Asynchronous transmission
Asynchronous transmission definition
Asynchronous transmission is a type of data transmission in which data travels one byte or character at a time without using a clock signal to synchronize the timing between the sender and receiver. Instead, each character is preceded by a start bit and followed by a stop bit, which marks the beginning and end of the character. Asynchronous transmission is often used in applications where data is transmitted in small amounts, and timing constraints are not critical i.e., USB or Bluetooth. It is a simple and flexible method of communication that can be easily implemented using basic hardware and software. Asynchronous transmission is slower than synchronous transmission (which uses a clock signal to synchronize the transmission), but it can accommodate a wider range of transmission speeds and data formats.
See also: Asynchronous Transfer Mode
Asynchronous transmission use cases
- Serial communication between computers and accessories, like keyboards, mice, and printers.
- Telecommunications systems, like modems that transmit data over a telephone line.
- Industrial control systems that use sensors and actuators to monitor and control machinery and equipment.
- Data acquisition systems, where data is collected from sensors and other devices and transmitted to a computer for analysis.
- Wireless communication systems, like Bluetooth, where data is transmitted between devices over short distances.
- Electronic payment systems, where credit card transactions are transmitted between a point-of-sale device and a payment processor.