asynchrone

Asynchrone is a French term used as both an adjective and a noun to describe things that are not synchronized or do not occur at the same time. Etymologically, it comes from the Greek roots a- meaning not and synchronos meaning at the same time. In technical contexts, asynchrone is often used to contrast with synchronised or synchronous processes.

In computing and information technology, asynchrone refers to asynchronous operations and programming models in which tasks can proceed independently of a central clock. This includes non-blocking I/O, callbacks, futures and promises, and event-driven architectures. Asynchronous systems allow components to continue working while other tasks are completed, improving responsiveness and throughput in many applications.

In electronics and telecommunications, asynchronous transmission describes communication where data characters are sent with independent timing. Each character includes its own start and stop bits, rather than relying on a shared clock signal. This approach contrasts with synchronous transmission, which relies on a common timing reference for the entire data stream, often enabling higher throughput under stable conditions.

In mechanical engineering, an asynchronous motor, or moteur asynchrone, operates with rotor speed that does not exactly match the rotating magnetic field, producing torque through slip. This concept is distinct from synchronous motors, where rotor speed aligns with the stator field.

In broader usage, asynchrony also appears in fields such as neuroscience and distributed systems, where events or signals occur out of step in time, requiring coordination strategies that do not depend on a single global clock.

See also: asynchronous, synchronous, non-blocking I/O, asynchronous transmission, moteur asynchrone.