A form of data transmission in which individual characters are only separated by a whole number of bit-length intervals. Contrast with asynchronous transmission in which the characters may be separated by random-length intervals and with synchronous transmission.
An isochronous service transmits asynchronous data over a synchronous data link. An isochronous service must be able to deliver bandwidth at specfic, regular intervals. It is required when time-dependent data, such as video or voice, is to be transmitted. For example, Asynchronous Transfer Mode can provide isochronous service.
[ANIXTER, LAN Magazine 7.93]
(08 Feb 1995)