Bus
Buses act as communication channels within a computer system, enabling data flow between various components. On PCBs (Printed Circuit Boards), these buses take physical form as traces that connect different integrated circuits (ICs). There are two main categories of buses to consider:
- Internal Buses (Data Buses): Responsible for data transfer within a single electronic device. They connect crucial components like the CPU, memory (RAM), and other internal ICs on the PCB, allowing them to exchange information.
- Examples: Memory bus (CPU to RAM), front-side bus (CPU to high-speed components), I/O bus (CPU to peripherals).
- External Buses (Expansion Buses): Facilitate communication between a device and external components like storage drives, displays, or network cards. They provide standardized connection points for these peripherals to interact with the system.
- Examples: USB, PCI Express (PCIe), SATA (Serial ATA), HDMI, Ethernet.
Categories: Board Parts / Components