Frequency Division

Multiplexing
For further study: Data communication and networking by Behrouz A.
Forouzan
 Bandwidth Utilization
• Bandwidth utilization is the wise use of available bandwidth to achieve specific
goals.

• Whenever the bandwidth of a medium is greater than the bandwidth needs of the
devices using the medium, the link can be shared by them simultaneously.

• Multiplexing is the set of techniques that allows the simultaneous transmission of

multiple signals across a single data link.
FDM
• Here, the word link or medium refers to the physical path.
• Channel refers to the portion of a link that carries message between a
given pair of input-output lines(sources).
Multiplexer: combines data from the n lines
De-multiplexer:
•separates the data according to channel
•delivers them to the appropriate output lines
Categories of multiplexing
 Frequency-division multiplexing
• FDM is an analog multiplexing technique that combines analog
signals.
• Divide the link’s bandwidth into separate channels (guard band
separating each channel)
• It can be applied when the bandwidth of a link(in Hz) is greater than
the combined bandwidth of the signals to be transmitted over that link.

Guard band not shown

FDM process(time domain)
DSB-WC
 FDM process
• sources are fed into a multiplexer
• the multiplexer modulates each signal onto a different carrier
frequency
• each modulated signal requires a certain bandwidth centered around its
carrier frequency, referred to as a channel
• The modulated signals are summed to produce a composite signal
 SSB-SC

SSB-SC
Guard band
In FDM, signals are modulated onto separate carrier frequencies
using either AM or FM modulation.
A real life example is FM stations
Dhaka FM = 90.4 MHz Each modulated signal requires a certain
Radio Abc = 89.2 MHz bandwidth centered on its carrier frequency,
Radio Amaar = 88.4 MHz referred to as a channel.
Radio Today = 89.6 MHz

a channel occupies a fraction of the bandwidth of the link

a channel is defined by its center frequency, and its bandwidth
FDM demultiplexing (time domain)
SSB
• Assume that a voice channel occupies a bandwidth of 4 kHz. We need
to combine three voice channels into a link with a bandwidth of 12
kHz, from 20 to 32 kHz. Show the configuration, using the frequency
domain. Assume there are no guard bands.

• Solution
• We shift (modulate) each of the three voice channels to a different
bandwidth, as shown in Figure 6.6. We use the 20- to 24-kHz
bandwidth for the first channel, the 24- to 28-kHz bandwidth for the
second channel, and the 28- to 32-kHz bandwidth for the third one.
Then we combine them as shown in Figure.
• Five channels, each with a 100-kHz bandwidth, are to be multiplexed
together. What is the minimum bandwidth of the link if there is a need
for a guard band of 10 kHz between the channels to prevent
interference?
• Solution
• For five channels, we need at least four guard bands. This means that
the required bandwidth is at least
• 5 × 100 + 4 × 10 = 540 kHz,
• Four data channels (digital), each transmitting at 1 Mbps, use a satellite
channel of 1 MHz. Design an appropriate configuration, using FDM.
• Solution
• The satellite channel is analog. We divide it into four channels, each channel
having a 250-kHz bandwidth.
• Each digital channel of 1 Mbps must be transmitted over a 250KHz channel.
• We know that minimum channel bandwidth is equal to data rate for BPSK and
ASK signal and half of data rate for QPSK signal(cause two bits are
transmitted per voltage level) .here we have data rate 4 times greater than the
available channel bandwidth. So, we have to send 4 bits per voltage level.
• One solution is 16-QAM modulation. Next figure shows one possible
configuration.
Analog hierarchy
 Problems of FDM

–Crosstalk
•occur if the spectra of adjacent component signals overlap
–Intermodulation noise
•on a long link, the nonlinear effects of amplifiers on a signal in one channel
could produce frequency components in other channels