scope:

Section Abstracts 

This standard is applicable to the interconnection of data terminal equipment (DTE) and data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE) employing serial binary data interchange with control information exchanged on separate control circuits. It defines:

Section 2 Signal Characteristics

Section 3 Interface Mechanical Characteristics

Section 4 Functional Description of Interchange Circuits

In addition, the standard includes:

Section 5 Recommendations and Explanatory Notes

Section 6 Glossary of Terms

Application

This standard applies where equipment on one side of the DTE/DCE interface is intended for connection directly to equipment on  the other side without additional technical considerations. Applications where cable termination, signal waveshaping, interconnection cable distance, and mechanical configurations of the interface must be tailored to meet specific user needs are not precluded but are beyond the scope of this standard.