Mehrfachübertragung

Mehrfachübertragung, also known as multiplexing, is a technique used in telecommunications and computer networks to combine multiple signals or data streams into a single communication channel. This allows for more efficient use of network resources, such as bandwidth. The process involves dividing the available capacity of the channel into smaller parts, each dedicated to a different signal or data stream. At the receiving end, these individual signals are separated or demultiplexed.

There are several common types of Mehrfachübertragung. Frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) divides the channel's bandwidth into different frequency bands, assigning each signal to a unique band. Time-division multiplexing (TDM) divides the channel's time into discrete slots, with each signal transmitting during its assigned time slot. Statistical time-division multiplexing (STDM) is a variation of TDM that dynamically allocates time slots based on the actual demand of each signal, making it more efficient for data with bursty traffic. Code-division multiplexing (CDM) uses unique codes to differentiate signals, allowing them to share the same frequency and time simultaneously.

Mehrfachübertragung is fundamental to modern communication systems, enabling technologies like telephone networks, radio broadcasting, and the internet to transmit vast amounts of information simultaneously. It is a key enabler of high-speed data transfer and cost-effective network infrastructure by maximizing the utilization of physical transmission media.