Definition of an SMBus Controller
The system management bus (SMBus) controller is one of the communication channels used by computer hardware. It is a wire on the computer's motherboard that is used in the transfer of data between the different peripheral devices and the processor.
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History and Development
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The SMBus was developed by Intel in 1995 and was intended for use in chipsets. It was designed to provide a reasonable, less expensive and more powerful means for controlling and retrieving information from devices on a motherboard.
Speed
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The SMbus is slow at transferring data, with a speed range of approximately 10 kHz to 100 kHz.
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Function
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Due to the slow speed of the SMBus controller, it is used to communicate with devices that do not need to transfer large amounts of data rapidly. Some of these are clocks, temperature and fan sensors, and power regulation devices.
Common Problems
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The most common problem faced by users is a lack of drivers. As the SMBus is often used for power management functions, it may cause errors with computer hibernation.
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References
- Photo Credit computer bug image by Stanisa Martinovic from Fotolia.com
