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Channel access method
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<p>In <a href="/facts/Telecommunications/vxoj1cxR">telecommunications</a> and <a href="/facts/Computer_networks/3w5RM99p">computer networks</a>, a channel access method or multiple access method allows more than two <a href="/facts/Terminal_(telecommunication)/GTHNGWI5">terminals</a> connected to the same <a href="/facts/Transmission_medium/yT1uXLmq">transmission medium</a> to transmit over it and to share its capacity. Examples of shared physical media are <a href="/facts/Wireless_network/yr4SWTdl">wireless networks</a>, <a href="/facts/Bus_network/s29PkQbE">bus networks</a>, <a href="/facts/Ring_network/GDnXYWDv">ring networks</a> and <a href="/facts/Point-to-point_link/RmGgN1Pj">point-to-point links</a> operating in <a href="/facts/Half-duplex/LCULeVxr">half-duplex</a> mode. </p><p>A channel access method is based on <a href="/facts/Multiplexing/YE7hK8cw">multiplexing</a>, which allows several <a href="/facts/Data_stream/57yDhBCd">data streams</a> or signals to share the same <a href="/facts/Communication_channel/MtlxEShV">communication channel</a> or transmission medium. In this context, multiplexing is provided by the <a href="/facts/Physical_layer/WuATCrVw">physical layer</a>. </p><p>A channel access method may also be a part of the multiple access protocol and control mechanism, also known as <a href="/facts/Medium_access_control/hFpNzFFD">medium access control</a> (MAC). Medium access control deals with issues such as addressing, assigning multiplex channels to different users and avoiding collisions. Media access control is a sub-layer in the <a href="/facts/Data_link_layer/K9yPufbt">data link layer</a> of the <a href="/facts/OSI_model/oxN9Xhjz">OSI model</a> and a component of the <a href="/facts/Link_layer/pHRpQ3k7">link layer</a> of the <a href="/facts/TCP%2fIP_model/KNkxtSpw">TCP/IP model</a>. </p>