Concentrator

n. someone or something which concentrates; one who is attentive

In telecommunication, the term concentrator has the following meanings: In data transmission, a functional unit that permits a common path to handle more data sources than there are channels currently available within the path. A concentrator usually provides communication capability between many low-speed, usually asynchronous channels and one or more high-speed, usually synchronous channels. Usually different speeds, codes, and protocols can be accommodated on the low-speed side. The low-speed channels usually operate in contention and require buffering. A device that connects a number of circuits, which are not all used at once, to a smaller group of circuits for economy.
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(n.)
An apparatus for the separation of dry comminuted ore, by exposing it to intermittent puffs of air.
  

1. In data transmission, a functional unit that permits a common path to handle more data sources than there are channels currently available within the path. Note: A concentrator usually provides communication capability between many low-speed, usually asynchronous channels and one or more high-speed, usually synchronous channels. Usually different speeds, codes, and protocols can be accommodated on the low-speed side. The low-speed channels usually operate in contention and require buffering. 2. A device that connects a number of circuits, which are not all used at once, to a smaller group of circuits for economy. (188 )

<communications> A device that combines the data streams from many simultaneously active inputs into one shared channel in such a way that the streams can be separated after transmission. The concentrator's output bandwidth must be at least as great as the total bandwidth of all simultaneously active inputs. A concentrator is one kind of multiplexing device.
For example, a concentrator may be used to connect 24 2400 bps TTYs to a host via a 57600 bps channel.
(2000-03-01)