Multiplexingiä

Multiplexingiä, often simply referred to as multiplexing, is a technique used in telecommunications and computer networks to combine multiple independent signals into a single composite signal. This composite signal is then transmitted over a shared communication channel. The primary purpose of multiplexing is to efficiently utilize the available bandwidth of the communication medium. By sharing the channel among several users or data streams, the overall cost and complexity of the network infrastructure can be reduced.

There are several common methods of multiplexing. Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) divides the total bandwidth of the channel into several non-overlapping frequency bands, with each signal assigned its own band. Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) divides the transmission time into discrete time slots, and each signal is allocated a specific time slot to transmit its data. Statistical Time Division Multiplexing (STDM) is a variation of TDM that dynamically allocates time slots based on the actual traffic demand, making it more efficient for bursty data. Code Division Multiplexing (CDM) assigns unique codes to each signal, allowing them to coexist in the same frequency band and time.

Once the composite signal reaches its destination, a process called demultiplexing is used to separate the individual signals back into their original form. This allows each user or device to receive its own data independently. Multiplexing is a fundamental concept in modern communication systems, enabling the high-capacity networks that we rely on for voice calls, internet access, and data transmission.