Time division multiplexing (TDM) allows transmission of multiple signals through a single channel by dividing the channel into multiple time slots. Each signal is assigned a unique time slot, so signal 1 uses the channel in time period t1, signal 2 in t2, and signal 3 in t3, before the pattern repeats. TDM is used to multiplex digital signals and efficiently utilize the limited bandwidth of a communication channel. Inside a TDM system, encoders quantize and encode each signal, then a commutator switches the signals into their assigned time slots for transmission through the channel. At the receiver end, a decommutator switches the signals out of the time slots and decoders recover the original signals.