a method and apparatus for actively simulating an apparent termination input impedance to a current driven data communication equipment device is disclosed . the dce device utilizes several components to implement the apparent termination impedance . a first component is a current driver for providing a source of current within the dce device . the current source is configured to actively drive an input - output signal line within a communication link . the current driven dce also includes a mechanism for sensing an input - output signal line voltage , a mechanism for converting the sensed voltage to a feed back current and an active termination for simulating an apparent termination impedance . the converting mechanism is coupled to a summation node which sums current provided from the current driver and current from the converting mechanism to force the desired termination impedance in the dce device , whilst performing dce current drive function .