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Multiplex

Webopedia Staff
Last Updated May 24, 2021 7:49 am
To combine multiple signals (analog or digital) for transmission over a single line or media. A common type of multiplexing combines several low-speed signals for transmission over a single high-speed connection. The following are several examples of different multiplexing methods:

  • Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) : each signal is assigned a different frequency
  • Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) : each signal is assigned a fixed time slot in a fixed rotation
  • Statistical Time Division Multiplexing (STDM): time slots are assigned to signals dynamically to make better use of bandwidth
  • Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) : each signal is assigned a particular wavelength; used on optical fiber.