Abstract: The terminals in a distributed multi-port communications system are connected by a common communication channel such as found on a broadcast coaxial cable. The terminals communicate with one another during sequential poll cycles to fulfill low data rate requirements or during a burst cycle to fulfill high data rate requirements. Each poll cycle includes a number of time slots with at least one time slot assigned to each terminal during which it can transmit data to any other terminal or request for a burst cycle. The burst cycles are allotted to requesting terminals in accordance with a predetermined priority. During the burst cycle, whose length varies in time with respect to the poll cycle, data are transmitted at a high data rate.