The developers of electronic circuits had to solve a wide variety of tasks. Gradually, there were solutions that led to the creation of separate nodes that are used in various schemes. A good example is the so-called multiplexers and demultiplexers. With the advent of new technologies and elements, they are becoming more compact and reliable in operation. The only thing that does not change is the very principle by which all these devices operate.
When operating electronic circuits, it often becomes necessary to switch a certain number of signals. One of them appears at the output of the device, while the others are temporarily blocked. All this occurs on the basis of reading from the control bus of the control digital code. It contains information about which of the inputs should be switched. It is also interesting to reverse the transformation. In this case, the signal from a single input appears on one of several outputs of the device. Management in this case also occurs on the basis of a digital word. Multiplexers and demultiplexers perfectly handle this task. They are compact modern devices with good performance characteristics.
These devices are widely used in radio electronics, fiber optic communication, in the construction of electronic circuits. Multiplexers and demultiplexers participate in the conversion of high frequency signals. Various circuit solutions based on these devices allow you to realize the boldest ideas. For example, you can convert a parallel code to a serial code and vice versa; Change the data transfer protocol; Encrypt information using a pre-designed algorithm and much more. Multiplexers and demultiplexers are easily combined in a circuit, in order to obtain more I / O. Sometimes this is necessary to convert a large number of channels. Using the fact that the multiplexer is a device that implements the demultiplexer inverse function, it is possible to design circuits using both devices.
A good example of the use of these devices in fiber-optic communication can serve as a DWDM multiplexer. The device receives signals on four inputs. After the appropriate conversion, you can get the desired channel on one of the serial COM ports. The device is useful for matching various devices and is specifically designed to work with EDFA and BLUE / Red-splitter amplifiers. It is capable of converting input signals with a carrier frequency from 10 MHz to 10 GHz. This is quite enough to cover the range of operation of many devices and ensure reliable conversion of signals. The low coefficient of attenuation at the device operation (<2.5 DBL) supplements the overall positive picture. Compact, small and convenient in use the device is very popular among designers.
With the development of the technology of manufacturing multi - and demultiplexers, there is a steady tendency to reduce the size, increase the speed with signal conversion, reduce the level of attenuation and increase the reliability in their operation.