Abstract: A line scanning device which operates under the control of a microprocessor connected to a control memory in which a memory location area is assigned to each line is provided for a line adapter in a communication controller for receiving or sending message bits in series from or to terminals connected to the lines using any protocols. It comprises a first store which includes a first and a second memories, an area being assigned to each line in each of the memories which can be read and written in the same time and a second store which includes a single memory in which a storage location area is assigned to each line.

Abstract: The address generating device is provided for a communication line scanning device. The lines are connected to the scanning device through n line interface circuits, n varying in accordance with the network configuration. Each interface circuit can be connected to a various number of lines, for instance one line or k lines in a preferred embodiment, and comprises means for providing to the address generating device, a presence indicating signal indicating that it is plugged and a signal indicating the number of the lines connected thereto. A first logic circuit receives the presence indicating signals as inputs and generates on its outputs the address bits of the last present interface circuit to be scanned. A first counter able to count in binary mode up to n-1 is incremented by an increment pulse provided by a clock on each period assigned to the scanning of a line. This counter outputs the address bits of the successive interface circuits.