An apparatus for communicating data. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a differential serial interface that supports a plurality of differential serial interface standards and a rail-to-rail common mode range, the differential serial interface comprising a silicon integration of a transceiver comprising (i) a transmitter module coupled to a differential interface and (ii) a receiver module coupled to the differential interface via a common mode isolation circuit, wherein the transceiver is direction-selectable; a variable termination resistance circuit, coupled to the differential interface, for providing adjustable termination for the transmitter module and the receiver module; a frequency-based load detector for detecting connection to a remote receiver; and a calibration circuit for calibrating termination impedance, voltage swing, at least one of pre-emphasis levels or de-emphasis levels, at least one of transmitter eye or receiver eye, and return loss of the differential serial interface to support the plurality of differential serial interface standards.