Ham Radio Extra Class Practice Test 2026 - Free Extra Class License Exam Questions and Study Guide

Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) is a method used primarily in digital communications to allow multiple signals to share the same transmission medium by dividing the available bandwidth into time slots. Each signal transmits data in its own designated time slot, ensuring that the signals can coexist without interfering with one another. This technique is particularly effective in digital systems where data can be sent in discrete packets, making it ideal for digital communication protocols.

In contrast, while analog communications can use multiplexing techniques, they often do not rely on the precise timing that TDM requires. Two-way radios and satellite communications may utilize TDM but are typically just applications or systems that could employ various transmission methods including TDM, rather than defining the technique itself. Therefore, digital communications represent the broader category that fundamentally employs TDM as a standard technique for efficient data transmission.