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In ] and ], '''serial communications''' refers to any data transmission scheme in which data is sent one symbol at at time, sequentially over a communications channel.


The communications links across which computers, or parts of computers, talk to one another, may be either serial or parallel. A parallel link transmits several streams of data (perhaps representing particular bits of a stream of bytes) along multiple channels (wires, printed circuit tracks, optical fibres, ...); a serial link transmits a single stream of data. The communications links across which computers, or parts of computers, talk to one another, may be either serial or parallel. A parallel link transmits several streams of data (perhaps representing particular bits of a stream of bytes) along multiple channels (wires, printed circuit tracks, optical fibres, ...); a serial link transmits a single stream of data.
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*Clock skew between the different channels is not an issue. *Clock skew between the different channels is not an issue.
*These last three considerations mean that a serial connection can, all else being equal, be clocked considerably faster than a parallel one. *These last three considerations mean that a serial connection can, all else being equal, be clocked considerably faster than a parallel one.





Some examples of serial communication architectures: Some examples of serial communication architectures:
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External links: External links:








Revision as of 01:25, 12 April 2005

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In telecommunications and computer science, serial communications refers to any data transmission scheme in which data is sent one symbol at at time, sequentially over a communications channel.

The communications links across which computers, or parts of computers, talk to one another, may be either serial or parallel. A parallel link transmits several streams of data (perhaps representing particular bits of a stream of bytes) along multiple channels (wires, printed circuit tracks, optical fibres, ...); a serial link transmits a single stream of data.

At first sight it would seem that a serial link must be inferior to a parallel one, because it can transmit less data on each clock tick. However, there are plenty of compensating advantages.

  • A serial connection takes up less space. That's good in itself, but it also means that ...
  • The extra space can be used to isolate it better from its surroundings.
  • Not having multiple conductors in close proximity means less crosstalk at higher frequencies.
  • Clock skew between the different channels is not an issue.
  • These last three considerations mean that a serial connection can, all else being equal, be clocked considerably faster than a parallel one.



Some examples of serial communication architectures:

See also: List of device bandwidths

External links: Wiki:SerialPorts