CardBus is a term used to describe a computer bus designed to interface with expansion cards. The spelling of CardBus uses the conventional spelling of "card" combined with the suffix "-bus" which indicates it is a bus architecture designed for a specific purpose. The pronunciation of CardBus is /ˈkɑːdˌbʌs/, with the stress on the first syllable, "card", and the second syllable pronounced as "bus", like the abbreviation for "business". The correct spelling and pronunciation of CardBus are important to ensure clear and accurate communication regarding computer hardware.
Cardbus is a type of expansion bus designed primarily for laptop computers. It is an extension of the PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) standard and provides a method of adding peripherals and expansion cards to portable computers.
The Cardbus interface operates at 32-bit bus width and is capable of transferring data at high speeds compared to the older PCMCIA standard. It uses a 68-pin connector and supports both 16-bit PCMCIA cards and 32-bit Cardbus cards. This compatibility allows users to make use of their existing PCMCIA cards with Cardbus-enabled laptops.
Cardbus cards can be inserted and removed from a laptop while it is powered on, thanks to the hot-swapping capability of the interface. Typically, these cards offer additional functionalities such as network adapters, sound cards, SCSI controllers, USB cards, and other peripherals designed to expand the capabilities of a portable computer.
The Cardbus standard, introduced in the mid-1990s, was a significant development in allowing laptops to gain enhanced functionality and connectivity options. While it has since been superseded by newer expansion standards such as ExpressCard and USB, Cardbus remains compatible with a wide variety of devices and is still utilized in various applications today.
The word "CardBus" is a portmanteau of two words: "card" and "bus".
The term "card" refers to a small, portable device or an expansion card that can be inserted into a computer or other electronic device to provide additional functionality. It originated from the Middle English word "carde" and the Old French word "carte", both of which referred to a piece of paper or cardboard.
The term "bus" in this context refers to a communication pathway or system that allows different components of a computer or electronic device to exchange data. It comes from the Latin word "omnibus" meaning "for all" or "for everyone" and was first used to describe a shared transportation service.
When combined, "cardbus" represents the expansion card technology that uses the computer's bus system for communication, allowing various hardware devices to be added or connected to a computer.