Character Oriented Protocol (BSC)

Binary Synchronous Communication (BSC) is basically a character or byte-

oriented form of communication which means that the groups of bits or bytes are the
important elements of transmission rather than a stream of bits. BSC was established
or originated by IBM in 1960’s. It generally includes characters and procedures for
simply controlling the establishment or development of a valid connection and
transmission of data.
BSC or BISYNC also used to describe various types of data packets as given below:
 ENQ (Enquiry)
 ACK (Acknowledge)
 NAK (Negative Acknowledge)
 EOT (End of Transmission)

Types of Frames :
There are basically two types of BSC frames as shown below :

1. Control Frame :
These frames are basically required for exchange of information or data among
devices to develop or obtain initial connection, provide flow and error control, and
also disconnect the devices when the session is completely over. This frame does
not contain any header.

2. Data Frame :

These frames are basically required to carry user data. It is also used to show the
direction of data transfer. BSC allows for two types of block messages i.e. Single-block
and multiple-block message. The only difference in both of these blocks is that data in
single-block messages would be terminated with ETB (End of Transmission Block)
character rather than an ETX (End of Text) character.
Single Block Data Frame:

Multiple Block Data Frame:

Control Characters for BSC :

Some of the Standard Control Protocols that are used in BSC frames are
given below: