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A time division multiple access communications system includes a plurality of terminals coupled to a common signal path, or bus. In one form of the invention, time slots are allocated on a relatively static basis to various requesting terminals to establish communication links over the bus. Control

A time division multiple access communications system includes a plurality of terminals coupled to a common signal path, or bus. In one form of the invention, time slots are allocated on a relatively static basis to various requesting terminals to establish communication links over the bus. Control of bus access and communication link formation is distributed over the entire system, wherein at least one terminal having the slot allocation capability may address selected other terminals and allocate the capability among those other terminals. In a second form, subscriber terminals contend for access to the bus. In a third form, a dual mode communication system is provided incorporating both the allocation and contention modes of operation.

대표청구항 ▼

A time division multiple access communications system comprising: a common signal path and a set of terminals coupled to said path, said set including means for establishing one or more communication links over said path between one or more of said terminals, and means for transferring digital signa

A time division multiple access communications system comprising: a common signal path and a set of terminals coupled to said path, said set including means for establishing one or more communication links over said path between one or more of said terminals, and means for transferring digital signals between linked terminals in one or more time slots associated with said links, said time slots being in a repetitive framed sequence, each of said terminals having an associated address and including means to identify and receive correspondingly addressed digital signals on said path, wherein at least one terminal further includes means for transmitting an addressed primary slot allocation signal on said signal path in at least one of said time slots, said primary slot allocation signal being addressed to one or more other terminals and including data representative of the identity of an allocated one or more of said time slots in which said other terminals may transmit addressed signals on said path.