Wireless Networks and

Multiplexing
Chapter 5
Data Communication and Networking

Dr. Faisal Arafsha

University of Business and Technology
Introduction
• Under the simplest conditions, a medium can carry only one signal at any
moment in time.
• For multiple signals to share one medium, the medium must somehow be
divided, giving each signal a portion of the total bandwidth.
• The current techniques that can accomplish this include:
• Frequency division multiplexing (FDM)
• Time division multiplexing (TDM)
• Synchronous TDM
• Statistical (asynchronous) TDM
• Wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)
• Coarse WDM (CWDM)
• Dense WDM (DWDM)
• Code division multiplexing (CDM)
Multiplexing
• Definition: The process of combining multiple signals or data streams
into a single, high-capacity transmission medium for efficient use of
resources. A Multiplexer is sometimes called a MUX
• Purpose:
• Maximizes the utilization of available bandwidth.
• Allows multiple signals to share a common communication channel.
Demultiplexing
• Definition: The process of separating the combined signals back into
their original, individual components. A demultiplexer is sometimes
called a DEMUX.
• Purpose:
• Restores the multiple signals to their original form.
• Essential for proper reception and processing of the transmitted data.
Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
• Allocates different frequency bands to different signals.
• Signals are transmitted simultaneously but in separate frequency ranges.
• Often used for cable, cell phones, broadband
Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
• Assignment of non-overlapping frequency ranges to each
“user” or signal on a medium. All signals are transmitted at
the same time, each using a different frequency.
• A multiplexor accepts inputs and assigns frequencies to each
device.
• The multiplexor is attached to a high-speed communications
line.
• A corresponding multiplexor, or demultiplexer, is on the end
of the high-speed line and separates the multiplexed signals.
Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
• Analog signaling is used to transmit the data.
• Broadcast radio and television, cable television, and the
AMPS cellular phone systems (old cellular phone systems)
use frequency division multiplexing.
• This technique is the oldest multiplexing technique.
• Since it involves analog signaling, it is more susceptible to
noise.
FYI
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)
• Allocates fixed time slots to different signals.
• Sharing of the medium is accomplished by dividing available transmission
time among users.
• Each signal is transmitted in its designated time slot.
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)

•Time division multiplexing comes in two

basic forms:
•Synchronous
•Statistical (asynchronous)
Synchronous TDM
• The original time division multiplexing.
• The multiplexor accepts input from attached devices in a round-robin
fashion and transmit the data in a never ending pattern.
• Commonly used in:
• T-1 lines (What are T-1 Lines?)
• ISDN (What is ISDN?)
• Optical fiber
Synchronous TDM
Synchronous TDM
• If one device generates data at a faster rate than other devices, the
multiplexor must either:
• sample the incoming data stream from that device more often than it samples
the other devices
or
• buffers the faster incoming stream.
• If a device has nothing to transmit, the multiplexor must still insert a
piece of data (idle bit) from that device into the multiplexed stream.
Synchronous TDM
• Example: Device “A” is sampled twice is much as other devices in the
network
Synchronous TDM
• Example: Devices 2, 3, and 4 are idle. The MUX inserts idle bits.
Synchronous TDM
• The receiver stays synchronized with the incoming data stream. The
transmitting multiplexor inserts alternating 1s and 0s into the data
stream.
Statistical TDM
• A statistical (also called asynchronous) multiplexor transmits only the
data from active workstations.
• If a workstation is not active, no space is wasted on the multiplexed
stream.
• A statistical multiplexor accepts the incoming data streams and
creates a frame containing only the data to be transmitted.
• Statistical TDM is often used in LANs and WANs
Statistical TDM
• Example: Only devices “A” and “C” are transmitting. Devices “B” and
“D” are idle.
Statistical TDM
• To identify each piece of data, an address is included.

• If the data is of variable size, a length is also included.

Statistical TDM
• More precisely, the transmitted frame contains a collection of data
groups.
TDM Summary
• Synchronous TDM:
• Very popular
• Line will require as much bandwidth as all the bandwidths of the source
• Statistical TDM:
• Does not require as high a bandwidth as synchronous TDM since it does not
assume all sources will transmit all of the time!
• Good for low bandwidth lines (used for LANs)
• Much more efficient use of bandwidth!
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
• Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) is a method of multiplexing
multiple optical carrier signals onto a single optical fiber by using different
wavelengths (colors) of light.
• Each wavelength carries a separate data channel (called lambda - λ),
allowing for simultaneous transmission of multiple signals.
• WDM significantly increases the capacity and efficiency of optical
communication networks.
• Each signal carried on the fiber can be transmitted at a different rate from
the other signals.
• Two types of WDM exists:
• Coarse WDM (or CWDM)
• Dense WDM (or DWDM)
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
• WDM example
Coarse WDM vs Dense WDM
CWDM vs DWDM

• CWDM and DWDM use the same concept of WDM.

• Key differences are:
CWDM DWDM

Wavelength or Channel Spacing 20 nm to 40 nm 0.8 nm to 0.1 nm

Efficient use of bandwidth Less efficient compared to DWDM More efficient than CWDM

Channel Capacity Maximum of 16 channels in a single Can multiplex up to 160 channels in

fiber a single fiber
Distance Not designed to operate over Possible to transmit signals over
longer distances distances of up to 1500 km without
requiring signal regeneration.
Equipment Cost Low compared to DWDM High, due to complexity and
precision requirements
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
(DWDM)
• Density comparison between CWDM and DWDM
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing
(DWDM)
• CWDM/DWDM supporting multiple speed transmissions on a single fiber
Is WDM the same as multimode fiber?
• No!
• Key differences:
• Function:
• WDM enables simultaneous transmission of multiple signals at different wavelengths
over a single fiber.
• Multimode fiber refers to the physical characteristics of the fiber itself, allowing multiple
modes of light to travel through it.
• Scope:
• WDM is applicable to both multimode and single-mode fibers, but it is often associated
with single-mode fibers for long-distance, high-capacity communication.
• Multimode fibers are generally used for shorter-distance communication.
Code Division Multiplexing (CDM)
• Assigns a unique code to each signal.
• All signals share the same frequency, but codes enable separation.
• Used for mobile communications
• Each mobile device is assigned a unique code (chip spreading code)
Comparison
Summary
Summary
• FDM (cable, cell phones, broadband)
• Analog signals
• TDM
• Digital signals
• Synchronous TDM (T-1, ISDN, optical fiber)
• Statistical TDM (LANs and WANs)
• WDM (optical fiber)
• CDM (cell phones)