Editing System bus (section)

{{short description|Single computer bus that connects the major components of a computer system}}
[[Image:Computer system bus.svg |thumb|right|upright=1.6 |Example of a single system [[Bus (computing)|computer bus]] ]]
A '''system bus''' is a single [[Bus (computing)|computer bus]] that connects the major components of a computer system,
combining the functions of a [[Memory bus|data bus]] to carry information, an [[address bus]] to determine where it should be sent or read from, and a [[control bus]] to determine its operation.  The technique was developed to reduce costs and improve modularity, and although popular in the 1970s and 1980s, more modern computers use a variety of separate buses adapted to more specific needs.

The '''system level bus''' (as distinct from a CPU's internal [[datapath]] busses) connects the CPU to memory and I/O devices.<ref>
Edward Bosworth.
[http://www.edwardbosworth.com/My5155Text_V07_HTM/MyText5155_Ch10_V07.htm "Chapter 10 – Overview of Busses"].
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Typically a system level bus is designed for use as a [[backplane]].<ref>
Hui Wu.
[http://www.cse.unsw.edu.au/~cs2121/LectureNotes/Lect20.pdf "Computer Buses and Parallel Input/Output"].
2006.
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