What is the primary function of an Address Bus in computing?

The primary function of an Address Bus in computing is to specify the address location in memory that the processor intends to read from or write to. This bus is typically unidirectional, meaning it carries information in one direction only, from the processor to the memory. When the CPU needs to access a particular memory location, it sends the corresponding address along the address bus. This is crucial for the correct operation of a computer, as it ensures that data is accurately retrieved from or stored to the right memory location.

In contrast, the other options present functions that do not pertain to the role of an address bus. The choice that describes a communication channel for data transfer relates more to data buses, which facilitate the movement of actual data between components rather than specifying addresses. The option regarding power distribution concerns electrical buses, which are not responsible for data transmission or addressing. Lastly, the choice that refers to a protocol for network devices pertains to networking and device communication, not the underlying hardware architecture of how data is stored and accessed in memory systems.