What is the Definition of Multiplexer?

Multiplexers are designed to connect multiple data streams to a set number of output devices. These devices are used in the construction of computers, and telecommunications devices. Multiplexers provide an easy and effective way to control when and where data is sent. Communications multiplexers carry both phone calls and electronic computer data. Their task is to ensure that the correct phone call goes to the correct person.

Multiplexers vary in size depending on their application. Electronic systems and circuits use microchip size multiplexers. In telecommunications, multiplexers are large and heavy units. These units are usually about the size of a desktop computer. Larger multiplexers are used to carry more information.

Multiplexers used in electronic circuits come in the form of microchips. To increase its size and capability would mean replacing the chip with a larger one, or adding another chip and wiring it to the existing one. This would mean building an entirely new circuit board. A telecommunication multiplexer uses electronic cards and software updates to change the unit's capacity up to a certain limit. These cards are small circuit boards that plug into the multiplexer's main housing just like memory cards plug into a computer's motherboard.

Phone Optical Multiplexer

Multiplexers can transport both analog and digital data. In today's world they primarily transport digital data in the form of 1s and 0s. An 8-to-1 microchip multiplexer has eight input terminals, one output terminal, and the control terminal. These terminals are called 00, 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06 and 07. If the inputs on the multiplexer are all "0" and terminal 04 has a value of "1", the value "1" will not show up on the output terminal until the control terminal is set to 04. This process will repeat as the control terminal value changes.

One of the largest benefits of multiplexers is reduced cost and better equipment utilization. Without a multiplexer, each of the information packets would have to be routed to a different output device. If there are eight inputs, eight output devices would be needed. If each of these output devices cost $1000, that would be a total of $8000. By using an 8-to-1 multiplexer, only one output device is needed totaling only $1000. This reduces the amount of capital investment needed in output devices. Also, in this configuration each input is connected to the output device until all of the data needed is passed to the output. The time will vary because transporting a 5-kilobyte file of data will require less time than a 1-megabyte file of data.

Our multiplexers can be found in computers, servers, automobile control units and many other electronic devices. These multiplexers are used for transporting low volumes of data at 10 kilobits per second to 300 megabits per second. These networks usually use copper cable as the output medium of transport. 

Telecommunications multiplexers are designed to handle very large volumes of data in the petabit range. To handle such large volumes of data in a timely fashion, telecom multiplexers operate at speeds ranging from 155 megabits per second to more than 9920 megabits per second. These networks are usually long-distance networks and use fiber-optic cable as the primary medium of transport.

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