Multiplexer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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multiplexer
[mʌl.tɪˈplɛk.sər ]
Definition
technology device
A multiplexer is a device that combines multiple input signals into a single output signal. It allows for the efficient transfer of data over a single communication channel, reducing the need for multiple lines or wires. Multiplexers are widely used in digital circuits, telecommunications, and data communication systems.
Synonyms
channel combiner, data selector, mux.
Examples of usage
- The multiplexer sends multiple data streams over one channel.
- Engineers designed a multiplexer to reduce wiring complexity.
- In telecommunications, a multiplexer increases the efficiency of signal transmission.
- The radio systems employ multiplexers to manage multiple frequencies.
Translations
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Origin of 'multiplexer'
The term 'multiplexer' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'multi-', meaning many, and 'plex', which comes from the Latin word 'plexus', meaning interwoven or braided. The earliest applications of multiplexing appeared in the late 19th century with telegraph systems, where multiple messages were sent over the same wire. The concept was further developed in the early 20th century with the introduction of radio and telephone communications. By the mid-20th century, with the advent of digital electronics, multiplexers became crucial in enabling efficient data transmission in computers and network systems. Over time, the technology has evolved, leading to sophisticated forms of multiplexing such as Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), which are essential in modern telecommunication infrastructures.