Telecommunications systems typically combine multiple digital data streams into one data stream. What is this process called?

Question

Options

• ATime division multiplexing (TDM)
• BWave division multiplexing (WDM)
• CCoarse wave time division multiplexing (CWTDM)
• DCoarse wave division multiplexing (CWDM)

• A
  85% (23)
• B
  4% (1)
• C
  4% (1)
• D
  7% (2)

Explanation

Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) is the process of combining multiple digital data streams into a single stream by assigning each stream its own time slot in a repeating cycle - this is exactly what the question describes, making A correct. WDM (B) combines multiple signals on a single fiber by using different wavelengths of light, not time slots, and applies to optical transmission rather than general digital stream combining. CWDM (D) is a variant of WDM with wider-spaced wavelengths for lower-cost optical systems - still wavelength-based, not stream-combining in the general sense. CWTDM (C) is not a real standard; it's a fabricated distractor blending WDM and TDM terminology to confuse.

Memory tip: Think of TDM like a rotating door - each data stream gets its "turn" in time. If you see "time" in the question, reach for TDM; if you see "wave" or "optical," think WDM/CWDM.

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