In the PCIe architecture, what does the term "lanes" refer to?

In the PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) architecture, the term "lanes" specifically refers to the data connections that establish communication between devices. Each lane consists of a pair of signal wires (one for sending data and one for receiving data), allowing for full-duplex data transfer. The number of lanes in a PCIe connection significantly affects the data transfer rate; for example, a x1 connection has one lane, while a x16 connection has 16 lanes, which increases the total bandwidth available for data transmission.

Understanding the concept of lanes is crucial when configuring systems that utilize PCIe slots, as different devices may require varying lane configurations to function at optimal speeds. The bandwidth capacity of a PCIe link is directly influenced by the number of lanes in use, making it a critical parameter to consider in device selection and performance evaluations.