Parallel Communication
Parallel communication is a computing concept where multiple data bits or signals are transmitted simultaneously over multiple channels or wires, enabling high-speed data transfer between components or systems. It contrasts with serial communication by sending data in parallel rather than sequentially, often used in internal computer buses, memory interfaces, and high-performance peripherals. This approach increases bandwidth but requires more physical connections and can face synchronization challenges like skew.
Developers should learn parallel communication when working with hardware interfaces, embedded systems, or performance-critical applications where high data throughput is essential, such as in memory buses (e.g., DDR RAM), processor-to-chipset links, or legacy peripherals like Parallel ATA (PATA). It's crucial for optimizing data transfer in scenarios where latency reduction and bandwidth maximization are priorities, though modern systems often use serial alternatives for simplicity.