Serial versus Parallel Data Transfer - 2
One of the first decisions made was how to transfer data between each of the "units" (rooms). There were two basic choices...
1. A single cable carrying a series of 'pulses', each pulse representing a data "bit". This form of data transfer is termed: Serial
OR
2. Multiple cables, carrying 'waves' of bits in parallel. This form of data transfer is termed. Parallel.
Serial data transfer is cheaper, because less cabling is required while parallel communication is more expensive, but potentially much faster. The decision was made to use parallel communication. Modern PCs have evolved from their ancestors and are basically parallel devices. Data transfer between sections within the computer (inside Integrated Circuits (ICs) and between ICs) occurs as a series of ON/OFF voltage states along parallel pathways.