Designating a binary signal which returns to 0 following each bit, regardless of whether the following bit is 0 or 1; relating to or involving such signals; opposed to non-return-to-zero.
Origin
1950s.
Definition of return-to-zero in US English:
return-to-zero
adjective
Electronics
Designating a binary signal which returns to 0 following each bit, regardless of whether the following bit is 0 or 1; relating to or involving such signals; opposed to non-return-to-zero.