MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND WORK MACHINE

Provided are a multiplex communication system and a work machine that can appropriately perform transmission and reception of data between a processing circuit used in an industrial network and a multiplex processing section that multiplexes and transmits control data transmitted in the industrial network. A slave 33 processes control data in the industrial network (for example, EtherCAT (registered trademark)). The control data processed by the slave 33 is transmitted and received by the multiplex communication by a multiplex processing section 61. A DUMMY-PHY 67A, which is connected between the multiplex processing section 61 and the slave 33, generates, in a pseudo manner, a signal compliant with an MII communication standard using a pseudo signal generation section 117, and transmits the generated signal to the slave 33, thereby performing establishment of communication. The DUMMY-PHY 67A performs data transmission between the multiplex processing section 61 and the slave 33 after establishing communication with the slave 33.