit is required. The referencing standard(s) also specify other characteristics of the interface (such as signal quality, protocol, bus structure, and timing) essential for proper operation across the interface.

When this Standard is referenced by other standards or specifications, it should be noted that certain options are available. The author of those standards and specifications must determine and specify those optional features that are required for that application.