时分复用（Time-Division Multiplexing，TDM）是一种数字的或者模拟（较罕见）的多路复用技术。使用这种技术，两个以上的信号或数据流可以同时在一条通信线路上传输，其表现为同一通信信道的子信道。但在物理上来看，信号还是轮流占用物理信道的。时间域被分成周期循环的一些小段，每段时间长度是固定的，每个时段用来传输一个子信道。例如子信道1的采样，可能是字节或者是数据块，使用时间段1，子信道2使用时间段2，等等。一个TDM的帧包含了一个子信道的一个时间段，当最后一个子信道传输完毕，这样的过程将会再重复来传输新的帧，也就是下个信号片段。

Time-division multiplexing (TDM) is a method of transmitting and receiving independent signals over a common signal path by means of synchronized switches at each end of the transmission line so that each signal appears on the line only a fraction of time in an alternating pattern. It is used when the data rate of the transmission medium exceeds that of signal to be transmitted. This form of signal multiplexing was developed in telecommunications for telegraphy systems in the late 19th century, but found its most common application in digital telephony in the second half of the 20th century.