OFDM: Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a technique for transmitting large amounts of digital data over a radio

wave. The technology works by splitting the radio signal into multiple smaller sub-signals that are then transmitted simultaneously at different frequencies to the receiver. OFDM reduces the amount of crosstalk in signal transmissions. OFDMA: Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) is a version of OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) modulation that happens to be optimized for multiple users, specifically for cell phones and other mobiles devices. OFDMA can also be viewed as a combination of frequency domain and time domain multiple access. From this perspective, spectrum is partitioned in the time-frequency space, and slots are assigned along the OFDM symbol index as well as OFDM sub-carrier index.

Difference between OFDM and OFDMA

OFDM(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)
OFDMA(Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Access)

OFDM allocates users in time OFDM is best suited mobility or portability EEE 802.16d (fixed service) uses Orthogonal Orthogonal Frequency Division (OFDM)

OFDMA allocates users in time domain only and frequency domain OFDMA mode attempts to optimize mobile for simple access by many simultaneous users through breaking a signal into sub-channels. IEEE 802.16e (mobile) uses Frequency Division Multiplexing Multiple Access (OFDMA).

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a multi-carrier transmission technique that has been recently recognized as an excellent method for high

Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) allows some sub-carriers to be assigned to different users.

speed bi-directional wireless data communication. OFDM allows only one user on the channel at any given time point-to-point systems are used OFDM OFDM technologies typically occupy nomadic, fixed and one-way transmission standards, ranging from TV transmission to Wi-Fi as well as fixed WiMAX and newer multicast wireless systems like Qualcomms Forward Link Only (FLO).

OFDMA allows multiple access on the same channel Point-to-multipoint fixed and mobile systems use OFDMA. OFDMA, however, adds true mobility to the mix, forming the backbone of many of the emerging technologies including LTE and mobile WiMAX.

Multiplexing and Multiple Access refer to the sharing of a fixed communications resource (CR) between a number of signal sources. Multiplexing: - A circuit (digital device) that switches digital data from several input lines onto a single Output line in a specified time sequence. A process of combining multiple signals or data into one. Multiplexing means combining multiple streams of information for transmission over a shared medium. Types of Multiplexing 1. Frequency Division Multiplexing. 2. Wavelength Division Multiplexing. 3. Time Division Multiplexing. 4. Statistical Time Division Multiplexing. 5. Code Division Multiplexing. Demultiplexing: Demultiplexing performs the reverse function: split a combined stream arriving from a shared medium into the original information streams.

Multiple Access:- Multiple access schemes are used to allow many mobile users to share simultaneously a finite amount of radio spectrum. As the spectrum is limited, so the sharing is required to increase the capacity of cell or over a geographical area by allowing the available bandwidth to be used at the same time by different users. For high quality communications, this must be done without severe degradation in the performance of the system .There are several techniques how multiple accessing can be achieved.

Figure: - The uplink and downlink transmission multiple access The are four basic schemes: Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)

Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) Space Division Multiple Access (SDMA)