External Bus Interface
Encyclopedia
The External Bus Interface, usually shortened to EBI, is a computer bus
for interfacing small peripheral devices like flash memory
with the processor
. It is used to expand the internal bus of the processor to enable connection with external memories
or other peripheral
s. EBI can be used to share I/O pins controlling memory devices that are connected to two different memory controllers. Use of EBI reduces the total number of system pins required causing the system cost to come down.
Computer bus
In computer architecture, a bus is a subsystem that transfers data between components inside a computer, or between computers.Early computer buses were literally parallel electrical wires with multiple connections, but the term is now used for any physical arrangement that provides the same...
for interfacing small peripheral devices like flash memory
Flash memory
Flash memory is a non-volatile computer storage chip that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. It was developed from EEPROM and must be erased in fairly large blocks before these can be rewritten with new data...
with the processor
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
. It is used to expand the internal bus of the processor to enable connection with external memories
Computer memory
In computing, memory refers to the physical devices used to store programs or data on a temporary or permanent basis for use in a computer or other digital electronic device. The term primary memory is used for the information in physical systems which are fast In computing, memory refers to the...
or other peripheral
Peripheral
A peripheral is a device attached to a host computer, but not part of it, and is more or less dependent on the host. It expands the host's capabilities, but does not form part of the core computer architecture....
s. EBI can be used to share I/O pins controlling memory devices that are connected to two different memory controllers. Use of EBI reduces the total number of system pins required causing the system cost to come down.