The term "bus mastering" is spelled using the IPA symbols /bʌsˈmɑːstərɪŋ/. The word "bus" is pronounced with a short u sound, as in "but" (/bʌs/), followed by the stressed syllable "mas" with a long a (/meɪ/) and then "ter" pronounced with a schwa sound (/tər/). The final syllable "-ing" is pronounced as it is spelled, with a nasal ng sound (/ɪŋ/). The term "bus mastering" is commonly used in computer architecture and refers to a system or device that controls data transfers on a computer bus.
Bus mastering is a concept often used in computer architecture and refers to a specific functionality of a computer system's bus. It is a technique where a device connected to a computer bus or channel, known as a bus master, takes control of the bus for a certain time duration to perform data transfers between itself and other devices connected to the same bus.
In a typical computer system, multiple devices like storage drives, graphics cards, or network adapters are connected to the bus, which provides a common pathway for data transmission. However, only one device at a time can utilize the bus to transfer data. Bus mastering allows a specific device, designated as the bus master, to temporarily take over control of the bus, enabling it to initiate and complete data transfers without the need for CPU intervention.
By implementing bus mastering, the CPU's burden is reduced as it no longer needs to be involved in managing every data transfer between devices. The bus master can efficiently transfer data by directly accessing system memory and other devices connected to the bus. This technique enhances overall system performance by streamlining the data transfer process, improving data throughput, and reducing latency.
Bus mastering is commonly used in high-speed peripherals such as disk drive controllers or graphics cards, which require fast and direct access to system memory. It allows these devices to efficiently perform data transfers, freeing up the CPU for other tasks.
The word "bus mastering" in computer science comes from the fusion of two terms, "bus" and "mastering".
The term "bus" refers to a communication pathway in a computer system that allows various components, such as the CPU, memory, and peripherals, to exchange information. It serves as a physical connection between these components.
The term "mastering" is derived from the verb "master", which means to acquire complete knowledge or understanding of something. In the context of computer architecture, it refers to the ability of a device or component to take control over the bus and directly access memory or communicate with other devices without involving the CPU.
Therefore, "bus mastering" is a concept where a device or component (referred to as the bus master) has the capability to take control of the bus and perform data transfers or operations without the need for intervention from the CPU.