Synchronous Transmission

In Synchronous Transmission, data is sent in the form of blocks or frames. 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. 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.
Example:
 Chat Rooms
 Telephonic Conversations
 Video Conferencing

Asynchronous Transmission
In Asynchronous Transmission, data is sent in form of byte or character. Asynchronous data
transfer, which is helpful when the participating devices have dissimilar clock rates or are not
synchronized. 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.
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.
Example:
 Email
 Forums
 Letters

Classification of Asynchronous Data Transfer

 Strobe Control Method
  Handshaking Method

Strobe Control Method

Strobe control is a method used in asynchronous data transfer that synchronizes data
flow between two devices.
Strobe control involves sending data along with a different signal known as the
strobe signal. The strobe signal alerts the receiving device that the data is valid
and ready to be read. The receiving device waits for the strobe signal before
reading the data to ensure sure it is synchronized with its clock.
The strobe signal is usually generated by the transmitting device and is sent either
before or after the data. If the strobe signal is sent before the data, it is called a
leading strobe. If it is sent after the data, it is called a trailing strobe.
Handshaking Method
Handshakes are essential in asynchronous communication since there is no clock signal to
synchronize the data transfer.
During handshaking, we use two types of signals mostly they are request-to-send (RTS) and
clear-to-send (CTS).
The receiving device is notified by an RTS signal when the transmitting equipment is ready
to provide data.
The receiving device responds with a CTS signal when it is ready to accept data.
Once data is transmitted to the receiver end, the receiver generates a signal that it has done by
sending an acknowledgment (ACK) signal.
If the data is not successfully received, the receiving device will notify that a new
transmission is necessary via a negative acknowledgment (NAK) signal.
The handshaking procedure guarantees synchronized and dependable data delivery.
Additionally, it allows for flow management, preventing the transmitting device from sending
the receiving device an excessive amount of data all at once.

The time interval that a station should wait before it sends its request frame is known as
distributed coordination function Interframe Spacing (DIFS)
Short Inter-frame Spacing (SIFS), is the time interval required by a wireless device in
between receiving a frame and responding to the frame. It is used in Distributed coordination
function (DCF) scheme, which is a mandatory technique used to prevent collisions.
Strobe is uni-directional, whereas handshaking is bi-directional.
Strobe uses a single control line signal to time each transfer, whereas handshake uses two
control signals. Strobe checks for the hold time and transmission time, whereas
handshaking does not matter about the hold time and transmission time

Difference between Synchronous and Asynchronous Transmission:

Synchronous Transmission Asynchronous Transmission

In Synchronous transmission, data is sent In Asynchronous transmission, data is sent in

in form of blocks or frames. form of bytes or characters.

Synchronous transmission is fast. Asynchronous transmission is slow.

Synchronous transmission is costly. Asynchronous transmission is economical.

In Synchronous transmission, the time In Asynchronous transmission, the time interval

interval of transmission is constant. of transmission is not constant, it is random.

In this transmission, users have to wait till Here, users do not have to wait for the completion
the transmission is complete before of transmission in order to get a response from the
getting a response back from the server. server.

In Synchronous transmission, there is no In Asynchronous transmission, there is a gap

gap present between data. present between data.

While in Asynchronous transmission, the

Efficient use of transmission lines is done
transmission line remains empty during a gap in
in synchronous transmission.
character transmission.

The start and stop bits are not used in The start and stop bits are used in transmitting
transmitting data. data that imposes extra overhead.

Synchronous transmission needs precisely Asynchronous transmission does not need

synchronized clocks for the information synchronized clocks as parity bit is used in this
of new bytes. transmission for information of new bytes.

Errors are detected and corrected in real Errors are detected and corrected when the data is
 Synchronous Transmission Asynchronous Transmission

time. received.

Low latency due to real-time High latency due to processing time and waiting
communication. for data to become available.

Examples: Telephonic conversations,

Examples: Email, File transfer,Online forms.
Video conferencing, Online gaming.

.
The process of sending data between two or more digital devices is known as data
transmission. Data is transmitted between digital devices using one of the two methods –
1. Serial transmission
2. Parallel transmission
Serial Transmission
In Serial transmission, the data is delivered bit by bit from one computer system to another
via bi-directional where each bit has its own clock pulse rate. In Serial Transmission, 8
bits are transferred at a time, with a start and stop bit (i.e., referred to as a Parity bit), which
are 0 and 1. In this transmission, serial data cables are utilized to send data across extended
distances. In this transmission, the data is delivered in proper order. It is made out of a 9-pin
cable with a D-shaped that links data in series.

Parallel Transmission
Parallel Transmission involves the simultaneous transfer of numerous bits from one
computer system to another. It is quicker to send the bits and is utilized for short distances. It
is also advantageous because it conforms to the underlying hardware, as electronic equipment
such as computers and communication systems employ parallel circuits inside. The parallel
interface works well in conjunction with the internal hardware.
Difference Between Serial and Parallel Transmission

Serial Transmission Parallel Transmission

In this type, a single communication link is used In this type, multiple parallels links used
to transfer data from one end to another to transmit the data

In serial transmission, data(bit) flows in bi- In Parallel Transmission, data flows in

direction. multiple lines.

Parallel Transmission is not cost-

Serial Transmission is cost-efficient.
efficient.

In serial transmission, one bit transferred at one In Parallel Transmission, eight bits
clock pulse. transferred at one clock pulse.

Serial Transmission is slow in comparison of Parallel Transmission is fast in

Parallel Transmission. comparison of Serial Transmission.

Generally, Serial Transmission is used for long- Generally, Parallel Transmission is used
distance. for short distance.

The circuit used in Serial Transmission is The circuit used in Parallel Transmission
simple. is relatively complex.

Serial Transmission is full duplex as sender can Parallel Transmission is half-duplex

send as well as receive the data since the data is either send or receive

Serial transmission is reliable and Parallel transmission is unreliable and

straightforward. complicated.