A demultiplexer is the opposite of a multiplexer. In electronic devices, a demultiplexer is a logical circuit which takes a single input and sends out this input to one of several outputs available. During this process the output that has been selected is assigned the value 1, while the other outputs are assigned the value 0. The definition is slightly different when we are talking about demultiplexers in the context of networking. In the networking context, a demultiplexer is a device that receives multiple signals that have been transmitted on one line and then decodes these single line signals into separate multiple signals. A demultiplexer is usually always used in tandem with a multiplexer. Demultiplexers can be analog demultiplexers or digital demultiplexers. Digital demultiplexers generally function as decoders.
Demultiplexers are also categorized based on their usage. There may be three to four different types of demultiplexers. For example, in fiber optic connections, four different types of demultiplexers are used – multiple-length fibers, prisms, Bragg mirrors, and wave splitters. Demultiplexers can also be categorized based on their structure.
Demultiplexers are also categorized based on their usage. There may be three to four different types of demultiplexers. For example, in fiber optic connections, four different types of demultiplexers are used – multiple-length fibers, prisms, Bragg mirrors, and wave splitters. Demultiplexers can also be categorized based on their structure.