Computer Bus
In computer architecture, a computer bus is a communication system that transfers data between components inside a computer, or between computers. This system is integral in allowing the central processing unit (CPU), memory, and other peripherals to communicate efficiently and effectively.
History and Development
The concept of the bus was inspired by the need to connect various components of a computer in a unified manner. Early computer buses were simple bundles of wire that attached computer memory and peripherals. These were often analogized to electrical power buses, known as busbars.
As computing needs grew, various standards for computer buses were developed. Notable contributions include the work of the IEEE Bus Architecture Standards Committee, which played a crucial role in creating standardized bus architectures. Other efforts included the IEEE Superbus study group, the Open Microprocessor Initiative, and the Gang of Nine, known for developing the Extended Industry Standard Architecture.
Types of Computer Buses
System Bus
A system bus is a type of computer bus that connects the major components of a computer system. It combines the functions of a data bus, address bus, and control bus to facilitate communication between the CPU and random access memory (RAM).
Front-Side Bus
The front-side bus (FSB) was commonly used in Intel-chip-based computers during the 1990s and 2000s. It served as the main connection between the CPU and the northbridge controller, which manages data traffic between the processor, RAM, and other peripherals.
Serial and Parallel Buses
Serial communication transmits data one bit at a time over a single channel. Conversely, parallel communication sends multiple bits simultaneously over multiple channels. Advances in technology have led to the development of high-speed serial buses capable of supporting modern computing demands. One such example is the Universal Serial Bus, which has largely supplanted older serial and parallel port systems.
S-100 Bus
The S-100 bus, also known as the Altair bus, was one of the first computer bus standards. Introduced in 1974, it was part of the Altair 8800 microcomputer and later standardized as IEEE 696-1983.
Wishbone Bus
The Wishbone bus is an open-source hardware computer bus designed to enable the various parts of an integrated circuit to communicate efficiently. It has gained popularity in the design of custom and proprietary systems.
Role in Modern Computing
In contemporary computing, the bus system is a backbone of embedded systems and integrated circuits, ensuring seamless communication across components. As technology continues to evolve, new bus architectures are developed to support increased data bandwidth and lower latency.