48-bit

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Processors
4-bit 8-bit 12-bit 16-bit 18-bit 24-bit 31-bit 32-bit 36-bit 48-bit 64-bit 128-bit
Applications
8-bit     16-bit     31-bit 32-bit     64-bit  
Data Sizes
4-bit 8-bit   16-bit       32-bit     64-bit 128-bit
nibble   byte   octet   word   dword   qword

In computer architecture, 48-bit integers, memory addresses, or other data units are those that are at most 48 bits (6 octets) wide. Also, 48-bit CPU and ALU architectures are those that are based on registers, address buses, or data buses of that size.

The IBM AS/400, in its CISC variants, is a 48-bit addressing system. The address size used in logical block addressing was increased to 48 bits with the introduction of ATA-6.

[edit] Images

In digital images, 48 bits per pixel, or 16 bits per each colour channel (red, green and blue), is used for accurate processing. Such images do not look much better than 24-bit images, but the existence of more shades between colours (65,536 as opposed to 256) means that more operations can be performed on the image without risk of noticeable banding or posterization.

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