Editing Time-division multiplexing (section)

{{Short description|Multiplexing technique for digital signals}}
{{Use American English|date = March 2019}}
{{Use mdy dates|date = March 2019}}
{{Multiplex techniques}}
'''Time-division multiplexing''' ('''TDM''') is a method of transmitting and receiving independent signals over a common signal path by means of synchronized switches at each end of the transmission line so that each signal appears on the line only a fraction of time according to agreed rules, e.g. with each transmitter working in turn. It can be used when the [[bit rate]] of the transmission medium exceeds that of the signal to be transmitted. This form of signal [[multiplexing]] was developed in [[telecommunications]] for [[telegraphy]] systems in the late 19th century but found its most common application in [[Digital data|digital]] telephony in the second half of the 20th century.