Multiplexing

<aside> 👉 Several independent data sources are combined and sent along a single route to a single destination

</aside>

• Network links support a certain range of communication frequencies or channels
• This is the bandwidth and represents the total theoretical data carrying capacity of the medium
• Allows independent data sources to be combined into one single communication link. These are then transmitted over the same wire, simultaneously
• Allows for the possibility of communication via radio frequency, cable, and optical fibre

Frequency Division Multiplexing

• Multiplexer combines into a single stream, and the demultiplexer splits it up when it reaches the other end
• One user allocated to each channel
• Interference is avoided as a suitably large frequency is used

Time Division Multiplexing

• Applied mainly on digital signals
• The shared channel is divided among its user by means of a time slot
• Digital signals are converted into frames
• High bit-rate makes it look as though the signals are being transmitted simultaneously

<aside> ❓ Describe the functions of the following components in a network: switch, router, multiplexor [9]

</aside>

A switch performs the routing of packs from one port to another. A routing table is used to ensure that packets are sent to the correct destination.