Bus Drivers
A bus in a computer architecture is a subsystem that is used to transfer information between various computer components. With the help of a bus all computer components are connected to the computer's processor (CPU) and memory (RAM).
Information travels in the form of electrical pulses in a bus, with each bus representing either '0' or '1' bit. Buses are of varying sizes, where the size depends on the number of bits being transferred. Some of the common bus sizes include: 4 bits, 8 bits, 12 bits, 16 bits, 24 bits, 32 bits, 64 bits, 80 bits, 96 bits, and 128 bits. Here are some common terms related to computer buses: Bus Speed: Speed of bus is calculated in MegaHertz (MHz) and it represents the speed at which data travels on a bus. Bus Capacity: Theoretically, the capacity of a bus is calculated by multiplying the size of the bus with its speed. This calculated capacity is affected by some other factors the may slow it down. Internal Bus: This bus exists inside the processor and performs tasks such as transferring data, instructions, and other essential information between internal components. External Bus: This bus exists outside the processor but inside the computer and is responsible for data transfer between various computer components. Data Bus: This bus is used to carry and transfer the actual data. Internal data buses are used to transfer data within the processor and external data buses are used to transfer data between the processor and the computer memory. Address Bus: The address bus comprises information about the destination of the data being sent. Multiplexing: When data bus and address bus are combined together in to a single bus, it is called multiplexing. Standards and History of Computer Buses Industry Standard Architecture (ISA): ISA buses where initially introduced by IBM in 1981. Originally, ISA buses where 8-bit buses that carried data at the speed of 4.77 MHz. ISA buses where expanded to 16-bit 8.3 MHz buses in the year 1984, when IBM introduced IBM AT computers with 80286 processor. Micro Channel Architecture (MCA): IBM introduced 32-bit MCA buses in 1987 with the introduction of PS/2 computers comprising Intel 80386 processor. These buses failed and were not accepted by other manufacturers because they lacked the capability to use the already available wider varieties of ISA buses. Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA): 32-bit 8.3 MHz EISA buses where introduced by nine IBM competitors, AST Research, Compaq, Epson, Hewlett Packard, NEC, Olivetti, Tandy, WYSE, and Zenith Data Systems, in response the MCA bus. The best thing about the EISA buses was that they are backward compatible with the ISA bus and have the capability of automatically setting up adaptor card configurations. VESA Local bus (VL bus): Video Electronics Standards Association introduced the VL bus in 1992 for the Intel 80486 processor. This bus has 32 bits and runs at the speed 33 MHz. The VL bus has 32 bits and runs at 33 MHz. These buses are setup with the help of jumper switches. Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI): Intel introduced PCI buses in 1993. PCI buses are available in two versions—32-bit 33 MHz version and 64-bit 66 MHz version. PCI buses became very popular because they support Plug and Play devices. These buses automatically check for errors during data transfer and use 'burst mode' that make is possible to send several data sets to one address at the same time, thereby increasing the speed of these buses. PCI are the most commonly used computer buses today. Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP): In 1997, Intel introduced 66 MHz 32-bit AGP bus to meet the demands of 3-D graphics. These buses enhanced the video data performance by separating rest of the data being transferred on PCI buses from the video data. Universal Serial Bus (USB): USB buses are one of the latest in the industry. These are external buses and where created with combined efforts of Compaq, DEC, IBM, Intern, Microsoft, NEC and Northern Telcom. USB buses where launched in 1996 with the Intel 430HX Triton II Mother Board. These buses can transfer 12 megabits per second (Mbps) and can support around 127 devices by utilizing just one IRQ. Some of the common devices supported by USB buses are: Cameras, CD-ROM drives, Keyboards and Mouse, Printers and Scanners, MP3 Players, and Removable Media. USB 2.0 is the latest hi-speed USB version available today. It was developed by Compaq, Hewlett Packard, Intel, Lucent, Microsoft, NEC and Philips and was launched in 2001. USB 2.0 can transfer data at speeds up to 480 Mbps and is backward compatible with older USB versions. » Download Bus Drivers |
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