A multiplexer, sometimes referred to as a "multiplexor" or simply "mux", is a device that selects between a number of input signals.

In its simplest form, a multiplexer will have two signal inputs, one control input, and one output. An everyday example of an analog multiplexer is the source selection control on a home stereo unit. Multiplexers are used in building digital semiconductors such as CP s and graphics controllers. In these applications, the number of inputs is generally a multiple of ! "!, #, $, %&, etc.', the number of outputs is either % or relatively small multiple of !, and the number of control signals is related to the combined number of inputs and outputs. (or example, a !)input, %)output mux re*uires only % control signal to select the input, while a %&)input, #)output mux re*uires # control signals to select the input and ! to select the output. Multiplexers are also used in communications+ the telephone networ, is an example of a very large virtual mux built from many smaller discrete ones. Instead of having a direct connection from every telephone to every telephone ) which would be physically impossible ) the networ, "muxes" individual telephones onto one of a small number of wires as calls are placed. At the receiving end, a demultiplexer, or "demux", chooses the correct destination from the many possible destinations by applying the same principle in reverse. A demultiplexer, or "demux," is a piece of e*uipment that ta,es a single signal carrying multiple payloads and splits it up into several streams. -hey are often used in telecommunications to carry signals over long distances. A demultiplexer is the opposite of a multiplexer. A multiplexer, or "mux," ta,es signals from many sources and puts them into a single signal. -hat signal is transmitted wherever it needs to go, then disassembled at the other end by a demultiplexer -o picture how a demultiplexer wor,s, it can be compared to the operation of a waterwheel. It is a single device with many little buc,ets on it that collect the water in each one. -he water is then transported and then dropped off by each separate buc,et. -he inta,e of water in multiplexing, and the release on the other side is demultiplexing. It is a way of getting many pieces of traffic from one place to another without having to have separate wires for each. .ncoders are used to ta,e inputs and to encode them into a specific signal. (or example I might have an encoder that ta,es $ bits of data and depending n the combination of %/s and 0/s give me a specific signal out. If I change the $ bit input I get a different output. It is sort of li,e a 1mall memory. 2epending on what combination of inputs I "address" to it will determine the output. .verytime I give it that same combination I will get the same output. 2ecoders do 3ust the opposite. they ta,e in the specific signal and give me the combination of bits that the encoder received. Another example of an encoder would be the character generator on a mo niter. (or every ,ey you press on the ,eyboard a certain combination 41 %/s and 0/s will go to the "encoder" I. the character generator, and the output will be the letter you typed.