ISO 11783 specifies a serial data network for control and communications on forestry or agricultural tractors and mounted, semi-mounted, towed or self-propelled implements. Its purpose is to standardize the method and format of transfer of data between sensors, actuators, control elements, and information-storage and -display units, whether mounted on, or part of, the tractor or implement. ISO 11783 also provides an open interconnect system for on-board electronic systems used by agriculture and forestry equipment. It is intended to enable electronic control units (ECUs) to communicate with each other, providing a standardized system.

This document defines and describes the network's 250 kbit/s, twisted, non-shielded, quad-cable physical layer and an alternative cable and architecture named twisted pair physical layer (TPPL) based on a 250 kbit/s, un-shielded, twisted pair cable network layer which is fully backward compatible to twisted quad based machines and devices.

NOTE Where not differently specified, requirements are valid for both twisted quad and TPPL.