TDMA

TDMA definition - telecom
  1. A multiplexing technique used in digital wireless systems that divides each frequency channel into multiple time slots, each of which supports an individual conversation.The total available bandwidth, the bandwidth of the individual channels, and the number of time slots per channel vary according to the particular standard, as well as the specific coding technique employed.TDMA is the wireless variant of time division multiplexing (TDM) in the wireline domain. A TDMA system, such as GSM, employs both frequency division multiplexing (FDM) and TDMA. FDM derives multiple carrier channels from a wider band of assigned spectrum.Within each frequency channel, TDMA derives multiple time slots (i.e., digital channels), for which incoming and outgoing calls contend. Alternative multiplexing techniques employed in various cellular radio networks are code division multiple access (CDMA) and frequency division multiple access (FDMA). See also bandwidth, carrier, CDMA, channel, digital, E-TDMA, FDM, FDMA, frequency, GSM, multiplexing, TDM, time slot, wireless, and wireline.
  2. The vernacular name often applied to the North American IS-54 and IS-136 standards for cellular radio networks, more correctly known as Digital Advanced Mobile Phone System (D-AMPS).TDMA actually refers to Time Division Multiple Access, the access technique first specified in IS-54 and used in most 2G digital cellular networks, including those conforming to the pan-European GSM standard. See also 2G, cellular radio, D-AMPS, digital, GSM, IS-54, and IS-136.

Webster's New World Telecom Dictionary Copyright © 2008 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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