Word clock

Various audio over Ethernet systems use communication protocols to distribute word clock.

Professional digital audio equipment may have a word clock input or output to synchronize timing between multiple devices.

It prevents the clock signal from reflecting back into the cable and causing false detection of extra 1's and 0's.

In this context, the word clock is known as a Digital Audio Reference Signal (DARS).

In annex B, the AES11 standard also describes common practice in transmitting and receiving a plain word clock signal.