Digital Logic
Asynchronous Circuit
A digital circuit that operates without a global clock signal, using handshaking or other mechanisms for synchronization.
Detailed Explanation
Unlike synchronous circuits where all state changes occur on clock edges, asynchronous circuits use local handshaking (request-acknowledge) between stages. This eliminates clock distribution challenges and can offer lower power (no clock tree) and average-case rather than worst-case timing.
However, asynchronous design is significantly more complex. Hazards and races must be carefully managed. Testing is difficult because behavior depends on timing relationships. Most practical designs use synchronous methodology with asynchronous techniques only at domain boundaries.