.::Interconnection Structures::.

Three basic types of modules that communicate with each other are:

• Processor
• Memory
• I/O

The collection of paths connecting these various modules is called the interconnection structure.

The interconnection structure supports the following types of transfers.

• Memory to processor: The processor reads an instruction or a unit of data from memory.
• Processor to memory: The processor writes a unit of data to memory.
• I/O to processor: The processor reads data from I/O device.
• Processor to I/O: The processor sends data to the I/O device.
• I/O to or from memory: I/O is allowed to exchange data directly with memory, without going through the processor.

The most common interconnecting structures are the bus and various multiple-bus structures.

The Pentium uses the Peripheral Component Interconnect. PCI was an local bus and designed to be independent of the microprocessor design.

• Designed by Intel
• Similar to the VESA Local Bus
• Designed to be synchronized with the clock speed of the microprocessor
• Range 33 to 66 MHz
• 64 data-lines at 66 MHz
• Transfer rate of 528 MBps or 4.224 Gbps