multiplexer

/ˈmʌltɪplɛksər/
noun
  1. A device or circuit that combines multiple signals or data streams into one signal or stream for transmission or processing.
    • In a home theater system, a multiplexer lets you watch different video sources on one screen.
    • The technician installed a multiplexer to send several phone calls through a single cable.
    • The network engineer used a multiplexer to merge data from four computers into one line.
  2. A device that allows multiple users to share a single resource, such as a printer or internet connection.
    • We bought a multiplexer so everyone in the house could use the same internet router.
    • The office multiplexer connects five computers to one printer.
    • The school's computer lab uses a multiplexer to share the scanner among all the students.
Antonyms