9.2.1 Design Requirements

When using LVDS devices, it is important to remember to specify controlled impedance PCB traces, cable assemblies, and connectors. All components of the transmission media must have a matched differential impedance of about 100 Ω. They must not introduce major impedance discontinuities.

Balanced cables (for example, twisted pair) are usually better than unbalanced cables (ribbon cable) for noise reduction and signal quality. Balanced cables tend to generate less EMI due to field canceling effects and also tend to pick up electromagnetic radiation as common-mode (not differential mode) noise which is rejected by the LVDS receiver.

For cable distances < 0.5 M, most cables can be made to work effectively. For distances 0.5 M ≤ d ≤ 10 M, CAT5 (Category 5) twisted pair cable works well, is readily available, and relatively inexpensive.