scope:

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 Date Terminal Equipment ( DTE ) and Date Circuit Terminating Equipment ( DCE ) or in any interconnection of binary signals between voice or data equipment.

The interface circuit includes a generator connected by an interconnecting cable to a load consisting of a received. The electrical characteristics of the circuit are specified in terms of required voltage, current, and resistance values obtained from measurement made at the interface point. It is Intended that this electrical standard interoperate with generators and receivers that conform to EIA Standard EIA/TIA-232-D and/or CCITT Recommendation V.28.

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