sprocket pulse

sprocket pulse

[′spräk·ət ‚pəls] (computer science) A pulse generated by a magnetized spot which accompanies every character recorded on magnetic tape; this pulse is used during read operations to regulate the timing of the read circuits, and also to provide a count on the number of characters read from the tape. A pulse generated by the sprocket or driving hole in paper tape which serves as the timing pulse for reading or punching the paper tape.