Introduction to Data Communications
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A multiplexer allows sharing of a common line to transmit the many terminal communications as in the above example. The connection between the multiplexer and the mainframe is normally a high speed data link and is not usually divided into separate lines.

The operation of multiplexers (abbreviated MUXs) is transparent to the sending and receiving computers or terminals. Transparent means that as far as everyone is concerned, they appear to be directly connected to the mainframe with individual wires. The multiplexer does not interfere with the normal flow of data and it can allow a significant reduction in the overall cost of connecting to remote sites, through the reduced cost of cable and telephone line charges.

Multiplexers are used to connect terminals located throughout a building to a central mainframe. They are also used to connect terminals located at remote locations to a central mainframe through the phone lines.

There are 3 basic techniques used for multiplexing:

  1. Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM)
  2. Time Division Multiplexing (TDM)
  3. Statistical Time Division Multiplexing (STDM)

Introduction to Data Communications
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