What does Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) achieve?

Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a method that allows for multiple carrier frequencies to encode digital data efficiently. This approach divides a high-rate data stream into several lower-rate sub-streams, which are then transmitted simultaneously over different frequencies. Each of these sub-carriers is orthogonal to the others, meaning they can overlap without causing interference, which enhances the overall utilization of the available bandwidth.

This technique is particularly useful in environments where bandwidth is limited or when multiple users need to share the same channels, making it a key technology for various communication systems, including Wi-Fi, LTE, and digital television.

While minimizing signal interference and simplifying network architecture are important considerations in network design, they are not the primary focus of what OFDM achieves. Similarly, compression of data is a separate concept and not a core feature of OFDM itself. The emphasis of OFDM is on the efficient use of carrier frequencies for transmitting digital data.