The term "bus master" refers to a device that controls data flow on a computer bus. It is spelled as "bʌs ˈmæstər" according to the IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "bʌs" represents the common pronunciation of the word "bus". The second syllable "ˈmæstər" is pronounced with a short "a" sound as in "cat" and the stress falls on the first syllable. The spelling of this term adheres to the customary pronunciation conventions in English.
Bus Master refers to a hardware device or component that has complete control over a computer bus. A bus, in this context, refers to a communication pathway that enables the transfer of data between the various components of a computer system. The bus master is responsible for initiating and coordinating data transfers between the central processing unit (CPU) or memory and other devices connected to the bus, such as input/output (I/O) devices or storage devices.
The bus master is equipped with the necessary logic and capabilities to manage the bus, including the ability to prioritize and schedule data transfers, issue commands to other devices on the bus, and control access to the bus by different devices. It acts as a central authority, directing the flow of information and ensuring efficient utilization of the bus bandwidth.
This concept is particularly relevant in systems that employ bus architectures, commonly found in personal computers, embedded systems, and other computing devices. Bus masters can take the form of specialized chips, interface cards, or even the CPU itself. Each bus may have its own dedicated bus master, or multiple bus masters within the system may share control of the bus using protocols such as bus arbitration.
Overall, the bus master plays a crucial role in managing the flow of data within a computer system, optimizing performance, and coordinating the activities of various devices connected to the bus.
The term "bus master" originates from the field of computer architecture and specifically refers to a device or component that is responsible for controlling data transfers on a computer's bus system. It is composed of two parts: "bus" and "master".
1. Bus: In computing, a bus is a communication pathway that allows various components within a computer system to exchange data with each other. It serves as a shared electrical connection between different hardware devices.
2. Master: In the context of computer systems, a "master" device typically denotes a component that has the authority and capability to control or initiate a particular process or operation. In this case, a bus master is a device that is capable of initiating and controlling data transfers on the computer's bus.
The term "bus master" is often used in contrast to "bus slave" or "bus subordinate" devices, which are components that respond to the commands or requests sent by the bus master.