Start signal

In telecommunication, the term start signal:

1. A signal that prepares a device to receive data or to perform a function. Contrast with A-condition.
2. In asynchronous serial communication, a signal at the beginning of a character that prepares the receiving device for the reception of the code elements.

A start signal is limited to one signal element usually having the duration of a unit interval.

References

•  This article incorporates public domain material from the General Services Administration document "Federal Standard 1037C" (in support of MIL-STD-188).