Abstract: An asynchronous digital TDM multiplexer-demultiplexer combination at one communication terminal is capable of multiplexing N asynchronous input data signals having a random mixture of different bit rates into a transmitted synchronous data stream having a predetermined fixed data format and a given bit rate greater than the sum of the rates of the different rates and to demultiplex N asynchronous output data signals having the same random mixture of the different bit rates from a received synchronous data stream having the data format and the given bit rate, where N is an integer greater than 1.

Abstract: A common controller in the form of a programmed digital sequencer executes a series of instructions to control multiplexing-demultiplexing overhead channel format generation, frame synchronization stuff-destuff operation and automatic channel assignment in a digital TDM multiplexer-demultiplexer combination at one communication terminal to enable multiplexing N input data signals each having a predetermined bit rate into a transmitted synchronous data stream having a predetermined fixed data format and a given bit rate greater than the sum of the predetermined bit rates and to demultiplex N output data signals each having the predetermined bit rate from a received synchronous data stream having the data format and the given bit rate, where N is an integer greater than one.