Abstract: Guard-time elimination in a time-division multiplexed, active star-coupled, local area, half-duplex mode, synchronous communications network. Guard time between data packets arriving at the central node of the network is eliminated by adjusting the word slot timing at each terminal such that the data arriving at the central node from each terminal in the network is properly phased with data received from other terminals in the network. The terminal initiallization process required for this timing adjustment is accomplished without disruption of other traffic concurrently being processed through the network.