Bit [b] to Gigabit [Gb] Converter

Definition: A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of data in a computer. It can have a value of either 0 or 1.

History/origin: The concept of a bit was developed by Claude Shannon in his 1948 paper "A Mathematical Theory of Communication." It is fundamental to information theory and digital computing.

Current use: Bits are the foundation of all digital information. They are used to represent and process data in computers, communication systems, and storage devices.

Definition: A gigabit (Gb) is a unit of data storage equal to 1,000,000,000 bits. It is a multiple of the bit and is commonly used to measure high-speed data transfer rates.

History/origin: Similar to the megabit, the gigabit uses the SI prefix 'giga' to denote one billion. Its usage grew with the increasing capacity and speed of digital communication technologies.

Current use: Gigabits are used to quantify very high data transfer rates, such as the speeds of Ethernet connections (e.g., Gigabit Ethernet) or fiber optic internet connections.