Multiplexing and Demultiplexing 

• Multiplexing is a process that allows multiple signals to travel simultaneously over

a single communication channel or path.

• Multiplexing in computer networks increases the amount of data that can be

transmitted in a given time-span over a given bandwidth.

• Multiplexing divides a given path logically into several short paths and then uses
each path to transmit the data of an individual node.

• The following image shows an example of this concept.

• In multiplexing, two devices are mainly used; a multiplexer and a demultiplexer.
Both devices work on both ends of the path.

• A multiplexer works on the transmitting side and a demultiplexer works on the

receiving side.

• A multiplexer merges signals of all nodes and loads them on the medium/path.
When these signals arrive at the demultiplexer, the demultiplexer separates all
the signals and passes them to their respective nodes.

• There are several types of multiplexing, depending on the technique used to

merge signals. Some common and most widely used techniques are explained
below.
Multiplexing –
Gathering data from multiple application
processes of sender, enveloping that data with
header and sending them as a whole to the
intended receiver is called as multiplexing.
Demultiplexing –
Delivering received segments at receiver side to
the correct app layer processes is called as
demultiplexing.
Figure – Abstract view of multiplexing and
demultiplexing
• How Multiplexing and Demultiplexing is done –
For sending data from an application at sender side to an application at the
destination side, sender must know the IP address of destination and port
number of the application (at the destination side) to which he want to transfer
the data. Block diagram is shown below :

Figure – Transfer of packet between

applications of sender and receiver
• Let us consider two messaging apps that are widely used now a days viz. Hike and
whatsapp. Suppose A is the sender and B is the receiver. Both sender and receiver
have these applications installed in their system (say smartphone). Suppose A
want to send messages to B in whatsapp and hike both. In order to do so, A must
mention the IP address of B and destination port number of the whatsapp while
sending the message through whatsapp application. Similarly, for the later case, A
must mention the IP address of B and destination port number of the hike while
sending the message.
• Now the messages from both the apps will be wrapped up along with appropriate
headers(viz. source IP address, destination IP address, source port no,destination
port number) and sent as a single message to the receiver. This process is called
multiplexing. At the destination, received message is unwrapped and constituent
messages (viz messages from hike and whatsapp application) are sent to
appropriate application by looking to the destination the port number. This
process is called demultiplexing. Similarly, B can also transfer the messages to A.
Figure – Message transfer using whatsapp and
hike messaging application
 Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)

• In this technique, time intervals are used to merge signals. The

multiplexer creates time-slots equal to the number of sending
nodes and then assigns a separate time-slot to each node.
• Each node can send data only in its designated time-slot. If a
node has no data to send, it sends nothing in its time-slot.
• If a node has more data to send, it must have to wait till the
next time-slot.
• Let’s take a simple example. Suppose four nodes (A, B, C, and
D) are connected to a network over a single channel. The
multiplexer creates four time-slots (1, 2, 3, and 4) and assigns
a time-slot to each node; time-slot 1 to node A, time-slot 2 to
node B, time-slot 3 to node C, and time-slot 4 to node D.
• This technique is not more efficient because it
reserves a time-slot for each participant node,
regardless of whether a participant node has any data
to send or not.

• A node that rarely sends data can waste too much

bandwidth by keeping its specified time-slot empty in
each data cycle.
 Statistical Multiplexing (SM)
• Statistical multiplexing works similar to TDM. It also divides a data cycle into time-
slots and assigns a separate time-slot to each node.

• After assigning time-slots, it actively monitors the transmission. If a node does not
have any data to send, it assigns the time-slot of that node to the next node.
• This technique is more efficient than the TDM because it utilizes each time-slot.
 Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
• This multiplexing technique is used in analog communication. This technique works
in two steps. In the first step, it divides the communication channel into sub-
channels and assigns a separate sub-channel to each node.
• In the second step, it modulates the frequency of the carrier wave of each node. A
carrier wave is a simple analog wave that does not contain any data. A node uses a
carrier wave to transmit digital signals over an analog channel.
• Changing the frequency of the carrier wave does not affect the transmitted data. By
changing the frequency of the carrier wave, this technique can transmit multiple
waves simultaneously over a single path.

The following image shows an example of this technique.

• This technology is mainly used by telephone companies to provide
internet facilities through existing telephone lines. A human can hear
signals of frequency 300–3400 Hz.

• Telephone companies implement FDM to subdivide telephone lines

and send data signals in frequencies greater than 3400 Hz. Since a
human cannot hear frequencies above 3400 Hz, data transmission
above this frequency does not affect voice communication over the
telephone.
 Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
• This technology is used in fiber-optic connections to carry multiple light signals
simultaneously over a single fiber-optic cable. This technology can work over any type of
fiber-optic cable.
• Fiber-optic cable uses a light beam to transmit data.

• WDM divides this light beam into up to 40 different light beams of different wavelengths or
colors and then assigns a separate light beam to each node. Since each beam uses a
different wavelength or color, it does not overlap or blend with the other beams.

• The following image shows an example of WDM.

• There are two popular types of WDM; DWDM and CWDM.

• Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM)

• DWDM uses more wavelengths for signaling than the original form of WDM.
Because of this, a signal fiber cable can carry between 80 to 160 channels.

• This technology uses costly transceivers equipment. Due to cost, usually, this
technology is only used on high-bandwidth or long-distance WAN links.

• Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM)

• CWDM was developed in an effort to lower the cost of the transceiver
equipment. This technology uses cheaper transceivers equipment. In this
technology, channels are spaced more widely and signals are not amplified.

• Because of these, the effective distance of CWDM is less than the original from
WDM. Through CWDM, a signal fiber cable can carry between 8 to 16 channels.