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Multiplexing

Multiplexing is the set of techniques that allows the
simultaneous transmission of multiple signals across a single
data link.
If the bandwidth of a link is greater than the bandwidth needs
of the devices connected to it, the bandwidth is wasted. An
efficient system maximizes the utilization of all resources;
bandwidth is one of the most precious resources we have in
data communications.
In a multiplexed system, n lines share the bandwidth of one
link. Figure below shows the basic format of a multiplexed
system.
The lines on the left direct their transmission streams to a
multiplexer (MUX), which combines them into a single stream
(many-to-one). At the receiving end, that stream is fed into a
de-multiplexer (DEMUX), which separates the stream back
into its component transmissions (one-to-many) and directs
them to their corresponding lines.
In the figure, the word link refers to the physical path. The
word channel refers to the portion of a link that carries a
transmission between a given pair of lines. One link can have
many (n) channels.



There are three basic multiplexing techniques: frequency-
division multiplexing, wavelength-division multiplexing, and
time-division multiplexing. The first two are techniques
designed for analog signals, the third, for digital signals


Frequency-Division Multiplexing
Frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) is an analog technique
that can be applied when the bandwidth of a link (in hertz) is
greater than the combined bandwidths of the signals to be
transmitted.
In FDM, signals generated by each sending device modulate
different carrier frequencies. These modulated signals are then
combined into a single composite signal that can be transported
by the link. Carrier frequencies are separated by sufficient
bandwidth to accommodate the modulated signal. These
bandwidth ranges are the channels through which the various
signals travel. Channels can be separated by strips of unused
bandwidth-guard bands-to prevent signals from overlapping. In
addition, carrier frequencies must not interfere with the original
data frequencies.
Figure below gives a conceptual view of FDM. In this
illustration, the transmission path is divided into three parts,
each representing a channel that carries one transmission.
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Multiplexing Process
Figure below is a conceptual illustration of the multiplexing
process. Each source generates a signal of a similar frequency
range. Inside the multiplexer, these similar signals modulate
different carrier frequencies (f
1
, f2, and f
3
). The resulting
modulated signals are then combined into a single composite
signal that is sent out over a media link that has enough
bandwidth to accommodate it.


De-multiplexing Process
The de-multiplexer uses a series of filters to decompose the
multiplexed signal into its constituent component signals. The
individual signals are then passed to a demodulator that
separates them from their carriers and passes them to the output
lines. Figure below is a conceptual illustration of de-
multiplexing process.


Wavelength-Division Multiplexing
Wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) is designed to use
the high-data-rate capability of fiber-optic cable. The optical
fiber data rate is higher than the data rate of metallic
transmission cable. Using a fiber-optic cable for one single line
wastes the available bandwidth. Multiplexing allows us to
combine several lines into one.
WDM is conceptually the same as FDM, except that the
multiplexing and de-multiplexing involve optical signals
transmitted through fiber-optic channels. The idea is the same:
We are combining different signals of different frequencies.
The difference is that the frequencies are very high.
Figure below gives a conceptual view of a WDM multiplexer
and de-multiplexer.
Very narrow bands of light from different sources are
combined to make a wider band of light. At the receiver, the
signals are separated by the de-multiplexer.
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Using this technique, a multiplexer can be made to combine
several input beams of light, each containing a narrow band of
frequencies, into one output beam of a wider band of
frequencies. A de-multiplexer can also be made to reverse the
process. Figure below shows the concept.


Time-Division Multiplexing
Time-division multiplexing (TDM) is a digital process that
allows several connections to share the high bandwidth of a
link. Instead of sharing a portion of the bandwidth as in FDM,
time is shared. Each connection occupies a portion of time in
the link.
Figure below gives a conceptual view of TDM. Note that the
same link is used as in FDM; here, however, the link is shown
sectioned by time rather than by frequency. In the figure,
portions of signals 1, 2, 3, and 4 occupy the link sequentially.


Time Slots and Frames
In TDM, the data flow of each input connection is divided into
units, where each input occupies one input time slot. A unit can
be 1 bit, one character, or one block of data. Each input unit
becomes one output unit and occupies one output time slot.
However, the duration of an output time slot is n times shorter
than the duration of an input time slot. If an input time slot is T
s, the output time slot is T/n s, where n is the number of
connections. In other words, a unit in the output connection has
a shorter duration; it travels faster.
Figure below shows an example of synchronous TDM where n
is 3.