Generic bus system

A communication system consisting of a number of modules (12A,B) that communicate with one another through a shared communications bus (30) which accommodates different protocols. The system includes a bus clock (39) for defining a frame (54) having a plurality of time slots (52) for communicating signals on the bus; and a bus management algorithm (46) for specifying a receive assignment definition (72) and a transmit assignment definition (94). The receive assignment definition defines a receive channel for each of the modules representing a set of the time slots, where the modules receive signals from the bus during the set of time slots prescribed by the receive channel. The transmit assignment definition defines a transmit channel for each of the modules representing a set of the time slots, where the modules transmit signals to the bus during the set of time slots prescribed by the transmit channel.