Encyclopedia > letter T > time division multiplexing

Time Division Multiplexing

Author: the photonics expert Dr. Rüdiger Paschotta (RP)

Acronyms: TDM, OTDM

Definition: a multiplexing technique operating in the time domain

More general term: optical multiplexing

Opposite term: wavelength division multiplexing

Categories: article belongs to category lightwave communications lightwave communications, article belongs to category methods methods

DOI: 10.61835/o45 Cite the article: BibTex plain text HTML Link to this page LinkedIn

Time division multiplexing (or more specifically optical time division multiplexing, OTDM) is a technique used in optical data transmission where several optical signals are combined by temporal interleaving, transmitted together, and later separated again based on different arrival times. In an optical fiber communication system, such combined signals can be sent through a single fiber [1, 3]. The use of multiple channels allows increased overall data transmission capacities or transmission of data of different users quasi-simultaneously. However, the time slot per bit must be minimized to achieve a high overall data rate. Even if the bandwidth of the data modulator is limited, this can be done by using a train of ultrashort pulses (rather than a continuous optical wave) as the input of the modulator.

Special requirements of data transmitters for optical time division multiplexing are a short pulse duration and a low timing jitter. Also, the extinction ratio should be high, i.e. each combined channel should exhibit a very low power level between the bit slots because such a background could otherwise interfere with other channels. For combining the signals, one typically requires some kind of optical delay lines. During signal propagation in an optical fiber, for example, the temporal spreading by effects like chromatic dispersion must be limited, or at least redone before detection with suitable dispersion compensation.

In the context of distributed fiber-optic sensors [2], optical time division multiplexing means that signals are assigned to certain locations in the sensor via their arrival times. Such systems usually operate with ultrashort pulses.

An alternative to time division multiplexing is wavelength division multiplexing, where the channels are distinguished by wavelength rather than by arrival time.

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Bibliography

[1]	R. S. Tucker et al., “Optical time-division multiplexing for very high bit-rate transmission”, IEEE J. Lightwave Technol. 6 (11), 1737 (1988); https://doi.org/10.1109/50.9991
[2]	A. D. Kersey et al., “Fiber grating sensors”, IEEE J. Lightwave Technol. 15 (8), 1442 (1997); https://doi.org/10.1109/50.618377
[3]	H.-G. Weber et al., “Ultrahigh-speed OTDM-transmission technology”, J. Lightwave Technol. 24 (12), 4616 (2006); https://doi.org/10.1109/JLT.2006.885784

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