This Standard specifies the electrical Characteristics of the unbalanced voltage digital interface circuit, normally implemented in integrated circuit technology, that may be employed when specified for the interchange of serial binary signals between Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment (DCE) or in any point-to-point interconnection of serial binary signals between digital equipment.

Devices complying to this Standard are electrically compatible with TIA/EIA-423-B, ElA/TIA-562 and ElA/TIA-232-E interfaces. This Standard is also compatible with ITU-T Recommendations V.10 and V.28.

The interface circuit includes a generator connected by a interconnecting cable to a load consisting of a receiver. The electrical characteristics of the circuit are specified in terms of required voltage, current, and resistance values obtained from direct measurements of the generator and receiver components at the interface points (connector). The logic function of the generator and the receiver is not defined by this Standard, as it is application dependent. Minimum signal quality requirements are also specified to support the specified data signaling rates.

It is intended that this Standard will be referenced by other standards that specify the other necessary components of an interface (e.g.., connector, pin assignments, function) for applications where the electrical characteristics of an unbalanced voltage digital interface circuit are required. This Standard does not specify other characteristics of the interface (such as protocol and timing, etc.) essential for proper operation across the interface.