Not syNchroNised by a shared sigNal such as clock or semaphore, proceediNg iNdepeNdeNtly. Opposite: syNchroNous. 1. Ng 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. NicatioNs> 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)
