Definition:
Frequency Division Multiplexing is used in wireline systems such as CATV-Community Antenna TeleVision and DSL-Digital Subscriber Line systems. This form of FDM is also called Broadband Multiplexing or sometimes referred to as Broadband modulation or Broadband where different frequencies are used for transmission of different signals. Both cable modem service and xDSL-Digital Subscriber Line service are forms of asymmetrical communications which is unbalanced-lop-sided (more in one direction than another) communications. In practical terms, it means higher speed downstream (to the user) than upstream (from the user) or a few keystrokes upstream gets you a lot more transmission downstream.