Time Division Multiple Access shares frequency by time slots. Each user gets a short turn to transmit. They take turns rapidly. It looks simultaneous to the user. TDMA was used in 2G networks like GSM. It increased capacity over analog systems. It was a step toward digital mobile.

TDMA divides a frequency channel into time slots. Each call uses one slot. The slots repeat in a cycle. The phone transmits in its slot and listens in others. Timing must be precise. Guard times prevent overlap. The network synchronizes all devices.

TDMA characteristics

• Time slots: each user takes turns
• Synchronization: precise timing required
• Capacity: higher than analog
• Used in: GSM, IS-136
• Evolved into: TD-SCDMA, some 4G

TDMA was replaced by CDMA and OFDMA. But the concept remains. OFDMA combines frequency and time division. It assigns subcarriers and time slots. The idea of sharing by time is still fundamental. The turn-taking model works.