Abstract:
N-digital-sources distributed along a one-way transmission system are multiplexed by having the first such source insert its information in the first time slot of a frame which is defined by apparatus associated with the first source and predetermined pulse signals in each of the other time slots. Apparatus associated with the next source along the transmission system recognizes the location of the second time slot of the frame by examining the received signal to ascertain the existence of one of the predetermined signals in one time slot and a signal not having the characteristics of one of said predetermined signals in the preceding time slot. The apparatus associated with the second source then deletes the predetermined signal from the second time slot and inserts its information in that slot. This process is repeated by each source along the transmission line, with each source inserting its information in the next succeeding time slot.