Chapter Three

Making Connections Efficient

(Multiplexing and Compression) and
Error Free
 Introduction

• Under simplest conditions, a medium can carry

only one signal at any moment in time
• For multiple signals to share a medium, medium
must somehow be divided, giving each signal a
portion of the total bandwidth
• Current techniques include:
– Frequency division multiplexing
– Time division multiplexing
– Code division multiplexing

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 Definition

 Multiplexing: is sending multiple signals or

streams of information on a carrier at the same
time in the form of a single, complex signal and
then recovering the separate signals at the
receiving end.

 Compression means transmitting/storing the

same amount of information using less amount
of resources

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 Definition (cont)

• Both Compression and Multiplexing are

attempts to make better use of resources: the
Communication Channel.

• Multiplexing attempts to make better use of a

potentially underused resources. On the Other
hand, Compression attempts to make better use
of a potentially overused resources.

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