Isokronous

Isokronous, more commonly spelled isochronous, is a term used to describe events or processes that occur at equal time intervals or that are synchronized to a common clock. The word combines Greek isos meaning equal and chronos meaning time. In English, isochronous is the standard form; isokronous appears as a variant in some languages or older texts.

In timing and data transmission, isochronous systems deliver information in fixed time slots with bounded latency. They are designed for predictable timing rather than perfect reliability, because error correction or retransmission may be limited. Isochronous transfers are common in real-time media streams, such as audio and video, where steady timing is prioritized over occasional data loss.

In computing and electronics, an isochronous clock or data channel is one that seeks to minimize jitter and maintain a regular sample or packet cadence relative to a reference clock. In this sense, isochronous operation contrasts with asynchronous or irregular modes.

In horology and physics, isochronism refers to the property of a clock or oscillator to maintain a constant period independent of amplitude or other conditions, improving timing accuracy. The concept is central to the design of pendulums and balance wheels, though practical implementations still exhibit some dependence on amplitude.

Overall, isochronous describes timing regularity and synchronization across disciplines, whether in the cadence of events, the flow of data, or the behavior of oscillators. The term is most frequently encountered in engineering contexts, while isokronous remains a less common variant.