Multiplexing digital communication system

This invention relates generally to broadband communication and telecommunication systems and, more specifically, to methods and systems for the transmission of multiple digital and/or analog input signals on a single high-speed electronic or optical channel. A transmitter () for use in a communication system () includes clock input for receiving a clock signal and input ports () coupled to external signal sources for receiving input signals that are synchronously modulated at modulation frequencies rationally and fractionally related to the clock frequency and to each other. Additionally, the clock frequency should be greater than any of the modulation frequencies. An analog-to-digital converter () receives the analog input signals and converts them to a digital format, and a multiplexer () then processes the digital input signals and signals from the converter () to generate a single serial output signal. An output port of the transmitter () then transmits the single serial output signal as a digital signal having a bit rate equivalent to the number of input signals multiplied by the sampling frequency, plus additional overhead for optional framing and error correction.