A driver of a first component and a receiver of a second component of a system are equipped to operate at least one of the driver and the receiver in a low power consumption state, during at least a portion of a quiescent state, when transmitting data from the first to the second component differentially, via a link interface with two lines, coupling the components. The driver and the receiver include respective monitor circuits to detect for the quiescent state, with the driver's monitor circuit monitoring for constancy over a predetermined period, and the receiver's monitor circuit monitoring for zero states on both lines. Further, in one embodiment, the driver's monitor circuit places the driver in the low power consumption state by grounding the two lines.