Can LVDS be used to drive multiple loads (multi-drop) ?
LVDS is primarily a point-to-point signaling technology meaning 1 driver and 1 receiver. In some special circumstances LVDS can be used to drive multiple loads; in this case the driver must be at one end of the transmission line and the 100 ohm termination at the other. It is essential the loads have very short stubs. (see figure).
Point-to-point (top) and Multidrop (bottom)
A better solution is to use M-LVDS when multi-drop or multi-point architectures are required. M-LVDS is optimized for multi-drop applications and has slow controlled edge rates to minimize reflections due to impedance discontinuities such as stubs. In typical multi-drop or multi-point configurations, such as backplanes, term