Data communication
Kid → expert
Multiplexing at 3 levels: kid to professor
Explain multiplexing to a 5-year-old, a student and a professor
Quick check · tap an answer to continue
Lesson notes
Key points
- Imagine one road shared by many cars, either taking turns or each driving in its own lane, so everyone gets home.
- Multiplexing combines several signals onto one link, using time slots in TDM or separate frequency bands in FDM, then a demultiplexer separates them.
- Synchronous TDM wastes empty slots, so statistical TDM assigns slots on demand, while OFDM packs orthogonal subcarriers that overlap without interfering.
Definitions
- OFDM
- Many closely spaced orthogonal subcarriers that overlap in frequency yet do not interfere; used in Wi-Fi and 4G.
Takeaway: Multiplexing shares one link by time or by frequency.
Quick check: In FDM, what does each signal get its own share of?
- Time slots
- Frequency bands
- Cable wires
FDM divides the link's bandwidth into separate frequency bands.
Sharing one roadTDM vs FDMStatistical TDM, OFDM
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