To transfer the data between various devices, like laptops and computers, two methods come in handy, namely parallel transmission and serial transmission. But there is a primary difference between serial and parallel transmission, although they are similar in some aspects. In the case of serial transmission of data, the data gets transferred bit by bit. On the other hand, in parallel transmission, only a character or a single byte (or 8 bits) is transmitted at any given time.
We use both of these to connect with the peripheral devices and also communicate with them. But the parallel transmission is sensitive to time, while the serial transmission is not sensitive to time. Let us discuss some more of the differences between them.
What is Serial Transmission?
In the case of serial transmission, the data-bit flows from a given computer to another one in bi-direction. Thus, in serial transmission, a bit would flow at one pulse of a clock. Here, a total of 8 bits get transferred at any given time, and it has both- a start bit and a stop bit.
What is Parallel Transmission?
In the case of parallel transmission, various bits of data would flow from any given computer to another simultaneously. This type of transmission is much faster as compared to serial transmission, but it is primarily used for the transmission of bits over a very small distance.
Difference between Serial and Parallel Transmission
Let us talk about the difference between Serial and Parallel Transmission. To make this topic more understandable and clear, we are comparing both of the terms based on their individual characteristics in a table.
| Parameters | Serial Transmission | Parallel Transmission |
| Meaning and Definition | In the case of serial transmission, only a single communication link for transferring data from any given end to another one. | In the case of parallel transmission, we use multiple numbers of parallel links for the simultaneous transmission of all the data bits in the network. |
| Transmission of Bits | Only a single bit gets transferred/transmitted at a clock pulse in the case of this transmission. | A total of eight bits get transferred/transmitted at a clock pulse in the case of this transmission. |
| Cost Efficiency | Since the serial transmission uses just a single link, it incurs a comparatively lower cost during its implementation. Thus, it is more cost-efficient as compared to parallel transmission. | Parallel transmission, on the other hand, needs to implement multiple links. Thus, it incurs much more cost, and it is not a very cost-efficient option as compared to serial transmission. |
| Performance | Since the serial transmission transmits only a single bit per clock, the overall performance is lower than that of parallel transmission. | Since the parallel transmission transmits about eight bits per clock, the overall performance is much higher than that of serial transmission. |
| Preference | It only implements a single link due to the transmission of a single bit every clock. Thus, we prefer it for transmission between long distances. | It is capable of transferring as well as implementing multiple links simultaneously, thus, is preferable for short distances only. |
| Complexity | The single link transmission makes the process of serial transmission very simple, and not very complex, even if it covers long distances. | Due to multiple link transmission, the process of parallel transmission becomes comparatively complex to handle, thus, paving the way to short-distance data transfer. |
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