Serial Port

Link : http://computer.howstuffworks.com/serial-port.htm


The serial port is an old port that isn't so popular anymore. The main reason for it is to connect modems to a computer. Newer systems are no longer even using serial ports, but USB. The name "serial" comes from the fact that a serial port "serializes" data. That is, it takes a byte of data and transmits the 8 bits in the byte one at a time. The advantage is that a serial port needs only one wire to transmit the 8 bits ( while a parallel port needs 8 ). The disadvantage is that it takes 8 times longer to transmit the data than it would if there were 8 wires. Serial ports lower cable costs and make cables smaller.







1) How old is the serial port?
2) What is another name for the serial port?
3) What is the name of the special controller chip needed for serial ports to work?
4) When the pins in the serial port are "on", What is the transmitting signal voltage?
5) What is used to enable flow control?