As a result of the Internet’s tremendous growth, data transfers are increasing dramatically in all areas of communications. In addition, data streams for digital video, high-definition television (HDTV), and color graphics are requiring higher and higher bandwidth. The digital communications deluge is the driving force for high-speed interconnects between chips, functional boards, and systems. The data may be digital, but it is LVDS that designers are choosing to drive these high-speed transmission lines. LVDS’s proven speed, low power, noise control, and cost advantages are popular in point-to-point applications for telecommunications, data communications, and displays.

Wherever you need high-speed data transfer (100 Mbps and higher), LVDS offers a solution. There are many applications in many market segments that use LVDS for data transmission. These include the following:

• stackable hubs for data communications
• wireless base stations and asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switches in telecommunications
• flat-panel displays and servers in the computer market
• peripherals like printers and digital copy machines
• high-resolution displays in industrial applications
• flat-panel displays in the automotive market

In these applications, high-speed data moves within and between systems. Moving data within a system (intrasystem data transfer) is the main use for LVDS solutions today. Moving information between systems (intersystem data transfer) requires standard communications protocols such as Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 1394, Fibre Channel, and Gigabit Ethernet. As the hardware and software overhead for intersystem protocols is too expensive to use for intrasystem data transfers, a simple and low-cost LVDS link is an attractive alternative. Thus, LVDS solutions move information on a board; between boards, modules, shelves, and racks; or box to box. The transmission media can be copper cables or printed circuit board (PCB) traces. In the future, LVDS will also carry protocols for intersystem communication.