multiplexer
    n 1: a device that can interleave two or more activities

multiplexing
multiple access
multiplexer
multiplexor
mux

   1.  (Or "multiple access") Combining several
   signals for transmission on some shared medium (e.g. a
   telephone wire).  The signals are combined at the transmitter
   by a multiplexor (a "mux") and split up at the receiver by a
   demultiplexor.  The communications channel may be shared
   between the independent signals in one of several different
   ways: time division multiplexing, frequency division
   multiplexing, or code division multiplexing.

   If the inputs take turns to use the output channel (time
   division multiplexing) then the output bandwidth need be no
   greater than the maximum bandwidth of any input.

   If many inputs may be active simultaneously then the output
   bandwidth must be at least as great as the total bandwidth of
   all simultaneously active inputs.  In this case the
   multiplexor is also known as a concentrator.

   (1995-03-02)

   2.  Writing multiple logical copies of data
   files.  Placing the copies on totally separate paths to
   mirrored devices greatly reduces the probability of all
   copies being corrupt.  Multiplexing differs from mirroring in
   that mirroring takes one data file and copies it to many
   devices, thus making it possible to copy a corrupt file many
   times.  Multiplexing writes the data files to many places
   simultaneously; there is no "original" data file.

   (2001-05-10)