stop bit
In serial communications, where each bit of the message is
transmitted in sequence, stop bits are extra "1" bits which
follow the data and any {parity} bit. They mark the end of a
unit of transmission (normally a byte or character).
For example, characters on an {EIA-232} {serial line} may have
one or two stop bits added. Some {UART}s even allow for 1.5
stop bits but one is probably the most commonly used. A
serial connection may be described as, for example, "8N1"
which means eight data bits, no {parity} and one stop bit.
(1995-01-24)