What Is Multiplexing and Demultiplexing?

You multiplex information when you combine several streams of data, then transmit them over a shared medium. When the transmission reaches its destination, the recipient demultiplexes the stream, breaking it down into its original components.

Multiplexing comes in several forms. For example, wavelength-division multiplexing takes place in optical transmissions. The sender prepares several transmissions at different wavelengths -- which means they have different colors -- and beams the streams through a prism which combines them into one transmission. At the end of the fiber-optic line, another prism demultiplexes the transmission by splitting the light back into its component beams. Radio and telephone also make use of multiplexing to keep communications from interfering with each other.

Filter Wavelength Division Multiplexer

Multiplexing is essential for transmitting information across the Internet. When you have multiple applications running, your computer needs to direct any data it receives to the appropriate application. The computer will multiplex the data before sending it to the network layer, the level of the system that handles routing for information you transmit. When the combined stream emerges from that layer, it gets demultiplexed, then assigned to the proper application's Internet Protocol (IP) address.

Inverse multiplexing happens when you demultiplex information first, then send it. For example, if you have a single, high-speed data transmission, inverse multiplexing breaks it up into several segments that can be sent over lower-speed connections. When the message reaches its destination, it multiplexes back into the original whole form. Corporations with a growing amount of traffic can use this method to transmit messages without spending more to upgrade their systems than they can afford.

In time-division multiplexing, you divide the available transmission period into time slots and give each potential sender a turn to transmit. The multiplex transmission then goes out with the component transmissions, traveling in order and demultiplexing in that order. Every possible sender has a reserve slot, but some senders may not use their slot in any given time period. You can get around this by skipping senders who are not ready to transmit, but in that case, each slot needs an identifier to show who sent it.

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