Multiplexing

Multiplexing is the process of combining multiple signals into one signal, over a shared medium.
• The process is called as analog multiplexing if these signals are analog in nature.
• If digital signals are multiplexed, it is called as digital multiplexing.
Multiplexing was first developed in telephony. A number of signals were combined to send through
a single cable. The process of multiplexing divides a communication channel into several number of
logical channels, allotting each one for a different message signal or a data stream to be transferred.
The device that does multiplexing, can be called as a MUX.
The reverse process, i.e., extracting the number of channels from one, which is done at the receiver is
called as demultiplexing. The device which does demultiplexing is called as DEMUX.
The following figures illustrates the concept of MUX and DEMUX. Their primary use is in the field
of communications.

Time-division multiplexing (TDM) is a method of transmitting and receiving independent signals over a
common signal path by means of synchronized switches at each end of the transmission line so that each signal
appears on the line only a fraction of time in an alternating pattern. It is a communication process that transmit
2 or more digital signals or analogue signals over a common channel. It is used when the bit rate of the
transmission medium exceeds that of the signal to be transmitted.

Types of Multiplexers
There are mainly two types of multiplexers, namely analog and digital. They are further divided into
FDM, WDM, and TDM. The following figure gives a detailed idea about this classification.
There are many types of multiplexing techniques. Of them all, we have the main types with general
classification, mentioned in the above figure. Let us take a look at them individually.

Analog Multiplexing
The analog multiplexing techniques involve signals which are analog in nature. The analog signals
are multiplexed according to their frequency (FDM) or wavelength (WDM).
Frequency Division Multiplexing
In analog multiplexing, the most used technique is Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). This
technique uses various frequencies to combine streams of data, for sending them on a communication
medium, as a single signal.
Frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) is an analog technique which is implemented only
when the bandwidth of the link is higher than the merged bandwidth of the signals to be
transmitted. Each sending device produces signals which modulate at distinct carrier frequencies.
To hold the modulated signal, the carrier frequencies are isolated by adequate bandwidth.

The modulated signals are then merged into one compound signal that can be transferred by the
link. The signals travel through the bandwidth ranges referred to as channels.

Signals overlapping can be controlled by using unutilized bandwidth strips for segregating the
channels, these are known as guard bands. Also, carrier frequencies should not interrupt with
the original data frequencies. If any condition fails to adhere, the original signals cannot be
recovered.

Example − A traditional television transmitter, which sends a number of channels through a

single cable uses FDM.
Wavelength Division Multiplexing
Wavelength Division multiplexing (WDM) is an analog technique, in which many data streams of
different wavelengths are transmitted in the light spectrum. If the wavelength increases, the frequency
of the signal decreases. A prism which can turn different wavelengths into a single line, can be used
at the output of MUX and input of DEMUX.
Example − Optical fiber Communications use the WDM technique, to merge different wavelengths
into a single light for the communication.

Digital Multiplexing
The term digital represents the discrete bits of information. Hence, the available data is in the form of
frames or packets, which are discrete.
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)
In TDM, the time frame is divided into slots. This technique is used to transmit a signal over a single
communication channel, by allotting one slot for each message.
Of all the types of TDM, the main ones are Synchronous and Asynchronous TDM.
Synchronous TDM
In Synchronous TDM, the input is connected to a frame. If there are ‘n’ number of connections,
then the frame is divided into ‘n’ time slots. One slot is allocated for each input line. Synchronous
TDM uses a concept, i.e., interleaving for building a frame in which a multiplexer can take one
data unit at a time from each device, then another data unit from each device and so on.
In this technique, the sampling rate is common for all signals and hence the same clock input is
given. The MUX allocates the same slot to each device at all times.

The order of the receipt notifies the demultiplexer where to direct each time slot, which eliminates
the need of addressing. To recover from timing inconsistencies, framing bits are used which are
usually appended to the beginning of each frame. Bit stuffing is used to force speed relationships
to equalize the speed between several devices into an integer multiple of each other. In bit stuffing,
the multiplexer appends additional bits to device’s source stream.
Synchronous TDM waste the unused space in the link hence it does not assure the efficient use of the full
capacity of the link. This gave rise to Asynchronous TDM.

Asynchronous TDM
In Asynchronous TDM, the sampling rate is different for each of the signals and a common clock
is not required. If the allotted device, for a time slot transmits nothing and sits idle, then that slot
is allotted to another device, unlike synchronous.

In Asynchronous TDM several low rate input lines are multiplexed to a single higher speed line.
In Asynchronous TDM, the number of slots in a frame is less than the number of data lines. On
the contrary, In Synchronous TDM the number of slots must be equal to the number of data lines.
That’s why it, avoids the wastage of the link capacity.

This type of TDM is used in Asynchronous transfer mode networks.

1.TDM is the digital multiplexing technique.

2. In TDM, the channel/link is not divided on the basis of frequency but on the basis of time.
3. Total time available in the channel is divided between several users.
4. Each user is allotted a particular time interval called time slot or time slice during which the
data is transmitted by that user.
5. Thus each sending device takes control of entire bandwidth of the channel for fixed amount of
time.
6. In TDM the data rate capacity of the transmission medium should be greater than the data rate
required by sending or receiving devices.
7. In TDM all the signals to be transmitted are not transmitted simultaneously. Instead, they are
transmitted one-by-one.
8. Thus each signal will be transmitted for a very short time. One cycle or frame is said to be
complete when all the signals are transmitted once on the transmission channel.
9. The TDM system can be used to multiplex analog or digital signals, however it is more suitable
for the digital signal multiplexing.
10. The TDM signal in the form of frames is transmitted on the common communication medium.
Key Differences Between TDM and FDM

1. The time-division multiplexing (TDM) includes sharing of the time through utilizing time
slots for the signals. On the other hand, frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) involves
the distribution of the frequencies, where the channel is divided into various bandwidth
ranges (channels).
2. Analog signal or Digital signal any could be utilized for the TDM while FDM works with
Analog signals only.
3. Framing bits (Sync Pulses) are used in TDM at the start of a frame in order to enable
synchronization. As against, FDM uses Guard bands to separate the signals and prevent its
overlapping.
4. FDM system generates different carriers for the different channels, and also each occupies
a distinct frequency band. In addition, different bandpass filters are required. Conversely,
the TDM system requires identical circuits. As a result, the circuitry needed in FDM is more
complex than needed in TDM.
5. The non–linear character of the various amplifier in the FDM system
produces harmonic distortion, and this introduces the interference. In contrast, in TDM
system time slots are allotted to various signals; as the multiple signals are not inserted
simultaneously in a link. Although, the non-linear requirements of both the systems are
same, but TDM is immune to interference (crosstalk).
6. The utilization of physical link in case of TDM is more efficient than in FDM. The reason
behind this is that the FDM system divides the link in multiple channels which does not
make use of full channel capacity.

Demultiplexer
Demultiplexers are used to connect a single source to multiple destinations. This process is the reverse
of multiplexing. As mentioned previously, it is used mostly at the receivers. DEMUX has many
applications. It is used in receivers in the communication systems. It is used in arithmetic and logical
unit in computers to supply power and to pass on communication, etc.
Demultiplexers are used as serial to parallel converters. The serial data is given as input to DEMUX
at regular interval and a counter is attached to it to control the output of the demultiplexer.
Both the multiplexers and demultiplexers play an important role in communication systems, both at
the transmitter and receiver sections.
PAM/TDM System

Multiplexer is a single pole rotating switch or commutator. This switch can be a mechanical
switch or electronic switch and it rotates at fS rotations pers second. As the switch arm rotates, it
makes contact with signal 1, 2, 3 or N for a short time and hence connects these N input signals
one by one to the communication channel. Thus, rotatory switch samples each message during its
rotation. Since each rotation corresponds to one frame, therefore one frame is completed in TS
seconds where TS = 1/fs.
The function of commutator is twofold here
1) To take narrow sample of each input message at a rate fs which is higher than 2fm.
2) to sequentially interleave the N samples inside the interval Ts=1/fs.
The multiplexed signal at the output is the applied to a pulse amplitude modulator that converts
the PAM signal pulses into a form suitable for transmission over the communication channel.
The input message signals are passed through a low pass filter having a cutoff frequency fm Hz,
before applying them to the commutator. These filters are antialiasing filter which avoid the
aliasing
At the receiving end of PAM/TDM system, the received signal is applied to a pulse amplitude
demodulator which performs the reverse operation of pulse amplitude modulator. At the receiver
one more rotating switch or de commutator is used for demultiplexing. It rotates at the same speed
as that of the commutator at the transmitter and its position must be synchronized with the
commutator at the transmitter in order to ensure proper demultiplexing. The LPF on the receiver
side are used for the reconstruction of the original message signal.

Baud Rate, Signalling Rate and Data Rate

The term signalling rate (or baud rate) is used to describe the number of signalling
elements (bauds) that can be transmitted in one second. The baud is named after the inventor of
the Baudot telegraph code, J.M.E. Baudot. Signalling elements are generally represented either by
a change in voltage on a transmission line (digital signalling) or by changes in the phase, frequency
or amplitude of an analogue carrier signal (analogue signalling). The terms baud rate and data-
rate (usually expressed as bits per second) do not mean the same thing, and are sometimes
confused.
If only one bit of information is encoded in each signalling element, then the baud rate and the
data rate (or bit-rate) will be the same. If two signalling levels are used, each element will represent
either one or zero. If more than two signalling levels are used, however, it becomes possible to
encode more than one bit per signal element. If four signalling levels are used, for example, each
signalling level can represent two bits, and the bit-rate will be twice the baud rate.

Signaling rate of PAM/TDM system

Let fm is the maximum frequency of all the input signal from x1 to xN. Then sampling frequency
fs ≥2fm. Hence, the speed of rotation of commutator is fs rotation per second with fs≥2fm. One
revolution of commutator corresponds to one frame containing sample from each input signal.
1 revolution = 1 frame =N pulses.

One frame is 1/fs i.e. Ts seconds. In Ts seconds, N number of pulses are transmitted. Hence, the
pulse to pulse spacing between the frame is given as Ts/N=1/(Nfs)
Period of one pulse (ON+OFF) is 1/Ts seconds and the number of pulses per second is NFs.
Therefore, signaling rate of a TDM system is r=NFs pulses/second
Since fs≥2fm, r ≥ 2Nfm pulses per second
Note: Signaling rate of a TDM should be as high as possible and can be increased by increasing
the sampling rate fs or/and the number of input signals N.
Transmission Bandwidth of a PAM/TDM
The time-multiplexed PAM signal can be sent out on a line (baseband communications) or used
to modulate a transmitter (passband communications). Theoretically, the bandwidth occupied by
a pulse is infinite.
The minimum transmission bandwidth of a PAM-TDM channel is given by
BW=1/2 Signalling rate
BW≥1/2* 2N fm
Thus, BW=Nfm
Synchronization and its Significance in PAM/TDM System
The time division multiplexing (TDM) needs synchronization between multiplexer and
demultiplexer. If synchronization is not there between multiplexer and demultiplexer, a bit going
to one channel may be received by the wrong channel. Because of this reason, one or more
synchronization bits are usually added to the beginning of each frame. These bits are called
framing bits, allows the demultiplexer to synchronize with the incoming stream so that that it can
separate time slot accurately. in most of the cases, this synchronization information consists of 1
bit per frame, changing between 0 and 1.

Here time synchronization between transmitter and receiver commutator in terms of speed and the
position, is required. To ensure this synchronization, a marker pulse is introduced at the end of
each frame in the transmitted signal.
The amplitude of this marker pulse is kept higher than the maximum permissible amplitude of the
multiplexed channel. At the receiver end, the received signal is compared with a DC reference
level. The comparator responds only to the marker pulse to produce the output. Thus, the marker
pulses are separated from the remaining multiplexed channels.
 Cross talk in a PAM/TDM System
Crosstalk- Interference between adjacent TDM channels (unwanted coupling of information
from one channel to another)
• The communication channel over which TDM signal is travelling should have an infinite
bandwidth in order to avoid the signal distortion. However, in practice all the
communication channel has a finite bandwidth and are called band limited channels
• Whenever, a signal is passed over such bandlimited channels, the shape of the signal will
change. So, if a PAM/TDM signal is transmitted over such band limited channel, the
signals from two different channels will get mixed and this overlap will result in cross
talk.
• Another reason for cross talk is the use of band limited filter because of which the shape
of TDM pulses are distorted and they get overlapped and hence results in cross talk.

Guard Time

The cross talk resulting from the pulse overlap can be reduced by introducing guard time of
sufficient duration between adjacent TDM pulses. It is denoted by Tg.

For keeping cross talk as low as -30dB, the guard time Tg that should be introduced is given by

Tg ≥ 0.55/BW

Thus, as BW increases, the Tg decreases and signaling rate of the PAM/TDM system can be
increased.

Advantages of TDM
1. TDM circuits are not so complex than other systems like Frequency Division Multiplexing or
FDM. It is a great advantage of TDM over FDM.
2. In the TDM system, the full bandwidth of a channel can be used.

3. TDM provides more throughput than FDM.

4. Another great advantage of TDM is that TDM mainly used for Digital Signals but it also can
be used for analog signals.
5. TDM provides higher efficiency than FDM.
6. TDM system does not need any carrier wave or carrier signal but FDM need a carrier signal
which divides the main signal according to frequency.
7. There is no intermodulation distortion and the problem of cross talk is not severe.

Disadvantages of TDM

1. TDM needs synchronization but FDM does not need synchronization. It is a disadvantage
of TDM over FDM.
2. In Time Division Multiplexing system, address information and buffer are needed.
3. Due to slow narrow band fading, all the TDM channels may get wiped out

https://www.tutorialspoint.com/principles_of_communication/principles_of_communication_mu
ltiplexing.htm

https://techdifferences.com/difference-between-tdm-and-fdm.html

http://ecomputernotes.com/computernetworkingnotes/network-technologies/time-division-
multiplexing

https://www.slideserve.com/jaeger/chapter-3-time-division-multiplexing-the-concept-of-t-ime-
division-multiplexing-tdm-examples

Digital Communication by Dr. Sanjay Sharma