rinnakkaisväylä

Rinnakkaisväylä refers to a parallel communication channel or bus in computer architecture and electronics. It allows multiple bits of data to be transmitted simultaneously over separate physical lines or conductors. This is in contrast to a serial communication channel, where data bits are sent one after another over a single line.

The primary advantage of a parallel bus is its speed. By sending multiple bits concurrently, it can achieve a higher data transfer rate for a given clock frequency compared to a serial bus. Early computer systems heavily relied on parallel buses for tasks such as connecting peripherals like printers and disk drives, as well as for internal data transfer between components like the CPU and memory.

However, parallel buses also have drawbacks. They require more physical connections, leading to thicker and more complex cables and circuit boards. Signal integrity can also be a challenge, as multiple signals travelling in close proximity can interfere with each other, a phenomenon known as crosstalk. This interference limits the maximum speed and length of parallel buses.

As technology advanced, serial communication methods, particularly high-speed serial interfaces, became increasingly prevalent due to their ability to overcome the limitations of parallel buses. Modern systems often use serial interfaces like USB, SATA, and Ethernet, which employ sophisticated encoding and error correction techniques to achieve very high data rates with fewer physical connections. Despite this shift, parallel buses still find applications in specific areas where their inherent simplicity and high bandwidth at shorter distances are advantageous, such as within integrated circuits or for certain industrial control systems.