isochronous

3 definitions found

isochronous - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Isochronous \I*soch"ro*nous\, a. [Gr. ?; 'i`sos equal + ? time.]
     Same as Isochronal.
     [1913 Webster]

isochronous - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  isochronous
      adj 1: equal in duration or interval; "the oscillations were
             isochronal" [syn: isochronal, isochronous]

isochronous - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  isochronous
  isochronous transfer
  
     <communications> /i:-sok'rn-*s/ A form of multiplexing 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?].
  
     An isochronous message protocol assigns each data source a
     fixed amount of time to transmit (its "slot") within each
     cycle through the sources.  That guarantees that each source
     will have regular opportunities to transmit the latest
     information.  If a source has no more data to transmit, then
     the rest of its time slot is wasted.  If it has more to send
     than will fit in its slot, it has to either store the excess
     data and transmit it in its next slot, or discard it.
  
     Note that whether messages are isochronous or asynchronous is
     independent of whether the transmision of individual bits is
     synchronous or asynchronous.
  
     Isochronous communication suits applications where a steady
     data stream is more important than completeness and accuracy,
     e.g. video conferencing.
  
     Asynchronous Transfer Mode and High Performance Serial Bus
     can provide isochronous service.
  
     Compare: plesiochronous.
  
     [ANIXTER, LAN Magazine 7.93]
  
     (2006-06-13)