A device, comprising: an interface circuit configured to interface the device with a line-pair, wherein the interface circuit comprises: a diode bridge having polarity-independent input terminals coupled to the line-pair, and further having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal; a first galvanic isolation device operatively connected to the diode bridge and configured to output a receive signal received on the line-pair via the diode bridge; a second galvanic isolation device configured to receive a transmit signal; a voltage-controlled variable resistance element connected across the positive and negative output terminals of the diode bridge wherein the voltage-controlled variable resistance element is operatively connected to the diode bridge and configured to couple the transmit signal to the line-pair via the diode bridge; and a first filter connected between the second galvanic isolation device and a control terminal of the voltage-controlled variable resistance element, characterized in that the first filter includes decoupled charge and discharge paths so as to decouple a rise time of the transmit signal from a fall time of the transmit signal. an interface circuit configured to interface the device with a line-pair, wherein the interface circuit comprises: a diode bridge having polarity-independent input terminals coupled to the line-pair, and further having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal; a first galvanic isolation device operatively connected to the diode bridge and configured to output a receive signal received on the line-pair via the diode bridge; a second galvanic isolation device configured to receive a transmit signal; a voltage-controlled variable resistance element connected across the positive and negative output terminals of the diode bridge wherein the voltage-controlled variable resistance element is operatively connected to the diode bridge and configured to couple the transmit signal to the line-pair via the diode bridge; and a first filter connected between the second galvanic isolation device and a control terminal of the voltage-controlled variable resistance element, a diode bridge having polarity-independent input terminals coupled to the line-pair, and further having a positive output terminal and a negative output terminal; a first galvanic isolation device operatively connected to the diode bridge and configured to output a receive signal received on the line-pair via the diode bridge; a second galvanic isolation device configured to receive a transmit signal; a voltage-controlled variable resistance element connected across the positive and negative output terminals of the diode bridge wherein the voltage-controlled variable resistance element is operatively connected to the diode bridge and configured to couple the transmit signal to the line-pair via the diode bridge; and a first filter connected between the second galvanic isolation device and a control terminal of the voltage-controlled variable resistance element, the first filter includes decoupled charge and discharge paths so as to decouple a rise time of the transmit signal from a fall time of the transmit signal.