asynchronous

architecture Not synchronised by a shared signal such as

clock or semaphore, proceeding independently.

Opposite: synchronous.

1. operating system A process in a multitasking system

whose execution can proceed independently, "in the

background". Other processes may be started before the

asynchronous process has finished.

2. communications A communications system in which data

transmission may start at any time and is indicated by a

start bit, e.g. EIA-232. A data byte (or other element

defined by the protocol) ends with a stop bit. A

continuous marking condition (identical to stop bits but not

quantized in time), is then maintained until data resumes.

(1995-12-08)