Multiplexing

INTRODUCTION :
Due to the nature of modern business there may be different devices
in varied locations that have to communicate. Take the instance of a business with its
headquarters in one city, e.g. Glasgow, and a sales outlet in Paris. There may be many
devices at the Paris end that require connectivity to headquarters. How can this be
achieved?
A possible solution would be to have a direct connection from each
device to the main system at headquarters; however, this would be impractical and
uneconomic. A better solution would be for all of the devices to share a single high
speed connection to headquarters. This can be achieved by a technique known as
multiplexing

MULTIPLEXING :

Multiplexing is the process of combining many signals, usually from

slow devices, onto one very fast communications link. This sharing is achieved by a
device called a Multiplexor (MUX) that organises the signals that are sent and by a
corresponding device, a Demultiplexor (DEMUX), at the other end separating the
signals again.

THE MULTIPLEXING SOLUTION :

When multiplexing is successfully implemented it is transparent to the

end users. As far as they are concerned they are directly connected to the receiving
system and are not sharing the channel with anyone else.A multiplexor is specialist
communication hardware that combines many signals to permit use of a single
communications link. The bandwidth of a multiplexor depends on the number of users
using the link. Another term used to describe multiplexor is concentrator.
In order to allow users access to a single link a system must be set up
to ensure that all users are given equal access. This can be achieved by either giving
users a time slice of the channel or some of the frequency space. The use of
multiplexing has been the backbone of telephone systems around the world.

TYPES OF MULTIPLEXING :

There are two basic forms of multiplexing used:

Time division multiplexing (TDM)
Frequency division multiplexing (FDM)

TIME DIVISION MULTIPLEXING :

Time Division Multiplexing works by the multiplexor collecting and

storing the incoming transmissions from all of the slow lines connected to it and
allocating a time slice on the fast link to each in turn. The messages are sent down the
high speed link one after the other. Each transmission when received can be
separated according to the time slice allocated.
Theoretically, the available speed of the fast link should at least be equal to the total
of all of the slow speeds coming into the multiplexor so that its maximum capacity is not
exceeded.
Two ways of implementing TDM are:
Synchronous TDM
Asynchronous TDM

SYNCHRONOUS TDM :

Synchronous TDM works by the muliplexor giving exactly the same amount
of time to each device connected to it. This time slice is allocated even if a device has
nothing to transmit. This is wasteful in that there will be many times when allocated
time slots are not being used. Therefore, the use of Synchronous TDM does not
guarantee maximum line usage and efficiency.
Synchronous TDM is used in T1 and E1 connections.

ASYNCHRONOUS TDM :

Asynchronous TDM is a more flexible method of TDM. With

Asynchronous TDM the length of time allocated is not fixed for each device but time is
given to devices that have data to transmit.
This version of TDM works by tagging each frame with an identification number to note
which device it belongs to. This may require more processing by the multiplexor and
take longer, however, the time saved by efficient and effective bandwidth utilization
makes it worthwhile.
Asynchronous TDM allows more devices than there is physical bandwidth for.
This type of TDM is used in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) networks.
FREQUENCY DIVISION MULTIPLEXING :

Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM) works by transmitting all of the signals along the
same high speed link simultaneously with each signal set at a different frequency. For
FDM to work properly frequency overlap must be avoided. Therefore, the link must
have sufficient bandwidth to be able to carry the wide range of frequencies required.
The demultiplexor at the receiving end works by dividing the signals by tuning into the
appropriate frequency.
FDM operates in a similar way to radio broadcasting where a number of different
stations will broadcast simultaneously but on different frequencies. Listeners can then
"tune" their radio so that it captures the frequency or station they want.
FDM gives a total bandwidth greater than the combined bandwidth of the signals to be
transmitted. In order to prevent signal overlap there are strips of frequency that
separate the signals. These are called guard bands.

USES OF FDM :

A common example of FDM use is Cable television (CATV). This can be achieved with
coaxial cable or fibre-optic cable.
A multiplexor is used to combine many channels to maximize the use of the available
bandwidth and a demultiplexor built into the television or set top box will separate the
channel that the viewer wants to watch.