Time division multiple access (TDMA)
Time division multiple access (TDMA) is a channel access method for shared medium networks.
It allows several users to share the same frequency channel by dividing the signal into different time slots.
The users transmit in rapid succession, one after the other, each using his own time slot.
This allows multiple stations to share the same transmission medium (e.g. radio frequency channel) while using only a part of its channel capacity
TDMA Characteristics
Shares single carrier frequency with multiple users
Non-continuous transmission makes handoff simpler
Slots can be assigned on demand in dynamic TDMA
Less stringent power control than CDMA due to reduced intra cell interference
Higher synchronization overhead than CDMA
Advanced equalization may be necessary for high data rates if the channel is "frequency selective" and creates Intersymbol interference
Cell breathing (borrowing resources from adjacent cells) is more complicated than in CDMA
Frequency/slot allocation complexity
Pulsating power envelop: Interference with other devices