time division multiplexing
TDMA
time division multiple access
<communications> (TDM) A type of {multiplexing} where two or
more channels of information are transmitted over the same
link by allocating a different time interval ("slot" or
"slice") for the transmission of each channel. I.e. the
channels take turns to use the link. Some kind of periodic
synchronising signal or distinguishing identifier is usually
required so that the receiver can tell which channel is which.
TDM becomes inefficient when traffic is intermittent because
the time slot is still allocated even when the channel has no
data to transmit. {Statistical time division multiplexing}
was developed to overcome this problem.
Compare {wavelength division multiplexing}, {frequency division
multiplexing}, {code division multiplexing}.
(2001-06-27)