7/23/2019 Multiplexing

Multiplexing

A multiplexer (sometimes called a mux) is a communications device that multiplexes

(combines) several signals for transmission over a single physical transmission channel.
A demultiplexer completes the process by separating multiplexed signals from a
channel line at the receiver. A multiplexer and demultiplexer are frequently combined
into a single device that is capable of processing both outgoing and incoming signals.
The communications channel may be shared between the multiplexed signals in a
variety of ways, including Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and Frequency Division
Multiplexing (FDM).

Time division multiplexing is a scheme in which multiple incoming digital signals are
combined for transmission onto a single transmission line using interleaved time slots.
Each incoming channel is allocated a speci c time slot, and has full access to the
transmission line during its allocated time slot. Some TDM systems allow for a variation
in the number of signals being sent along the line, and will adjust the time interval of
each slot to optimise the use of the available bandwidth.

Time division multiplexing

www.technologyuk.net/telecommunications/telecom-principles/multiplexing.shtml 1/3
7/23/2019 Multiplexing

Analogue signals are often multiplexed using frequency-division multiplexing, in which

the bandwidth of the carrier is divided into sub-channels, each having its own range of
frequencies, enabling each sub-channel to carry a separate signal. Each incoming low-
bandwidth signal is assigned a different sub-channel on the main channel. In order to
prevent interference between adjacent sub-channels, small-bandwidth gaps, known as
guard bands, are left between each sub-channel. If a large number of signals are
required to be sent along a single long-distance communication link, a high-bandwidth
carrier is required. The transmission system must be carefully designed to ensure that
it can provide the necessary transmission characteristics.

Frequency division multiplexing

For bre-optic channels, a variation of frequency division multiplexing, called

wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), is used. As long as each incoming channel has
a different frequency range, and none of the frequency ranges overlap, they can be
multiplexed onto a long-haul bre-optic transmission link. At the transmitting end,
incoming optical signals are passed through a diffraction grating and combined for
transmission over a high-capacity bre-optic link. At the other end of the link, this
combined signal is split into its constituent channels using another diffraction grating.
An optical system of this type is completely passive, and therefore highly reliable. In
WDM transmission systems, each channel will typically carry a number of time division
multiplexed (TDM) signals.

www.technologyuk.net/telecommunications/telecom-principles/multiplexing.shtml 2/3
7/23/2019 Multiplexing

Wavelength division multiplexing

www.technologyuk.net/telecommunications/telecom-principles/multiplexing.shtml 3/3