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cpuhardwareexecutionmicroprocessorsbus

If a microprocessor and bus have different bit systems, is the microprocessor system bus cycle (continued)


Full Question: If a microprocessor and bus have different bit systems, is the microprocessor system bus cycle the amount of time it takes to get the microprocessor's amount of bits, or the system bus's?

Example: If the microprocessor has a 64-bit system and the system bus has a 32-bit system, would the microprocessor's system bus cycle be the amount of time to receive 64 bits or 32 bits?


Solution

  • There is no general answer to your question. Every context gives its meaning to the words used.

    As stated "microprocessor system bus cycle" is ambiguous: it could mean the cycle of the system bus of the microprocessor or the cycle of the microprocessor system bus (interface).
    Using your example, the former delivers 32 bits in a cycle, the latter 64.

    I'm inclined toward the first interpretation.
    Unless you have a datasheet or some fact that could prove or disprove one the interpretation, you can pick the one you like the most (evidently it doesn't matter in the context).