Variable TDM
Data sequence on the main channel is divided into 'packets’
- One packet carries data for one sub-channel
- Address of the sub-channel appears in the packet
Fixed size packets
- “Cells” in Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
- Also found in I/o busses, e.g., to carry load and store messages
Variable sized packets (up to some max)
- Computer networking, e.g., Ethernet, token ring, FDDI, or Internet
- DMA bursts on i/o busses