Editing Isochronous timing

{{short description|Events occurring regularly, or at equal time intervals}}
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A sequence of events is '''isochronous''' if the events occur regularly, or at equal [[time]] intervals. The term ''isochronous'' is used in several technical contexts, but usually refers to the primary subject maintaining a constant period or interval (the reciprocal of [[frequency]]), despite variations in other measurable factors in the same system. Isochronous timing is a characteristic of a repeating event whereas [[synchronous]] timing refers to the relationship between two or more events.<ref>{{FS1037C MS188|article=isochronous}}</ref>

*In [[dynamical systems theory]], an [[oscillator]] is called ''isochronous'' if its [[frequency]] is independent of its [[amplitude]].
*In [[horology]], a mechanical [[clock]] or [[watch]] is ''isochronous'' if it runs at the same rate regardless of changes in its drive force, so that it keeps correct time as its [[mainspring]] unwinds or chain length varies. Isochrony is important in [[timekeeping]] devices. Simply put, if a power providing device (e.g. a spring or weight) provides constant torque to the wheel train, it will be isochronous, since the [[Escapement#Accuracy|escapement]] will experience  the same force regardless of how far the weight has dropped or the spring has unwound.  
*In [[electrical power generation]], ''isochronous'' means that the frequency of the electricity generated is constant under varying load; there is zero [[droop speed control|generator droop]]. (See [[Synchronization (alternating current)]].)
*In [[telecommunications]], an [[isochronous signal]] is one where the [[time]] interval separating any two corresponding transitions is equal to the [[Unit interval (data transmission)|unit interval]] or to a multiple of the unit interval; but phase is arbitrary and potentially varying.
**The term is also used in [[data transmission]] to describe cases in which corresponding significant instants of two or more sequential signals have a constant [[phase (waves)|phase]] relationship.
**[[Isochronous burst transmission]] is used when the information-bearer channel rate is higher than the input data signaling rate.
*In the [[Universal Serial Bus]] used in [[computer]]s, ''isochronous'' is one of the four data flow types for USB devices (the others being Control, Interrupt and Bulk). It is commonly used for streaming data types such as video or audio sources. Similarly, the [[IEEE 1394 interface]] standard, commonly called Firewire, includes support for isochronous streams of audio and video at known constant rates.<ref>{{cite web |title= 1394 Isochronous Transfers |author= Bill McKenzie |work= Windows Driver Developer Digest |date= September 15, 2003 |url= http://www.wd-3.com/archive/1394IsochronousTransfersPart1.htm |access-date= July 19, 2011 |archive-date= September 26, 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110926230730/http://www.wd-3.com/archive/1394IsochronousTransfersPart1.htm |url-status= dead }}</ref>
*In [[particle accelerator]]s an [[isochronous cyclotron]] is a cyclotron where the field strength increases with radius to compensate for relativistic increase in mass with speed.
*An '''isochrone''' is a [[contour line]] of equal time, for instance, in [[stratum|geological layers]], [[dendrochronology|tree rings]] or [[wave front]]s. An [[isochrone map]] or diagram shows such contours.
*In [[linguistics]], [[isochrony]] is the postulated rhythmic division of time into equal portions by a language.
*In [[neurology]], [[isochronic tones]] are regular beats of a single [[pure tone|tone]] used for [[brainwave entrainment]].

==See also==
{{Wiktionary|isochronous}}
*[[Anisochronous]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Synchronization]]
[[Category:Telecommunication theory]]
[[Category:Horology]]