Differential wired communication link quality detector and differential wired communication link quality detection method

An apparatus for determining link failure in a receiver for receiving a differential voltage signal via a first signal line and a second signal line, the apparatus comprising:

• first determining means for obtaining a first quantity depending on the larger one of a maximum value over time of a voltage level that is attained in the first signal line and a maximum value over time of a voltage level that is attained in the second signal line;
• second determining means for obtaining a second quantity depending on a maximum value over time of an average of an instantaneous voltage level in the first signal line and an instantaneous voltage level in the second signal line;
• and
• link failure determining means for determining that the link failure has occurred and for outputting an indication of the link failure,
• wherein the link failure determining means is configured to determine that the link failure has occurred on the basis of the first quantity and the second quantity.