Abstract: A communication bus system comprises a pair of conductors for carrying differential bus signals. A first and second station are connected by the pair of conductors. The system is operable in a selectable one of at least a low speed mode and a high-speed mode. The second station contains resistors each in series with a switch between the pair of conductors and a common node. The impedance connection circuit connects common node to the pair of conductors in the high-speed mode. The resistors provide an impedance to the pair of conductors that substantially matches the transmission line impedance of the pair of conductors. The common point is kept at a bias potential that differs from the reference potential of the receiving circuit. Preferably, a third switch is included between the nodes that join the resistors to the switches. This third switch is switched on and off together with the other switches.