Synchronizing clock system for a multi-terminal communication apparatus

Claim 2

In a multi-terminal communication system having coupling connecting devices; at least one source of information signals; a transmission medium along which said information signals are propagated in one direction; means for coupling said information signals to and from said transmission medium; a source of clock signals, said clock signals propagating along said transmission medium in the opposite direction to said information signals; and means foR coupling said clock signals from said transmission medium, said clock signals providing the synchronization for said system.

Claim 3

In a system according to claim 1, wherein said transmission medium is a single transmission line along which said information signals are propagated in one direction and said clock signals are propagated in the opposite direction.

Claim 4

In a system according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said information signals to and from said transmission medium comprises a first directional coupler arranged to couple information signals to a branch line and second direction coupler arranged to couple information signals from a branch line to said transmission line in the direction of propagation of said information signals on said transmission line.

Claim 5

In a system according to claim 1, wherein said means for coupling said clock signals from said transmission medium is a directional coupler arranged to couple clock signals to a branch line and essentially terminate information signals.

Claim 6

In a system according to claim 1, further comprising: amplifying means in at least one of said terminals for amplifying said clock signals coupled from said transmission medium, and further clock signal coupling means for coupling said amplified clock signals onto said transmission medium at a location so as to be superimposed on said clock signals from which said clock signals coupled from said transmission medium were obtained.

Claim 7

In a system according to claim 5, wherein said further clock signal coupling means comprises a directional coupler for coupling said amplified clock signals onto said transmission medium so as to propagate in the clock signal direction along said main transmission medium and for essentially terminating information signals coupled from said main transmission line.

Claim 8

In a system according to claim 6, wherein an adjustable delay is provided before said amplifying means so as to adjust the phase of said clock signals coupled from said transmission medium with respect to said clock signals propagating along said transmission medium from which said clock signals were coupled.

Claim 9

In a system according to claim 2, wherein another adjustable delay is included in said main transmission line before said means for coupling said clock signals from said transmission line to adjust the phase of said clock signals with respect to the location of said means for coupling.

Claim 10

In a multi-terminal communication apparatus comprising: a controller for each terminal; a transmission medium linking each controller; at least one source of information signals; said information signals propagating along said transmission medium in one direction; coupling means for coupling branch information signals from the transmission medium to said controller and from said controller to said transmission medium; coupling means for coupling said branch information signals to said terminal; coupling means for coupling new information signals to said controller; means for inverting the phase of said branch information signals; a source of clock signals, said clock signals propagating along said transmission medium in the opposite direction to said information signals; means for coupling said clock signals from said transmission medium; and means for connecting said coupled clock signals to said controller to synchronize the branch information signals, the new information signals and the inverted phase information signals.

Claim 11

In a multi-terminal communication apparatus comprising: a controller for each terminal; a transmission medium linking each controller; at least one source of information signals; said information signals propagating along said transmission medium in one direction; coupling means for coupling branch information signals from the transmission medium to said controller and from said controller to said transmission medium; coupling means for coupling said branch information signals to said terminal; coupling means for coupling new information signals to said controller; means for inverting the phase of said branch information signals; a source of clock signals, said clock signals propagating along said transmission medium in the opposite direction to said information signals; means for coupling said clock signals from said transmission medium; and means for connecting said coupled clock signals to said controller to synchronize the branch information signals, the new information signals and the inverted phase information signals.