Difference between Single Bus Structure and Double Bus Structure

It is the framework through which information as well as control signals transfer from one component or stage of a computer system to another. Here are two models that are regularly used; Single Bus Structure and the Double Bus Structure. Comparing between these two structures are useful in decision making when designing a system for a given application with regard to the ability or inability of either of the structures to support particular requirements or constraints.

Single Bus Structure

In a single bus structure, one common bus is used to communicate between peripherals and microprocessors. It has disadvantages due to the use of one common bus. 

Advantages of Single Bus Structure

• Simplicity: The design is simplistic in nature and hence is easy to roll out and even administer.
• Cost-Effective: It is more expensive to have a large number of buses and wiring to power the smart grids, so fewer buses and less wiring leads to least expensive system.
• Ease of Maintenance: Since there are fewer components that are generally involved, it is easier to diagnose and even rectify any problems that may exist.

Disadvantages of Single Bus Structure

• Bandwidth Limitation: Because all the components feed off this bus, the rate at which data is transferred is rather slow and therefore creates a bottleneck.
• Slower Performance: This is because when many components in the computer request access to the central processing unit or the RAM at the same time then the system slows down.
• Scalability Issues: More components can intensify the bandwidth problem causing a problem if expansion of the system becomes necessary.

Double Bus Structure

In a double bus structure, one bus is used to fetch instructions while other is used to fetch data, required for execution. It is to overcome the bottleneck of a single bus structure. 

Advantages of Double Bus Structure

• Improved Performance: The efficiency is improved because the system can manage more data at once since it consists of two buses which are one for memory and the other for I/O.
• Better Bandwidth Utilization: Every bus can work on its own which will help to decrease the traffic and increase the speed of data exchange.
• Scalability: The system can be expanded more easily, as the two buses can accommodate more components without significant performance degradation.

Disadvantages of Double Bus Structure

• Increased Complexity: The design is slightly cumbersome requiring several parts which have to be fitted properly.
• Higher Cost: The major drawbacks of more buses and wiring are that it brings about an overall increase in the cost of the system.
• Challenging Maintenance: Identifying problems becomes even more challenging mainly because of the numerous parts and contact points.

Differences between Single Bus and Double Bus Structure :

Conclusion

Single Bus Structure and Double Bus Structure are the two choices which depend on the fact of what exactly is to be designed. Single Bus Structure presents the simplicity of a bus structure and thus can be recommended for less complex applications. On the other hand the Double Bus Structure comes out as the one that offers the system better performance and scalability especially in systems that need high data rates on the CPU and other system resources. Of course, understanding these differences goes a long way in deciding on which sort of bus structure is best suited to a particular type of computing requirement.