Abstract: A demand driven access mechanism comprises logic apparatus at each station capable of seizing use of the shared communication channel for enabling access by a selected single station. The logic apparatus receives status signals from all stations so that if one station seeks access to the channel it will be enabled. If two or more stations simultaneously seek access to the channel, the logic apparatus establishes a priority order between them, thereby enabling access to only one station at a time. The stations time-share the channel so that relatively slow stations may make more effective use of the relatively fast communication channel.