Channel bank

For the sides of a channel, see bank (geography).

In telecommunications, a channel bank is a device that performs multiplexing or demultiplexing ("demux") of a group of communications channels, such as analog or digital telephone lines, into one channel of higher bandwidth or higher digital bit rate, such as a DS-1 (T1) circuit, so that all the channels can be sent simultaneously over a single cable called a trunk line.

A T1 feed demultiplexed through a Newbridge channel bank to 24 channels with an Amphenol connector

A channel bank may be located in a telephone exchange, or in an enterprise's telephone closet or enclosure where it "breaks out" individual telephone lines from a high-capacity telephone trunk line connected to the central telephone office, or the enterprise's PBX system.

See also

• Multiplexer
• Multiplexing
• Digital Signal 1
• Carrier system