In the world of computers and communication, how information travels from one place to
another can happen in different ways. Two common methods are synchronous and
asynchronous transmission. In this article, we are going to discuss the difference between
synchronous and asynchronous transmission in detail.
In this article, we are going to discuss Synchronous and Asynchronous Transmission and the
key difference between Synchronous and Asynchronous Transmission.
What is Synchronous Transmission?
In Synchronous Transmission, data is sent in the form of blocks or frames. This transmission
is the full-duplex type. Between sender and receiver, synchronization is compulsory. In
Synchronous transmission, There is no time gap present between data. It is more efficient
and more reliable than asynchronous transmission to transfer a large amount of data.
Both the sender and receiver are synchronized with a common clock signal. This means they
operate at the same speed and know exactly when to send and receive data. Data is sent in a
continuous stream, with each byte or chunk of data following the previous one without any
gaps. It’s efficient for sending large amounts of data quickly because there’s less overhead
(extra bits) needed to start and stop the transmission.
Example:
• Chat Rooms
• Telephonic Conversations
• Video Conferencing
What is Asynchronous Transmission?
In Asynchronous Transmission, data is sent in form of byte or character. This transmission
is the half-duplex type transmission. In this transmission start bits and stop bits are added
with data. It does not require synchronization. Asynchronous transmission is like sending
individual text messages without knowing exactly when the other person will read them.
The sender and receiver do not share a common clock signal. Instead, data is sent one byte
or character at a time, with start and stop bits indicating the beginning and end of each byte.
Each piece of data is sent independently, with gaps in between, allowing the receiver to
process each byte as it arrives. It’s flexible and simpler to implement, especially useful for
communications where data is sent intermittently.
Example:
• Email
• Forums
• Letters
Difference Between Synchronous and Asynchronous Transmission
Now, let’s see the difference between Synchronous and Asynchronous Transmission:
Synchronous Transmission Asynchronous Transmission
In Synchronous transmission, In Asynchronous transmission,
data is sent in form of blocks or data is sent in form of bytes or
frames. characters.
Synchronous transmission is Asynchronous transmission is
fast. slow.
Synchronous transmission is Asynchronous transmission is
costly. economical.
In Synchronous transmission, In Asynchronous transmission,
the time interval of transmission the time interval of transmission
is constant. is not constant, it is random.
In this transmission, users have Here, users do not have to wait
to wait till the transmission is for the completion of
complete before getting a transmission in order to get a
response back from the server. response from the server.
In Synchronous transmission, In Asynchronous transmission,
there is no gap present between there is a gap present between
data. data.
While in Asynchronous
Efficient use of transmission
transmission, the transmission
lines is done in synchronous
line remains empty during a gap
transmission.
in character transmission.
Synchronous Transmission Asynchronous Transmission
The start and stop bits are used
The start and stop bits are not
in transmitting data that imposes
used in transmitting data.
extra overhead.
Asynchronous transmission
Synchronous transmission needs
does not need synchronized
precisely synchronized clocks
clocks as parity bit is used in
for the information of new
this transmission for
bytes.
information of new bytes.
Errors are detected and
Errors are detected and
corrected when the data is
corrected in real time.
received.
High latency due to processing
Low latency due to real-time
time and waiting for data to
communication.
become available.
Examples: Telephonic
Examples: Email, File
conversations, Video
transfer,Online forms.
conferencing, Online gaming.
