At present, there are two primary means of data transmission – serial and parallel communication. Consequently, one of the most popular types of serial communication is Universal Serial Bus (USB). All of the mentioned transmission types are relevant; however, there are certain differences between them.
The most significant distinction is the number of communication links. Serial communication transfers the data via a single link from one source to another, while parallel communication utilizes multiple communication links. As a result, most differences between the two types stem from this distinction. Namely, serial communication is slower due to the transmission of only a single data bit per clock pulse.
Parallel communication is much faster since it is not restricted by the same problems. Nevertheless, serial communication is relatively cheap, easy to upgrade, and suitable for long distances, which makes it the preferable choice in most cases. Ultimately, both types are relevant but are utilized for various purposes due to the differences in speed and price.
As mentioned briefly before, the most standard real-world example of serial communication is USB. At present, USB transmission is used globally and is constantly getting upgraded. For instance, the latest model – USB Type-C – has found immense popularity in almost all industries and areas of digital development. Ultimately, most contemporary electronic devices require a USB cable to connect to other digital equipment.
On the other hand, parallel communication is generally used in more complex settings. For instance, Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA), Small Computer System Interface (SCSI), Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), and other parallel communication protocols are used to connect the computer and peripheral devices. Even though some of the transmission types are getting outdated, parallel communication is still relevant in the digital world.