Asynchronous transmission is a term used in telecommunications, referring to data transfer without a synchronized clock that governs the speed of data transmission. The spelling of the word is pronounced /eɪˈsɪŋkrənəs trænsˈmɪʃən/ in IPA phonetic transcription. It begins with the long "a" sound, followed by the "s" sound, and then the "in" sound that sounds like an "ng" sound. The word continues with the "k" and "r" sounds, followed by the "u" sound, and ends with the "sh" and "un" sounds. The spelling of this term is critical in understanding the proper functioning of telecommunications systems.
Asynchronous transmission refers to a method of data transmission in which individual bits are sent independently, without the need for a common clock signal between the sending and receiving devices. In this type of transmission, each bit is accompanied by start and stop bits that help to synchronize the communication process.
Unlike synchronous transmission, where data is transmitted in a continuous stream, asynchronous transmission allows for variable periods of time in between each bit, depending on the rate at which the sender can transmit them. This flexibility makes it well-suited for applications with varying data transfer speeds or when data needs to be transmitted intermittently.
In asynchronous transmission, the transmitting device initiates the data transfer by sending a start bit, followed by the actual data bits, and then a stop bit. The receiving device identifies the start and stop bits to determine the boundaries of each transmitted byte. This method allows for error detection and ensures the accurate reception of data.
Asynchronous transmission is commonly used for serial communication between computers, peripherals, and communication networks. It allows for efficient transmission over longer distances, as it does not require a continuous clock signal that may degrade over longer cables. This method of transmission is used in various technologies such as RS-232, USB, and Ethernet.
The word "asynchronous" comes from the Greek roots "a-" meaning "not" or "without", and "synchronos" meaning "synchronized" or "occurring at the same time". The word "transmission" is derived from the Latin word "transmissio", which means "sending across" or "passing through". So "asynchronous transmission" refers to the method of transmitting data where information is sent in a format that does not require the sender and receiver to be synchronized or operating at the same time.