English: This is a diagram of TDMA framing and timeslot structure;

The original of the diagram in xfig format is also available for easy editing. The diagram shows that a TDM(A) system divides it's transmssion medium into frames which repeat indefinitely. Each TDM frame is then divided into (normally equal) timeslots which are allocated to individual user. The individual users then transmit or receive only in their own timeslot.

In some TDMA systems, such as the GSM radio interface, an extra guard period must be allocated at the start and end of the timeslot to allow syncronisation of the user's data transmission. In other TDM systems such as G.704 (framing over an E1), no such guard period is needed since the system is synchronised using other, accurate means. In the case of G.704, there is only one transmitter and receiver per E1 (so no need for syncronisation between users) and the entire frame is synchronised using the first timeslot (of 32).