isochronous

Search:

isochronous

/i:-sok'rn-*s/ A form of data transmission that guarantees to provide a certain minimum data rate, as required for time-dependent data such as video or audio.

Isochronous transmission transmits asynchronous data over a synchronous data link so that individual characters are only separated by a whole number of bit-length intervals. This is in contrast to asynchronous transmission, in which the characters may be separated by arbitrary intervals, and with synchronous transmission [which does what?].

Asynchronous Transfer Mode and High Performance Serial Bus can provide isochronous service.

Compare: plesiochronous.

[ANIXTER, LAN Magazine 7.93]

[Better explanation?]

(1999-03-12)