Multiplexing

• Multiplexing is the technology that is able to combine multiple

communication signals together in order for them to traverse an
otherwise single signal communication medium simultaneously.

• Multiplexing can be applied to both analog and digital signals

Types of multiplexing:

1. Time-division multiplexing
2. Frequency-division multiplexing
 Time Division Multiplexing

Time division multiplexing is applicable when data transmission rate of media

is greater than that of the source, and each signal is allotted a definite amount
of time. These slots are so small that all transmissions appear to be parallel. In
frequency division multiplexing all the signals operate at the same time with
different frequencies, but in time division multiplexing all the signals operate
with same frequency at different times.

It is of the following types:

• Synchronous TDM
• Asynchronous (or statistical) TDM
Synchronous TDM –
The time slots are pre-assigned and fixed. This slot is even given if the
source is not ready with data at this time. In this case, the slot is
transmitted empty. It is used for multiplexing digitized voice streams.
2. Asynchronous (or statistical) TDM –
The slots are allocated dynamically depending on the speed of the
source or their ready state. It dynamically allocates the time
slots according to different input channel’s needs, thus
saving the channel capacity.
 Frequency Division Multiplexing

Frequency division multiplexing (FDM) is a technique of multiplexing which means

combining more than one signal over a shared medium. In FDM, signals of different
frequencies are combined for concurrent transmission

Concept and Process

In FDM, the total bandwidth is divided to a set of frequency bands that do not
overlap. Each of these bands is a carrier of a different signal that is generated and
modulated by one of the sending devices. The frequency bands are separated from
one another by strips of unused frequencies called the guard bands, to prevent
overlapping of signals.
The modulated signals are combined together using a multiplexer (MUX) in the
sending end. The combined signal is transmitted over the communication channel,
thus allowing multiple independent data streams to be transmitted simultaneously. At
the receiving end, the individual signals are extracted from the combined signal by
the process of demultiplexing (DEMUX).
Frequency Division Multiplexing
 Uses and Applications

• It allows sharing of a single transmission medium like a copper cable

or a fiber optic cable, among multiple independent signals generated by
multiple users.

• FDM has been popularly used to multiplex calls in telephone networks.

It can also be used in cellular networks, wireless networks and for
satellite communications.
Time division multiplexing vs frequency division multiplexing
Thanks