Line selective time division communication system

Claim 1

A time-division multiplex communication system comprising: an information path consisting of a plurality of discrete lines each carrying samples of signals transmitted within selected time slots recurring once per frame; oscillator means for generating a recurring series of synchronization signals that identify occurring time slots by unique combinations of phase relationships; a synchronization path for carrying synchronization signals generated by the oscillator means; a supervision path for carrying supervisory signals which indicate interconnections to be made within the system; and a plurality of terminator means for providing data inputs to the information path and receiving data outputs from the information path, each terminator means including a supervisory comparator means for producing an output in response to a unique combination of phase relationship occurring in the synchronization path, latch means for accepting a signal from the supervisory path in response to an output received from the supervisory comparator means and for producing first and second latch outputs in response thereto, multiplexer comparator means for receiving the first latch output whereby said comparator is temporarily set to be responsive to a unique combination of phase relationships in the synchronization path, said multiplexer comparator also being connected to the synchronization path for producing an output in response to the occurrance of said unique combination, demultiplexer means for activating one or more selected information path lines in response to the second latch output and for summing successive input samples sequentially received from the activated line or lines, and multiplexer means also responsive to the second latch output for activating one or more selected information path lines in response thereto and for sequentially supplying successive output samples to the activated line or lines.