Abstract: A digital voice-data communication system having a base network control unit coupled to a plurality of fixed transceivers for providing communications to a plurality of portable sets. The base network control unit includes control means for permitting communication between the portable sets within the system, or between the portable sets and a larger external telecommunications network. The system employs frequency hopping, time division multiplexing and demand assigned multiple accessing to permit economy of fixed resources via multiple voice channels for each fixed station transceiver and relatively simple portable sets which may be hand held.

Abstract: An automatic route selection capability for a communication system is described which enables the system to utilize digits of a called party number to select in a predetermined manner a predefined group of line pools and a line therein over which the call is to be placed. Once the predefined group of line pools is selected, a priority scheme enables the system to sequentially search each line pool for an available line over which the call can be placed. The system dials the called party using route character digits which prefix or optionally replace one or more of the user-dialed digits.

Abstract: A communication system includes station sets having one or more function enable buttons and a plurality of line access buttons. The function enable buttons include the extension, transfer and send message buttons. Each line select button is associated with a communication line and with the station set associated with that line. Operation of a function enable button initiates the feature associated with that button and also changes the function of a line select button from a line access button to an auto-dial select button for dialing the station associated with the line select button.